Great Stirrup Cay cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

The island now has a cruise pier, allowing passengers to walk ashore. NCL's 2026 fact sheet lists the pier and tram as open, and its September 2026 opening announcement includes Norwegian Luna at the pier. Older tender-only descriptions predate the changed arrival arrangements.

Follow the pier towards the Welcome Plaza, the starting point for exploring the island. NCL describes a shaded pergola and an overlook bridge here. Its tram system provides onward travel around the recreation areas. This is internal island transport, not a shuttle to another settlement.

Use the arrival method announced for your sailing. If the crew assigns a tender transfer instead, follow that boat's departure point and final return time. Passengers needing assistance should arrange it with NCL in advance: a new pier does not by itself establish the suitability of a particular ship's gangway.

About this port

Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private Bahamian island. Its shore day revolves around beaches, pools and optional activities rather than a town visit. The expanded facilities give passengers a choice between an included beach-and-pool day and paid experiences such as Great Tides Waterpark, a zipline or a more secluded beach club.

Decide which sort of day you want before buying extras. A waterpark visit can fill much of the call, while a beach base with lunch leaves more freedom to move around. This guide describes NCL's arrangements and inclusions.

Getting Around

Walk between the areas you want to visit or use the island trams. Keep the Welcome Plaza and your return route in mind when choosing a beach base. Splitting the group between a pool, an excursion and a distant beach works better with an agreed meeting place and time.

The Great Tides Waterpark day pass includes tram service to and from the park. It also includes lockers and towels for waterpark guests. Those entitlements belong to that pass; use your own booking's inclusions when deciding what to bring from the ship.

Things to Do

Beach and Great Life Lagoon: Beach access, complimentary dining and the main pool provide a full day without a waterpark ticket. Great Life Lagoon has swim-up bars and a beach-style entrance; nearby Splash Harbor is a separate children's splash area. Choose this combination if the group wants swimming and breaks in the shade without a schedule of booked activities.

Great Tides Waterpark: NCL's September opening announcement describes the Tidal Tower slides, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River and Splash Cay. Admission is an extra charge, with prices varying by sailing. Reserve through your cruise booking if this is the day's priority. The waterpark's admission rules require children 17 and under to enter with a ticketed adult aged 18 or over; individual attractions also have height and weight restrictions.

Water sports or a quieter paid retreat: Snorkelling equipment and paddleboards are available to hire; the Flighthouse zipline provides an alternative to being in the water. For a quieter base, compare the adults-only Vibe Shore Club with Silver Cove's day passes and villas. A beach club pass, villa and spa treatment are separate purchases, so choose the actual facilities you intend to use.

Getting back to your ship

Finish rentals and collect belongings before heading towards the pier. Allow time for a tram wait if using one, followed by the approach to your ship's gangway. The ship's all-aboard time is the deadline to work back from; a waterpark session or meal service is not a substitute. If your call uses tenders, return to the assigned boat landing before the final tender time, allowing for boarding queues and revised crew instructions.

Practical Information

Bring swimwear, sun protection and your cruise card. NCL's planning advice recommends water shoes for rocky areas such as the underwater sculpture garden and a ship-provided towel for an ordinary beach visit. Complimentary dining includes Jumbey Beach Grill; use the day's announced serving times.

As checked on 2026-09-25, NCL's current island page says the Free at Sea beverage package applies on the island. Follow the terms of your actual booking for drinks and other extras. Read the waterpark's attraction-specific mobility requirements before buying admission: the operator describes stairs and wet or uneven surfaces as part of the experience.