Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. Each set of swings is a little different, including the one near the Bacardi Bar that gives you a fantastic photo in front of the water with the cruise ship in the background. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Sand bars, iguanas, swim with the sharks at Compass Cay and snorkel thunderball grotto. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. Hi, We'll be on the Breakaway in June 2022 with a stop at Great Stirrup Cay and thinking of doing the Swim with Pigs excursion. SUP rentals come with a lesson on how to float/ride a paddleboard by a Great Stirrup Cay crew member. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. Speaking only for the "original" swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay in the Exumas, it is not an "organized" pig swim. Pigs have a natural affinity for the water, and when visitors discovered a colony of feral pigs living beachside on Bahamas' Exuma islands, a popular tourist attraction was born. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. The back story is that Great Stirrup Cay was bought from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and was the first island ever to be transformed into a private island cruise port for a cruise line. Theres a spot to rent beach basics on the island, including snorkel gear. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. Swimming with the pigs excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. All Norwegian Bahamas cruises in 2023 include a day at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island reserved for our cruise passengers. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! We booked it for cruise on the Escape in November. Our most popular tours sell out quickly so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. were changing far more frequently. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. Want more on visiting Great Stirrup Cay? Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Refreshments. Get your photo taken with the swimming pigs and then head to the observation deck for sweeping views of the ocean. Has anyone tried this yet? Try Your Hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking Here are the Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions for 2023: Wave Runner Tour (from $139): This 45-minute personal watercraft tour through the Berry Islands will let you see area highlights like the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, Slaughter Harbor, and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. The big attraction on the beach at Great Stirrup Cay was the zipline. The original Pig Beach in The Bahamas is located on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay. The beach is completely free to enjoy, including thousands of lounge chairs available for you to use. 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers, Carnival Firenze Inaugural Season Opens For Bookings, Princess Cruises Announces Lavazza as Official Coffee Partner, Disney Cruise Line Announces Inaugural Sailings to Lighthouse Point, Norwegian Cruise Line Will Debut Beetlejuice The Musical Aboard Norwegian Viva, Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising, Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise, Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise, Great Stirrup Cay Two Bedroom Family Suite Villa (https://youtu.be/PUDp-RaXOO0), 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know, Norwegians Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide, 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages, A photo ID (needs to be a valid drivers license if youre doing the wave runner tour), Tennis shoes for visiting the lighthouse or ziplining. They are hard to see having polarized sunglasses can help cut through the glare in the water. Water Gear: For swimming in The Bahamas in general, bring along 2 - 3 swimsuits, water shoes, a quick-dry towel, a rash guard/sun shirt, and a sun hat. These include a snorkel excursion on a catamaran boat, zip lining, wave runner tours, a stingray encounter, and a guided kayak tour in two-person kayaks. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. Vegetarian main dishes are limited on the island, and cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed if youre concerned about gluten, nuts, or other allergens. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. Pig Beach Bahamas is located on a tiny island, Big Major Cay (Pig Island) in the south of the archipelago. You have several options for lunch and snacks on Great Stirrup Cay, including a free buffet. Make new friends while you swim with pigs. Norwegian Cruise Line has a shore excursion that visits Treasure Island, which is just a 10 minute speedboat ride from their private island, Great Stirrup Cay. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. Ive never heard of this place before! If you approach the beach in a motorized boat, the feral pigs that live there associate the sound of the outboard with a food handout. NCL, like many other cruise lines, reserves the right to deny boarding of their tenders to guests who cant enter or exit the boat on foot. They love their stomachs to be scratched. If its been a few years since youve visited the private island, youll be amazed at how much its changed while still retaining its charm. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published on Dec. 14, 2018. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. These boats give you a great unobstructed view of the ship for photos, but there are also photo opportunities on the island. Unfortunately, the distance between the two was great enough that a cellphone camera was going to be hard-pressed to take good photos. 6. Rest and relax on our 1400 Sq. Call us at the number below to speak with a Shore Excursion Specialist. They sit high on the hill that slopes down toward the water, giving you a breathtaking view of the beach and the water from the comfort of your lounger. Great Stirrup Cay is one of the ports of call on your Norwegian Cruise Line, but you can't find the island on a map. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Get a Photo of Your Ship She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. Fortunately, one of us decided he wasn't interested in getting in the water and was able to take pictures from the patio. The Bahamas is famous for its swimming pigs, and you can have that experience from Great Stirrup Cay. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. 70 Fun Things to Do on the Ship, Norwegian Cruise Line Sharply Raises Service Charges Again (Up to 25%), 10 Tips and Things to Know Before Cruising With a Teenager, 57 Must-Have Tips, Advice, and Info For First-Time Cruisers, 18 Orlando Hotels with Shuttles to Disney World & Universal, Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies, 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 Youd Never Think Of), Swimming With the Pigs Excursion: $139 adult/$99 child. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',602,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Food is complimentary on Great Stirrup Cay! Sent from my SM-G965U using Forums mobile app, The nastiness of this has been discussed to death in another thread. Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. If you have a beverage package for your cruise, it will work on the island as well. From what I can tell from what Ive seen posted it is s very new excursion. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Pages Navigation Menu. It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma. You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. They make the perfect spot to grab a photo for Instagram. Access to Silver Cove is limited to those who book one of the villas for the day, and you might find it worth the money. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! Chances are high that youll make a stop at the cruise lines private island Great Stirrup Cay. Photographer will be on site and photos will be available for purchase! Si bien los cerdos son tan mansos como simpticos, exigen un nivel adecuado de conciencia y respeto por parte de los visitantes. Some of the sights you may see include the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, . I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. Los cerdos de Treasure Island son criaturas de buen carcter y bastante curiosas. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. (which we all need to do more! Great Stirrup Cay . We visited the swimming pigs of Treasure Island on an excursion purchased through Norwegian Cruise Line. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. Sin embargo, lo que realmente atrae a estos cerdos es la comida! Sabas que los cerdos pueden comer ms de cinco libras de comida al da? Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. . The ships dining venues are open while the ship is anchored off the island, so if youre highly allergic or concerned about dietary restrictions, youll have better luck eating on the ship. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. For a fee you can strap in and set off flying through the air, getting spectacular views of the island and the surrounding water. They are slightly larger than the Ocean Villas and are located on the lagoon. HIGHLIGHTS Bahamas: Travel by boat across crystal-clear blue waters, delighting in the beautiful scenery among the Berry Islands. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. Posted September 19, 2018. Have you been swimming with the pigs? Firstly, there are actually 2 locations you can visit the swimming pigs Bahamas. Prices vary depending on the course you run: Rent Your Own Private Cabana Soar Through the Sky with a Parasailing Adventure. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. The comedian on our cruise had a set about that excursion, and it made it sound like it was a rip-off. You pay $109 per person to feed the pigs, they are NOT at the beach at all! Amenities are the same. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Island Zipline Adventure ($119/$85 kids) A combination of the Osprey Zipline plus the Seahawk Zipline for a total of six zips plus a series of V-net bridges, chimney climbs, and cargo nets. The big draw is the jerk chicken. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Lisa says, "It was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying! Rentals run for $39/hr per person. If you or one of your cruising group is unable to walk at all, tendering to the island might not be possible. But yeah, it's not Rose Island, that's nowhere near GSC. If a soothing spa treatment is more your style, be sure to book a facial or massage at Mandara Spa in Silver Cove. The area closest to the entrance of Great Stirrup Cay will have the most people. For cruisers not going to Great Stirrup Cay or CocoCay, a swimming pigs excursion can also be booked through third-party operators if you're on a cruise stopping at Grand Bahama Island. In 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line has 11 ships calling on this private island. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Want a souvenir magnet? I hoping to see some reviews in the coming weeks I think I saw someone on FB day they are going in s couple of weeks. Algunos de los cerdos ms activos se acercarn a ti en la playa, o nadarn hacia ti en las zonas poco profundas, y te olfatearn con sus hocicos. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. This 1.5-hour adventure brings you up-close with swimming pigs as you watch them swim at a private island. If you want the best photo of yourself, then Norwegian has you covered. They made a . Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. This 1.5-hour adventure brings you up-close with swimming pigs as you watch them swim at a private island. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. No such thing as Treasure Island - it just sounds nice for the tourists as they take your money with the fake pigs excursion. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. But the place that serves the most cruisers is the buffet. Half the price would have been a much more acceptable amount. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island, 5 must-see places you can visit on a Norwegian Cruise, I stayed in a $1,700 stateroom on Norwegian Bliss see what my room on this new cruise ship looked like, 10 Things Norwegian Cruise Line got right with the Bliss, 10 Things I loved and hated about Norwegian Bliss cruise ship. When you're ready to come up for air, soak up the local flavour at one of the . Swim With the Pigs Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 11 razones para viajar en un crucero a Alaska este verano | Blog de viajes de NCL, Alaska autntica, 14 das - Paquete terrestre "Cruisetours" hacia el norte | Norwegian Cruise Line, Alaska autntica, 14 das - Paquete terrestre "Cruisetours" hacia el sur | Planos de cubiertas | Norwegian Cruise Line, Transpacfico desde Tokio (Yokohama) y Alaska, 20 das | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 motivos para hacer un crucero a Alaska este verano | Blog de viaje de NCL, Swim with the Pigs On Your Bahamas Cruise to Great Stirrup Cay, 3 buenas razones para hacer un crucero a Great Stirrup Cay, Actividades para disfrutar en familia enGreat Stirrup Cay, El Caribe desde Orlando (Puerto Caaveral): Great Stirrup Cay y Cozumel, 7 das, El Caribe, de Nueva York a Nueva Orleans: Curazao y Aruba,14 das, El Caribe desde Tampa:Curazao, Aruba y Repblica Dominicana,11 das. Dont worry if you dont want chicken, theres something for everyone on the buffet, and its all free. Foot Viewing Deck and also enjoy a refreshing swim in the beautiful blue Bahamian waters. Don't Swim With The Dolphins, Swim With The Pigs. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. The closest inhabited island to Big Mayor Cay is Staniel Cay - a tiny island with a population of around 110 people, but luckily it has an airport. What about a jet ski tour? From there, you can head out into the water and paddle around the beach no matter if you want to stand (paddle boarding) or sit (kayaking). They have everything you need to get started, as well as some advice on getting started if youre a novice. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. Now, people flock to these beaches to see and feed the pigs. Norwegian Cruise Lines bought Great Stirrup Cay from an oil company in 1977, becoming the first cruise line to offer passengers a private island getaway. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Swimming Pigs Excursion on a Bahamas Cruise, The Bahamas As You've Never Seen It, From A Luxury Crystal Cruise, 8 Perfect Cruise Line Private Islands for Every Type of Traveler, Whale Watching and Other Natural Shore Excursions in the Mexican Riviera: Just Back From Majestic Princess, Havana Cabanas on Carnival Vista and Horizon, Family Cruise Tips from a Disney Mediterranean Cruise, How to Rent Camera Equipment for Your Cruise of a Lifetime. Hi Ronald, if you're on the fence about cabana vs. villa (and don't mind spending a bit more), I'd say go with the villa. To find out more, please. Sand bars, iguanas, swim with the sharks at Compass Cay and snorkel thunderball grotto. Whats neat is that aquatic life also takes up residence here so you can see some wildlife in addition to the artwork. We're here to answer them. . university of illinois women's swimming roster; what happens if you don't pay a seatbelt ticket; maid cafe miami Its neighbors with Royal Caribbeans private island, Perfect Day at Cococay you can see that island from your ship and the largest Berry Island, Great Harbour Cay. Las pezuas duras de los cerdos y los dedos suaves de los seres humanos no se mezclan! The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Inside vs outside cabin: What's the best cruise room choice? DETAILS. Prices ranged from $4 for sides to $15 for a cracked conch entre. Just started showing up last week in the cruise planners. Paddle your way in a kayak through a protected mangrove forest. Starting at: $1,257 Departs: Sailing February 12, 2023 from Orlando & Beaches (Pt. If you love pigs, then this excursion is worth it; just don't hope for something more than simply feeding them. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's private island, CocoCay. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and . Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Viewing Deck. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. In addition to upgrading and enhancing the experience at the dining venues, and improving walkways and landscaping, theyve also added more sports and adventure activities. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too!