Tips for Great Stirrup Cay

[jodon2]

aaaa

[jodon2]

Being certifed divers you brought your own gear and you say you had to use NCL's cbj's? Thats un heard of

 

Being divers, we know the dangers of mixing water and alcohol. (We bring our own gear, as well, but be forwarned, you MUST wear NCL's snorkel vest and the check-out and check-in on that item took at least 20 minutes each

 

Being divers, we know the dangers of mixing water and alcohol. (We bring our own gear, as well, but be forwarned, you MUST wear NCL's snorkel vest and the check-out and check-in on that item took at least 20 minutes each).

To anyone I've offended here, I'm sorry.

Yes, I'll respond....though I'm tempted to ignore you completely due to your rude response.

First, we did not attempt to "cut the line" as we were suite passengers and entitled to priority (when you pay more than others, you're allowed "perks").

Lunch was being packed up by the time we got over on the tender. All that was still left from lunch was fruit (complete with flies crawling on it). When we mentioned that we'd just gotten over on a tender, they sent us to the ice-cream stand. (An added cost, by the way). However, my then 9 year old was starving, so we bought her one.

Drinks are plentiful, but we didn't avail ourselves of them. Being divers, we know the dangers of mixing water and alcohol. (We bring our own gear, as well, but be forwarned, you MUST wear NCL's snorkel vest and the check-out and check-in on that item took at least 20 minutes each).

To anyone I've offended here, I'm sorry. I just didn't think that the island was worth the "cost". If there ever is a next time on GSC, we'll stay on board the ship.

[caren]

Family floats were $20 and I thought it was worth it,since the one of the kids was using it at all times. They made friends and 4 kids were on it together. I laid on it and caught a floating rest. We are going back next April,a nd I'll rent one again. But we will avoid the BBQ.

[cosmo1027]

I am going to print out this thread and take it with us -- there are some really useful tips and lots of options to consider!

[logcabin]

We went to GSC last June on the Dawn. Will be going again this June on the Dawn. However, this year we are skipping GSC and not going over. My DW and I are really not beach people. It was nice last year, but a bit borring. No chairs, very crowded, the BBQ was nice. We wallked out to the point and back. Great views of the Dawn from the Island. But, this year we are going to take advantage of an empty, peaceful ship that day. Take in some Spa Specials, etc. If you are "beach people" you'll probably like it. If not, you'll probably prefer to stay on the ship.

[sclauss]

I had a great tip from one of the casino dealers the night before GSC. He told me to stay onboard! I regret that I didn't listen to him. The ship is quiet and poolside is empty. The private island is overcrowded and the BBQ is just average.

 

Sharon

[greenie]

Considering all the widely differing opinions about GSC, the best thing to do is probably to go there and see what you think! That way if you love it, you won't have missed out. And if you DON'T love it, you can get back on a tender and go back to the ship. A win-win situation!

[mncyclist]

I would add one more thing that hasn't been mentioned. My wife and I are not beach people, but we still wanted to have a look around. We ended up finding a very nice walk, off NCL property, on a footpath that went to the back of the island. We ended up at an old lighthouse and there was a small jetty in a completely quiet cove, where we just hung out for a while. For most of the time, we didn't see anybody else, so we felt like we had the island to ourselves. After spending time on the back of the island, then we were prepared to join the crowds at the beach for a while, where my wife thoroughly enjoyed her first-ever snorkeling experience.

 

The footpath goes to the left, into the woods behind the main beach seating area and there might have been signposts.

 

Charles

[KarlaC]

I would add one more thing that hasn't been mentioned. My wife and I are not beach people, but we still wanted to have a look around. We ended up finding a very nice walk, off NCL property, on a footpath that went to the back of the island. We ended up at an old lighthouse and there was a small jetty in a completely quiet cove, where we just hung out for a while. For most of the time, we didn't see anybody else, so we felt like we had the island to ourselves. After spending time on the back of the island, then we were prepared to join the crowds at the beach for a while, where my wife thoroughly enjoyed her first-ever snorkeling experience.

 

The footpath goes to the left, into the woods behind the main beach seating area and there might have been signposts.

 

Charles

 

I saw this footpath last time we were at GSC and I fully intend on taking the walk this time.

Also, they do have wonderful ping pong tables set up. This is probably where my BF will spend his day.

[smeyer418]

I would add one more thing that hasn't been mentioned. My wife and I are not beach people, but we still wanted to have a look around. We ended up finding a very nice walk, off NCL property, on a footpath that went to the back of the island. We ended up at an old lighthouse and there was a small jetty in a completely quiet cove, where we just hung out for a while. For most of the time, we didn't see anybody else, so we felt like we had the island to ourselves. After spending time on the back of the island, then we were prepared to join the crowds at the beach for a while, where my wife thoroughly enjoyed her first-ever snorkeling experience.

 

The footpath goes to the left, into the woods behind the main beach seating area and there might have been signposts.

 

Charles

 

 

I think NCL owns the whole Island. I saw signs for that too and I intend to do it the next time I am there as well.

[MasterLee]

Hi,

 

The $30 rental fee for the snorkel gear, does it include the flippers?

[cruz n lady di]

I am concerned about the snorkel equipment are they sanitized?:eek: And how good are they sanitized ?It seams discusting to be putting these things in your mouth that 100's of other people used.:confused:

[N.Y.Cruiser]

Hi,

 

The $30 rental fee for the snorkel gear, does it include the flippers?

 

Yes, snorkel, mask, flippers - $29.

[tommy2811]

I am concerned about the snorkel equipment are they sanitized?:eek: And how good are they sanitized ?It seams discusting to be putting these things in your mouth that 100's of other people used.:confused:

 

costco sells a pro set with bag for i believe 30.00....

[Charles4515]

Yes, snorkel, mask, flippers - $29.

 

Can you just rent the flippers? For less than $29?

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

Yes, I'll respond....though I'm tempted to ignore you completely due to your rude response.

First, we did not attempt to "cut the line" as we were suite passengers and entitled to priority (when you pay more than others, you're allowed "perks").

QUOTE]

 

Oh, I do hope that somebody asks me to move out of my place in the line to let them through because they are staying in a suite.

I shall probably direct them to the nearest railing where they are perfectly free to exercise their "perk" of leaving the ship before me, by jumping over it and swimming ashore.

 

Surely their priority is given by using their flunkies to obtain priority tender tickets on the early tenders. If so, they should be there in time to board them. To coin a phrase, "we are all in the same boat". If you don't want to queue, get on a smaller ship.

If they are going to dop this' the privileged tenders should leave from a separate gangway with a separate line away from the rest of the passengers.

 

These people have spent too long watching Titanic movies. They will want First Class lifeboats next, and expect to be invited to join the fun party down in steerage.

[Planer's Edge]

Thank you for your patient words of wisdom Tony.

 

But, sorry to say suite passengers do have access to priority tender passes.

 

PE<---knows he should not feed 'em, but sometimes he can't help himself...

[maddog4911]

I continue to be amazed by the varying reviews of GSC. When I first started reading some of the negatives ones a couple of weeks ago, I told my wife we should just stay on the ship. Then I started reading some real positive posts, and now I don't know what to do!

 

Maybe we'll take someone's recent advice on this thread and check it out with the thought that if we don't like what we see, we can always return to the ship. Of course, the weather may be a factor, too.

 

Thanks to all for your opinions on GSC.

 

Rick

 

Regal Empress to New England/Canada (twice)

Regal Empress Cruise to Nowhere

The Big Red Boat

Seastreak Ferry from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, NJ to Lower Manhattan (Pier 11), E. 34th Street and Yankee Stadium

New York Waterway Ferry from Belford, NJ to Yankee Stadium

Fast Ferry from A. Highlands/Highlands, NJ to Lower Manhattan

And, on June 19 ... Norwegian Dawn!

[Charles4515]

Thank you for your patient words of wisdom Tony.

 

But' date=' sorry to say suite passengers do have access to priority tender passes.

 

PE<---knows he should not feed 'em, but sometimes he can't help himself...[/quote']

 

They are entitled to priority tender passes but that is not the same thing as being able to go to the front of the line. It means they can get tickets on the first tender.

[gtaylor]

For anyone that's interested, there are a few shots of Great Stirrup Cay included on my Norway Cruise -- 2002 pages.

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

They are entitled to priority tender passes but that is not the same thing as being able to go to the front of the line. It means they can get tickets on the first tender.

 

 

Thank you Charles, that is precisely my point.

I have no problem with priority booking for the tenders, it is just another way of controlling disembarkation, but if you book the early trip, you can't expect everone else to stand aside when you turn up as you please.

 

If they wish to run it that way, have a two queue system but please run it separately and the people with the priority booking tuen up when they shoud do. If they don't they wait in whateveer is the normal for their booking.

I have no intention in joining a to leave the ship in a mad stampede for the chairs, umbrellas and hammocks, so I don't envisage this being a problem for me but I als do not intend to stand aside for someone who wishes to abuse the privilege that life has given them.

In my experience, most people that have earnt such status in life will respect that privilege comes with a respect for others.

 

As I have read elsewhere on these boards, the joke about a separate area of heaven fenced off for the Baptists/ Catholics/ Jews or whoever, cos they think they're the only ones here. seems to ring a bell here

[Cosmopolitan]

"abuse the privilege that life has given them".

 

 

WOW

 

The people that I know WORKED for this privilege....sometimes 2 jobs!

 

Hot topic for you!:confused:

[Cosmopolitan]

Very interesting:

 

Was this a portion of your post on the thread "Very depressed new cruiser with answers"?

 

"We had the same in Seattle, no queue for the Non US National check in desks, but as we had declined NCL's Transport to allow us to look around, we just ignored the timed calls and got off when we were ready and went through immigration/ customs. This time may be different as NCL will be taking us to a Day room hotel close to JFK" POSTED BY TONY@STANTON" 5/27...

Were you a "privileged" guest on that ship???

Did you "ignore" the times called?

Hmmmmmmmmm!

[Cosmopolitan]

I know, I know...should not feed the fraleys!..farleys??

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

Very interesting:

 

Was this a portion of your post on the thread "Very depressed new cruiser with answers"?

 

"We had the same in Seattle, no queue for the Non US National check in desks, but as we had declined NCL's Transport to allow us to look around, we just ignored thetimed calls and got off when we were ready and went through immigration/ customs. This time may be different as NCL will be taking us to a Day room hotel close to JFK" POSTED BY TONY@STANTON" 5/27...

Were you a "privileged" guest on that ship???

Did you "ignore" the times called?

Hmmmmmmmmm!

 

 

Let me clear up your misunderstanding. This thread is about a different subject.

When a ship disembarks, at the end of the voyage, passengers are called usually by a colour coded luggage label and are allowed to leave the ship.

This is usually done to fit in with ongoing transport arrangements. NCL had arranged transport to take us to the airport, but we decided to decline their arrangements, informed them that we would make our own way to the airport and as such, were free to leave the ship as desired.

 

We did however wait in line along with everyone else.