For three days this past week (July 29-30th, 2025), Norwegian Cruise Line brought a taste of the tropics to New York City’s Soho neighborhood with a vibrant, island-inspired pop-up experience. A refreshing escape from the summer heat, this immersive oasis featured everything from a steel drum band and sand sculptors to hair-braiding stations, refreshing beverages and free giveaways. I was lucky enough to attend the preview for press and travel agents were we enjoyed piña coladas and watermelon spritzes both with and without alcohol. There were comments from NCL President David J. Herrera who discussed the development and future of Great Stirrup Cay; Herrera mingled afterwards with members of the crowd wanting to know even more deets!
I went back the next day around noon, climbed through the adorable blue porthole door created specially for the popup and was delighted to see that all guests were enjoying themselves so tremendously. They were taking advantage of the swing, lounge chair and faux beach opportunities as well as sipping on the tropical mocktails and partaking of the coconut and lemon freezer pops out of a vintage cart in the corner. At the side of the bar, free NCL merch was there for the taking including Great Stirrup Cay logo hats, beach towels and fans!
Best of all, guests who visited the pop-up entered a sweepstakes for a chance to win a free cruise to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas but anyone can enter online at https://www.ncl.com/great-stirrup-cay. An amazing 250 trips are being given away! The fabulously unique Cay offers travelers another reason to reserve that future NCL cruise, whether they are booking a fun family vacation out of Miami or a romantic escape to the Bahamas.
Just for the record, NCL is running a “Great Life Sale” for guests booking Caribbean and Bahamas cruises alongside the sweepstakes. The sale offers up to $1,500 off on your favorite sailings, plus an exclusive $50 onboard credit for Latitudes Members. Guests can also take advantage of the More at Sea add-on package that includes incredible benefits ranging from dining and shore excursions, to savings on spa treatments and dry cleaning, further enhancing this all inclusive resort experience. You will be surprised at what a great seal More At Sea is especially if you are someone who always takes cruise drink and speciality dining packages! NCL is not just for families, either–they are one of the few cruise lines who often do not charge solo supplements and solo travelers can get the choice of “studios” with a dedicated group solo lounge or full size rooms to themselves at no added cost!
