Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) is NCL Cruise Lines 250 acre private island in the Bahamas. If you take a cruise with a Caribbean or Bahamas Itinerary, chances are you will have one day at their private island.
If you are a beach person you will love this day, however make sure that you get over on the first tender or you will have a tough time finding a beach chair!
It is a big beach party all day long!
Many people compare it to other cruise line's islands. It is more natural then the others, and that was NCL's intention in the beginning. However, NCL announced recently that they will be renovating the island with a $20 million facelift.
The first phase will have 2 phases including a new entrance channel and docks for tenders and an expanded beachfront that will accommodate many more guests.
The second phase will include new dining options, an aqua park private beach cabanas, a new kids area and more excursions and activities (including wave runners - YAY!). Expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
The NCL Ships that visit the island are: the Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and the Norwegian Pearl. It is located about 120 miles east of Fort Lauderdale and is a great beach destination.
Guests are tendered ashore on large double-decker tenders that moor on the beach. These tenders hold at least 400 people. Prepare to wait in lines to get on and off the tenders as the process can be long and slow (and hot if you are in the sun).
Great Stirrup Cay Activities
To enjoy your time the most at GSC, make sure you get on the earliest tender possible. There are limited beach chairs and if you want to sit on the beach you will have to get there early.
Lunch is served by the crew and all the food and drinks are brought over from the ship to the island.
Activities offered (some require an additional fee):
- Parasailing
- Snorkeling
- Beach Chairs - some with umbrellas
- Hammocks to sway in the wind in
- A straw market to shop in
- Volleyball courts
- Rent a variety of water toys
- The Giant Hippo Water slide
- Listen to the music of the DJ
- Rent Clam shells for shade
Volleyball on the Beach
Clamshells for rent on the beach
Main Beach with the Hippos Slide
Hippo Slide
Pros and Cons for GSC Bahamas and to see our experience of Great Stirrup Cay.
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