Captain Marvins VS Native Way Sports

[kcatoir]

For those of you who have used either of these two excursions company's at Grand cayman for stringray city, is one better than another???
Anyone have trouble getting to the pick up point??
Any trouble getting back to the ship after??

I notice Captain marvins is cheaper if you have kids since they offer a reduced rate for them, native way does not (at least not listed on their web site)

Any input good or bad is appreciated

Thanks
KC

 

[traycie2201]

I've heard great reports on both however have gone for nativeway for the following reasons , $30 pp and $20 for my son, meet at the pier , 45 mins at stingray sandbar and then 45 mins snorkelling at coral gardens, free refreshments and then after the excursion they will drop you off at either 7 mile beach ( you then make your own way back to ship around $4 pp by cab ) or they will drop you back at the pier. DCL was only one stop at stingray ,no extra snorkelling or drop at 7 mile and was going to be $155 for the three of us as opposed to the $80 we're paying.

Happy cruising.

 

[ruvidu]

It has been almost two years now since we went on our Western cruise but some of our fondest memories are of the Capt. Marvin excursion. Their office is a short 2 block walk and is in sight of the ship. Their personnel were great as well. There were 10 disboarders on the trip and we all had a ball.
They took us by van to their boat and then made 2 snorkleing stops before going out to the sandbar.
Punch and water were served during the trip.
They also had a videographer with us that shot the entire trip from below and on top of the water.
Next trip will be with Capt. Marvins as well.
Have a great trip.
Russ

 

[kcatoir]

traycie2201.....you said native way "does" offer a childs rate??
Did you find this out when you booked?? I didn't notice it on their web site just $30pp.

Anyone else out there with experiences they would like to share??

Thanks everyone
KC

 

[traycie2201]

I e mailed them with our party size and ages and they came back with $20 for my 13 yr old.
we are due to go in october and only booked a few weeks ago.

 

[Wendybird63]

I emailed them and specifically asked if they had a reduced child's rate. I received a prompt response which gave me half off the adult's rate.
We thoroughly enjoyed them, but I've heard equally great things about Capt. Marvin's.
Have a great time!
Wendy

 

[OurDogCisco]

We did Captain Marvin's a couple of weeks ago on the May 8th Western cruise. I loved the excursion but I was a bit disappointed with two things. First, my aunt and uncle went with the Disney excursion, we couldn't because our dd did not meet the age requirement. Anyways, their tour guide was much more informative than our guide. Their guide talked about the stingrays and showed them different parts of the stingray, etc... OUr guide on Captain Marvin's said nothing. At least, not to us anyways. Also, I really thought they could have done a better job with the video. We got a video of our Dolphin Encounter in Mexico and it was much better than the one in Cayman and cheaper. They showed us the video but I think,if the girl explained that she was selling the video I think, we would have made a better effort to be in it. Also, there were so many more people on the boat than on the Dolphin Encounter that might have been the problem. But other than that they were great! I'd also recommend doing a really early excursion because then it would give you more time after the excursion to walk around Grand Cayman or go to the 7 mile beach. Good Luck!

 

[kcatoir]

Bump
Thanks everyone for your answers....
..anyone else????

KC

 

[4nana]

We have heard great reviews about both! We booked Nativeway Watersports via internet @$30pp + tip. Sorry, can't help you with children's rate.

Sharon Banks, the owner, met us at the dock appx 8:30-9am. Her bus driver met us, took us to the boat. We were surprised there were only 6 people on the excursion, plus 2 guides!

We arrived at sandbar early enough to beat the crowd. It was our first time swimming with the stingrays, so it was quite the adventure for us! Surprised to learn they are gentle, warm blooded creatures.

Our guides were a hoot... swimming with us, teaching us how to feed, hold and kiss the stingrays. We took pix with our cameras, no pix or video were for purchase. They furnished snorkle gear, punch, water, snacks. It was a very fun filled and one of our cruise high lights!! We were back at the ship by 1ish.

Have fun!
~ Sandie