Port information & tips for Great Stirrup Cay (Private Island
Great Stirrup Cay is the exclusive island paradise of Norwegian Cruise Line, located in the middle of the idyllic Berry Islands of the Bahamas. The private island impresses with its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a relaxed tropical flair under shady palm trees. Special highlights include the luxurious Silver Cove lagoon with its private villas, the colorful underwater world in Bertram’s Cove for snorkeling, and the high-speed zip-line flights over the entire island. Thanks to the modern Great Stirrup Cay Pier, cruise ships now dock directly at the island, allowing guests a comfortable shore excursion. From this central mooring point, all beach sections, restaurants, and a wide variety of leisure activities can be easily reached within a few minutes' walk.
Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line in the Bahamas, which can only be reached as a port of call during a cruise. The logical journey for guests from the DACH region therefore takes place via the US base ports in Florida, primarily PortMiami or Port Canaveral near Orlando.
Airplane
Travel from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland is via the major hubs of Miami International (MIA) or Orlando International (MCO), which are regularly served by direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich. Thanks to the good connections, you can reach the departure ports after a flight time of around ten to eleven hours, with Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) representing an additional, often cost-effective alternative for cruises departing from Miami.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Miami Airport, you can reach the terminal conveniently in about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or via the organized shuttle buses of the cruise lines. Travelers departing from Port Canaveral use the well-developed State Road 528 from Orlando and reach the piers in around 45 to 60 minutes; additionally, spacious parking garages and parking spaces are available at the port for guests arriving by rental car.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the six-hour time difference and to safeguard against potential flight delays, arrival in Florida at least one day before embarkation is highly recommended. Many hotels in Miami Downtown or Cocoa Beach specialize in cruise guests and offer attractive packages including breakfast and direct transfer to the ship, so that the vacation begins in a relaxed manner on land.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
