Karen Duquette on a Country Western Cruise
on The Norwegian Sky cruise ship
port #2 - Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
October 25, 2015

Karen Duquette and her Swedish friend Monica Ekedahl, who lives in Sweden, on the tender, ready to go ashore.

Below: Looking up at the Norwegian Sky cruise ship from the tender.

Below: On the tender, leaving the Norwegian Sky cruise ship behind.

Below: The tender approaching Great Stirrup Cay. Note: Be careful if you are mobility impaired or have a stroller. The tender that went from the Norwegian Sky cruise ship to the beach had two levels. There was a round narrow staircase to get between the levels. The tender was definitely rocking while Karen Duquette and Monica Ekedahl were going aboard.

Great Stirrup Cay is a small island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the island from the Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and developed it into a private island for their cruise ship passengers. The northern part of the island has a sandy beach surrounded by rocks with snorkeling areas. This is the area that Karen and Monica were at on this 2015 cruise.

The southern part features a helicopter airfield (with a sign reading "Great Stirrup Cay International Airport"), a large area without vegetation, and numerous concrete blocks. These are all remnants of a previous U.S. military installation and satellite tracking station. The island's lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by the Imperial Lighthouse Service. (This is the area that Karen was at on a 2010 cruise, but those photos are not posted on this website. But they might be added later).

Great Stirrup Cay is adjacent to Little Stirrup Cay, Royal Caribbean Cruises' private island. Great Stirrup Cay has a tropical climate. The daytime average temperatures from December to April are around 75 degrees F (24 degrees C), while the average daily temperature is between 85-93 F(29-34 C) from May to November.

The average rainfall is 1 inch per month from November to April and 3.5 inches per month from May to October.

The average sea temperature from May to November is 81-9 F (27-30 C); it averages 77 F (25 C) from December to April.

July averages the most hours of sunshine, while September through February averages the least hours of sunshine, with 7 to 8 hours per day.

Below: A "free" BBQ lunch was served.

Below: The shopping area.

Below: Footprints in the sand, plus "Bring Beer" and "Follow Me"

Below: Karen Duquette enjoyed cooling off in the colorful waters.

Below: Karen Duquette got back on the tender and waved good-bye to Great Stirrup Cay.
The ramp on the tender automatically rinsed the sand off of her feet.

Menu for The Country Western Cruise on the Norwegian Sky

You may visit these six (6) sites in any order you choose.
There is also a link to the USA below.

10-23 boarding the ship in Miami

10-24 Nassau, Bahamas 2015
OR (go to Nassau in 2014)

10-25 Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (this page)
OR (go to Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas in 2010)

10-26 Key West, Florida, USA

10-28 Grand Cayman Island

10-31 Country Western Artists

AFTER you have seen all of the 2015 cruise sites above, please continue to see how the two RV Gypsies winter in their RV in Florida.

OR

If you came here from the Cruises Menu or if you want to check on other cruises, go there now.

OR Continue Navigation in the order of your choice via the alphabetical or category buttons below
OR Click here to see travels by the year (not the best way)