Short time in Grand Cayman

[dizneekrazee]

We are taking our first DCL vacation next year!! Western Caribbean on the Fantasy. Our time in Grand Cayman is shorter than I would have liked, about 4.5 hours.

Is that how long ships are usually docked there? I just feel like we are going to be so pressed for time, and this is the port I am most loking forward to.

 

[kcashner]

First. the ships do not dock in Grand Cayman. This is a tender-only port as there is a coral reef encircling the island.

On most of our Westerns, we had a full day at GC--like 9 or 9:30 to 4:30. Not sure why the later arrivals this year.

 

[2disneycruzrs]

I was just on the island last week and noticed the Fantasy was there from 10:30-4:00. The next day, the Magic was there 7:00-4:00 or thereabouts. The reason for the tender is because there are political issues over the rights to building a true dock that has been going on for years, while they keep losing itineraries annually due to not having a dock.

 

[jennab05]

i just got off the fantasy and our ship wasn't there very long either. if you were wanting to do an excursion i think you'd still be able to if it was one you booked thru disney cause then you're guaranteed to be back to the ship before the ship leaves.

 

[dizneekrazee]

i just got off the fantasy and our ship wasn't there very long either. if you were wanting to do an excursion i think you'd still be able to if it was one you booked thru disney cause then you're guaranteed to be back to the ship before the ship leaves.

I hope I don't have to do that. Disney doesn't offer the combo tour I want to do, and I'm sure they charge more.

 

[believinthemagic]

I don't have any good advice, but just wanted to say we are in the same situation.

Our time at Grand Cayman says 11:30-4:45. we really want to go to Boatswains turtle farm. Originally we wanted to book thru DCL for the peace of mind of the boat not leaving without us. But we've realized that it's over $200 more expensive for our family of 5 to book through DCL than it is to buy admission straight from Boatswains. Not sure what to do

 

[codex57]

Oh I remember this excursion now. Best part of the W. Carib for me. I didn't think much of the rest of the island.

Still, I don't remember it being next to where the cruise ships are. If time is that tight, I gotta imagine you would want to book through DCL for the peace of mind. I mean, I don't remember traffic being bad there but I can also see a bad accident screwing up traffic. Plus, tendering generally means you wanna be done extra early to allow time to get back on board as it's not a quick process.

 

[Docklobster]

I'm disappointed with the arrival times also, on both Cozumel and GC. Seems like they could be earlier and not cause a crunch for activities like diving etc. I don't mind the tender though as I don't want to see another reef destroyed like they did in Cozumel.

 

[dizneekrazee]

I don't have any good advice, but just wanted to say we are in the same situation.

Our time at Grand Cayman says 11:30-4:45. we really want to go to Boatswains turtle farm. Originally we wanted to book thru DCL for the peace of mind of the boat not leaving without us. But we've realized that it's over $200 more expensive for our family of 5 to book through DCL than it is to buy admission straight from Boatswains. Not sure what to do

We want to do the Turtle Farm & Stingray City, and I didn't see both being offered by DCL.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Wait!! I think DCL does offer what I want.

Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...s/island-tour-and-snorkeling-with-stingrays/#

This tour also includes Hell, which doesnt matter to me if we go there or not, although I am sure the kids would get a kick out of it!

I found a company, although not sure how reputable, that would be $285.96 for the 4 uf us (DBF is not coming ) and with DCL it would be $256, plus the added security of the ship waiting for me.

My only worry, would be if this excursion would fill up. I get last dibs on excursions/Palo/Remy/etc bc I am a CM.

 

[believinthemagic]

Wait!! I think DCL does offer what I want.

Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/grand-cayman-cayman-islands/island-tour-and-snorkeling-with-stingrays/#

This tour also includes Hell, which doesnt matter to me if we go there or not, although I am sure the kids would get a kick out of it!

I found a company, although not sure how reputable, that would be $285.96 for the 4 uf us (DBF is not coming ) and with DCL it would be $256, plus the added security of the ship waiting for me.

My only worry, would be if this excursion would fill up. I get last dibs on excursions/Palo/Remy/etc bc I am a CM.

We didn't book any excursions right when our time opened. We waited a while, a few weeks probably, and had no problem booking an excursion. So hopefully you will have no problem when your time opens!!

Sounds like its a good deal to go thru DCL for you! Unfortunately for our family of 5 the turtle farm excursion is $420 thru DCL but only $185 if we buy admission thru boatswains. I'd love the assurance of being booked through DCL but that price difference is too huge to justify!!

 

[dizneekrazee]

We didn't book any excursions right when our time opened. We waited a while, a few weeks probably, and had no problem booking an excursion. So hopefully you will have no problem when your time opens!!

Sounds like its a good deal to go thru DCL for you! Unfortunately for our family of 5 the turtle farm excursion is $420 thru DCL but only $185 if we buy admission thru boatswains. I'd love the assurance of being booked through DCL but that price difference is too huge to justify!!

We are a family of 5 as well, although only 4 of us will be cruising now. I didn't check the price from Boatswains directly, as I was looking for a combo tour. But, I unless the DCL site has the wrong prices listed, it is only $5 more (total, not each) vs Capt Marvin.

While I am a CM, from my understanding, we do not get discount on excursions from DCL, I just went with their regular price on the website.

 

[Floridagram]

I don't have any good advice, but just wanted to say we are in the same situation.

Our time at Grand Cayman says 11:30-4:45. we really want to go to Boatswains turtle farm. Originally we wanted to book thru DCL for the peace of mind of the boat not leaving without us. But we've realized that it's over $200 more expensive for our family of 5 to book through DCL than it is to buy admission straight from Boatswains. Not sure what to do

Due to the fact that we are in port for such a short time, and due to the fact it is a tender port, we are going to pay the extra to take DCL excursions. It would be far cheaper than the extra $200 and guarantee that you will make it back to the ship in time than to have to pay to take a plane and hotel room to catch up to the ship at the next port. Not only that but you would have no personal items and only the clothes on your back. Once the last tender leaves it is gone and you would be stuck. I look at it as "insurance" and worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[believinthemagic]

Due to the fact that we are in port for such a short time, and due to the fact it is a tender port, we are going to pay the extra to take DCL excursions. It would be far cheaper than the extra $200 and guarantee that you will make it back to the ship in time than to have to pay to take a plane and hotel room to catch up to the ship at the next port. Not only that but you would have no personal items and only the clothes on your back. Once the last tender leaves it is gone and you would be stuck. I look at it as "insurance" and worth it for the peace of mind.

That was my original thought. My problem is that another thread had multiple people saying that they purchased their admission directly through the turtle farm (which offers free transportation) and they all said that they were shuttled there and back on the SAME bus as the people who booked through DCL.

I do not want to miss the boat, but I also hate to be on the exact same bus and pay $200 extra for the same thing.

 

[believinthemagic]

We are a family of 5 as well, although only 4 of us will be cruising now. I didn't check the price from Boatswains directly, as I was looking for a combo tour. But, I unless the DCL site has the wrong prices listed, it is only $5 more (total, not each) vs Capt Marvin.

While I am a CM, from my understanding, we do not get discount on excursions from DCL, I just went with their regular price on the website.

We were only looking at Boatswains, not any combo with it. But just the admission to Boatswains is $45 per adult (12 & older) & $25 per kids. Several people on another thread have said they bought their tickets online from Boatswains website (which includes transportation) and they were shuttled there and back on the same bus as all of the people who booked through DCL.

Unless this is incorrect I hate to spend over $200 more and be on the same bus.

 

[kristinfly2]

We just did boatswains on our own two weeks ago! They give you a 20% discount when you buy the tickets online! . We were on the same bus as the DCL people. Everyone there was super nice and made sure we were on the right bus and back in time. The bus back stopped at 7 mile beach if you wanted to get off there. Send them an email or call them and they will give you the schedule. Bus driver was super nice and have us a little tour on the way there! . I read on the other thread that DCL people got a buffet lunch, but we saved over $300 on our family of six by booking direct! I ordered the kids two orders of fries (yummy) then headed back to the ship for a late lunch! Turtles were cool. Pool, waterslide and lagoon were awesome!

 

[believinthemagic]

We just did boatswains on our own two weeks ago! They give you a 20% discount when you buy the tickets online! . We were on the same bus as the DCL people. Everyone there was super nice and made sure we were on the right bus and back in time. The bus back stopped at 7 mile beach if you wanted to get off there. Send them an email or call them and they will give you the schedule. Bus driver was super nice and have us a little tour on the way there! . I read on the other thread that DCL people got a buffet lunch, but we saved over $300 on our family of six by booking direct! I ordered the kids two orders of fries (yummy) then headed back to the ship for a late lunch! Turtles were cool. Pool, waterslide and lagoon were awesome!

Can you tell me how long your were in Grand Cayman & how long you stayed at the turtle farm. Our port time in GC says 11:30am to 4:45pm. I just want to make sure we have enough time to play it safe.

We sure aren't going to eat over $200 worth of food!

 

[kristinfly2]

Wow ! Our port time was longer! 730 to 4. We caught the bus over at 830 i think and the bus back at 12. We booked this because our kids love to swim and it has the largest pool in grand cayman. We took our 4 youngest on the cruise 11, 9, 5 and 3. Our 11 yo and 3 yo loved the turtle part but the other 2 kids couldn't wait to get in the pool. DCL wanted $479 for this excursion and I paid $135!

 

[believinthemagic]

Wow ! Our port time was longer! 730 to 4. We caught the bus over at 830 i think and the bus back at 12. We booked this because our kids love to swim and it has the largest pool in grand cayman. We took our 4 youngest on the cruise 11, 9, 5 and 3. Our 11 yo and 3 yo loved the turtle part but the other 2 kids couldn't wait to get in the pool. DCL wanted $479 for this excursion and I paid $135!

Thanks Kristinfly2! I know you have answered questions for me on other threads and your responses are always so helpful

I was afraid you had a longer port time. I just can't decide.... If we catch a bus right at 11:30 and get there around noon I'd probably want to stay maybe 3 hours?? If we catch bus back at 3:00, ship leaves at 4:45, just now sure if I am comfortable with this

I may have to begin looking at the extra $200 as insurance that DCL gets us back to the boat, as others have said. I really want to see Grand Cayman as this is probably a "once in a long time" trip for us.

 

[codex57]

Unless this is incorrect I hate to spend over $200 more and be on the same bus.

That's not the only thing you have to consider. You have to consider worse case scenario, which is why you're purchasing the "insurance."

Ok, say you are on the same bus as others who purchased through DCL. Bad accident or whatever and you're really late. The captain may have to leave without you guys. Purchasing thru DCL doesn't mean they'll wait, it means they'll get you to the next port on their dime. So, they might pay for hotels and transportation for those DCL purchased people, buy you'll be out of pocket.

That's the scenario you need to consider if it's worth the extra $200 or not.