Norwegian Cruise Line has completed the first phase of enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay, its 250-acre private island in the Bahamas. On Feb. 3, the company opened the new marina and dining facility on the island, representing a milestone in the more than $20 million enhancement project currently underway.
The marina basin has four docks for the island’s tenders. The new 8,500-square-foot dining facility has two bars and four picnic pavilions.
“Both the new marina and the dining facility greatly enhance the guest experience on Great Stirrup Cay which is our second busiest port of call this year,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL president and CEO. “By moving the tenders’ arrival to the marina and away from the beach, we have now opened up a great expanse of beachfront for our guests to enjoy and relax. We’ve also built a new large dining facility that is similar to the action station restaurants we have on board our Freestyle Cruising ships.”
The marina is approximately 12 feet deep at low water and is home to the island’s four tenders. It took more than eight months to excavate the basin and the entrance channel.
The dining facility includes a central pizza-making station, two grills, hot and cold food stations, as well as fresh fruits and breads. There are two full bars on either side of the facility. The four pavilions, each more than 1800 square feet, offer picnic tables with a total seating capacity for more than 500 guests.
Enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay have been underway since January 2010 and will continue through the end of this year. Several new island activities have been added since the project began including more than 16 WaveRunners, kayak rentals and an eco-adventure boat tour around the island. These are in addition to the existing snorkeling, floats, inflatable hippo slide and parasailing.
The second phase includes an arrival/departure pavilion, additional bar facilities, several comfort stations, a band stand, cruise program activity area, private beachfront cabanas, a kids play area, straw market and beach volleyball courts. The beachfront will continue to be expanded on the island’s west end.
NCL has owned the island since 1977 when it became the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl regularly call on Great Stirrup Cay throughout the year.
The marina basin has four docks for the island’s tenders. The new 8,500-square-foot dining facility has two bars and four picnic pavilions.
“Both the new marina and the dining facility greatly enhance the guest experience on Great Stirrup Cay which is our second busiest port of call this year,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL president and CEO. “By moving the tenders’ arrival to the marina and away from the beach, we have now opened up a great expanse of beachfront for our guests to enjoy and relax. We’ve also built a new large dining facility that is similar to the action station restaurants we have on board our Freestyle Cruising ships.”
The marina is approximately 12 feet deep at low water and is home to the island’s four tenders. It took more than eight months to excavate the basin and the entrance channel.
The dining facility includes a central pizza-making station, two grills, hot and cold food stations, as well as fresh fruits and breads. There are two full bars on either side of the facility. The four pavilions, each more than 1800 square feet, offer picnic tables with a total seating capacity for more than 500 guests.
Enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay have been underway since January 2010 and will continue through the end of this year. Several new island activities have been added since the project began including more than 16 WaveRunners, kayak rentals and an eco-adventure boat tour around the island. These are in addition to the existing snorkeling, floats, inflatable hippo slide and parasailing.
The second phase includes an arrival/departure pavilion, additional bar facilities, several comfort stations, a band stand, cruise program activity area, private beachfront cabanas, a kids play area, straw market and beach volleyball courts. The beachfront will continue to be expanded on the island’s west end.
NCL has owned the island since 1977 when it became the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl regularly call on Great Stirrup Cay throughout the year.
