Capt. Marvin's - Grand Cayman

[IrishCowboy]

I'm trying to plan our excursions for our May 25, 2002 western cruise. My DS is 5 and won't turn 6 until June and can't go on the DCL Stingray City excursion so i'm looking at doing things on our own.

I recall a few weeks ago that someone posted that they had used Capt Marvin's in the past and they recommended them. I found Capt marvin's web site and was looking at the different excursions that they have available. I'm torn between two choices:

1st choice:
Half-day Excursion: 10 AM to 1 PM, or 2 PM to 5 PM, seven days a week (add 15 minutes each way for ground transportation) Stingray City sandbar, where you may feed and swim with the 'rays
Snorkel at the beautiful Coral Gardens
Snorkel at the incredible Barrier Reef!
Price: US$39/ages 12 and over; US$22/ages 4-11; under age 4, free!

Price includes round-trip transportation from the Waterfront Centre, or from your condo or hotel on Seven Mile Beach, PLUS snorkel gear, life vest (optional), food for the stingrays, and icewater and fruit punch on board the boat.

2nd choice:
2-Hour Excursion: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM, or 1:45 to 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday (add 15 minutes each way for ground transportation)
Stingray City sandbar, where you may feed and swim with the 'rays
Snorkel at the incredible Barrier Reef!
Price: US$34/ages 12 and over; US$20/ages 4-11; under age 4, free!

Price includes round-trip transportation from the Waterfront Centre, or from your condo or hotel on Seven Mile Beach, PLUS snorkel gear, life vest (optional), food for the stingrays, and icewater and fruit punch on board the boat.


Has anyone ever snorkeled at the 'Coral Gardens' and is it worth it? I'm leaning towrds the 2-hour excursion (8:30-10:30) thinking that we could snorkel in the morning, return to the ship for lunch and then spend the afternoon doing some sight-seeing and shopping.

Any suggestions/tips/ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[evamelissa]

Hi!

I vacationed in Grand Cayman about 2 years ago, and we used Capt Marvin....What a great operation...it is still one of my fondest memories of any trip I have been on.
I believe we did the 1/2 day, but it may have been an hour or so longer...We were served a WONDERFUL home-made lunch on our excursion (if you can do that, you won't regret it) The skipper and his crew were very helpful and knowledgable, and made it a very personal experience. When you see the DROVES of people on the other excursions herded in on large boats at Stingray City, you will be very happy that you are with a very limited # of people!!! Our skipper even waited until all the other boats had left, so we were virtualluy alone to swim with the stingrays.
The snorkling itself is really like no other...unless you get to the Great Barrier Reef. You will be spoiled.
As far as shopping and sightseeing...Cayman is not a lush picturesque Carribbean Island...very flat and dry. The shopping is good if you like Jewelry, but not much else. The restaurants are all wonderful..some of the best meals I have ever had. The beaches are beautiful...I guess what I am trying to say is stay in the water...You won't be sorry!!!

hope this helps.....

Melissa

 

[lespaul55]

We used Capt. Marvin's for our last Western Caribbean cruise. It was a great experience. We made 2 stops over 2 different reefs and then stopped at Stingray City. The one reef was real close to the Stingrays, we could have almost swam over to the rays. The crew was so nice and we had a real private experience.

My husband took the ship's excursion to the Stingrays and had nothing good to say about it. Most offensive was the constant screaming from the teens in the water with the rays. We got to hear it over and over again the next day on the ship's TV from the video.

Though we had booked Capt. Marvins, were at his dock, it turns out he had overbooked and we were on one of his competitor's boats that he hired. The crew told us the name of their company, stated they were just a little more expensive, so Capt. Marvin's tends to book first. Of course, I no longer remember the name of their company.

Both reefs were beautiful and time went fast.

Leslie

 

[amy1007]

We are doing our own snorkeling excursion in the Cayman's and were looking into using Bayside Watersports. You get three different stops, the last being at Stingray city. I was impressed after looking at thier website. Does anyone have any info on Bayside Watersports?

 

[Pugdog007]

IrishCB:

We've already booked Capt Marvin's for the May 25th cruise. Ruth was great and responded quickly to all questions I've had.

We're doing the 11:15 2-hour.

Ginger

 

[twinscandc]

We have also booked Captain Marvin's for the 5/25/02 Western Cruise. Ruth was great. I emailed her and got a response back in about 2 hours.

We are doing the 3 hour tour...(I hope we don't end up like Gilligan - but on the other hand, that wouldn't be so bad - LOL).

Can't wait!!

 

[chrisn]

We took our 4 year old son and 14 year old daughter and both of them had a great time. The only difference between the 2 and three hour tours is 1 additional stop and if I remember right it's only like a 5 dollar difference in price. My son loved holding and feeding the stingrays. The previous poster is correct that the island is flat but it is very quaint and charming and the beach (7 mile) is another must see. The jewelry shopping is good. I got a great deal on some silver stuff I purchased. It was so odd driving in a taxi with the driver seat on the right side of the car but driving on the left side of the road. Either way you can't go wrong just make sure you have enough time to dock, get on and off the tender boat and taxi or walk over to Captain Marvin's if you take the early tour. Ruth can help you with which tour would be best for your time in port.

 

[peeta]

can someone please post the web address for Captain Marvin's would like to check it out myself. thanks

 

[IrishCowboy]

www.captainmarvins.com

 

[IrishCowboy]

Melissa and Leslie,
Thanks for your help. We're definetly going to use Capt Marvins...now I just have to decide which excursion to take!

Thanks,
Bill

 

[wendym]

I was having the same problem over which trip to take but made the decision to do the half day one. I emailed Ruth and got a reply within a couple of hours. We are doing the 10am one but have to meet at 9.15am - just hope we can get off the boat in time!
Wendy