Visiting a private island in the Bahamas as one of your cruise destinations is a treat! While these tropical locations are often on the itinerary for many cruise lines, it is not uncommon to have these ports cancelled once onboard due to weather or high winds. If you have a private island like Great Stirrup Cay or Half Moon Cay as a stop and you do get to the port successfully with good weather you are fortunate! The island of Great Stirrup Cay, a part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, is frequented by several Norwegian ships, particularly the shorter cruises on the NCL Sky. Other larger ships also call to GSC from the Norwegian fleet- including the Getaway and Epic. MSC cruiselines also utilizes Great Stirrup Cay as their private island destination for the Divina cruise ship. Half Moon Cay is owned by Carnival cruiselines, and is used by many Carnival ships, as well as a few Holland America ships. Known also as Little San Salvador Island, Half Moon Cay is a popular port for both short and long Carnival cruises. We have been blessed to go to each of these islands, with a second stop planned to visit Half Moon Cay on the Carnival Liberty being cancelled in November 2014 due to high winds. Because these private islands do not have a population and an infrastructure, other than a few caretakers, as well as lack of a pier for docking, all guests must be tendered to the island destinations. Other cruise lines also offer their own private island oases, with Disney Cruises owning Castaway Cay, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity hosting guests on Coco Cay, and Princess Cruises owning Princess Cays. Royal Caribbean also owns a private island, Labadee, which is in Haiti and Norwegian is soon to open their beach hideaway coined Harvest Caye, which is in Belize.
So what are the benefits to visiting a private island in the Bahamas? The major benefit is that your beach day is planned at a beautiful, clean and safe location. Your transportation to and from the island is also taken care of via the cruiseline, from the tender boats to trams on the island available to ferry passengers around should they choose not to walk. All of the cruiselines provide food and beverages at their island paradise, with typical cruise fare being complimentary and sodas as well as alcohol being offered for a cost. The lunch provided at both Half Moon Cay and Great Stirrup Cay is plentiful and served in an open air pavilion, buffet style. Bring your towels from the cruise ship and you will find free loungers to stretch out on and a gorgeous ocean to frolic in. All of the islands offer water sports, cabanas and mini excursions on the island for additional fees should you choose to partake. Perhaps you are looking to book a cruise which has either Great Stirrup Cay or Half Moon Cay on the itinerary. Here is a rundown of both private islands that may help you make your decision. Remember, don't choose a cruise solely on the private island stop- if you don't end up stopping you will be disappointed for sure!
Great Stirrup Cay:
Beach- This lovely beach is vast and has many areas for relaxation. The water is clear and marine blue with no waves. There is a large area with lots of lounge chairs to relax on along the shoreline. The only caveat to one sizable area of the beach is that it is rocky in certain spots. I would suggest bringing water shoes to enjoy the ocean floor without tripping or hitting your feet on the rocks. A lagoon area to swim in is also offered and I was told that area was not nearly as rocky, although I did not see for myself if that was the case. When we were at GSC in December we were told the water temperature was about 74 degrees- which for us wimpy Floridians was cold! However, folks we met who were from Northern areas found the water to be refreshing.
Food- The Norwegian staff not only had a large buffet lunch set up beginning at 11:45 am but they also offered a BBQ/snack area of hot dogs, hamburgers and fixings near the main beach area. This was nice for anyone hungry by 11 am when they opened to grab a quick bite. Plus it smelled so good! There were toppings at the snack bar, along with water, lemonade and iced tea. The buffet offered in the pavilion was comprehensive and had hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, a big salad bar, various cold salads, fresh fruit and several desserts like blondies and cookies. There were lots of picnic tables in a shaded area outdoors. Of course NCL's famous "Washy Washy" antibacterial stands and staff with spray were found all around the buffet and snack areas!
Beverages- There were several bars, and the super thing about NCL is that if you have the drink package, or UBP, it works on the island! As we received the UBP as a perk it was so nice to enjoy unlimited pina coladas and frozen concoctions lounging beachside in the sun. For anyone without a drink package both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks could be purchased at prices similar to onboard the ship with your sign and sail card. Plenty of water stands, as well as ice tea and lemonade dispensers were offered around the island too.
Activities- Besides swimming you could bring your own gear to snorkel and marvel at the underwater life. Norwegian offered an area to rent paddle boards and other water adventure toys that could be charged to your sign and sail card. The cruise director and his staff had a big volleyball game in the afternoon, and other games were played throughout the island with the cruise staff, which was included in your experience. There was a DJ and a musician who played various island and party music for guests.
Amenities- Cabanas and clam shells were offered for rentals- however the large cabanas which come with personal service, snacks, etc were booked prior to debarking on the island. There were a lot of clam shells to purchase though, which could be put on your sign and sail card. If you don't plan on renting any type of covered lounger be sure to bring plenty of sun screen and a hat. There is not a lot of shade under the wispy palm trees!
Excursion Opportunities- Snorkeling, a stingray adventure which includes feeding these amazing creatures, wave runner tours, an eco boat tour and parasailing are all optional excursions to partake in on Great Stirrup Cay. You could reserve these activities on the ship or wait until you debarked, although some excursions could fill up. If you have a particular bucket list item do reserve it ahead of time.
Half Moon Cay:
Beach- This gorgeous beach offers white, powdery, soft sand and aquamarine ocean waters. There are plentiful amounts of lounge chairs for guests, as well as the option of renting clam shells or cabanas. Like Norwegian your sign and sail card is your method for making purchases on the island. The shoreline is smooth and easy to walk on. Many children happily sat along the shore making sandcastles with the pliable sand. As we went to HMC in May the water was nice and warm- about 80 degrees.
Food- A buffet lunch is provided for guests on Half Moon Cay, courtesy of the cruiseline. Traditional BBQ/picnic fare is offered-hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads, fresh fruit and several yummy desserts. The buffet when we were on the island was open from noon to 2:30 pm. Water, ice tea and lemonade were available at the buffet too.
Beverages- There was a bar both near the water and close to the buffet area which took your sign and sale card for drink purchases. Unfortunately, even if you purchased the drink package from Carnival it was not able to be used on the private island. Bar prices for cocktails were similar to prices on board the ship.
Activities- The cruise director and staff had several games going on throughout the day for any guests who wished to participate, such as hula hoops, bean bag toss and outdoor games. There was a DJ with music too and some people danced along!
Amenities- Cabanas, beach villas and clam shells were available to rent for guests. A fun aqua park is offered for kids to play on, along with sports equipment you could rent for outdoor adventures. In addition to snorkeling guests could rent kayaks, water bicycles, paddle boats and Hobie catamaran sail boats.
Excursion Opportunities- Excursions offered include snorkeling trips, an eco boat ride, a stingray experience, a glass bottom boat ride and beachside horseback riding. Nature walks around the island, as well as a tropical kayak adventure can be reserved by guests too. These cool opportunities may be available once you get to the island but if you want to ensure your excursion it is best to reserve it on the ship prior to arriving on the island.
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