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CRUISING TO THE BAHAMAS:
GREAT STIRRUP CAY page 2 |
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GOING ASHORE
Ships cannot dock at GSC. Consequently, passengers are ferried to and from the ship in large tenders, including one that was once carried on the SS Norway.
Once the tender is full, the ride to the shore takes between five and ten minutes. Going back to the ship, the ride can take somewhat longer depending upon whether another tender is embarking or disembarking passengers. Weather can affect the length of the ride as well as the smoothness of the ride. Indeed, it can affect whether the ship is able to call at the island at all. If the seas are too rough for the tenders to provide a comfortable ride ashore, the captain will cancel the port. At one time, all the supplies (food, beverages, etc.) that the passengers would use while on the island were ferried ashore from the ship. With the improvements to GSC, more supplies are stored on the island. However, some supplies and most of the personnel that serve the guests while on the island still come from the ship. 
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THE CRUISE PORT
Leaving the open sea, the tenders enter a sheltered harbor via a man-made channel blasted through the rock. On one side of the harbor are a series of docks where the tenders berth.
Guests disembark onto the docks and then walk through a gate into the resort. Once through the gate, the beach area is straight ahead. To the right is the shopping area and off to the left are the dining facilities. Nearby is an information booth. 
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Going back to the ship, guests exit through Tweed's Tenders (below left). This building provides shelter from the sun (or from the odd tropical cloudburst) while waiting to board the tenders. It also acts as a security checkpoint.
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Cruise destination - Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line - Going Ashore