Nice Stirrup Cay is a 270-acre personal island within the Bahamas, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Lots of the cruise line’s sailings cease there, permitting cruisers to bask on the seashore and partake in limitless meals served on the island at no extra price. Different actions like ziplining and spa remedies do contain an extra charge.

Bought in 1977, Nice Stirrup Cay was the cruise business’s first personal island. Since then, different cruise strains have adopted go well with, usually bettering on GSC’s early mannequin.

NCL invited me on a media crusing as a part of the Norwegian Aqua‘s christening celebration so I may go to the island for myself.

Instantly upon arrival, I used to be capable of delight in full leisure mode. I grabbed one of many primary lounge chairs to set down my stuff. I didn’t really feel pressured to make a plan of the place to go or to seek the advice of a map (as I usually would when arriving on the port of an actual metropolis). Plus, the power to seize complimentary meals at any time when I wished was handy.

Nonetheless, there have been some pitfalls. For instance, there was no Wi-Fi, which most different personal islands have. And finally, you are caught on a small island. Certain, it is greater than the ship, however for individuals who need the liberty to get out and discover on port days, there simply aren’t that many locations to go on Nice Stirrup Cay.

Right here’s every little thing you could find out about Nice Stirrup Cay.

What I preferred (and didn’t like)

Nice Stirrup Cay seems like an enormous, family-friendly seashore membership. For me, the excessive factors have been:

• It felt secure. I blissfully left my digital camera on a lounge chair, trusting it wouldn’t get stolen (one thing I wouldn’t do on a really public seashore).

• Lounge chairs have been free. That’s typically not the case on public seashores.

• The meals was good. I devoured some hen drumsticks included within the cruise fare.

Right here’s what I didn’t like:

• There was no Wi-Fi. There are not any plans so as to add it, both.

• Going to and from the ship is time-consuming. I needed to take a young boat to get from the cruise to the island, making it troublesome to return to my stateroom noon.

• There’s nowhere to actually stroll or hike. I wished to get my jog on, however the one actual path is just not that lengthy (and infrequently busy with folks). If you wish to get a run in, keep on with the treadmill on the ship.

However this yr, GSC is about to endure some enhancements of its personal that may carry it again as much as par with different personal islands owned by cruise strains — and make it maybe among the best seashore locations you may go to on a NCL crusing.

Methods to get to Nice Stirrup Cay

Ships heading to Nice Stirrup Cay presently use tenders, that are smaller boats used to ferry passengers from ship to shore. It’s not the worst expertise, however boarding a small boat provides vital slowdown (simply a half hour every method) versus strolling off the ship at your individual tempo.

Relying on the crusing, you might have to prebook your tender time, and the method could make it troublesome to return to the ship noon. You could have to attend even longer noon for sufficient company to come back to refill the tender boat earlier than it departs again to the ship.

The brand new pier, projected for completion by the top of 2025, will add extra comfort and adaptability by letting company stroll straight off the ship.

Right here’s a map of the island offered by NCL, divided into what’s there now and what’s coming.

Whereas many actions price additional, it’s totally doable to spend a day at Nice Stirrup Cay with out spending any cash (past what you paid for cruise fare).

GSC has three seashores full of chairs and umbrellas, that are free and accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation.

Meals at GSC is all-you-can-eat and included together with your cruise fare.

The principle restaurant, Jumbey Seaside Grill, serves island-style picnic fare like burgers, hen, corn, rice and fruit.

Tucked away on the finish of the seashore, there’s Abaco Taco, one other free eating spot. It is usually missed due to its semi-hidden location.

A meals truck serves comparable picnic fare like pulled pork sandwiches, whereas scorching canine carts roam the island, too.

A number of bars sprinkled all through the island serve soda and island-inspired alcoholic drinks like frozen daiquiris and mojitos.

Apart from water, juice and low served on the eating places, drinks usually are not included. Nonetheless, NCL’s Extra At Sea package deal, which gives limitless open bar entry, extends out of your ship to GSC.

With out the package deal, cocktails common about $15. Because the Extra At Sea package deal prices $39 per individual per day, you simply break even after three cocktails (and that doesn’t account for different Extra At Sea advantages like specialty eating).

Photograph opps: There’s a swing close to the water that’s an ideal place to snap photographs.

Procuring: A small market space sells the same old souvenirs like hats, shirts and trinkets. Searching is free, however you’ll pay for what you purchase.

Snorkeling: Snorkelers usually swim out to an underwater sculpture backyard on the primary seashore. Moreover that, GSC’s snorkeling is just not nice, with few tropical fish on account of coral reef decline. Snorkeling gear leases price about $35, however you need to use your individual.

Leisure: Stay music or DJs usually play music by the primary seashore.

At Nice Stirrup Cay, you may pay additional for sure excursions and add-ons. Costs range by crusing, however right here’s a tough estimate.

Tools leases: Rental choices embody stand-up paddle boards (about $45) and clam shell shade constructions (about $50).

Zipline: A zipline runs from the lighthouse throughout a lot of the island. There are a number of varieties of zipline excursions, which begin at about $110 for adults.

Swim with pigs: Excursions to a neighboring island referred to as Treasure Island will let you swim with pigs or stingrays. These begin at greater than $200 per grownup.

The spa: Spa remedies can be found inside an unique space referred to as Silver Cove (extra on that later).

Cabanas: Cabanas supply personal area, shade and energy retailers. These begin at about $450 for a six-person cabana per day. Bigger, costlier cabanas accommodate extra folks.

Villas: For an excellent fancier expertise, guide a villa. These small properties sit in an unique space referred to as Silver Cove, which is a portion of GSC that launched in 2019 with its personal seashore, restaurant and pool. It is solely accessible to individuals who guide a villa or spa therapy.

The smallest, six-person villas begin at about $660 per day. As an alternative of the open-air, hut-style cabana, villas are a complete tiny, air-conditioned home with a lounge and restroom. Bigger villas have full bedrooms with precise beds.

A buffet unique to Silver Cove company is barely fancier, with extra grilled veggies and desserts like pineapple upside-down cake and coconut rice pudding.

A lot of GSC is beneath development, with a number of welcome additions anticipated to reach by the top of 2025.

NCL invited NerdWallet on a behind-the-scenes development tour in April 2025.

Building on the pier broke floor in summer time 2024, with an funding of roughly $150 million. The pier will accommodate two cruise ships at a time.

As soon as it opens, company will be capable of stroll straight off the ship, avoiding probably lengthy waits for tenders. A restricted tram service will drive company with restricted mobility down the pier.

The enhancements ought to save company each money and time within the sense that they can keep away from sure upcharges. Individuals who may need beforehand booked a cabana for shade and air con will quickly be capable of simply return to the ship noon for a seashore break.

A brand new heated pool will open alongside a splash zone with water play options for youngsters. The pool will characteristic a swim-up bar, which is included with the Extra At Sea package deal.

Customary seashore chairs might be free. NCL may even add 33 cabanas alongside the perimeter.

However even with all of those enhancements, there are nonetheless no plans so as to add Wi-Fi to the island.

 (High picture by Sally French)