Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. They're hooves are quite sharp, one guy in our group got his foot cut up pretty bad. We got our toes wet with a sounder of swine on a recent shore excursion to see if a swimming pigs tour is really worth the hype. GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. 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. But there is so much more for cruise passengers to try. Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. The Exumas are an exotic part of the Bahamas and can be seen from the air with turquoise waters, lush . Spend a day on Great Stirrup Cay, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's private islands. 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. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! Rentals arent that expensive, and if you are renting a cabana, then you get them complimentary. Swimming With The Pigs, a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour, or renting a Private Cabana. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! Powered by Invision Community. Swimming with the pigs excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Please don't poke the pigs with the skewers. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? Snorkeling equipment is also provided. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. At Great Stirrup Cay, you wont go hungry. Photographer will be on site and photos will be available for purchase! The same goes for kayaking. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. These are at Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) on Exuma Island or at Piggyville (No-Name Cay) on Abaco Island. We're here to answer them. Vegetarian main dishes are limited on the island, and cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed if youre concerned about gluten, nuts, or other allergens. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a trend that doesnt show signs of stopping and for good reason. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. Cruise Critic makes no endorsements, representations or warranties with respect to the products, organizations or websites referenced in the above article, nor is any warranty created or extended by providing such information, and Cruise Critic shall not be liable for any damages arising therefrom. Come swim and interact with the World Famous Swimming Pigs of The Bahamas. But the place that serves the most cruisers is the buffet. Try Your Hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. The island offers plenty of activities, and you can even take an excursion to a nearby island to see the famous swimming pigs. Peak hurricane period in the Bahamas lasts from early August until late October. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. What did you think of the island? Have Questions About Your Shore Excursions? The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. . Do Some Souvenir Shopping Arrive: Wed 21 February 2024 at 06:30 / Depart: . Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. 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. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? With that in mind, Ive been updating this Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay about every six months. Swim with the Pigs On Your Bahamas Cruise to Great Stirrup Cay | NCL Swim With the Pigs Norwegian Gem Review - Cruise Critic Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. On Great Stirrup Cay youll have three options for ziplining: the Osprey Zipline, the Seahawk Zipline, or a combo package that lets you ride both. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. HIGHLIGHTS Bahamas: Travel by boat across crystal-clear blue waters, delighting in the beautiful scenery among the Berry Islands. Sent from my SM-G965U using Forums mobile app, The nastiness of this has been discussed to death in another thread. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! If you want to relax in style, then check out one of the open-air cabanas. 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. Here Are Some of The Best Things to Do on Great Stirrup Cay You don't actually swim with pigs. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. Explore the Eastern Caribbean for seven days, roundtrip from Miami and experience the picturesque island of St. Thomas. The rainiest time of year in the Berry Islands is June through September, with the islands seeing 4-6 inches (10-16 cm) of rain per month. Ive never heard of this place before! But getting to Exuma is not easy, and the feral pigs have been known to bite. I'll have my 8 year old son with me and I want to be sure this is something he'd do, especially if I'm going to spend the money on it TIA The Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. This 268-acre cay has been privately owned by Norwegian Cruise Line since 1977 and is the site of the Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse. 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. The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. This way, you'll be able to easily access your saved items anytime by clicking on the floating heart icon located on the bottom right of the page. This spot has its own private cove with electric blue water and a gorgeous beach, along with its own restaurant, bars, and even a spa. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! Be sure to bring some cash with you. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. The list of ships cruising to Great Stirrup Cay continues to grow. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Tropic Like Its Hot Food Trucks small menu features sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled pork, ceviche, and grilled spiced chicken breast. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. One of the neatest things to do on Great Stirrup Cay is something that you cant even see at first glance. I was curious if anyone has done it and their thoughts. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. The group spent the next 20minutes or so feeding pigs as they swam from person to person. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. Posted September 19, 2018. As of 2023, there are 14 ships featuring itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay: When I first published this post about Great Stirrup Cay in 2020 (yup, I actually cruised to GSC in mid-February 2020 right before the world shut down) I planned to update the info about Great Stirrup Cay I had gathered for my readers about once a year. Zipline on Great Stirrup Cay 05 June 2020; Food 10 January 2020; Too crowded with two NCL . Hit Up The Food Truck or Taco Baron the Island 6 Private Islands Owned by Cruise Lines Like Royal Caribbean: Photos The big attraction on the beach at Great Stirrup Cay was the zipline. Breathe in the salty air as you ride in a boat across electric-blue waters surrounded by wide-open ocean scenery. There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! 6. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. Pig Beach Bahamas is located on a tiny island, Big Major Cay (Pig Island) in the south of the archipelago. Soar Through the Sky with a Parasailing Adventure. Everyone loves dolphins, who also seem to love us. Get your photo taken with the swimming pigs and then head to the observation deck for sweeping views of the ocean. We know that pigs can't fly, but who knew that pigs swim? Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. Unlike the cabanas, villas are fully enclosed, air-conditioned day rooms, with a sliding glass door to let in the breeze and a TV with complimentary on-demand movies. Thanks for stopping by! Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. Paddle your way in a kayak through a protected mangrove forest. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's resort-style destination and 270-acre / 1.1 km 2 private island, features white-sand beaches, crystal-blue waters and a wide array of recreational activities and dining options. During our visit, we spotted sea turtles swimming in the cove. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Speaking only for the "original" swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay in the Exumas, it is not an "organized" pig swim. Or a t-shirt? Just off the coast of the beach, the cruise line installed a number of sculptures and things to explore. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. Great Stirrup Cay & Key West Norwegian Pearl departing 19 Feb 2024. Best Things to Do in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 - EatSleepCruise.com Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. As a result, several Nassau and Grand Bahama Island-area operators have created their own, tamer versions of the activity using domesticated pigs. Berry Islands: Here's your chance to get up-close to the swimming pigs, with controlled supervised staff feedings.. Sand bars, iguanas, swim with the sharks at Compass Cay and snorkel thunderball grotto. If you want the best photo of yourself, then Norwegian has you covered. If youre really looking to relax in comfort on your Great Stirrup Cay beach day, you can rent a private cabana or villa for the day. Thanks to recent TV-shows and growing popularity on social media, swimming with the pigs is quickly becoming the coolest thing you can do while cruising to The Bahamas. Not so when you're on a Bahamas cruise with Norwegian! Como parte de la excursin, se distribuyen palitos y manzanas entre los visitantes. Grab Lunch at the Buffet Voted "The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" 2013-2022 by World Travel Awards, This website uses cookies. You can do exactly that. 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. Cruisers heading to the Bahamas can go hog wild by getting in the water with swimming pigs on a ship-sponsored shore excursion from a private island or an independent tour from Freeport. You will not be permitted to bring a camera onto the beach or into the water with you. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegian's After disembarking, you're taken up to an expansive wooden deck, complete with ample tables & seating, for an introduction and safety briefing. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! 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. Spa therapists will work their magic while you relax to the song of the oceans waves. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas Swim with the Pigs Excursion | Norwegian No snorkeling. DETAILS. Great Stirrup Cay & Key West Norwegian Pearl 2024-02-19 We are based out of Georgetown, Great Exuma. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Clinton Combs on LinkedIn: Las Vegas family-run business reduces food waste by turning food scraps If you love pigs, then this excursion is worth it; just don't hope for something more than simply feeding them. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. Up until recently, youd have to endure an hours-long journey by tiny boat from Nassau or George Town for a chance to play with some piggies in the waves. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. . Visit the swimming pigs of Exuma on a luxury tour boat as we see all of the cays along the way. fvalanzola@gmail.com, September 18, 2018 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Flexibility to modify or cancel excursions without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival into port. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. It's easy to get caught up in chasing after a pig, but you don't want to go too fast -- unseen rocks can easily cause an injury. Our Cash Bar offers Beer, Soft Drinks and More! Now, people flock to these beaches to see and feed the pigs. Norwegian anchors the ship offshore and smaller boats take guests into shore. Is Norwegians go-kart racing on a cruise ship worth $15? :), https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php. SUP rentals come with a lesson on how to float/ride a paddleboard by a Great Stirrup Cay crew member. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. How to visit the Swimming Pigs Bahamas and Exuma Pigs Tour It's hard not to smile at swimming pigs, but the lack of any interaction beyond the feeding was somewhat disappointing. Swimming with pigs via Great Stirrup Cay - Cruise Critic There is no way NCL is sending guests to Rose Island from GSC for a pigs excursion. The area closest to the entrance of Great Stirrup Cay will have the most people. For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. Windjammer III - Florida: North Palm Beach (anchor) 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 17 Tips, Answers, and Things to Know About Great Stirrup Cay, Complete Guide to Sailing Norwegian Cruise Line (What Its Like), Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): 10 Major Differences Between The Lines, 17 tips and things to know for the island, 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Worth It? Day 3 - Great Stirrup Cay. Stingray City Bahamas ($99/$79 kids): Not to be confused with the famous Stingray City off of Grand Cayman where you can feed wild rays, this excursion takes you on a speedboat ride to Stingray City Bahamas. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While my wife and I enjoy zoos and aquariums, we avoid excursions that involve swimming with dolphins, sting rays, pigs, or attractions that extort animals.
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