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Great Stirrup Clay updates

Sestar

By Sestar,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

Posted
Posted (edited)

GSC remains a tendering port, even when it is reopened, whenver that new grand re-opening date might be - thus, ships scheduled to make a stop there don't always find conditions to be suitable to launch tendering :eek: - odds are 50:50 on whether you will end up with an extra fun day at sea instead and/or overnighting in Nassau, etc.

 

While we don't (like some/others here on CC) love Nassau and/or go ashore sometimes - others find things to do on their own - it helped that you know for sure ahead of embarkation of your odds of bypassing GSC and go elsewhere ... to help in making alternate plans. And, to make the best out of it..

Edited by mking8288
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newmexicoNita

newmexicoNita

Posted
Posted (edited)
it's scheduled to open a month later than originally scheduled...... like you said. Lololol

 

Nov 20th is the new date

 

- Norwegian Sky’s three-day cruises will now have an overnight in Nassau

- Norwegian Sky’s four-day cruises will now call in Nassau and Key West

- Norwegian Breakaway’s seven-day Bahamas & FL cruises will overnight in Nassau

- Norwegian Epic’s November 12 cruise from Port Canaveral will call in Nassau

 

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Thanks so much for the update. I was hoping for Key West, but whatever; we will still have a great cruise.

 

As for only a 50/50 chance of be able to tender, we have had better luck with GSC than other private islands. Only twice have we sailed RCI with a private island tender; neither time have we been able to do so, the same with HAL. The tender was operating for about an hour or so, but they had to discontinue due to rough water.

Edited by newmexicoNita
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dexddd

dexddd

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I just got off the phone with NCL. Breakaway will overnight in Nassau but the rep didn't know arrival time. I'm betting it will vary week to week based on available places to dock.

 

Probably the case. I know when we missed GSC on BA we sailed slowly around and got to Nassau at 6 pm.

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esm54687

esm54687

Posted
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Breakaway - you say will overnight in Nassau. Do I assume you mean we will arrive a day early since GSC was before Nassau? Did you get that detail?

Thanks!!

Depends on your itinerary as well as dock availability in Nassau.

 

My Nov 13 Breakaway cruise is scheduled to arrive in Nassau then GSC so we will just arrive in Nassau on time and stay overnight and depart at 5pm.

 

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renjrusa

renjrusa

Posted
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When GSC reopens, does anyone know if they'll have the new features which were originally described as coming in 2017 - such as the zip line, lagoon retreat.

 

I doubt it will be fully finished. They will continue to work as they were scheduled to reopen this week and not be fully finished with all the improvements until spring. The hurricane put the construction schedule back, and they will still be working on the island even while making improvements..

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esm54687

esm54687

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Our late Feb. Sky cruise is allowing me to book GSC excursions... Hopefully that is enough time to be open!

It will be open but don't expect to see 100% functionality

 

Think of it as an apartment complex opening for residents to move in but the swimming pool, weight room and golf course are still under construction...

 

I would expect it to be very late 2017 for it to be complete...... remember they have to also ship all supplies, materials, workers, etc to GSC so rough seas, storms, etc will impact the overall schedule.. the press release says "coming in 2017" and that window is 365 days

 

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BeachCruiserNJ

BeachCruiserNJ

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While overnighting in Nassau sounds like a an ok alternative, Nassau is not the safest port to be walking around at night. I would prefer to be at sea with the shops and casino open.

 

I agree with you BirdTravels. 8 hours in Nassau is quite long enough. A night & day at sea would be much more appreciated. There' so much to do on the ship that I think most people would find it a better alternative. We are on back-to-back cruises Nov 6th & Nov 13th so will need to endure this overnight situation twice :eek:

 

Would be nice if NCL would take a poll.

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esm54687

esm54687

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Just got off the phone with NCL and spoke to a manager....

 

The re scheduled opening is definitely Nov 20 however our itinerary is set to arrive on the 17th. If construction and cleanup is accelerated then we may tender there and if not we will be notified by email prior to the cruise. There are itinerary changes for other cruises that call on GSC prior to November 20th.

 

My personal take is that NCL would prefer to try and get to GSC, even with limited functionality, and not pay the extra port fees to The Bahamas.... either way we are on vacation!!

 

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Heckah

Heckah

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Posted

 

My personal take is that NCL would prefer to try and get to GSC, even with limited functionality, and not pay the extra port fees to The Bahamas.... either way we are on vacation!!

 

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Not to mention, GSC is a pure profit center for NCL. They get a bigger take on the excursions, the clam shells and cabanas are profit. They won't lose alcohol sales to Senor Frogs at GSC

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Nola26

Nola26

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While overnighting in Nassau sounds like a an ok alternative, Nassau is not the safest port to be walking around at night. I would prefer to be at sea with the shops and casino open.

 

A taxi ride to Atlantis will give you an open casino, shops and restaurants to enjoy in the evening.

 

Also on Bermuda overnights the casino opens at 9pm, check with NCL to see when/if the onboard casino and shops open at night at Nassau.

 

I would likely enjoy a combination of the two. Probably book a private island or tour for the day, return to ship to clean up and dinner then head over to Atlantis for an evening out. Return to the ship for my late night activity whether it be just music/comedy/dancing or casino too.

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BeachCruiserNJ

BeachCruiserNJ

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NCL can operate in Bermuda because they have paid for a gaming license for their ships. Probably not going do do that for a couple of one-off stops in Nassau.

 

Atlantis is fine, but its kinda expensive. Cheap dinner it is not.

 

For some reason I do remember being on the Breakaway last year and we had to skip GSC and spent the overnight in Nassau. I believe the casino did open that night from 9:00 pm - 4:00 am (might have the hours wrong). Maybe they'll do the same this time around.

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Morris4me

Morris4me

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According to a phone call I placed with NCL last night, GSC is closed until 11/20. They are rerouting ships but are not saying over the phone where. They told me people will be notified via email 2 to 3 days prior to sailing of the itinerary change.

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