Big Red Boat, Circa 1991 with Photos

[JamieH]

I came across a thread the other night about the Big Red Boat and there was a request for pics. The thread was from earlier this year and I can't find it now. I think it was started b/c of the rumors about the Treasure Island resort.

I dug out my old cruise album, I was 11 years old when I went on it. The cruise went to 2 ports - Salt Cay and Nassau. Salt Cay was a tiny little island where I remember snorkeling and thinking it was amazing that you could walk from one side to the other (it may have been 1/4 of a mile wide or something like that). When we were pulling away in the tender, they told us that the opening sequence to Gilligan's Island was filmed there and that at some point, it was Flipper's home.

I've got photos of the island and a few of the inside of the boat (not many). Looking back, its crazy how tiny these ships were! I remember having a blast with the kids' clubs and meeting the Disney characters (I have autographs!) I believe we did do a day or so at Disney World as well.

The Atlantic and Oceanic (I think?) We were on the Atlantic.

I remember the dining very well ... it was the assigned dining where we had a specific table every night, the same Maitre d' and the same waiters. We loved them by the end of the cruise, we have a pic of the maitre d' hugging us bye the last night.

This would have been a 4 person room:

And this was Salt Cay ... we were in a bay area of the island. There were hammocks and palm trees everywhere, I remember the sand was really coarse ... they told us it was basically made of fish poop LOL (the fish ate the coral and the sand is what came out of the fish) There was a photographer on the island with us b/c I have a couple of professional pics from that day. We went snorkeling on the other side of the island.

This is where they said the opening credits to Gilligan's Island were filmed ... it does look a lot like it, but when researched, it was apparently all filmed in Hawaii, so I don't know why they told us that

And leaving the island by tender:

Just wanted to share in case anyone was interested!

 

[ocspartan]

Thanks for posting, i know this is the pre-digital era but would love to see more photos of the ships... I recall being a little kid and having a planning brochure with the land and sea 3/4 day packages, but never experienced it first hand. Was actually one of the things I was looking for that brought me over to DisBoards in the first place.

 

[princessmommyx3]

The last picture looks exactly like the entrance to Blue Lagoon near Nassau. I wonder if before it became Blue Lagoon it was called Salt Cay.

 

[disprincess4ever]

This is so cool thanks for sharing!

 

[JamieH]

Thanks for posting, i know this is the pre-digital era but would love to see more photos of the ships... I recall being a little kid and having a planning brochure with the land and sea 3/4 day packages, but never experienced it first hand. Was actually one of the things I was looking for that brought me over to DisBoards in the first place.

I don't really have any other ones of the ships ... I'm pretty sure these are the pics I took myself (at 11 LOL) so there isn't much variety!

 

[krissy2803]

The last picture looks exactly like the entrance to Blue Lagoon near Nassau. I wonder if before it became Blue Lagoon it was called Salt Cay.

I think you are right! I was looking at excursions for Blue Lagoon and I thought I had read that it was called Salt Cay.
I found this on the Blue Lagoon website.


BLUE LAGOON ISLAND - A FASCINATING HISTORY
Blue Lagoon Island, also known by its official name Salt Cay, has been an interesting part of The Bahamas’ history for centuries. Located just three miles from Nassau, it now provides secluded beaches for visitors and natural habitats for the dolphins and sea lions of Dolphin Encounters - and is still owned by a local family. This incredibly beautiful island has had a fascinating history.

 

[Bonniec]

Thanks for posting, this brings back memories!

 

[Dan29racing]

Wonderful! I took my first cruise in 2009 and had never heard of the Big Red Boats until then. My inlaws went on the big red boat and have told stories. It's neat to see pics to go along with them!

 

[MouseGrandma]

This is so cool thanks for sharing!

Yes, Blue Lagoon Island was formerly Salt Cay. My son, daughter in law, and granddaughter lived in Nassau for four years, and our DIL became friends w ith the current owners of Blue Lagoon and learned the history of the Island.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I love your pictures, thanks so much for sharing!

 

[perfectmatch300]

Thank you very much for posting this report, and the pictures to go with it! I loved reading it.