Swim With the Pigs The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. 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. 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. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Have a look on our Map here of where is the island with pigs. Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. It appears that they acquired a few pigs, not feral pigs found on Exuma. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. The most disappointing instruction? Starting at: $1,257 Departs: Sailing February 12, 2023 from Orlando & Beaches (Pt. Take the Skyride to Paradise Point for awe-inspiring views. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. No snorkeling. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. 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. Any reviews would be appreciated. Arrive: Wed 21 February 2024 at 06:30 / Depart: . It lasts approximately 2 hours. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. 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. Sin embargo, lo que realmente atrae a estos cerdos es la comida! She was buried next to Captain Bertram. . We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. And you should swim with them whenever you can, but you won't get many opportunities to swim with the pigs, so don't miss out . These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. In addition, your drinks package includes beverages purchased on the island (subject to the same limits and restrictions as onboard), so you dont need to shell out extra for a beer or cocktail on the beach. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. As you approach the island, the lighthouse will be the first thing you notice, and its the tallest structure on the island. Norwegian anchors the ship offshore and smaller boats take guests into shore. Sent from my SM-G965U using Forums mobile app, The nastiness of this has been discussed to death in another thread. BUT the swimming with the pigs tour was ridiculous! Without a doubt the most popular activity is lounging beachside, soaking up some sun or playing in the water. Prices are based on availability and subject to change. But for cruisers, the activity almost always features trained domesticated pigs on small islands much closer to Nassau and Freeport. Do Some Souvenir Shopping Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. Prices ranged from $4 for sides to $15 for a cracked conch entre. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. Great Stirrup Cay isn't Norwegian Cruise Line's only island venture. Bahamas: Travel by boat across crystal-clear blue waters, delighting in the beautiful scenery among the Berry Islands. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines' Great Stirrup Cay? We offer you convenience, flexibility and peace of mind. Free Things to do on Great Stirrup Cay. You can do exactly that. My thoughts? Youll be able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph) while enjoying a birds-eye view of the island and the sparkling waters surrounding it. I sailed on my first Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway Plus class ship: Norwegian Bliss review, Life working on a cruise ship: Day in a life of a cruise ship crew member. We booked it for cruise on the Escape in November. The group spent the next 20minutes or so feeding pigs as they swam from person to person. It has been updated to show related itineraries. We could see the previous group of cruisers in the water with the pigs in an enclosed section of beach. When you arrive, be sure to keep your eyes peeled. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. Available for purchase through Norwegian, this shore excursion starts at the small marina at Great Stirrup Cay. The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's . Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. In 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line has 11 ships calling on this private island. Pick them up at Mat and Float Rentals, across from Bertrams Cove Beach. We tried scratching a stomach or two, but as soon as the pig realizes there's no food, it moves on to the next person. 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. 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. 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. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and . The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. If a soothing spa treatment is more your style, be sure to book a facial or massage at Mandara Spa in Silver Cove. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. HELPFUL HINTS Your journey begins on the turquoise sea, sailing past uninhabited islands and cays. Hit Up The Food Truck or Taco Baron the Island Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. You should also get priority tendering with a villa, which is great when everyone's trying to get to the island - it can take hours to get all the passengers tendered over. When I was researching the little cemetery, I learned that when Elizabeth's husband buried her on the island he met two men of African descent, assumed to be former slaves, living on the island. The Bahamas is famous for its swimming pigs, and you can have that experience from Great Stirrup Cay. The comedian on our cruise had a set about that excursion, and it made it sound like it was a rip-off. No wonder its such a popular activity. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. . Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Non-meat options including nachos, mixed veggies, and french fries were also available. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Aqua shoes are recommended. 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. 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. 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. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. 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 Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. 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. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Swimming with pigs; Swimming with stingrays The island has a good selection of cabanas including super luxurious ocean and lagoon villas which are furnished with beds to fully relax. What about a jet ski tour? Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! Located just a short 10-minute boat ride from Norwegians private island, Great Stirrup Cay, are the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island! Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Ship. Is Norwegians go-kart racing on a cruise ship worth $15? Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. Also located here is the grave of Elizabeth Hixson (1813-1838), a young woman from Virginia who was traveling by sea with her husband and daughter. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). The list of ships cruising to Great Stirrup Cay continues to grow. 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. We chose to "Swim With The Pigs" during our . Rentals arent that expensive, and if you are renting a cabana, then you get them complimentary. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. 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! The same excursion can be booked through Royal Caribbean for cruisers stopping at that line's private island, CocoCay. They are hard to see having polarized sunglasses can help cut through the glare in the water. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. These boats give you a great unobstructed view of the ship for photos, but there are also photo opportunities on the island. 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 2. Prices have been skyrocked. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. Si crees que nadar entre la fauna de las Bahamas implica la presencia de rayas y delfines, pinsalo otra vez! Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. . . They also offer a "Kayak Tour" along the coastline. But, to be clear, the experience centers on the pigs doing all the swimming. Aguas cristalinas, playas de arena suave, sabrosos brebajes congelados y cerdos adorables? This is the island that started it all. Great story from Channel 8 news just in time for EARTH DAY! Ships sailing to the private island include: Ships from Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, make the occasional stop at Great Stirrup Cay, as well. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. You don't actually swim with pigs. The tiny island is a 10-minute speedboat ride away from Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. 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. 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. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. We are based out of Georgetown, Great Exuma. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. I had to look up this tour for kicks "World Famous Swimming Pigs Tour" - they seriously shouldn't be allowed to market it this way. Whats neat is that aquatic life also takes up residence here so you can see some wildlife in addition to the artwork. As a result, several Nassau and Grand Bahama Island-area operators have created their own, tamer versions of the activity using domesticated pigs. Swim with stingrays Swim with pigs Adrenaline-filled Adventures** A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. 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. Make new friends while you swim with pigs. What did you think of the island? Photographer will be on site and photos will be available for purchase! Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up!