Norwegian Cruise Line enhances their private Bahamas island experience

What could be better on a private island than relaxing in your own private cabana? Norwegian Cruise Line now offers “Cabanas on the Cay,” exclusive private cabanas with VIP service and amenities on their private Bahamian island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Undergoing a $25 million revitalization project, the launch of the “Cabanas on the Cay” adds an element of luxury to the island experience.  Norwegian Cruise Line intends to turn an ordinary day at a cruise line’s private island into something extraordinary.

What to expect
Located a short distance from the island’s main beach, these fully-appointed private Cabanas offer exclusive service and amenities to provide guests with the ultimate island escape and total relaxation. Available for $249 per day, each Cabana accommodates up to six guests and is fully furnished with lounge chairs, tables, cooler, beach towels and a shower. Cabana rental also includes a $50 food and beverage credit; up to six all-day passes to the Hippo Waterslide, a $120 value; and one large float, a $25 value; for guests to enjoy during their time on the island.

If this sounds expensive, consider the math. With six guests per cabana, that’s only $40 per person; a bargain once you add in all of the included and very upscale amenities and services.

Guests who reserve one of the 10 “Cabanas on the Cay” will enjoy priority tender service to the island and, upon arrival to their private cabana, will receive six complimentary bottles of water and a refreshing fruit basket. As they relax on one of the comfortable lounge chairs, guests will have the opportunity to use their $50 food and beverage credit towards pre-ordered “Cabanas on the Cay” food and beverage selections.

There’s still more ashore!
Norwegian has prepared an exclusive menu for Cabana guests consisting of delicious seafood, charcuterie, sushi and fruit platters. Guests who choose to dine at the Island’s BBQ can use their credit towards one of the many beverage packages available exclusively for Cabana guests, or towards other beverage purchases on the island.

Each of the 10 Cabanas on the Cay are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be pre-booked as a shore excursion on ncl.com or through the Shore Excursion Desk on board.

Norwegian was the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. When I first visited Great Stirrup Cay in 1978, the best activity was a treasure hunt on the beach. Norwegian Cruise Line certainly has come a long way since then. Activities on the island include snorkeling, Waverunner® tour, eco boat tour, kayaking, parasailing, shopping at the straw market and more.

How to get there
There are four Norwegian Cruise Line ships that regularly visit Great Stirrup Cay;

• Norwegian Sky cruising three and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami
• Norwegian Gem during seven-day cruises from New York

Beginning in October 2012, two more ships will call at the private island;

• Norwegian Jewel on seven-day cruises from New York
• Norwegian Pearl sailing seven-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

When Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, is completed next year, it too will visit Great Stirrup Cay on seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises from New York beginning in October, 2013.

Photo credit: Norwegian Cruise Line, Wikipedia