Cruiseships

Big Change for Great Stirrup Cay as First Ship Finally Docks

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Norwegian Getaway turned the primary ship to dock at Nice Stirrup Cay’s new pier on December 28, 2025.

Beforehand, Norwegian Cruise Line’s personal vacation spot had solely been a young port.

All Norwegian Cruise Line ships will profit going ahead, together with sister manufacturers like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

On December 28, 2025, Norwegian Getaway made historical past as the primary NCL ship to dock on the newly accomplished multi-ship pier at Nice Stirrup Cay within the Bahamas.

The 268-acre resort, which is situated within the Berry Islands, is the one and solely port name on a 3-night crusing from Miami that launched into December 26, 2025.

“In the present day marks a historic second for Norwegian Getaway and within the historical past of Norwegian Cruise Line to be the primary ship to dock at Nice Stirrup Cay with the opening of our brand-new pier,” NCL wrote within the Freestyle Every day Publication, which was shared in Cruise Hive’s NCL Fb group.

“Each one in all our friends this cruise shall be making historical past alongside us on this vital second by being the primary cruise passengers to stroll off a Norwegian Cruise Line ship onto the island of Nice Stirrup Cay,” the cruise line continued.

Norwegian Getaway Docked at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Getaway Docked at Nice Stirrup Cay (Picture Credit score: Katie Lowe)

Learn Additionally: Nice Stirrup Cay – A Full Overview of NCL’s Personal Island

Norwegian Gem was additionally within the port concurrently Norwegian Getaway, however cruise monitoring knowledge exhibits that the Jewel-class ship anchored offshore and proceeded with the traditional tender operations.

Each vessels had been scheduled to be on the unique port from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. native time.

Whereas the brand new pier is ready to accommodate as much as two massive ships without delay, it’s potential that the cruise line is within the last phases of completion or just easing into utilizing the services to work out any kinks earlier than working at full capability.

Norwegian Getaway is First to Dock at Great Stirrup Cay on December 28, 2025Norwegian Getaway is First to Dock at Great Stirrup Cay on December 28, 2025
Norwegian Getaway is First to Dock at Nice Stirrup Cay on December 28, 2025 (Picture Credit score: Katie Lowe)

Within the publication, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that each one ships below Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, together with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, will be capable of profit from the pier going ahead.

A Welcomed Change

Plans for the brand new pier had been first introduced in April of 2024, and building started in January of 2025. The aim was at all times to succeed in completion by the top of 2025.

Prior thus far, Norwegian Cruise Line’s personal vacation spot was solely a young port, that means crew members needed to ferry friends between the ship and the shore.

Contemplating the largest ships within the NCL fleet (together with Norwegian Getaway) can accommodate round 4,000 passengers without delay, it is a course of that would grow to be fairly tedious.

New Pier Redner at Great Stirrup CayNew Pier Redner at Great Stirrup Cay
New Pier Redner at Nice Stirrup Cay (Credit score: Norwegian Cruise Line)

“As an organization we’ve got made a transformational funding in Nice Stirrup Cay to supply an enhanced expertise; this now consists of friends not being required to tender from ship to shore,” NCL defined.

“As an alternative, friends could have direct entry to the island upon arrival,” the model added.

This can even assist forestall cancellations attributable to inclement climate, as tough seas are a a lot larger concern for tendering than docking at a pier. Over time, Nice Stirrup Cay has grow to be a bit infamous for cancellations attributable to this motive.

Extra Enhancements Coming to the Island

Norwegian Cruise Line isn’t kidding once they say they’ve invested so much into bettering their personal vacation spot. The model has already shelled out round $150 million into the island’s growth.

As of late 2025, NCL has launched a brand new island-wide tram service and a family-friendly splash pad.

The cruise line additionally launched a large 28,000 sq. ft. heated pool known as the Nice Life Lagoon. It’s Norwegian Cruise Line’s greatest pool ever, and options swim-up bars, an on-site DJ, water toys for teenagers, and lounging.

In addition they added a shore-side model of the favored adults-only Vibe Seaside Membership, known as Vibe Shore Membership. That is an space for cruisers over 18 with premium drinks, snacks, and lounging.

For these seeking to unwind, Hammock Bay has additionally been added as a brand new, tranquil zone to get pleasure from some peace and island views. This space options over 50 hammocks for rest and beachside naps.

And maybe most anticipated is the brand new Nice Tides Waterpark coming to Nice Stirrup Cay in the summertime of 2026. The brand new waterpark will function 19 thrill-inducing slides, a lazy river, cliff jumps, youngsters’s play areas, and extra.

The brand new pier is a key part of constructing certain friends get to get pleasure from all that the revamped vacation spot has to supply.


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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