Norwegian's Private Island Experience Just Got Better

A day spent on a cruise line’s private island is often cited as cruise passengers’ fondest memory in their favorite port of call. Norwegian Cruise Line started it all as the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s 250-acre private island in the Bahamas, offers beautiful white sand beaches, majestic palms and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs.

Activities on the island include a Waverunner® tour; a large Hippo Waterslide; eco boat tour; kayaking; parasailing; shopping at the straw market; and now there is more.

Norwegian has announced that a new Stingray Encounter and Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure are now available on Great Stirrup Cay. In addition, coming soon is a brand new Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron. The launch of these three brand new experiences marks more exciting additions to the island as part of the ongoing $30 million enhancement project.

Located inside Bertram’s Cove, on the right hand side of the main beach, the Stingray Encounter invites guests to interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed area. This exciting and unique excursion introduces guests to these smooth and graceful creatures. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique personality, and guests will enjoy feeding, watching and holding them, for the perfect photo opportunity. Also included in the Stingray Encounter experience is use of a mask, snorkel, and snorkel vest so that guests can peer below the surface to examine the rays up close. The hour-long excursion includes 45-minutes of interaction with the rays and is $29 per adult and $19 per child.

Norwegian is also launching a new snorkel trail experience called, “Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure,” for guests to enjoy during their time on Norwegian’s private island. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on the island and Norwegian has now enhanced that experience with the snorkel trail.

Located near the Stingray Encounter in Bertram’s Cove, the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure is the first private island snorkel trail to depict an actual legend as it portrays the tale of a shipwreck. As the legend goes, “The Fancy,” sailing from Nassau, Bahamas in 1696, encountered a mythical creature named Lusca that was half-shark, half-octopus. It is believed that Lusca was responsible for the ship disappearing near the Berry Islands, the location of Great Stirrup Cay. Guests can explore discover and look for clues underwater that lead to the treasure that the Fancy was carrying, highlighted by 17 different underwater scenes that depict the shipwreck and Lusca’s legend, including cannons, a sunken piano, treasure chests, swords and more.

Developed in conjunction with IDEA Inc., an Orlando-based company with experience in developing theme park experiences, the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure features some authentic artifacts that are more than 300 years old. In addition, all of the artifacts are eco-friendly and will stimulate additional marine life in the area. To experience the snorkel trail, guests can rent snorkel equipment at a rate of $29 per adult or $15 per child for the entire day. Guests wishing to experience both the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure and the Stingray Encounter during their time on the island can purchase a combination package that includes both tours at a discounted price of $49 per adult, a $9 savings, and $29 per child, a $5 savings.

Norwegian has also partnered with the popular spirits brand, Patron, to introduce a new island bar experience to Great Stirrup Cay called, Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron. This is the first private island bar that Patron has sponsored. It will feature Patron products, as well as a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar will be completely redesigned and will be outfitted with beach-inspired décor, Patron branded materials, including bar stools, umbrellas and menu boards, as well as two large flat-screen TVs that will showcase a variety of entertainment from music videos to sporting events. The new bar is set to open in September 2012.

How To Get There: Norwegian Sky makes year-round stops at Great Stirrup Cay on her 3- and 4-day cruises from Miami. Norwegian Gem visits Great Stirrup Cay during her 7-day Bahamas and Florida itinerary from New York. Beginning in October, Norwegian Jewel will also stop at Great Stirrup Cay on her 7-day Bahamas and Florida cruises from New York. Norwegian Pearl will also visit Great Stirrup Cay this winter on her 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami. Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian’s newest ship launching next spring, will visit Great Stirrup Cay on 7-day cruises from New York to the Bahamas and Florida beginning in mid-October 2013. For more information, visit NCL.com.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line