Norwegian Cruise’s private Caribbean isle gets a serious spruce-up

GREAT STIRRUP CAY, Bahamas — Cruising’s original private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is emerging from a major makeover.

The 268-acre beach getaway owned by Norwegian Cruise Line has been spruced up over the past year with new and revamped food and drink venues, rebuilt cabanas and expanded areas of powdery soft sand. Many more lounge chairs have been added, and there’s a new underwater sculpture garden for snorkellers. The company has spent more than $1 million US on landscaping.

More is coming. Still in the works is a new upscale lagoon area for passengers staying in the exclusive Haven cabins on Norwegian ships. It’ll feature 38 private villas with up to two bedrooms, a two-story restaurant and swim-up bar. There’s also a new spa area taking shape.

“It’s a substantial investment,” the Norwegian executive in charge of the overhaul, Carlos Gonzalez, told reporters during a tour. “This is the biggest [makeover] of the island ever.”

Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located in the Bahamas’ sparsely populated Berry Islands chain, about 100 kilometres from Nassau. During a typical week, it’s visited by several Norwegian Cruise Line ships for what, essentially, is a beach day. It also gets the occasional visit from the vessels of Norwegian’s sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

A staff of more than 60 people lives full time on the island to prepare it for ship visits.