In the 1970's Norwegian Cruise Lines developed Great Stirrup Cay as the industry's first private island playground. Needless to say, the idea really took off. All major Caribbean cruise lines now offer stops at their own Bahamian island for an afternoon of hassle-free surf and sand. In fact, from Great Stirrup Cay, you can sometimes see a Royal Caribbean ship anchored off nearby CocoCay, formerly Little Stirrup Cay. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If you were to sit down and design your own private island, it would probably look a lot like this one. Except for your fantastic private mansion, Great Stirrup Cay is lacking very little in the way of amenities and activities. The beach, of course, is the main attraction, offering swimming, snorkeling (coral reefs surround the island), rafts, paddleboats, catamarans, and kayaks. For the less-wet set, there are volleyball courts and hiking trails. Set out and try to find the island's lighthouse. Appetites are readily appeased at the beach barbeque and the thirsty can head for the beach bar (the only building on the island with walls - save for the bathrooms, of course). Music arrives courtesy of a calypso band so you can limber up with a limbo contest - then limp off to a waiting, palm-shaded hammock.