Two Ships at Once: A First for Great Stirrup Cay

There is exciting news for your next Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line regarding the Bahamian private island Great Stirrup Cay. As reported by the industry portal Cruise Industry News, the cruise line has reached a major milestone there: for the first time in the island's history, two ships were able to dock directly at the new pier at the same time.

Previously, ships often had to anchor offshore as a tender port. With the completion of the new pier in August 2026, those days are over. For you, this means an even more convenient and faster way to get from your ship straight to the beach.

Getaway and Prima Lead the Way

This historic double docking was achieved last weekend by two modern ships in the fleet. The Norwegian Prima (built in 2022), currently spending her first summer season in the Caribbean, arrived at the island as part of a seven-day cruise from her US homeport of Port Canaveral. She was joined by the Norwegian Getaway (built in 2014), which was visiting the Bahamas on a three-day short cruise from Miami.

Private Island Expansion Moves Forward

According to details from the cruise line cited by Cruise Industry News, the construction of the pier is part of a larger modernization project on Great Stirrup Cay. The island also recently saw the opening of the new "Great Tides Waterpark," which features 19 water slides and an approximately 240-meter (800-foot) lazy river. In addition, the "Horizon Park" has introduced sports facilities like pickleball courts, while "Hammock Bay" offers a relaxation area with over 50 hammocks.

More Double Dockings Planned

You will be seeing these double-headers on the island much more frequently in the future. Cruise Industry News has already identified 30 more dates for the remainder of 2026 where two ships are scheduled to dock at the pier simultaneously, particularly during the 2026/27 winter season.

The busiest day is set to take place just before Christmas: on December 21, 2026, the Norwegian Epic and the Norwegian Getaway are expected to arrive together. On this day, nearly 8,500 passengers will be visiting the private island at the same time.