Everything.. GREAT STIRRUP CAY 3.0, live somewhere in spring 2017!

Norwegian's Edge project will also include some attention for GSC:

"Attention will also be paid to Norwegian's private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay. Though it received major refurbishments in 2014, the island will undergo another refresh in spring 2017, Stuart said, with more specific details to be announced."

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6767

So, what are we currently missing on GSC (besides the Hippo slide since a short while..)? Let's call it GSC 3.0, the refurbishment!

Some extra cabanas to help level a more acceptable price/demand? An exclusive Haven beach?

Or outdoor activities like zip lines, ropes courses, coaster rides (Labadee, RCCL), beach side slides?

Will be there anything done to that half finished semi aqua theater that was dug out? Or maybe a pier to dock?

And perhaps NCL might extend and develop GSC in such way that two ships at a time will be possible at some point in the future?

Any words of wisdom from us for the development team at NCL? :)

This should keep us busy instead of a new ship.. :D

Formerly Bliss will be out in spring 2017 too but she won't call at GSC anytime soon.. ;)

 

Is that how it looks now? I haven't been there in about 3 years and it about the time of the new docking port. If that is how it is now, that is huge.

 

Is that how it looks now? I haven't been there in about 3 years and it about the time of the new docking port. If that is how it is now, that is huge.

 

Yes that is how it looks now. They did a lot of improvements.

The waters surrounding GSC are too deep for pilings to build a pier. The currents are also too strong to make a floating dock particularly practical. But, you never know. The new ex-Carnival/Costa and Prestige Marine Ops VPs are making some really foolish suggestions and changes at the moment.

Before all of the recent corporate shuffling, NCL was looking into building several new tenders to replace the aging Little Norways. I have no idea what they're going to do now. Anything is possible with the new clowns running the show.

The Dutch can build anything water related! ;)

Well, surcharge food hasn't made it yet to GSC. But I am really betting on an Haven area or some expensive waterside cabana's (a la Labadee).

"Guests will also benefit from several new offerings and high quality amenities at the line’s private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay, from spring 2017. Although specific details will be revealed later this year, Norwegian said guests should expect to find experiences complementing those onboard its ships, including private spaces, luxury relaxation areas, multiple food and beverage outlets and interactive activities."

http://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/norwegian-debuts-the-norwegian-edge-initiative

"Guests will also benefit from several new offerings and high quality amenities at the line’s private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay, from spring 2017. Although specific details will be revealed later this year, Norwegian said guests should expect to find experiences complementing those onboard its ships, including private spaces, luxury relaxation areas, multiple food and beverage outlets and interactive activities."

 

http://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/norwegian-debuts-the-norwegian-edge-initiative

I am particularly interested in that list bit. I would love to see more activity offerings aside from just a beach day and wave runners.

I am particularly interested in that list bit. I would love to see more activity offerings aside from just a beach day and wave runners.

Ropes course, zip line, coaster ride, playground, bouncing castle, new hippo slide?

Maybe NCL is reading along so make your wishes known. :D

And the coral carved "aqua theater", wondering if there's going to happen anything to/with it?

"As a part of The Norwegian Edge™ investment program, Great Stirrup Cay will receive new features, amenities and island-wide enhancements over the next 16 months, and will welcome guests in 2017 to what will be practically an all-new destination."

https://www.ncl.com/press-releases/norwegian-cruise-line-unveils-select-fall-and-winter-201718-itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled new details about their private island, Great Stirrup Cay, that include a 1,000 foot zip line, expanded dining options, a new family recreation area, and an exclusive lagoon retreat with private air-conditioned villas that will open by the summer of 2017.

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to own and operate a private island when the company bought Great Stirrup Cay in 1977. The cruise line is now investing in the island as part of the $400 million Norwegian Edge investment program. Norwegian is revolutionizing the island with new luxurious amenities, adventure activities, expanded dining options, and an upgraded atmosphere for passengers when they visit the island.

Island Experiences

As with previous investments, Norwegian is again focusing on the top to bottom details of the private island experience at Great Stirrup Cay, providing larger scale new restaurants and amenities, as well as numerous smaller details to raise the bar on the island experience even higher. Great Stirrup Cay’s 10 acre beach will soon feature a new half mile oceanside boardwalk that will span the length of the shore with more than 100,000 square feet of pathway, offering easy access to the white sand beaches, as well as access to new shaded areas with benches for relaxation.

Just adjacent to the beach, guests looking for a more active island experience can visit the new half-acre entertainment and activity complex, featuring a stage for live music, games and entertainers; basketball and volleyball courts, complete with bleachers; ping-pong tables; and a shaded picnic area where families can play board games or relax together. A new air-conditioned reception area will serve as the central hub for family-fun where guests can plan their day, reserve activities, rent board games and have access to expansive changing rooms.

Guests seeking heart-pumping adventure will soon be able to enjoy a new zip line course featuring more than 1,000 feet of zip line, allowing guests a bird’s eye view of the island and the sea as they soar through the air. The island’s two parallel zip lines offer the chance for some friendly competition and high-flying races. Those who prefer to take to the sea for exploration can snorkel through the island’s new mystical underwater sculpture garden. Using a waterproof map as a guide, adventure seekers can discover nautical creatures that tell tales of the deep from beneath the sea.

From the many new shaded lounge and picnic spaces, to more than $1 million in new landscaping throughout the island, to new restrooms and lockers at the tender marina, guests will find a whole new experience by January 2017.

Lagoon Retreat

Guests seeking the ultimate island luxury will experience a retreat like no other at Great Stirrup Cay’s exclusive lagoon enclave, beginning in Summer 2017. This private area of Great Stirrup Cay features a secluded, pristine beach; oceanview restaurant; a posh Mandara Spa; sheltered family area; and 22 air-conditioned private villas available for reservations, ranging in size from studios to two-bedrooms. The lagoon will be available on a complimentary basis to The Haven and Suite guests, along with guests who purchase an on-island Mandara Spa service. In addition, a limited amount of passes to the Lagoon will available for purchase on each sailing.

The Lagoon experience begins as guests are welcomed by staff at a modern, air-conditioned reception area complete with beach chic décor that features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the area’s expansive private beaches. From the reception building, guests can reserve activities, rent equipment, or relax in the shade on the outdoor terrace or an additional shaded seating area nearby that can be accessed by the lagoon bridge. The center of the lagoon will feature a floating swim up bar for guests to enjoy their favorite cocktails without ever having to leave the water. Both children and parents will enjoy a shallow, partitioned family beach area along with grassy areas for active play, swing sets, and picnic tables.

Those guests celebrating a special occasion or traveling in a large group can reserve an expansive, well-appointed private room for private functions of up to 75 guests, with food and beverage service available. Guests looking to refresh and recharge during their private island getaway can indulge in the full range of treatments offered at the lagoon’s luxurious Mandara Spa, with four treatment rooms offering signature spa services.

Exclusively for guests of the lagoon retreat, the two-story Silver Palm restaurant will offer complimentary dining in a stunning setting, with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a rooftop terrace overlooking the area’s expansive ocean views. All luxury beach villas will also include food and beverage service for guests who wish to enjoy refreshments in the privacy of their villa.

Dining

All dining and bar venues will be updated island-wide, adding new resort-style decking, shaded areas, high-top seating at all bars and family-style seating that will add 50 percent more seating capacity at all dining outlets.

A new complimentary taco bar, Abaco Taco,will be added near the island’s entertainment hub, where guests can create their own favorite tacos. The island’s 8,500-square foot buffet will be redesigned to provide faster and more efficient service for guests, and the deck surrounding the buffet will be expanded so guests can enjoy their lunch at new seating areas. The center of the island will feature a shaded lounge area with modern chic furniture and bar service, for guests who want to enjoy paradise in style.

Building on the brand’s exclusive partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Great Stirrup Cay will also feature a LandShark Bar & Grill. Inspired by the traditional beach bars of the Atlantic Coast, LandShark Bar & Grill offers the perfect mix of casual dining, free-flowing drinks and fun with panoramic ocean views and indoor and outdoor seating. Menu items will be available à la carte.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all areas of the newly-renovated Great Stirrup Cay on a number of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries available in 2017.

http://cruisefever.net/06022-norwegian-cruise-line-unveils-new-features-on-great-stirrup-cay/

The existing Large Cabanas with some new landscaping?

The remodeled Lagoon area:

The reception area

Two Bedroom Villa

Two Bedroom living area

One Bedroom Villa living area

Private Villa Restaurant

Silver Palm restaurant, top deck

Private Room

NCL.com: "Private party room available for reservation"

Mandara Spa on GSC

Lagoon view

View from one of the Villas

The Lagoon as it is now:

The old and the new, the ocean in-/outlet is easy to identify on both pics (so are two smaller islands I realise now hehe..)

Ropes course, zip line, coaster ride, playground, bouncing castle, new hippo slide?

 

Maybe NCL is reading along so make your wishes known. :D

NCL is advertising exactly what they are doing on NCL.COM

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

NCL is advertising exactly what they are doing on NCL.COM

 

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

I posted that last January, thanks?

I'm wondering what the purpose is for cabanas with bedrooms in them? I wouldn't think too many folks would want to go to GSC and then just go to bed, as the stop isn't that long to begin with. Perhaps they will be docking overnight at GSC in the future? Any thoughts?

I'm wondering what the purpose is for cabanas with bedrooms in them? I wouldn't think too many folks would want to go to GSC and then just go to bed, as the stop isn't that long to begin with. Perhaps they will be docking overnight at GSC in the future? Any thoughts?

I wondered about them too, besides a quick nap and the obvious I am not sure why anyone would use a bed whilst on GSC... since there are 2 BR you would expect overnight stays indeed.

It's better to have pax spending on your own grounds than in some random port I guess. ;)

Furthermore, the other brands in the holding might use the island for overnight stays. But it may also limit the capacity/ships calling at GSC so maaaybe multiple ships from 2017 and on?

Questions, questions.. :)

The old and the new, the ocean in-/outlet is easy to identify on both pics (so are two smaller islands I realise now hehe..)

 

 

The Lagoon experience begins as guests are welcomed by staff at a modern, air-conditioned reception area complete with beach chic décor that features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the area’s expansive private beaches. From the reception building, guests can reserve activities, rent equipment, or relax in the shade on the outdoor terrace or an additional shaded seating area nearby that can be accessed by the lagoon bridge. The center of the lagoon will feature a floating swim up bar for guests to enjoy their favorite cocktails without ever having to leave the water. Both children and parents will enjoy a shallow, partitioned family beach area along with grassy areas for active play, swing sets, and picnic tables.

The area that you have designated as the spa, I think that it is just going to be an additional seating area based on the description above. Also, in the spa picture, it looks like the view faces the ocean and not the lagoon. What you think?

I think you're right!

Now it has me wondering if there is anything on the lower side of the map (especially the "grassy area/family beach")?

Studying the Spa pic, here's my second guess; 1st floor of the Restaurant, overlooking the sea without even a sight of sand/beach?

Sex on the Beach ?:eek: