Norwegian Keeps Drink Packages at Great Stirrup Cay After Reversal

Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed it will continue honoring its onboard beverage packages at Great Stirrup Cay, reversing a previously announced plan that would have required some guests to pay separately or upgrade to keep alcoholic drinks included on the line’s private Bahamian island.

In a message sent to booked guests, Norwegian said: “After receiving feedback from our guests and travel partners, guests with Free at Sea or More at Sea beverage packages will continue to enjoy the same beverage package inclusions as they do onboard.”

Guest and travel-partner feedback drives a full policy walk-back

Norwegian first outlined a drink-package change for Great Stirrup Cay in October 2025, alongside a broader set of destination upgrades. The change was initially slated to take effect March 1, 2026, then delayed, and would have carved the island out as an exception where certain drink-package holders would no longer have the same alcoholic beverage inclusions ashore.

As the rollout shifted, Norwegian also told travelers and trade partners that guests might need to upgrade to the relaunched Free at Sea Plus tier, or purchase a separate island-specific beverage package, to keep unlimited alcoholic beverages included during a Great Stirrup Cay visit. The proposal drew criticism from guests and travel professionals, particularly because it introduced new costs on a private-island day that many travelers expected to function like a sea day from a beverage perspective.

Norwegian has now fully reversed course and says eligible beverage packages will remain valid on the island. In the same guest communication, the line added: “This means your beverage experience flows effortlessly from ship to shore.”

What the updated guidance means for Free at Sea, More at Sea, and Free at Sea Plus

Under the updated policy, guests with eligible drink programs can order beverages at Great Stirrup Cay under the same inclusions they receive onboard. The clarification applies to beverage packages tied to promotions and bundles, including Free at Sea and More at Sea, and it also affects guests who purchased the higher-tier Free at Sea Plus option.

During the period when the island change was still being discussed, Norwegian shared pricing that put Free at Sea Plus at $49.99 per person, per day, compared with $28.50 per person, per day for Free at Sea. For longer sailings, that difference could add hundreds of dollars to a booking.

Norwegian has also emphasized that beverage decisions can be handled close to sailing. The line told guests that beverage packages can be acquired up to 24 hours before a cruise, and also said packages can be purchased during the first two days onboard (with onboard pricing typically higher than buying ahead of time). Separately, Norwegian also clarified that guests who upgraded in anticipation of the earlier March 2026 plan could modify or cancel drink-package purchases up until three days before embarkation.

Pier construction to bring a temporary return to tendering in 2026

Separate from the beverage decision, Norwegian is continuing construction work at Great Stirrup Cay that will temporarily affect how guests get ashore. The cruise line is building a new two-ship pier intended to allow ships to dock rather than rely on tender boats.

A temporary version of the pier began operating in late 2025, but Norwegian plans to take the pier out of service beginning April 1, 2026 while construction is completed. The downtime is expected to run through at least July 2026, with some guest communications and travel-trade updates placing the work potentially into August.

During that window, ships calling at Great Stirrup Cay are expected to anchor offshore and use tender boats to shuttle guests to the island. Norwegian has noted that tendering, a long-standing feature of Great Stirrup Cay operations, can be more sensitive to wind and sea conditions than docked operations.

$150 million in upgrades: waterpark, lagoon, and expanded amenities

Norwegian has said it has invested at least $150 million in a multi-year enhancement project at Great Stirrup Cay, framing the construction as a way to add capacity and new attractions while keeping the destination’s beach-day core intact. In communications to future guests, Norwegian wrote: “Our focus remains on ensuring every guest can fully enjoy all the island has to offer.”

New and announced features tied to the current build-out include:

• Two-ship pier: Designed to reduce or eliminate tendering once fully complete, improving dock-side access and simplifying arrivals during port days.
• Great Tides Waterpark: A 19-slide complex that Norwegian has highlighted as a major new family-focused attraction.
• Great Life Lagoon: A 1.4-acre pool area positioned as a centerpiece of the expanded water amenities.
• Lazy river and heated swimming pool: Additional water-focused features intended to broaden the island’s day-ashore options beyond the beach.
• Vibe Shore Club: An adults-only area with premium seating and bar service, aimed at guests looking for a higher-end retreat.
• Expanded on-island logistics: Operational additions, including expanded guest circulation options such as tram service, intended to make it easier to move around the destination.

Norwegian’s longer-range messaging has pointed to major attractions and the new pier being fully online by the end of 2026, positioning 2027 visits for a more consistently docked arrival experience.

Great Stirrup Cay remains a core stop across Norwegian itineraries

Even as construction continues, Great Stirrup Cay remains a key port call across Norwegian itineraries. The private island is slated to see 15 Norwegian Cruise Line ships call during 2026, and 15 again listed for 2027, including newer ships such as Norwegian Aqua (2025) and Norwegian Luna (2026).

For travelers booked on sailings that include Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s latest guidance keeps beverage packages in place for eligible guests, while the biggest operational variable for 2026 itineraries is the planned shift back to tendering during the April-to-summer construction period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will my Norwegian beverage package work at Great Stirrup Cay?

Yes. Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that eligible beverage packages, including Free at Sea and More at Sea, will continue to be honored at Great Stirrup Cay with the same inclusions guests receive onboard.

What was Norwegian’s original 2026 beverage plan for the island, and why was it reversed?

Norwegian previously planned to carve Great Stirrup Cay out as an exception starting in 2026, which would have required some guests to upgrade (including to Free at Sea Plus) or buy a separate island-specific package to keep alcoholic drinks included ashore. The cruise line later walked back the plan after what it described as feedback from guests and travel partners.

When will Great Stirrup Cay return to tendering in 2026?

Norwegian plans to take its pier out of service beginning April 1, 2026 while construction is completed. During that period, ships are expected to anchor offshore and tender guests to the island through at least July 2026, and potentially into August based on some guest and travel-trade updates.

What major new attractions are being added at Great Stirrup Cay?

Norwegian’s enhancement project includes a new two-ship pier, Great Tides Waterpark (described as a 19-slide complex), Great Life Lagoon (1.4 acres), and additional features such as a lazy river, a heated swimming pool, and the adults-only Vibe Shore Club.

How close to sailing can guests purchase or adjust beverage packages?

Norwegian has told guests that beverage packages can be acquired up to 24 hours before a cruise, and it has also said guests can purchase during the first two days onboard (with onboard pricing typically higher than buying ahead of time). Separately, Norwegian also clarified that guests who upgraded in anticipation of the earlier Great Stirrup Cay policy shift could modify or cancel drink-package purchases up until three days before embarkation.