Same sailing: Harvest Quay and Great Stirrup Quay

[marktwothousand]

I'm taking the 12-day Joy later this month which stops at both Harvest Quay and Great Stirrup Quay. I've been on a few NCL's before but never to one of their private ports. What's the deal with these stops? I am not really a "lie on the beach" guy, is there anything else notable to do at these ports? Can we leave the resort area or is there nothing else there?

 

I realize everything food and drink-wise on land is chargeable, but what else is there to do, other than ship excursions or sit on the beach? Are third-party excursions available at these stops? Are these ports walk-offs or tenders? Do they keep the ship casinos open at these stops?

 

Really - any insight would be appreciated...I get the sense that most die-hard regulars on here don't like these ports, so if you could tell me what's actually positive about them, I'd love to hear your opinion!

[KarlChilders]

Harvest is walk off, Great Stirrup is tender.  At Harvest there are excursions and a ferry to the mainland, Great Stirrup is a beach day only.

[ColeThornton]

At Harvest Caye you pay for food and drinks and at Great Stirrup Cay food is free as is alcohol if you have the beverage package.  I would disagree with your assessment that most people don't like these stops.  One thing that could be a negative is that stopping at GSC is hit and miss depending on weather and sea state.

Edited October 7, 2019 by ColeThornton

[jazzydiver]

Great Stirrup is a private island that is actually owned by NCL.  Food there is free, and if you have the beverage package, alcoholic beverages are free too.

 

Harvest Caye isn't quite the same - it seems like a private island, but because NCL is leasing it, the food and drink must be purchased from the vendors there - no free food and drink.

 

You can get to the mainland without booking an excursion, but you still have to pay for the ferry.

 

--I was posting at same time as ColeThornton.

 

Edited October 7, 2019 by jazzydiver

[GA Dave]

Harvest Caye has kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards, pedal boats, zip lines, parasailing, snorkeling, electric boat cruises, beach villas, pool cabanas, etc., etc.  There is also a free nature trail on the island with butterfly and cockatoo houses.

[marktwothousand]

I had no idea about the ferry. thanks guys. Placencia actually sounds quite a nice local place to explore. how long is the ferry ride, it looks quite the distance on the maps? Can’t find any info on the length of the ferry trip. 

[PelicanBill]

45 minutes ago, marktwothousand said:

I had no idea about the ferry. thanks guys. Placencia actually sounds quite a nice local place to explore. how long is the ferry ride, it looks quite the distance on the maps? Can’t find any info on the length of the ferry trip. 

Ferry ride is just 10 minutes - it's only a few miles away.