Its not a real lighthouse, instead, its a staging point for the zipline that criss-cross Great Stirrup Cay. Firstly, there are actually 2 locations you can visit the swimming pigs Bahamas. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. Whats your favorite excursion on Great Stirrup Cay? They made a . Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. This excursion actually takes place on a small island off the shore of Great Stirrup Cay, around a 10-minute journey away by speedboat. Additionally, there's concern that tourists are hurting the feral population, which in 2017 lost seven pigs to unknown causes. Its not an NCL beach, its Rose Island, a Sandy Toes excursion that can be booked privately from Nassau. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. I love the idea of a private island. Prices vary depending on which cabana you choose: Pamper Yourself with a Villa at Silver Cove Of course, when you take a Bahamas cruise with Norwegian, it becomes that much easier to do! Do Some Souvenir Shopping A staff member handed us a skewer and two apple pieces, and even as we put an apple onto the skewer a pig spotted the juicy morsel and quickly swam over. 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 signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Free Things to do on Great Stirrup Cay. If a Norwegian organized tour is late, the ship will wait for you, Peace of mind knowing your tours are run by insured operators. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. It's hard not to smile at swimming pigs, but the lack of any interaction beyond the feeding was somewhat disappointing. 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. Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. Fotografas: todas las imgenes, excepto la del encabezado, son cortesa de Tom Roesser. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. When you arrive, be sure to keep your eyes peeled. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. There were also hot dog carts around the island when we visited. These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. Each cabana can fit six-eight people (you can have up to two more for a slight charge). Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. *Trminos y condiciones Paquete no disponible en viajes de menos de 5 das ni en viajes chrter. Call now 01246 819 819 to book. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. 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. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. Your journey begins on the turquoise sea, sailing past uninhabited islands and cays. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. Today, it's a regular stop for 13 Norwegian ships, offering guests a straw market, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, and plenty . 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). You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Booking Price + Times. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. Theres a spot to rent beach basics on the island, including snorkel gear. Sent from my SM-G965U using Forums mobile app, The nastiness of this has been discussed to death in another thread. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! You can do exactly that. Look for Turtles in the Landing Cove I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. You will not be permitted to bring a camera onto the beach or into the water with you. Starting at lunch, Norwegian puts on a spread with all sorts of tasty things to eat. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Starting about an hour before the buffet opens, youll see open grills where the staff cooks up the jerk chicken fresh. Photographer will be on site and photos will be available for purchase! Posted September 19, 2018. . Weve mentioned the food trucks. Water shoes to protect your feet from rocks and coral, Book, magazine, music-playing device and headphones, or other entertainment, Sand toys, beach balls, and other beach-day sports gear. Day 3 - Great Stirrup Cay. Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Pages Navigation Menu. Celebrity Edge vs Equinox: Is newer always better? These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. It is a region known as the Exuma Cays. The tender then docks in a small, calm cove to let passengers off. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. 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. You'll need at least five hours in port. Im so glad youre here! 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. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. Canaveral), FL . The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. The Bahamas is famous for its swimming pigs, which you can see from Great Stirrup Cay. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. Dont forget to check out these resources before your Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line: Have you visited Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise? 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. They are two different islands. Located just a short 10-minute scenic boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay, are the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island. No snorkeling. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. 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). 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. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. When you're ready to come up for air, soak up the local flavour at one of the . Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. Not so when you're on a Bahamas cruise with Norwegian! HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. Any exceptions are noted in the tour descriptions. Taking a cruise to the Bahamas aboard Norwegian? Flexibility to modify or cancel excursions without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival into port. We visited the swimming pigs of Treasure Island on an excursion purchased through Norwegian Cruise Line. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. Great Stirrup Cay offers gorgeous white sand beaches, ideal for snorkeling and swimming with pigs, and the island of Cozumel is perfect for exploring beautiful beach resorts or historic Mayan ruins. Hogs & kisses from Great Stirrup Cay! If a soothing spa treatment is more your style, be sure to book a facial or massage at Mandara Spa in Silver Cove. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. HIGHLIGHTS Refreshments. Clinton Combs on LinkedIn: Las Vegas family-run business reduces food waste by turning food scraps If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Kids need to be 8 years old to ride as a passenger. Image courtesy of Tom Roesser, NCL Travel Blog. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Zipline on Great Stirrup Cay 05 June 2020; Food 10 January 2020; Too crowded with two NCL . Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! 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. Want more on visiting Great Stirrup Cay? Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. 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. The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. spacex interview presentation; akron rubber ducks score; christiana care avenue north address If swimming with the pigs is the highlight of your visit, ask for one that goes to Big Major Cay in the morning, when they're more active. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. 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. 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 . Make new friends while you swim with pigs. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. 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. We were out of the water and back on the patio well before it was time to go. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Ive never heard of this place before! It has air conditioning, a TV, and an upgraded buffet. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. No such thing as Treasure Island - it just sounds nice for the tourists as they take your money with the fake pigs excursion. If youre looking for some out-of-the-ordinary things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, I have a couple of fun recommendations for you, especially if you enjoy history. DETAILS. Have you been swimming with the pigs? 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. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. We're here to answer them. There are no adults-only beaches on the island. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? 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! There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. 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 . Swim with stingrays Swim with pigs Adrenaline-filled Adventures** It quickly became apparent that the pigs are most interested in the apples. It's a total fraud. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. Never feed them with your hand, always use the wooden skewers. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Rentals arent that expensive, and if you are renting a cabana, then you get them complimentary. They have everything you need to get started, as well as some advice on getting started if youre a novice. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. Vegetarian main dishes are limited on the island, and cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed if youre concerned about gluten, nuts, or other allergens. Without a doubt the most popular activity is lounging beachside, soaking up some sun or playing in the water. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. All Rights Reserved. Arrive: Wed 21 February 2024 at 06:30 / Depart: . The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. 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. Travel to a private isle nestled among the northern Berry Islands. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. Don't Swim With The Dolphins, Swim With The Pigs. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Grab Lunch at the Buffet You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Great Stirrup Cay Food and Beverages This is the only cruise island that offers a Swimming with Pigs Tour! They make the perfect spot to grab a photo for Instagram. Top Excursions & Tours At Great Stirrup Cay - Bahamas. 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. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Inside you have a couch, chairs, a ceiling fan, plus a mini-fridge. If you want there is a small market with several local vendors selling all sorts of merchandise, from sundresses to sunscreen. Foot Viewing Deck and also enjoy a refreshing swim in the beautiful blue Bahamian waters. 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. Prep tips: Pack plenty of sunscreen and a towel, and bring cash for the shark encounter, lunch and tips. The newest section of Great Stirrup Cay is the exclusive Silver Cove. Visiting the Key West Lighthouse and Museum. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. 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. Cruise Overview Cruise Itinerary Cabins & Prices Ship Information. But there is so much more for cruise passengers to try. It was an amazing experience to see this sort of wildlife up close and completely unexpected. Try Your Hand at Stand-Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking Any reviews would be appreciated. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. Quin lo dira! Los visitantes tambin aprenden un poco sobre los cerdos. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. 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. No cameras permitted. Unfortunately, the distance between the two was great enough that a cellphone camera was going to be hard-pressed to take good photos. Spend a day on Great Stirrup Cay, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's private islands. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! Available for purchase through Norwegian, this shore excursion starts at the small marina at Great Stirrup Cay. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Now, people flock to these beaches to see and feed the pigs. You have several options for lunch and snacks on Great Stirrup Cay, including a free buffet. They also offer a "Kayak Tour" along the coastline. The most well-known swimming pigs experience on a .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Bahamas cruise involves getting in the water with feral pigs on Pig Beach, located on an island in the Exuma district.