Great Stirrup Stop

[travel12]

Hello : We are on the Dawn March 2 cruise. After reading all the comments about the private island, we are leaning towards staying on board for this stop. Question... Are the on board shops and the casino open during the hours that the ship is tendered for the private island?

 

Thanks,

Brenda

[bakerintn]

Hi, Brenda.... don't have an answer for you on what is open on "port" days. I'm sure you will get some soon.

 

However, I'm inviting you to check out the Roll Call section and find the Dawn March 2 sailing and post your information. We will have a CC Meet and Greet onboard, and would like you and yours to join us.

[GaryWT]

Usually everything is closed on Port Days. If you stay onboard instead of sitting on the beach then you can sit, relax and probably enjoy the pool without a crowd. Of course food will be available.

[asoowal]

Private Island calls are different from the other ports. If I remember correctly all the shops and the casino are open and operating while at the PI.

[prg2101]

Just came back from the bahamas on the gem and sorry to say but the casino and shops are closed during this stop....Not sure what comments you have heard but this is a great chance to get off the ship and enjoy the beach and the BBQ....The only people on the island are the people on the ship so as long as you get back on at a good time, say 1 hour before leaving to avoid the wait for a tender you should have a blast!:)

[amelie1980]

I really enjoyed this Island. Really clear water, lot of fish to see; I saw Barracuda and stingray. I feed the fish with bananas and that was a beautiful day.

[RWKY]

By all means - get of the ship. This island is beautiful and always a highlight for us. Forget the negative posters on here - I think they are Carnival and RCCL shareholders trying to get the occupancy up on their lines - NCL is good (not great) but the private island is wonderful!! We will be there again in April (been 5 times before).

[Sandyrella]

We were in Great Stirrup Cay last year on the NCL Spirit and loved it. Yes, it's a bit crowded but you can go off the beaten track a bit and find a quieter spot if that's what you are looking for. It's definitely worth getting off to take a look around. I try to take all the reviews I read with a grain of salt..it's all subjective.

 

We'll be on the same ship as you. Come join us on our roll call :)

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=602530

[LANDLADY]

Yes indeed, do get off. Even if you only go for a couple of hours. We went parasailing and it was great. if you have the chance to do that and haven't been before,,give it a try. Water was great..not too warm and not too cool. You will have a great time...get off the ship and enjoy!

[jollycruise]

We had a fab time on GSC. Walked to the othe side of island. Went to the lighthouse. Saw lots of lizards (small ones) and hermit crabs. Old WWII buildings. Got a two person float raft thing and floated for a few hours in the ocean. Saw lots of fish. Water was perfect! Ate at the BBQ and then got back on the ship. We had a great time :)

[dongordon]

There were some "ugly" stories about sand flies on the island on recent cruises.

 

We are going February 16th on the Gem. Have any recent cruisers to the island experienced this problem? I did not have this on other NCL cruises. However, I went in the summer, not in the winter and perhaps this is a seasonal problem.

 

Don

[sharonax3]

Just came back last week and I was worried about the sand flies also. I am happy to report there were absolutely NO flies. The island is very pretty with beautiful blue water. The barbeque on the other hand, was not so great..

You will have a very nice time.

[jaja]

So glad to see the posts on GSC--I had been looking forward to relaxing there --end of February on the Gem...

 

hoping water is OK (clear and warm) for snorkling...we are bringing our masks!!! (enough to see off island without paying for NCL snorkle there????)

 

jaja

[Planer's Edge]

So glad to see the posts on GSC--I had been looking forward to relaxing there --end of February on the Gem...

 

hoping water is OK (clear and warm) for snorkling...we are bringing our masks!!! (enough to see off island without paying for NCL snorkle there????)

 

jaja

 

The only reason to pay for NCL's snorkel option is if you need equipment. You will be snorkeling in the same place as every one else. Be aware that they will require you to use a buoyancy vest while snorkeling. They will supply you with one free of charge if you have your own mask fins and snorkel.

 

PE

[slotaddict]

Hate that vest John, it inhibits me, I put in on, never infate it. :)