Cabanas on private island

Can someone fill me in on how cabanas work on gsc... Cost..,size..benefits...waiter service...location? TIA

Video from NCL showing large cabanas:

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/great-stirrup-cay

Below is my compilation of info I found on other threads:

The large cabana holds 8 and includes $50 food and beverage credit.

The small cabana holds 4 and includes $25 food and beverage credit.

Includes rental of two float mats, and has a shower.

It appears that the small cabanas have just been finished, as they just appeared as an option to book around Oct 20 2013.

The other new info is that there is now a tram service to the cabanas and back from the tender dock (a few hundred yards or 10 mins walk). They run every 20 mins.

The beach is only 100 ft from the small cabanas which is a lot closer than is the case for the large cabanas. There really is no difference between the cabanas other than size. So if you wanted all of the benefits and to save a little, I would go with the small especially if not too many in your party.

The small cabanas also are nearer the Lagoon, Bobolink Bar and buffet, so a shorter walk to the food. Just take a left when coming out the cabana, away from the main beach to the small buffet. Going right brings you to the main beach and dock.

There is also a bathroom right nearby the small cabanas, which is cleaner generally.

The large cabanas are about 250-300 ft from the water, vs 100 ft for small ones, plus there are wooden stairs up to the large cabanas as they are up higher. Plus you are closer to the quieter amenities near the lagoon in the small cabanas.

Beach in front of the small cabanas never had more than maybe 50 people on it all day. There were plenty of empty loungers available. Most passengers never make it that far from the tender dock. So it's a great spot even if you don't rent a cabana.

You will get a letter delivered to your stateroom about two days before arriving. It will indicate which cabana number. The first small one is 12, then 14, ie no 13 and they go up from there. I don't know how they are allocated but it makes sense that the first booked gets the lowest no. and so on. Also in the letter is a food and drink order form. That needs to be turned into the shore excursion desk so that they can prepare your order at least 24 hours in advance. You get $50 credit to use.

Yes it's free up to $50. I had a $50 credit on my overall account in board, although they never charged me for the $50 of beer that I ordered, as I had pre-paid. If you go over $50 it just gets charged to your ship account.

The place you go to when you first arrive is the snorkel center. This is where you are directed to to check in for the cabana. You can rent the whole set-up to snorkel or you can rent bladder vests which are required to snorkel I believe.

When you book a cabana, because you spent money for that you get priority tendering to the island. Our ticket showed 'Priority Tender'.

Thanks for info... Been there several times but before improvements and cabanas👍

Best money spent ever there is a refridge 8 bottles of water towels ceiling fan a hammock and shower on back.

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If you don't have a cabana, you have to pay for food on GSC?

I have a small cabaña reserved for our October cruise and it says I get a $50 credit, not $25. I'm not really sure why the discrepancies, but maybe the credit has to do with how much you paid for the cabaña. I paid $349 :eek:

If you don't have a cabana, you have to pay for food on GSC?

No, the only charges on GSC are for beverages, just like on board! Think of it as an outdoor buffet just like on the ship. :D

No, the only charges on GSC are for beverages, just like on board! Think of it as an outdoor buffet just like on the ship. :D

Well that is what I thought but then why do they say you get a $50 food and beverage credit? I guess its really just a beverage credit :D

Well that is what I thought but then why do they say you get a $50 food and beverage credit? I guess its really just a beverage credit :D

There is an a la carte menu, not sure if it's only for the cabanas. The prices of the cabanas varies by sailing and ship.

Well that is what I thought but then why do they say you get a $50 food and beverage credit? I guess its really just a beverage credit :D

You can order food not offered at the buffet...like a shrimp or cheese tray, etc. I plan on spending my $50 credit on adult beverages!! 🍺 🍷 🍹 🍸 😜

Thx for posting the info and links! So exciting!

Video from NCL showing large cabanas:

 

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/great-stirrup-cay

 

 

Below is my compilation of info I found on other threads:

 

The large cabana holds 8 and includes $50 food and beverage credit.

The small cabana holds 4 and includes $25 food and beverage credit.

 

Includes rental of two float mats, and has a shower.

 

It appears that the small cabanas have just been finished, as they just appeared as an option to book around Oct 20 2013.

The other new info is that there is now a tram service to the cabanas and back from the tender dock (a few hundred yards or 10 mins walk). They run every 20 mins.

 

The beach is only 100 ft from the small cabanas which is a lot closer than is the case for the large cabanas. There really is no difference between the cabanas other than size. So if you wanted all of the benefits and to save a little, I would go with the small especially if not too many in your party.

The small cabanas also are nearer the Lagoon, Bobolink Bar and buffet, so a shorter walk to the food. Just take a left when coming out the cabana, away from the main beach to the small buffet. Going right brings you to the main beach and dock.

There is also a bathroom right nearby the small cabanas, which is cleaner generally.

 

The large cabanas are about 250-300 ft from the water, vs 100 ft for small ones, plus there are wooden stairs up to the large cabanas as they are up higher. Plus you are closer to the quieter amenities near the lagoon in the small cabanas.

 

Beach in front of the small cabanas never had more than maybe 50 people on it all day. There were plenty of empty loungers available. Most passengers never make it that far from the tender dock. So it's a great spot even if you don't rent a cabana.

 

You will get a letter delivered to your stateroom about two days before arriving. It will indicate which cabana number. The first small one is 12, then 14, ie no 13 and they go up from there. I don't know how they are allocated but it makes sense that the first booked gets the lowest no. and so on. Also in the letter is a food and drink order form. That needs to be turned into the shore excursion desk so that they can prepare your order at least 24 hours in advance. You get $50 credit to use.

Yes it's free up to $50. I had a $50 credit on my overall account in board, although they never charged me for the $50 of beer that I ordered, as I had pre-paid. If you go over $50 it just gets charged to your ship account.

The place you go to when you first arrive is the snorkel center. This is where you are directed to to check in for the cabana. You can rent the whole set-up to snorkel or you can rent bladder vests which are required to snorkel I believe.

 

When you book a cabana, because you spent money for that you get priority tendering to the island. Our ticket showed 'Priority Tender'.

We just booked on the Breakaway for Feb 2015. Im only seeing large cabanas as an option.

We rented a large cabana last year (January) and I wouldn't do it again because for most of the day, we were in the shade.:( We ended up moving down onto the beach to be in the sun.

Tracy

Well that is what I thought but then why do they say you get a $50 food and beverage credit? I guess its really just a beverage credit :D

Here's the cabana menu, which lists the items that you can use your $50 credit for. Think of it as similar to the ship's room service menu, which includes for-charge items in addition to the complimentary ones.

We rented a large cabana last year (January) and I wouldn't do it again because for most of the day, we were in the shade.:( We ended up moving down onto the beach to be in the sun.

 

Tracy

That's exactly why I would rent a cabana - to be out of the sun. To each his own.

Our cabana in February 2013 was limited to six people - although not really enforced! The six people each got priority tendering and a wristband for the hippo slide. We also received a $50 food & beverage credit as described above -along with cold bottled water, fruit and chips & salsa. Plus extra beach towels, floats, outdoor shower and hammock!! There were only 10 cabanas back then... And no lagoon area with the add'l buffet.

Reserved it mostly for the shade and to have a gathering spot for our group. Most were on the UBP and had a server bring them drinks right to the cabana... Worked out well ;)