Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Our 16 Islands The Abacos Acklins & Crooked Island Andros. GSC Villas sell out early because people want that luxury experienceand there are lots of us with pandemic cruise credits looking for a way to redeem our missed vacations. Located just a short 10-minute scenic boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay, are the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. These venues are are completely free; you just head up and let them know what you want. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. You have several options for lunch and snacks on Great Stirrup Cay, including a free buffet. Despus de recibir ciertas instrucciones sobre cmo alimentarlos, podrs alimentar a los cerdos tranquilamente. Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Have Questions About Your Shore Excursions? 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. Swimming Pigs Excursion on a Bahamas Cruise | Cruise Critic 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. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? Speaking only for the "original" swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay in the Exumas, it is not an "organized" pig swim. Great Stirrup Cay is an extension of the ship, so you can pay for drinks, tours, and rentals with your cruise card. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. 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. And because its run by the cruise line, Norwegian has developed it with tons of things to do for guests. 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. One of the most unique places to eat are Abaco Taco and Tropic Like Its Hot. Thanks for watching, if you enjoyed the video please give it a thumbs up!Check out my Bahamas playlist here - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKEllNeh. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. The Bahamas is famous for its swimming pigs, and you can have that experience from Great Stirrup Cay. No wonder its such a popular activity. Ship. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). They are slightly larger than the Ocean Villas and are located on the lagoon. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. Just off the coast of the beach, the cruise line installed a number of sculptures and things to explore. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. At Great Stirrup Cay, you wont go hungry. If there are two or more people together, consider swapping turns so someone can take photos (and bring a real camera with an actual zoom rather than relying on a cellphone). Be sure to bring some cash with you. We are based out of Georgetown, Great Exuma. We offer you convenience, flexibility and peace of mind. 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. Al seguir navegando en el sitio aceptas nuestro uso de cookies. Perhaps the best thing about the cabanas is the view. Inside vs outside cabin: What's the best cruise room choice? By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. Today, it's a regular stop for 13 Norwegian ships, offering guests a straw market, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, and plenty . SWIMMING PIGS!! | Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas - YouTube On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. Windjammer III - Florida: North Palm Beach (anchor) You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. The beach is completely free to enjoy, including thousands of lounge chairs available for you to use. Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. The newest section of Great Stirrup Cay is the exclusive Silver Cove. Thanks for stopping by! Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. Zipline on Great Stirrup Cay 05 June 2020; Food 10 January 2020; Too crowded with two NCL . Yes! Chances are high that youll make a stop at the cruise lines private island Great Stirrup Cay. There were also hot dog carts around the island when we visited. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. They are two different islands. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and . Want a souvenir magnet? Hit Up The Food Truck or Taco Baron the Island There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. As well, the Bacardi Bar in the middle of Great Stirrup Cay has an area that can give you a great view of the ship and the islands coastline. Along the way, you'll meet the endangered rock iguana in its natural habitat and explore a thriving reef teeming with vibrant marine life. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. Breathe in the salty air as you ride in a boat across electric-blue waters surrounded by wide-open ocean scenery. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. Where Can I Swim With Pigs In The Bahamas Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. 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. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. Due to its distance from large Bahamian ports, its not the easiest or fastest place to get to. Here, you can swim with pigs or stingrays, nap on the beach, or sip on a mojito at the Bacardi Bar. OUTLAW COUNTRY CRUISE 2023 - The SUPERSUCKERS Fotografas: todas las imgenes, excepto la del encabezado, son cortesa de Tom Roesser. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. At a height of 110 feet, you can soar up to 30 miles per hour to gain a whole new perspective of this private island oasis. With that in mind, Ive been updating this Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay about every six months. The largest and most popular dining venue is the Jumbey Beach Grill, an open-air buffet venue serving grilled burgers and chicken and sides like corn on the cob, salad, fruit, and dessert. Really interesting. This 1.5-hour adventure brings you up-close with swimming pigs as you watch them swim at a private island. In several spots around the island there are double swings (usually out in the water). :), https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. They're hooves are quite sharp, one guy in our group got his foot cut up pretty bad. 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. This 1.5-hour adventure brings you up-close with swimming pigs as you watch them swim at a private island. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. Swim with the Pigs On Your Bahamas Cruise to Great Stirrup Cay | NCL Sand bars, iguanas, swim with the sharks at Compass Cay and snorkel thunderball grotto. I think I'd volunteer for that job if I worked for the cruise line :D Next time I go I'll see if I can get the scoop. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. Norwegian anchors the ship offshore and smaller boats take guests into shore. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Hit the Beach . When your heart is as full as a pigs belly, its time to head back to Great Stirrup Cay and induce some serious swine envy amongst your friends and family! Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. Its not an NCL beach, its Rose Island, a Sandy Toes excursion that can be booked privately from Nassau. Here along the white-sand shoreline you'll meet a friendly group of pigs that call the island's tropical setting their home. ), or you can take a day trip from Nassau. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. 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 nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! 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. Starting about an hour before the buffet opens, youll see open grills where the staff cooks up the jerk chicken fresh. Whether you want to work on your tan, play on the beach, swim in the water, or find a shady spot under a palm tree, its all here for you to enjoy the paradise. It has been updated to show related itineraries. Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. To get to the island you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. fvalanzola@gmail.com, September 18, 2018 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. During these shore excursions, cruisers get into the water with the pigs, feed them apples and scratch their backs and tummies. Tip: If your Bahamas cruise also stops in Freeport, I recommend the Swim With The Pigs excursion that NCL offers thereyou can take unlimited photos and video at no additional charge. These two spots make a great stop if you dont want to eat the buffet thats served or if you simply want to grab a snack. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. 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. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. 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. royal caribbean shore excursions perfect day Paddle your way in a kayak through a protected mangrove forest. Explore the Eastern Caribbean for seven days, roundtrip from Miami and experience the picturesque island of St. Thomas. Look for Turtles in the Landing Cove In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. Pick them up at Mat and Float Rentals, across from Bertrams Cove Beach. used cars naples, fl under $3,000. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) It's not an NCL beach, it's Rose Island, a Sandy Toes excursion that can be booked privately from Nassau. Swimming Pigs Excursion on a Bahamas Cruise | Cruise Critic Is kayaking or paddle boarding not quite exciting enough? 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. Each cabana can fit six-eight people (you can have up to two more for a slight charge). Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost . Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? 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. Home / Norwegian Cruise Line (Great Stirrup Cay) / 2023 / 4. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Try Your Hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking . 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. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). They make the perfect spot to grab a photo for Instagram. What You Need to Know, Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Shore Excursions, How to Prepare for a Snorkel and Dive Cruise, Best Travel Medicine Kits for a Cruise and What to Put in Them, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, Swimming with pigs shore excursion in the Bahamas (Photo: BlueOrange Studio/Shutterstock). Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? If you want to visit the swimming pigs, you have two options: you can base yourself on Staniel Cay (from where you can get to the pigs in only ten minutes! Tropic Like Its Hot includes ceviche, pulled-pork sandwiches, and rum cake. Para obtener ms informacin. Head to the beach closest to the ship and youll find a viewing platform that you can climb to take a photo. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. 15 Things to do on Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's Private Island) Aguas cristalinas, playas de arena suave, sabrosos brebajes congelados y cerdos adorables? 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. GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Below weve covered all the things you can do on Great Stirrup Cay, starting with free things to do. If you have your heart set on a day on this private island, you might want to consider booking your cruise outside of this season. The big draw is the jerk chicken. It was an amazing experience to see this sort of wildlife up close and completely unexpected. Everyone loves dolphins, who also seem to love us. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. ), Pam, I completely agree. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. The Ultimate Guide To Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas In 2020 . Guide to cruise line private islands | Cruise.Blog In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. Our most popular tours sell out quickly so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's private island, CocoCay. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines' Great Stirrup Cay? We explore the new Silver Cove private villas on the island, go snorkeling,. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to be 18 years old to drive the jet ski solo, or 16 if riding with an adult. Get ready to have a blast. 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! BUT the swimming with the pigs tour was ridiculous! 2. Everything You Need to Know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 Non-meat options including nachos, mixed veggies, and french fries were also available. Canaveral), FL . What about a jet ski tour? For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) *Trminos y condiciones Paquete no disponible en viajes de menos de 5 das ni en viajes chrter. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. Ten minutes later, the group in the water was ushered out, and we made our way onto the small beach and into the ocean with about 10 pigs of varying sizes, though the smallest was still the size of a fat Rottweiler. Prices are as of 2022, so expect about a 10-15% increase from last years pricing: Kayak Tour ($59/$39 kids): Away from the crowds, youll join a group to paddle your two-person kayak in the waters south of Great Stirrup Cay. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. As a result, several Nassau and Grand Bahama Island-area operators have created their own, tamer versions of the activity using domesticated pigs. . All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. Dont miss our 17 tips and things to know for the island. Visit the swimming pigs of Exuma on a luxury tour boat as we see all of the cays along the way. These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. 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. You'll need at least five hours in port. Viewing Deck. It has air conditioning, a TV, and an upgraded buffet. If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. 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. Youll find just the thing here. Great Stirrup Cay - Marvelous Mouse Travels 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. Great Stirrup Cay: A Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. The islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. One tip is to head down the beach some to find smaller crowds. Dont worry if you dont want chicken, theres something for everyone on the buffet, and its all free. Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. 8 Cruise Line Private Islands You Must Escape To Even if youre not a dancer, its fun to watch the high-energy staff interact with guests (who may or may not have had a couple of rum cocktails). As mentioned, you take a tender boat from the ship to Great Stirrup Cay. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Sand bars, iguanas, swim with the sharks at Compass Cay and snorkel thunderball grotto. DETAILS. Norwegian Cruise Line lists a Swim with the Pigs excursion departing from its Bahamas Great Stirrup Cay private island, an experience described on the cruise line's blog. Hit the Beach. It's a total fraud. Finally, if youve rented a Silver Cove villa for the day or have a spa treatment booked at the on-island Mandara Spa, you can enjoy a more upscale buffet experience at the Silver Cove Restaurant, located within the restricted-access area of the island. 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. Clinton Combs on LinkedIn: Las Vegas family-run business reduces food Catamaran & Snorkel ($79/$59 kids): A double-decker, covered snorkel boat will take you to a live coral reef where you can swim with native fish and marine life. There's a plethora of watersports as well, and the newest shore excursion will take you on a short boat ride to swim with the famous Bahamian pigs. Best Things to Do in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 - EatSleepCruise.com First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? Not only do you get your own villa, complete with air conditioning, a private bathroom, fridge, a bedroom, and private porch, but you also get access to the entire Silver Cove area. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Norwegian offers a tour lasting about 90 minutes that takes you to the pigs to have the joy of swimming with the cute creatures and be able to grab some memorable photos. But there is so much more for cruise passengers to try. When you arrive, be sure to keep your eyes peeled. Staniel Cay Yacht Club villas are also a popular place to stay. Sabas que los cerdos pueden comer ms de cinco libras de comida al da? Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas Swim with the Pigs Excursion | Norwegian As you approach the island, the lighthouse will be the first thing you notice, and its the tallest structure on the island. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Bahamas: Travel by boat across crystal-clear blue waters, delighting in the beautiful scenery among the Berry Islands. . Its cash-only (US or Bahamian dollars) so be sure to bring cash for the market if you think you might want to do some shopping. Whilst the duty-free shopping is perhaps the best in the Caribbean, its striking blue water and beaches, like Magen's Bay, are indescribably beautiful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rentals arent that expensive, and if you are renting a cabana, then you get them complimentary. This 268-acre cay has been privately owned by Norwegian Cruise Line since 1977 and is the site of the Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse. These are at Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) on Exuma Island or at Piggyville (No-Name Cay) on Abaco Island.
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