Tender to Great Stirrup Cay

Sorry if this is a repeated question, but the tenders to Great Stirrup Cay, they aren't the traditional tenders which are the lifeboats from the ship right? I've seen pictures and they look like open air seating with two levels.

Thanks in advance!

They are not lifeboats but more like little ferries. Two levels and the top is really hot with no shade. Even in calm water the ride can be rocky.

the tenders to Great Stirrup Cay, they aren't the traditional tenders which are the lifeboats from the ship right?

They are not life boats, but already decommissioned ship's (SS Norway) own tenders from an era when not all ports of call had tenders and actual life boats weren't that useful for that purpose.

Interesting thing about them is that they are both registered as independent vessels, from Wikipedia:

These tenders were named Little Norway I and Little Norway II, and were each themselves registered as ships, making the Norway the only passenger ship in the world to carry ships.

More detailed info about MS Little Norway I and MS Little Norway II here:

http://www.captainsvoyage.com/ncl/ss-norway/ss-norway---little-norway.html

Here's a picture of one of the tenders I took when we were there

I wish I would have taken one a little closer up. LOL :)

Here's one on the beach at GSC

And next to the ship

I have not been to GSC in over 5-6 years, was under the impression that NCL was spending millions upgrading the place...???Also thought that a pier was part of the planned expansion...???So really whats changed...???or not...???used to be able to do some nice snorkeling off the beach for free with your own equipment, can you still...???(vest rentals of course..)

Thanks,

Rob

I have not been to GSC in over 5-6 years, was under the impression that NCL was spending millions upgrading the place...???Also thought that a pier was part of the planned expansion...???So really whats changed...???or not...???used to be able to do some nice snorkeling off the beach for free with your own equipment, can you still...???(vest rentals of course..)

Thanks,

Rob

Yes, we were just there in May, brought (and used) our own snorkel gear.

They are not life boats, but already decommissioned ship's (SS Norway) own tenders from an era when not all ports of call had tenders and actual life boats weren't that useful for that purpose.

 

Interesting thing about them is that they are both registered as independent vessels, from Wikipedia:

 

These tenders were named Little Norway I and Little Norway II, and were each themselves registered as ships, making the Norway the only passenger ship in the world to carry ships.

 

More detailed info about MS Little Norway I and MS Little Norway II here:

 

http://www.captainsvoyage.com/ncl/ss-norway/ss-norway---little-norway.html

Cute, but not quite accurate, though interesting PR. Just because a vessel is registered, does not make it a ship. There are hundreds of thousands of boats that are registered with their flag country, and have their own call letters. Besides, during WWII, hundreds of LST ships would routinely carry a LCT boat onboard for ocean transport.

I have not been to GSC in over 5-6 years, was under the impression that NCL was spending millions upgrading the place...???Also thought that a pier was part of the planned expansion...???So really whats changed...???or not...???used to be able to do some nice snorkeling off the beach for free with your own equipment, can you still...???(vest rentals of course..)

Thanks,

Rob

They did build a pier, it is for the tenders. You can snorkel to your hearts content with your own gear.

This is the tender from our balcony on the Jewel.

I have not been to GSC in over 5-6 years, was under the impression that NCL was spending millions upgrading the place...???Also thought that a pier was part of the planned expansion...???So really whats changed...???

The pier is done and there is definitely some other construction going on. It looked like some kind of waterslide or lazy river type ride being dug.

this is the dock that the ferries come into. price list for GSC when Sky was there June 1st. Price may change with other ships. . We loved this port! Hope you have an amazing time.

Thank you very much, just the kind of information I was looking for...

Rob

do excursions / cabanas have any priority in boarding a tender or are they firs come first serve to get to the island?

Besides, during WWII, hundreds of LST ships would routinely carry a LCT boat onboard for ocean transport.

LST ships can hardly be described as passenger ships though, the claim is "...the only passenger ship in the world...".

do excursions / cabanas have any priority in boarding a tender or are they firs come first serve to get to the island?

Yes, they have priority.

Yes, they have priority.

perfect... thanks:)

Was there recently. I noticed the placard on the tender listed capacity as 450 people.

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Thanks for all the pictures, I'm glad the tenders aren't the usual lifeboats but regular boats. The island looks soooo beautiful :)