Norwegian’s First Ship Docks at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has reached a major milestone at Great Stirrup Cay, with the first ship ever docking directly at the private island in the Bahamas.
On December 28, Norwegian Getaway became the first Norwegian ship to use cruise line’s new pier, allowing guests to walk straight from ship to shore for the first time. Until now, all visits to Great Stirrup Cay required tendering, a painfully slow process. In addition, tendering was subject to the weather and port calls at Great Stirrup Cay were often cancelled due to rough seas or high winds.
Norwegian Getaway Makes History
The arrival of Norwegian Getaway marks a historic moment for Norwegian Cruise Line and its private island. For years, tendering was the only way for guests to access Great Stirrup Cay, which could lead to longer wait times, limited mobility, and occasional disruptions due to sea conditions.
With the new pier now operational, today, guests were able to disembark directly onto the island, significantly improving efficiency.
Norwegian highlighted the moment as a company first, noting that guests on this sailing were the first cruise passengers in the line’s history to walk directly from a Norwegian ship onto Great Stirrup Cay.
Only One Berth Currently Open
While the opening of the pier is a major upgrade, the project is not yet complete. Temporary/construction walkways are being used by guests while the more permanent pier is being finalized.
In addition, at this time, only one berth is operational. During Norwegian Getaway’s visit, Norwegian Gem was also scheduled to call at Great Stirrup Cay, but remained anchored offshore and tendered guests to the island. The second berth is still under construction and is visible from the pier.
Once completed, the expanded pier will allow multiple ships to dock at the same time, eliminating the need for tendering even on days when more than one Norwegian ship is scheduled to visit.
Part of a Larger Great Stirrup Cay Expansion
The new pier is one part of a major expansion underway at Great Stirrup Cay. These new areas are opening in phases and are expected to continue rolling out through Summer 2026.
One of the biggest additions, the Great Life Lagoon, opened just a few weeks ago. The 28,000-square-foot heated pool features swim-up bars and expansive lounge areas. It’s open to all guests at no additional charge. The kids’ splash area has also opened, adding more family-friendly options on the island.
Coming later this year are several new spaces, including the Great Stirrup Cay Welcome Center, Hammock Bay for beachside relaxation, and Horizon Park, which will offer games and social spaces designed for groups and families.
Norwegian will also introduce several new additional-fee experiences, including the Vibe Shore Club, Jet Karts, a hybrid experience that combines go-karts and jet skis, and the Great Tides Water Park.
A Significant Upgrade for Guests
For many cruisers, the move away from tendering alone makes Great Stirrup Cay a more attractive destination. Direct docking improves accessibility, reduces waiting times, and allows guests to return to the ship more easily throughout the day. It’s a much-needed improvement that will help bring the island up to par with the island next door, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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