Warning about Great Stirrup Cay

Item: Norwegian Escape
Rating: 2.5
Author: ladymh1965

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

ladymh1965

Contributor Level: Purser

475 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 13

Overall rating:

2.5 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 24, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Escape

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Great stirrup cay didn't have much to do unless you are a swimmer.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

A word of warning. If you have the soda package onboard ship, it does work while on great stirrup cay, BUT, you will be charged a Bohemian tax fee. NCL escape staff left that little part out during the stop. Several cruisers complained about this not being disclosed prior to anyone getting off the ship to visit the private island. If you happen to get a soda, on this island stop, they will ask for your stateroom key, and when you go to finalize your bill; there will be a tax charge. Just a warning. If we ever have this stop again while cruising, I'll stay aboard to avoid the aggravation.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Cabin was ok

Ship tip

Don't get off the ship at great stirrup cay and buy a soda if you have a soda package on-board because you will be billed a bohemian tax.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

1 out of 5

Very busy port

Thumbs Up 0

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

1 out of 5

You will be charged a bohemian tax for soda, even if you have a soda package on-board the ship. NCL neglected to inform passengers before hand, and it was a nightmare trying to get those charges off my bill. Yet, even though my final bill showed it removed, NCL still charged my CC. LESSON LEARNED TO NEVER GET OFF THE SHIP AT THIS STOP. Never again

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

1 out of 5

Enjoyed this island, but I wish I spoke the language. Taxi drivers only speak Spanish or Dominican.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

1 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

1 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

8 Comments

ladymh1965 3 months ago

I am not sure why the other ports were only one star. I cannot update it on this app for some reason. But if I could update Tortola and Dominican Republic it would be at least 3.5 stars

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Cruisers4Lyfe 6 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Oops sorry 😞

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DACruiser57 1 year ago

Taxes are still cheaper than paying full price, plus tax, plus gratuity. So all of this rates poor ratings at each port?

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CruzeFan 1 year ago

It’s always important to read and understand what is and is not included in the drink package and your cruise fare. It’s very easy to take a refillable water bottle off the ship in every port. Why were the other ports only 1 star?

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Cruisematic 1 year ago

Thanks for the heads up

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cruising2004 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience. Thanks for the tip!

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry you were disappointed.

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