Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils New Luxury Features And More Family-Friendly Amenities At Private Island

Extensive upgrades to Norwegian’s private Bahamian island Great Stirrup Cay include a new family recreation area; addition of a 1,000 foot-long zip line; expanded dining options; and an exclusive access lagoon retreat with private air-conditioned villas to open by Summer 2017

As part of Norwegian’s $400 million investment programme The Norwegian Edge™, Norwegian Cruise Line is revolutionising the company’s 250-acre private island Great Stirrup Cay to provide new luxurious amenities, new adventure activities, and enhanced and expanded dining options that, together, will present an upgraded atmosphere for guests visiting the island. As the first cruise line to acquire a private island in 1977, Norwegian Cruise Line has invested in several significant updates throughout the years in order to continually enhance the amenities at Great Stirrup Cay, located in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas.

Island Experiences

Great Stirrup Cay’s 10 acre beach will soon feature a new half mile oceanside boardwalk that will span the length of the shore with more than 100,000 square feet of pathway, offering easy access to the white sand beaches, as well as access to new shaded areas with benches for relaxation. Adjacent to the beach, guests can visit the new half-acre entertainment and activity complex, featuring a stage for live music, games and entertainers; basketball and volleyball courts; ping-pong tables; and a shaded picnic area. A new air-conditioned reception area will serve as the central hub for family-fun where guests can plan their day, reserve activities, rent board games and access expansive changing rooms.

Guests seeking heart-pumping adventure will soon be able to enjoy a new zip line course featuring more than 1,000 feet of zip line. The island’s two parallel zip lines offer the chance for some friendly competition and high-flying races. Those who prefer to take to the sea for exploration can snorkel through the island’s new mystical underwater sculpture garden using a waterproof map as a guide.

From the many new shaded lounge and picnic spaces, to more than $1 million in new landscaping throughout the island, to new restrooms and lockers at the tender marina, guests will find a whole new experience by January 2017.

Dining

All dining and bar venues will be updated island-wide, adding new resort-style decking, shaded areas, high-top seating at all bars and family-style seating that will add 50 percent more seating capacity at all dining outlets.

A new complimentary taco bar, Abaco Taco, will open near the island’s entertainment hub, where guests can create their own favourite tacos. The island’s 8,500-square foot buffet will be redesigned to provide faster and more efficient service for guests, and the deck surrounding the buffet will be expanded so guests can enjoy their lunch at new seating areas. The centre of the island will feature a shaded lounge area with modern chic furniture and bar service.

Building on the brand’s exclusive partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Great Stirrup Cay will also feature a LandShark Bar & Grill. Inspired by the traditional beach bars of the Atlantic Coast, LandShark Bar & Grill offers the perfect mix of casual dining, free-flowing drinks and fun with panoramic ocean views and indoor and outdoor seating. Menu items will be available à la carte.

Exclusive Lagoon Retreat

Guests seeking the ultimate island luxury will experience a retreat like no other at Great Stirrup Cay’s exclusive lagoon enclave, from summer 2017. This private area features a secluded, pristine beach; oceanview restaurant; Mandara Spa; sheltered family area; and 22 air-conditioned private villas available for reservations, ranging in size from studios to two-bedrooms. The lagoon will be available on a complimentary basis to The Haven and Suite guests, along with guests who purchase an on-island Mandara Spa service. In addition, a limited amount of passes to the Lagoon will available for purchase on each sailing.

The centre of the lagoon will feature a floating swim up bar for guests to enjoy their favourite cocktails, whilst both children and parents will enjoy a shallow, partitioned family beach area along with grassy areas, swing sets, and picnic tables. Guests celebrating a special occasion or travelling in a large group can reserve an expansive, well-appointed private room for private functions of up to 75 guests, with food and beverage service available. Guests looking to refresh and recharge during their private island getaway can indulge in the full range of treatments offered at the lagoon’s luxurious Mandara Spa, with four treatment rooms offering signature spa services.

Guests who purchase a reservation for one of Great Stirrup Cay’s luxury beach villas will enjoy a completely pampered experience from ship to shore, boarding one of several air-conditioned shuttles running from the tender marina to the lagoon reception area. Studio villas feature an outdoor terrace, private bathroom and living/dining area, and can accommodate two to four guests. One bedroom villas accommodate four to six guests and feature a bedroom, private bathroom, living and dining areas and outdoor terrace with a hot tub. Great Stirrup Cay’s two bedroom villas can accommodate up to 10 guests and feature two bedrooms, two private bathrooms, living and dining areas, and an expansive outdoor terrace with a dining area and hot tub.

Exclusively for guests of the lagoon retreat, the two-story Silver Palm restaurant will offer complimentary dining, with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a rooftop terrace overlooking the area’s expansive ocean views. All luxury beach villas will also include food and beverage service.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all areas of the newly-renovated Great Stirrup Cay on a number of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries available in 2017, including Norwegian Epic’s seven- night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Orlando (Port Canaveral). For shorter breaks, Norwegian Star’s three- and four-night Bahamas from Miami sailings are the perfect add on to a Florida vacation or a good taster cruise for those new to cruise.

For full itinerary details and to book a cruise with Norwegian, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at

+46 8 403 087 02 or visit www.ncl.eu.