Summary: Winter storms in the Bahamas have led Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean to modify private-island operations at Great Stirrup Cay and Perfect Day at CocoCay, including temporary facility closures and some cancelled visits.

Great Stirrup Cay and CocoCay winter storm disruptions are affecting cruise passengers headed to two of the Bahamas’ best-known private-island stops. After weather over the past weekend, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean adjusted itineraries and services at Great Stirrup Cay and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Guests on impacted sailings were informed of the changes, and the cruise lines said they are working to restore normal operations.

Great Stirrup Cay: Temporary closures during expansion work

Great Stirrup Cay, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, is in the middle of a significant expansion aimed at improving the guest experience. The destination recently added a pier and a pool, increasing the range of amenities available to visitors.

Following the winter storms, Norwegian Cruise Line advised that the island’s pool and pier would not be available. The changes affected guests sailing on Norwegian Prima on a seven-day cruise that began in Port Canaveral, requiring itinerary adjustments tied to the private-island call.

Because Norwegian Prima could not use the pier, the ship anchored offshore instead of docking. Passengers were transported to the island by tender. The cruise line also sought to set expectations by noting that other activities would still be available to help make the stop worthwhile despite the closures.

Norwegian Prima itinerary largely intact across the Caribbean

The storm-related limitations at Great Stirrup Cay did not significantly alter the broader itinerary for Norwegian Prima. The sailing still includes calls at Montego Bay, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and Grand Cayman.

Norwegian Cruise Line said construction would continue as planned on the Great Stirrup Cay expansion and indicated the pier and pool would be available in a week.

Tender boats ferrying cruise passengers to a private island in the Bahamas amid winter storm conditions
With piers affected by winter storms, some cruise calls required ships to anchor offshore and use tender boats for passenger transfers.

Perfect Day at CocoCay: Construction paused and visits cancelled

Royal Caribbean also faced disruptions at Perfect Day at CocoCay, its private island in the Bahamas. The same winter storms led to operational changes, including a pause in construction activity.

According to the report, two additional visits were cancelled so divers could search for missing catwalks at the island’s pier. Royal Caribbean told guests that adjustments were being made to keep operations stable while prioritizing safety and scheduling needs tied to restoring the affected infrastructure.

What remains available at CocoCay

Even with some disruptions, Perfect Day at CocoCay is described as offering more than a single attraction. The island includes features such as a private beach, slides, and a lagoon. The cruise line made alternative arrangements so guests could still experience CocoCay where possible.

Cruise lines reiterate service commitments during weather impacts

Despite the weather-related setbacks, both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean emphasized continued commitment to their private-island offerings. Norwegian’s ongoing Great Stirrup Cay expansion is intended to broaden facilities and improve the overall guest experience once upgrades are completed.

Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, has provided guests with updates on efforts to restart work and bring services back online at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Both operators reiterated a focus on restoring services safely and as quickly as possible to limit interruptions.

What passengers on upcoming sailings should expect

Passengers booked on cruises that include Great Stirrup Cay or Perfect Day at CocoCay should anticipate that some amenities may be temporarily unavailable while storm impacts are addressed. At the same time, the cruise lines have confirmed the islands will remain on itineraries, and they plan to notify guests promptly if future changes are required.

  • Great Stirrup Cay: pool and pier temporarily unavailable; tendering used when docking is not possible
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay: construction paused; two visits cancelled to support diver work related to missing catwalks at the pier
  • Guest communications: cruise lines say impacted passengers will be notified of changes and updated as services are restored

Why this matters for travelers

For travelers planning Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, these updates highlight how winter weather can affect private-island calls, including pier access, tender operations, and last-minute schedule changes. If your itinerary includes Great Stirrup Cay or Perfect Day at CocoCay in the coming weeks, it’s worth monitoring cruise line notifications closely and planning for flexibility in shore activities in case certain facilities remain temporarily closed.