Stirrup Cay Haven Area

[dsarge390]

Hello, Critics..

 

We depart on the 14 day out of NY on the Escape, Feb. 3rd.  Does anyone know if the Haven area on Great Stirrup Cay is completed yet? It appears to have cabanas and a lagoon, but I'm not sure of that. I could not find any videos or info. If anyone has any insight, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

[dexddd]

3 hours ago, dsarge390 said:

Hello, Critics..

 

We depart on the 14 day out of NY on the Escape, Feb. 3rd.  Does anyone know if the Haven area on Great Stirrup Cay is completed yet? It appears to have cabanas and a lagoon, but I'm not sure of that. I could not find any videos or info. If anyone has any insight, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

No, it is not done per recent reports.

 

There is an active thread here with some responses from the last couple days that may have more info on timing but I don't think the general public really knows when it will be done.

[laurabegorrah]

When we were there in Oct, it still looked like there was a lot of construction going on.  I wouldn't think it would be open for at least another 6 months to a year.  It's a glacial paced construction! 

[dsarge390]

Thanks Laura. Funny how slow things move outside of NJ......

[Vyhanek]

Here's what you do when you have Haven access at GSC.

 

You get off the ship at your leisure.    You walk around a little bit.    You find your loungers, sit there a few minutes and say to your spouse........."It's a lot nicer in the Haven on the ship!"

 

Then you pack up your things and go spend the rest of the day in the Haven.    Slowly the Haven will fill up with everyone else thinking the exact same thing.

 

GSC is not the beach day you envision or the island it used to be.    It's really crowded since they've now blocked off most of the island keeping the cruisers on one end of the island.    The hurricanes over the last decade have ruined the beach and all the sand on the island.   Its a rough, rocky, hard coral.    

 

Enjoy better beach days at other ports along your cruise.

 

 

[Debde]

4 hours ago, Vyhanek said:

Here's what you do when you have Haven access at GSC.

 

You get off the ship at your leisure.    You walk around a little bit.    You find your loungers, sit there a few minutes and say to your spouse........."It's a lot nicer in the Haven on the ship!"

 

Then you pack up your things and go spend the rest of the day in the Haven.    Slowly the Haven will fill up with everyone else thinking the exact same thing.

 

GSC is not the beach day you envision or the island it used to be.    It's really crowded since they've now blocked off most of the island keeping the cruisers on one end of the island.    The hurricanes over the last decade have ruined the beach and all the sand on the island.   Its a rough, rocky, hard coral.   

 

 

OMG this was very funny.

I guess I'll plan on spending a very quick day on the beach!

 

Although it is quite sad in many other aspects too. at least you did not sugar coat it!👍

 

[Greenpea2]

I don't really care what it looks like--it sure didn't look like much a number of years ago when I first went there! It's just nice to get off the ship for a few hours and be on sand and swim in the ocean. I'm not a person to lie in the sun for a long time., so a couple of beverages, some lunch, a walk-about, a swim and a bit of sunning and I'm ready for the ship again! I'm just glad they have a place like that to visit!

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, Vyhanek said:

GSC is not the beach day you envision or the island it used to be.    It's really crowded since they've now blocked off most of the island keeping the cruisers on one end of the island.    

They blocked of a tiny piece of the beach directly in front of the Haven cabanas. 

[dsarge390]

  I was there a couple of years ago, and enjoyed the island. It is nice to get off of the ship and feel the sand on your feet. I was Just asking about the Haven area because I heard they were building an exclusive spot, and was wondering if it was ready. 

 Vyhanek can stay on the ship, I'll be hanging with people on the beach.

 Crowded beach? I'm from Jersey, all we know are crowded beaches and traffic. If I'm going to be on a crowded beach, it might as well be in the Caribbean in Feb....

 

Hey Greenpea2. I work in Springfield....

[Kalum]

So what is this?

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/great-stirrup-cay scroll down

See attached screenshot

 

Is it for everyone Or just haven (just haven seems to be too good)

[dsarge390]

Kalum, that is what I was looking for. I heard they were upgrading an area, and was wondering if it was ready yet. Prob not. Oh well. 

[dsarge390]

Actually, it looks like a new resort opening on the island, separate from the cruise. Interesting....

[Two Wheels Only]

24 minutes ago, Kalum said:

Is it for everyone Or just haven (just haven seems to be too good) 

 

From what I've read....

 

"The new Lagoon Retreat is an exclusive area for "The Haven" and all suite cruise passengers, and also for passengers with purchased on-land Mandara Spa treatments. A limited number of passes for all passengers are available for purchasing on each NCL Bahamas cruise with Great Stirrup Cay."

 

...so non-Haven guests can use this particular area if purchasing a spa treatment or perhaps purchasing a pass. I don't know if Villa rental is open to all.

[laurabegorrah]

I had heard while we were there that a lot of this area will be set up like an all inclusive resort.  You actually stay over night (or multiple nights) on GSC.  Not sure where or how the haven area will be integrated or how transportation for the overnight guests will work.....

 

Really curious to see how it all ends up working!

[Wendy&Grumpy]

On 1/18/2019 at 3:38 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

From what I've read....

 

"The new Lagoon Retreat is an exclusive area for "The Haven" and all suite cruise passengers, and also for passengers with purchased on-land Mandara Spa treatments. A limited number of passes for all passengers are available for purchasing on each NCL Bahamas cruise with Great Stirrup Cay."

 

...so non-Haven guests can use this particular area if purchasing a spa treatment or perhaps purchasing a pass. I don't know if Villa rental is open to all.

 

"Oceanview Villas at Silver Cove" are now available for online booking. I have confirmed with Shorex that these are only available for those booked in Haven or Suite cabins. (Shown is the pricing for Thanksgiving week 2019 on Breakaway - pricing does vary. :))

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by Wendy&Grumpy

[albertamom]

I just booked the Oceanview Villa at Silver Cove for our Breakaway cruise in February, and we are not in a suite.  It was the same price that Wendy&Grumpy paid above.  I read an article somewhere online that said a small number would be available for non-suite/haven guests.

[amygutman]

3 hours ago, Wendy&Grumpy said:

 

"Oceanview Villas at Silver Cove" are now available for online booking. I have confirmed with Shorex that these are only available for those booked in Haven or Suite cabins. (Shown is the pricing for Thanksgiving week 2019 on Breakaway - pricing does vary. :))

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

 

Now...the big (1st world) question. Large cabana vs private villa? 

Swimming on the beach is such a big thing for my son...it looks like the villa beach area is really rocky and not great water. 

Any thoughts on the beach, and if you or any posters have has the experience, which would you choose....

Thanks - Amy

[Wendy&Grumpy]

4 minutes ago, amygutman said:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

 

Now...the big (1st world) question. Large cabana vs private villa? 

Swimming on the beach is such a big thing for my son...it looks like the villa beach area is really rocky and not great water. 

Any thoughts on the beach, and if you or any posters have has the experience, which would you choose....

Thanks - Amy

 

 The villa beach area is much nicer than the cabana beaches! 

[amygutman]

Awesome WendyandGrumpy!!!

 

I just posted a forum to see if I can glean any other info...

It looks wonderful and have loved your photos - think I am going to cancel the large cabana and go with the villa - you are certainly convincing!

Honestly...not sharing a bathroom and shower in and of itself is wonderful!

Now you've given me happy thoughts on the way to work tonight!!!

Amy

[Harratine]

I’m upgrading from the large cabana tomorrow.  Thanks for the update.

[cruising7]

We just returned from here and enjoyed our day in the general area.  It wasn’t crowded and with Haven priority exit, we got a bunch of chairs in a shady area near bar and taco restaurant with a nice view of the water.  The Haven/villa area is a FAR walk! It looks very nice though and that area of the beach is much quieter. 

[Because_I_Said]

On 6/6/2019 at 1:31 PM, Wendy&Grumpy said:

 

"Oceanview Villas at Silver Cove" are now available for online booking. I have confirmed with Shorex that these are only available for those booked in Haven or Suite cabins. (Shown is the pricing for Thanksgiving week 2019 on Breakaway - pricing does vary. :))

 

 

On 6/6/2019 at 2:30 PM, albertamom said:

I just booked the Oceanview Villa at Silver Cove for our Breakaway cruise in February, and we are not in a suite.  It was the same price that Wendy&Grumpy paid above.  I read an article somewhere online that said a small number would be available for non-suite/haven guests.

 

The Oceanview Villa is available to book and we are not in a suite or Haven. The price is significantly different though and way out of my comfort zone.

 

 

[albertamom]

15 minutes ago, Because_I_Said said:

 

 

The Oceanview Villa is available to book and we are not in a suite or Haven. The price is significantly different though and way out of my comfort zone.

 

 

 

Only one of you needs to book and pay for it (so $599 will cover all 3 of you).  Your picture has a check-mark beside each of your names, so I just wanted to be sure that you knew that.  

[Because_I_Said]

3 minutes ago, albertamom said:

 

Only one of you needs to book and pay for it (so $599 will cover all 3 of you).  Your picture has a check-mark beside each of your names, so I just wanted to be sure that you knew that.  

 

I did not so that is great to know. Thanks! And now that you  mention it, I finally see the spot on the description that actually says that. Doh!

[albertamom]

8 minutes ago, Because_I_Said said:

 

I did not so that is great to know. Thanks! And now that you  mention it, I finally see the spot on the description that actually says that. Doh!

Great!  It makes a huge difference!