Nice Stirrup Cay is a non-public island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and situated within the Bahamas. The island is unique to cruisers touring on NCL ships within the Caribbean, and it presents a lot to do — from kayaking to snorkeling, zip lining to easily hanging out with a drink on the seashore.
Right here’s all the things you are able to do and what to anticipate in case you plan on cruising on an itinerary that travels to Nice Stirrup Cay within the close to future.
What to Know About Nice Stirrup Cay
Whereas exploring a new-to-you cruise port has its charms, I do suppose that there’s simply one thing particular about visiting a cruise line-exclusive vacation spot.
The entire actions are coordinated by the cruise line, so there’s no risking it with third-party tour suppliers. All the pieces is designed so you may have as a lot enjoyable as doable. In some circumstances, you may get pleasure from on-shore actions with out even paying additional.
As for Nice Stirrup Cay, this 268-acre locale within the Berry Islands of the Bahamas was bought by Norwegian Cruise Line within the Seventies. Initially, the island was a pirate’s hideaway, then a U.S. navy publish, and there’s even a historic lighthouse on the island, courting to the 1860s.
When Norwegian Cruise Line finally developed the island, it was the primary time {that a} cruise line had ever taken over an island and used it solely for its friends.
Over time, Norwegian Cruise Line has made numerous refurbishments and enhancements to the island, akin to a $1 million improve within the Nineteen Nineties, and additional additions within the 2010s.
Most lately, the cruise line stated it will be constructing a brand new pier on the island, which might assist negate the necessity for tendering upon arrival on the island.
As of early 2025, the two-ship pier is predicted to be open by late 2025, which can enable NCL to double the variety of friends on the island at one time, beginning in 2026. That would imply that as many as 700,000 cruisers go to the island annually.
Seashores
There are three primary seashores on the personal island, supplying you with entry to the crystal clear waters: Infinity Seashore, Lighthouse Seashore and Cabana Seashore.
Infinity Seashore and Lighthouse Seashore each supply handy areas near different facilities akin to bars, eating places, the historic lighthouse and zip lining. The latter can accommodate a whole bunch of cruisers and, thus, can get somewhat bit crowded.
In the meantime, the Cabana Seashore, whereas on the small aspect, nonetheless presents a meals truck after which cabanas for hire.
There are two forms of cabanas you may hire: premium and basic cabanas. Premium cabanas are bigger, appropriate for as much as eight individuals and include furnishings akin to sofas and water toys like floating mats, in addition to bottled water. Traditional cabanas are barely smaller, appropriate for six individuals, however with comparable facilities.
Premium cabana leases are $714 for an all-day rental. Traditional cabana leases are $659 for an all-day rental.
Along with cabanas, you can even hire clam shells, that are precisely what they sound like: clam shell-shaped coverings that sit on the seashore and supply shade with out the unwieldiness of a seashore umbrella. Clam shell leases begin at $50 for an all-day rental.
Eating and Bars
You’ll be capable of dine as a lot as you want on Nice Stirrup Cay, as the entire eating is included in your cruise fare. Moreover, if in case you have a drinks package deal in your cruise ship, you’ll be capable of apply it to Nice Stirrup Cay as properly.
When you do not need a drinks package deal, your drink purchases will merely be charged to your account by way of your cruise card.)
Meals choices embody Abaco Taco, for a handful of taco choices, and Jumbey Seashore Grill, which is a buffet with barbecue entrees and aspect dishes. There’s additionally a meals truck on Cabana Seashore, with sandwiches.
Whereas previous cruisers’ opinions of the construct your individual taco choices aren’t that nice, many say that the buffet’s barbecue is sort of tasty.
That stated, your general eating choices are somewhat restricted, so if in case you have particular dietary necessities or are notably choosy, you could need to eat earlier than you allow the ship or after you get again to the ship.
As for bars, there are 4 to select from, scattered throughout the island: Patron Bar, Betram’s Bar, Bacardi Bar and Lighthouse Seashore Bar.
Actions
You’ll discover an array of actions on Nice Stirrup Cay. Nonetheless, earlier than you start planning your day, understand that some are complimentary and you’ll simply present up forward of time and revel in them, whereas others do require an additional price and should be booked like all on-shore tour at any port.
There’s a snorkel heart on the island the place you may hire tools for snorkeling excursions. Snorkeling tools runs about $15 for teenagers and $30 for adults.
When you’ve rented your tools, you may get pleasure from heading out to snorkeling spots like an underwater sculpture backyard, the place you may try the coral reefs and swim among the many marine life like stingrays and starfish.
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When you’d favor an tour that retains you above the water, you may join a waverunner tour (from $175). Different excursions embody kayaking (from $59) and rise up paddle boarding (from $43) journeys, or a guided journey to a close-by island the place you may swim with pigs (from $175).
There are a number of zip traces on the island (together with the Seahawk zip line and Osprey traverse zip line), in addition to ropes programs. To trip on the zip traces, you should be at the least eight years previous and also you do should weigh lower than 250 kilos.
Relying on the zip line you select, you could possibly soar above almost 3,000 toes of open air! There’s additionally a zipper line that hangs from the reproduction lighthouse. One-hour zip line and ropes course experiences begin at $87.
For a little bit of retail remedy, make a journey to the island’s market, the place you should buy souvenirs and some requirements, in case you forgot beachwear. There’s additionally a wide variety of Bahamian crafts and native merchandise.
If you wish to store a bit, carry some money ({dollars} are good), because the locals promoting on the market is not going to settle for bank cards.
Silver Cove
Similar to so many cruise ships now have particular VIP areas the place solely suite friends are admitted and which often supply personal eating places, solar decks and extra, so does Nice Stirrup Cay have the same VIP space on the island: Silver Cove.
Silver Cove is barely open to those that hire a non-public villa on the island. Along with housing the villas, this portion of the island additionally options a number of stunning out of doors spots to sunbathe or lounge, an infinity pool, a spa, two personal seashores (Silver Cove Lagoon and Villa Seashore), an upscale Silver Cove buffet and bar, and a separate bar.
Do be aware, that you just don’t should e-book a Silver Cove villa as a way to use the spa. You may e-book a spa appointment with out reserving a villa, however that’s the one a part of Silver Cove which you could entry with out that villa rental.
Value Studying: Norwegian Cruise Line Haven – What You Have to Know
That doesn’t imply which you could’t nonetheless get pleasure from an awesome day on the Silver Cove spa, although; after your remedy, try the spa’s scorching tubs’ stellar views of the ocean.
As for the villas themselves, you’ve gotten just a few completely different selections right here. The most important possibility is a two-bedroom household villa that may accommodate as much as 16 cruisers.
Along with the 2 bedrooms, there are additionally two bogs, residing and eating areas, massive out of doors residing areas, complimentary on-demand films on the villa TV and in-villa meals service.
The smallest villa possibility is the Ocean Villa, which might accommodate solely six cruisers. Whereas there aren’t any bedrooms within the villa (although, why would you want bedrooms anyway, whenever you’re solely on the island for a day?), there’s a residing and eating area, and full personal restroom.
Villa leases vary in price, however begin at round $650.
Excellent news, although — even in case you didn’t e-book a Haven suite in your Norwegian Cruise Line ship, you may nonetheless get entry to Silver Cove. Simply since you’re not a so-called VIP on the ship doesn’t imply which you could’t be a VIP on land.
Ideas for Visiting Nice Stirrup Cay
There are some things you’ll need to bear in mind when visiting Nice Stirrup Cay, for the very best expertise doable, which I can let you already know about:
For one, understand that till the brand new two-ship pier is completed, you’ll must tender to the personal island. Which means you’ll must get to the tender ship, wait in line after which journey to the island on the small tender boats. Then, you’ll must get again to the ship on the tender boats, which might additionally embody a wait.
To keep away from lengthy wait instances for the tender boats, you’ll need to each go away to get to the island early within the morning (or extra-late within the night) after which plan to go again to the ship at the least an hour or two earlier than the ship’s departure time.
You’ll additionally need to get off the ship as early as doable, as a way to snag a great place on the seashore, in case you plan to spend most of your day beach-bumming.
I do know, I do know — getting up early is the very last thing you need to do whenever you’re on a cruise ship, on trip. Nonetheless, consider me after I say that it’s properly price it to get that prime seashore actual property.
Then, if you wish to journey to Nice Stirrup Cay, you’ll must ensure that you e-book a cruise on one of many ships and itineraries that cease there.
At the moment, ships that journey to Nice Stirrup Cay embody Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pleasure, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Solar and Norwegian Viva.
When you’ve determined that you just need to get pleasure from any of the paid excursions or actions whereas on the island, be certain to cease by the tour desk on the cruise ship forward of your arrival, to e-book these actions.
Once I go into port, I wish to carry alongside a small backpack or tote bag filled with any need-to-have gadgets, like sunscreen, water bottles, swim footwear, and so forth., relying on what I plan on doing whereas in that port.
That is nonetheless a good suggestion whenever you go to Nice Stirrup Cay — however you’ll additionally need to understand that, in contrast to as is the case on some cruise ship personal islands, there aren’t any lockers right here.
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Which means in case you’re taking an tour and need to put your bag or some valuables away when you’re zip lining or scuba diving, you’re out of luck.
Lastly, there’s no WiFi on Nice Stirrup Cay, so don’t count on to have the ability to instantly add all your selfies to your favourite social media platform.
You’ll want both a global knowledge plan as a way to have service, otherwise you’ll merely want to attend till you’re again on the ship (if in case you have one of many ship’s WiFi packages) to entry any on-line content material.
