Norwegian Encore Makes First Overnight Call at Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Cruise Line completed its first-ever overnight stay at its private island destination Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas on Jan. 22-23, 2026, after a last-minute itinerary change on Norwegian Encore.

The overnight call replaced a scheduled visit to Costa Maya, Mexico, which was removed due to port and berth availability issues as the port undergoes infrastructure work tied to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project, which is expected to open in fall 2027.

A last-minute change that turned into a first for Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Encore was sailing a seven-night itinerary that departed Miami on Jan. 17, 2026, with scheduled calls in Roatán, Honduras; Harvest Caye (Norwegian’s private destination in Belize); Costa Maya; and Great Stirrup Cay.

In a message to guests, Norwegian Cruise Line framed the updated plan as a milestone moment for its private-island operations: “We’re thrilled to introduce an extraordinary, first-of-its-kind experience: an overnight stay at our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.” The line added, “This will mark the first overnight visit offered to Norwegian Cruise Line guests.”

How the overnight call unfolded

Norwegian’s original schedule had Norwegian Encore reaching Great Stirrup Cay at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22. Due to a medical emergency, the ship instead docked at 8:00 p.m. at the destination’s new pier.

• The ship ultimately remained alongside through Friday, Jan. 23, departing at 5:00 p.m. to return to Miami.
• Guests were permitted to stay ashore until midnight on Jan. 22, which Norwegian designated as the all-aboard time.
• Norwegian’s featured evening event, a Glow Party under the Stars, ran from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

What guests could do after dark, and what was restricted

With the beach closed at sundown “for guests’ safety,” Norwegian concentrated late-night activity around Great Life Lagoon, the island’s newly introduced pool area. “As the sun sets, the energy shifts to an unforgettable evening celebration, with all nighttime activities focused on the vibrant Great Life Lagoon,” the line told guests.

Onshore bars began serving shortly after arrival, and food service was offered at Abaco Taco, which Norwegian described as offering “light bites and convenient grab-and-go favorites.”

Passengers who commented publicly on the surprise overnight described it as a welcome change from the pace of a typical private-island day. One guest called the Glow Party and nighttime atmosphere “a magical addition to the cruise,” while another said the overnight made the experience feel more relaxed, with less pressure to rush back onboard during a standard daytime call.

Schedule impacts across the rest of the cruise

Norwegian said it adjusted timing elsewhere “to better align with port logistics” after Costa Maya was dropped. The most visible change was at Harvest Caye.

Instead of an 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. call, Norwegian Encore visited Harvest Caye from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The itinerary still included Roatán and the extended stop at Great Stirrup Cay.

Upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay, and what is planned next

The overnight stay came against the backdrop of Norwegian’s multi-phase enhancement project at Great Stirrup Cay. Newly introduced features include a cruise ship pier, the 1.4-acre Great Life Lagoon pool area, a splash pad, and the adults-only Vibe Shore Club.

The pier is still partially under construction, and once fully complete it is designed to accommodate two cruise ships at the same time, an operational change that could make longer calls easier to schedule on some itineraries.

Additional expansion is slated for later in 2026 with the debut of the Great Tides Waterpark, scheduled to open in summer 2026. The attraction is set to include 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone, and cliffside jumps.

Norwegian Cruise Line has said it has invested approximately $150 million in transforming Great Stirrup Cay and expects to bring more than one million guests to the destination across 17 ships during 2026.

How rare are overnight stays at cruise line private islands?

Overnight calls at private cruise destinations remain uncommon. MSC Cruises is the only line with regularly scheduled overnight stays at a private island destination, offered at Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Norwegian has not opened bookings that specifically advertise overnight calls at Great Stirrup Cay, but the Jan. 22-23 call demonstrated that the line can run an overnight operating plan at the destination, particularly as pier work continues and new attractions come online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Norwegian Encore make Norwegian Cruise Line’s first overnight visit to Great Stirrup Cay?

Norwegian Encore docked on the evening of Jan. 22, 2026, and departed Great Stirrup Cay at 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026.

Why was Costa Maya removed from the itinerary?

Norwegian Cruise Line removed the Costa Maya call due to port and berth availability issues. The port is also undergoing infrastructure work tied to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico development, which is expected to open in fall 2027.

How late could guests stay on Great Stirrup Cay during the overnight?

Norwegian said guests could remain ashore until midnight on Jan. 22, which served as the all-aboard time.

What upgrades are already in place at Great Stirrup Cay?

Norwegian’s recent additions include a new cruise ship pier, the 1.4-acre Great Life Lagoon pool area, a splash pad, and the adults-only Vibe Shore Club. The pier is still partially under construction and is designed to eventually accommodate two ships at once.

What new attractions are coming next to Great Stirrup Cay in 2026?

The Great Tides Waterpark is scheduled to open in summer 2026 with 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone, and cliffside jumps.