Capt Marvins vs DCL Excursion

[cruisnfamily]

I have a question regarding the stingray thing in Grand Cayman.

I know everybody says "book at Capt Marvins" and I wondered why that would be better then the DCL excursion. Wouldn't the experience with the stingrays be the same whether you booked thru DCL or privately with Capt Marvins?

What vendor does DCL use?

Also, friends of ours did the stingray thing on a Carnival cruise this summer and said it was awful. Did they have an odd experience? Everybody here says it's fabulous.

Anyway, we are still in the planning stages for next years cruise and this is one of the things I need more info on.

Thanks for any input!

 

[ruvidu]

We were just there two weeks ago and thought Capt. Marvins was great. There were only about 12 people on our boat comparted to 30-40 on the others we saw. There were two scuba divers that went with us and video taped the entire trip. We purchased that and it came yesterday. Our tablemates said that they were only offered photos on their trip. We felt like we were on a private charter while on the boat. Check the prices as well. We paid $68 for the two of us while DCL would have received $90. That savings was almost enough to pay for our video.

It is an experience of a lifetime no matter who you go with.

Russ

 

[AnnMorin]

Russ how much was the video? and were you in it or just the rays? thanks Ann
ps were their kids on board? our son in nne and a bit apprehensive, we booked for him anyhow as I think he will like it once he gets there.

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Yes, guests are in the video. We booked with Captain Marvin's in July and they did a GREAT job. Like someone else had mentioned, we had a smaller group on our boat compared to other excursion boats. Captain Marvin rates were cheaper than Disney's.

We purchased the video and even though it was expensive (around $55.00 w/shipping), it turned out to be a GREAT video! They added tropical music to the tape and it showed all of the guests on the boat, snorkeling, w/the stingrays and some great shots of the coral reefs and underwater sea life. Great excursion ~ you're going to love it!

 

[IrishCowboy]

Capt. Marvin's is great! Cheaper price and better service than the DCL excursion. Like ruvidu, we only had about 11 on our excursion and the guides/divers were able to spend lots of time with my children (it was their first snorkling experience and they were a bit apprehensive).

Also, if you take the first excursion (8:30) you can return to the ship for lunch and then head out to 7 mile beach for the aftenoon.

Have a great cruise!

 

[jazzbran]

Hi Sonya

I too used Captain Marvin and it was great. As Russ stated, other boats at Stingray was packed with 20 to 30 people. Not with Captain Marvin.

Also, Disney charges adult prices for children ages 10 and over.

The Captain's rate was $39.00/Adult and $22.00/ Children ages 4-11.

Great price and definitely worth it. Both my children had a blast and I will definitely book him again.

Enjoy your vacation.

Jackie

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'm assuming you would book and pay ahead of time, right?

What happens (like it did this week) if the ship doesn't get there? Are you out the money?

 

[ruvidu]

I made and changed our excursion time 3 times. They use your card to hold your place but do not charge it until you go. You can email Ruth at Capt. Marvins and she will fill you in. If we had experienced the problem on our cruise as this weeks cruisers have I would have emailed Ruth. They are evacuating Grand Cayman right now I believe so they would understand. They have t-shirts and souvineirs on site plus there is a neat little shop just down from them that has the Tortuga and Blackbeard Rum cakes. Best experience we have ever had in our travels. You would think these folks work for Disney. I wish you could see our video.

Russ

 

[inkkognito]

We did the Disney excursion, and they sent us out in small groups rather than a huge crowd. We saw some of those crowded boats and it did not look like fun! There were maybe three or four other families with us, and the guide was great...he went in the water with us, handed out stingray food, helped us hold the rays for photos, etc. We plan to try Captain Marvin's in January, so I'll be able to do a comparison.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[diathoney]

What about NativeWay tours on Grand Cayman? Has anyone ever used them? They offered our group Stingray City snorkeling, Coral Gardens, then drop-off back at the ship or 7 mile beach for $25 pp ($20 for kids I think). How does that compare to Captian Marvin's?

 

[Wavegirl]

If you have a group of 4-8 persons the best one out there is by far Red Baron Stingray Sailboat Charters

You get an enitre sailboat to yourself, its amazing. We had the best time, Mikey and Neil showed us how to sail as I'd never done it before, Prairie girl , and we sailed all over the northsound(with their help of course). We stopped and snorkeled a few locations and went to stingray city. It was nice because we could stay as long as we wanted, they just asked us when we wanted to go and we had choices of stops to make. Our kids loved it.

It was like two excursions in one, Sailing and stingray city. There is nothing better then gliding through the water on the Red Baron and to take a little break away from everyone for a few hours