Great Stirrup Cay has officially leveled up its appeal as a cruise destination. The idyllic island, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), recently welcomed the long-awaited arrival of its first docked ship. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for visitors to the private tropical retreat, transforming how guests experience this paradise in the Bahamas. With the Norwegian Getaway leading the charge, travelers can now step off their vessel and right onto pristine shores without needing to use tenders.
A Long Awaited Change
Plans for the new pier were first revealed in April 2024, with construction officially beginning in January 2025. From the start, the project aimed to be completed by the end of 2025.
Until now, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination operated only as a tender port, requiring guests and crew to travel back and forth between the ship and shore by small boats.
The newly built pier was created to change that experience entirely. It will allow two ships to dock simultaneously, enabling passengers and crew to conveniently walk directly onto the island. At this stage, it appears Norwegian Cruise Line is in the final phases of completion, gradually introducing the new facilities and addressing any final adjustments before operating at full capacity.
