Norwegian Cruise Line has announced plans to upgrade its private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, as part of its The Norwegian Edge refurbishment program.
As part of the project Great Stirrup Cay’s 10 acre beach will soon have 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. Just adjacent to the beach, guests looking for a more active island experience can visit a new half-acre entertainment and activity complex, with a stage for live music, games and entertainers; basketball and volleyball courts, complete with bleachers; ping-pong tables; and a shaded picnic area where families can play board games or relax together. 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 have access to expansive changing rooms.
Guests seeking adventure will soon be able to enjoy a new zip line course with more than 1,000 feet of line, allowing guests a bird’s eye view of the island and the sea as they soar through the air. 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 underwater sculpture garden. Using a waterproof map as a guide, adventure seekers can discover nautical creatures that tell tales of the deep from beneath the sea.
The line also plans to incorporate more than $1 million in new landscaping throughout the island.
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| The new Silver Palm restaurant |
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 be added near the island’s entertainment hub, where guests can create their own favorite 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 center of the island will have 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 have a LandShark Bar & Grill. Inspired by the traditional beach bars of the Atlantic Coast, LandShark Bar & Grill offers a mix of casual dining, drinks and panoramic ocean views with indoor and outdoor seating. Menu items will be available à la carte.
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| Treatment room at the new Mandara Spa |
Exclusive Lagoon Retreat
Norwegian is also adding a private lagoon enclave, opening in summer 2017, with a secluded 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 Lagoon will also have an air-conditioned reception area with beach chic décor and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the area’s private beaches. From the reception building, guests can reserve activities, rent equipment, or relax in the shade on the outdoor terrace or an additional shaded seating area nearby that can be accessed by the lagoon bridge. The center of the lagoon will have a floating swim up bar. Both children and parents will enjoy a shallow, partitioned family beach area along with grassy areas for active play, swing sets, and picnic tables. Those guests celebrating a special occasion or traveling 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 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 can enjoy one of several air-conditioned shuttles running from the tender marina to the lagoon reception area. Studio villas have 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 have 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 have two bedrooms, two private bathrooms, living and dining areas, and an 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 ocean views. All luxury beach villas will also include food and beverage service for guests who wish to enjoy refreshments in the privacy of their villa.
The newly renovated Great Stirrup Cay will be available on a number of Norwegian’s Caribbean and the Bahamas itineraries in 2017.
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