If you're sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line and planning to spend the day at Great Stirrup Cay, you may have noticed the private villas available in Silver Cove. They definitely aren't inexpensive, so the big question is...are they worth it?
After spending the day in one, my answer is an easy yes!
A Stress-Free Start to the Day
One of the first perks actually starts before you ever arrive at Great Stirrup Cay.
On embarkation day, we found a form waiting in our stateroom where we could select a few preferences for our villa day. The form also gave us the option to add two additional guests to our reservation for $136 per person. Once I completed it, I simply took it to the Shore Excursions Desk. They provided us with all eight wristbands for our group along with a priority tender pass for the morning.
That priority tender alone was a wonderful perk, allowing us to get to the island quickly and start enjoying the day while everyone else was still waiting.
Our Home Base for the Day
Our villa overlooked the beautiful lagoon at Silver Cove and comfortably accommodated our group of eight.
The villa included:
Air conditioning (a welcome escape from the Bahamian heat!)
A private bathroom
Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating
A refrigerator stocked with eight bottles of cold water and complimentary bottle of Prosecco
Fresh tortilla chips with delicious salsa
A large tray of fresh fruit
Full-day bar service
A dedicated villa host
It was the perfect combination of indoor comfort and outdoor island living.
Silver Cove actually offers a variety of villa types. In addition to the one we experienced, there are larger two- and even three-bedroom villas. If you're traveling with young children or grandparents, having actual bedrooms where little ones can nap (or adults can escape the afternoon heat!) is a huge advantage.
Most of the villas overlook the calm Silver Cove lagoon, but there are also a handful of oceanfront villas with unobstructed views of the Caribbean. Those come with a slightly higher price tag, but the location would be hard to beat if you're looking to splurge.
The Beach Setup Was Fantastic
Just outside the villa, we had our own reserved section of beach complete with five oversized cushioned loungers underneath a large palapa. Having guaranteed shade throughout the day was a huge benefit, especially during the hottest part of the afternoon.
The calm lagoon is ideal for relaxing, and there were plenty of the signature yellow floating mats available for guests to use.
The Infinity Pool May Have Been My Favorite Part
Silver Cove has its own beautiful infinity pool overlooking the lagoon, and when we arrived first thing in the morning, we had it entirely to ourselves.
It felt more like a luxury resort than a cruise line private island. It was peaceful, uncrowded, and honestly one of my favorite spots of the entire day.
Excellent Service Throughout the Day
One thing that really stood out was the level of service.
Our villa host checked on us throughout the day to make sure we had everything we needed. When it was time for lunch, he arranged a golf cart to take us over to the dining area, and later in the afternoon he organized another golf cart ride back to the main tram and tender area.
The bar servers also came by frequently enough that we never had to leave our chairs to grab a drink. Since someone in our group was almost always outside, it was easy to order beverages whenever the servers passed by.
Lunch is served at the Silver Cove restaurant and features many of the same menu items you'll find at the main island buffet. The biggest difference isn't necessarily the food—it's the atmosphere. The dining area was quiet, uncrowded, and incredibly relaxing. It was nice to enjoy lunch without the hustle and bustle of the larger beach areas before heading back to our villa for the afternoon.
A Few Things to Know
A couple of details are worth mentioning before you book:
Your villa reservation includes priority tendering to the island in the morning, which is a fantastic perk.
At the end of the day, however, everyone returns together. There is no priority line for either the trams or the tenders back to the ship.
If your group is larger than the standard occupancy, Norwegian allows you to add additional guests (space permitting) for an extra fee.
Would I Book One Again?
Without hesitation.
Multiple villas sit side by side but still provide plenty of privacy.
If you're traveling with family or a group of friends, the cost becomes much easier to justify when it's shared among several people. Between the private air-conditioned space, dedicated beach area, attentive service, golf cart transportation, infinity pool, food and drinks delivered throughout the day, and priority tendering, it truly elevated our visit to Great Stirrup Cay. Plus, you can even shower before heading back!
I've enjoyed Great Stirrup Cay before, but spending the day in a Silver Cove villa made it feel like an entirely different experience. Instead of searching for chairs or waiting in lines, we spent the day relaxing, enjoying each other's company, and making the most of one of Norwegian's beautiful private destinations.
If you're celebrating a special occasion, traveling with another family, or simply want a relaxing beach day without the crowds, I think a Silver Cove villa is one of the best splurges you can make on a Norwegian cruise. It transformed our day at Great Stirrup Cay from a fun beach stop into a true luxury resort experience—and I'd book one again in a heartbeat.
Ready to book your next Norwegian cruise? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel advisor or reach out to us directly via our website.