Written by Chillie Falls, September 2, 2022 (Photography by Hot Air Tom)
I sailed on Norwegian Sky August 21, 2022 and had a port of call scheduled at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas on August 27, 2022. My friend, Hot Air Tom, had rented a cabana so we could enjoy the beauty of the island and its beaches. Great Stirrup Cay is a tender port.
Since I was unable to go ashore the last time I was there about five years ago, I stopped by the excursion desk to inquire about the tender operations. They told me that scooters were not allowed on the tender, but I could use a fold-up wheelchair if I could walk on and off the boat. Since I can walk a little, I was still hoping to go, but I didn’t like the idea of a fold-up wheelchair.
The next morning at breakfast, Hot Air Tom and I questioned the concierge about the tender situation and he revealed that not only would I have to walk on and off the tender, but also be able to go up and down a flight of stairs. When you enter the tender, the “ramp” goes to the upper deck of the boat. However, from the dock on the island, you ingress and egress from the lower level.
Maybe I could get down a flight of stairs, but there is no way after walking to get on the tender, that I could get up a flight of stairs, and then have to walk off the boat to get back to my scooter. Needless to say, I decided against the visit to Great Stirrup Cay.
So, for anyone at my level of mobility challenges, on up to the totally disabled, Great Stirrup Cay is INACCESSIBLE.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel as Norwegian Cruise Line has plans to build a ship dock which could be ready toward the end of 2024 and that will make Great Stirrup Cay accessible finally.