When we travel with other couples, we most often choose excursions separately. Occasionally we’ll choose the same but either way, there is always something to talk about over drinks and dinner.

Our excursion in Nassau, The Bahamas was to swim with pigs! The Nassau swimming pigs are thought to be descendants of pigs that survived a shipwreck or were left by sailors and pirates as a food source. Regardless of how the pigs got established, swimming with them is a popular tourist attraction.

The picture above is what I thought we were going to be doing… uh, no. I don’t remember what Cindy and Bob’s excursion choice for Nassau was – but they made the better one! More on our pig experience later in the post.

While coming into Nassau and waiting for our ship to dock at the pier, we enjoyed breakfast on our balcony.

We pulled in next to Carnival Celebration.  She was new in 2022 and carries 5362 passengers given double occupancy.

Randy said there were to be four ships in Nassau that day and soon came Disney Fantasy, capacity 4000. She did a 180 in the lagoon and backed in next to us.

Soon enough, it was time to meet our tour guide on the pier.  I wish I had taken a picture of the woman who rounded up us “pigs” and led us throughout the day. She was a force of nature and, while remaining pleasant, had dock workers, boat captains and waiters jumping.

We began with a 25 minute ferry ride to Pearl Island. 

We were divided into groups and ours went first to the lighthouse where we could explore, relax and have lunch.

It felt really muggy to those of us used to a “dry heat” and the strawberry daiquiris were most welcome. 

We had barbecue chicken, red rice and beans, and coleslaw.  The gulls were very interested, but not bothersome.   

By the time it was our turn to go to “pig island” we were warm enough to look forward to getting in the water and cool off – even though we don’t like saltwater.

Our  “swim” with pigs, really meant we stepped out a few feet and fed them pieces of apple stick.

Some were very dirty and, unfortunately, urinated right where we were feeding them.

We were absolutely not inclined to get any deeper in the water with them, and soon moved away to at least pretend to get cleaner ourselves!

The next activity was to hold a piglet.  I wouldn’t have stood in line to do so, but they handed her to me first and there we were.  The baby was only 20 days old

Another passenger waded out into the water with her, and she swam all the way back to shore. Pigs do swim!

We went back to Pearl Island and then boarded the ferry to head back to port.

This frigate marked 19 and flying a US flag was the USS John A. Moore  It served in the Caribbean against drugs until 1999. It has been used since as a set in various TVs and movies.

The fourth ship of the day, The MSC Seashore, came in while we were gone.

This is a front view of our Caribbean Princess.

That evening was the beginning of spending time at the Wheelhouse Lounge. There were almost always musicians playing from 4:30 on and we seemed to land there most every afternoon or evening.

Cindy and Bob, as well as others, took the opportunity to enjoy their ballroom steps.

We were in Nassau on September 21st.

Next Up:  Princess Cay Private Island