Castaway Cay Extreme Getaway Package..?

[runmom]

Hello, does anyone have any advice/experience on the Castaway Cay Extreme Getaway Package? We are going on the Western Cruise in a month.. and I haven't settled on any snorkeling excursions b/c I think my DS 9 & 6 might be a little afraid, so I thought this might be a good alternative, I am a little wary b/c I know there is sooo much to do on CC, but I was wondering if anyone knew how this package worked, are we able to snorkle, do the stingrays etc when WE want, or are we assigned a time? I did have to pick a time for my Excursion (we got 11a) so does that mean anytime after that we can start to p/u our various equipment, bikes, floats, snorkel etc...? thanks - oh so much info to digest...!!

 

[DAggiesRWe]

Hello, does anyone have any advice/experience on the Castaway Cay Extreme Getaway Package? We are going on the Western Cruise in a month.. and I haven't settled on any snorkeling excursions b/c I think my DS 9 & 6 might be a little afraid, so I thought this might be a good alternative, I am a little wary b/c I know there is sooo much to do on CC, but I was wondering if anyone knew how this package worked, are we able to snorkle, do the stingrays etc when WE want, or are we assigned a time? I did have to pick a time for my Excursion (we got 11a) so does that mean anytime after that we can start to p/u our various equipment, bikes, floats, snorkel etc...? thanks - oh so much info to digest...!!

We did this excursion back in August.

You get the snorkel gear and tubes for the day and can go to your heart's content.

The bikes you get an hour at any time you want it during the day. Depending on how your kids are at riding bikes this may be a waste of money. They do have some bikes with training wheels, but don't plan on going too far if the 6 y.o. is riding.

The only thing that requires a specific time is the Stingray encounter, and that is what your 11:00 time slot means (you need to be at the Stingray spot by 11:00). The rest of it is whenever you want.

DW ended up not using the bike, and we really didn't need the four tubes for the day so we could have saved a few bucks by better planning.

 

[JerseyBelle]

I agree with the previous response. It wasn't worth it to get the extreme. We loved the stingray encounter (highlight of our 3 day cruise) and my DH and I did do the bikes. We got the tubes but barely used them. I would get the snorkeling equipment (or bring your own) and definitely the stingray encounter. If you bring your own snorkeling equipment I believe you will have to rent the vest (required). Their vests were great compared to what we had on Nassau.

 

[DAggiesRWe]

I agree with the previous response. It wasn't worth it to get the extreme. We loved the stingray encounter (highlight of our 3 day cruise) and my DH and I did do the bikes. We got the tubes but barely used them. I would get the snorkeling equipment (or bring your own) and definitely the stingray encounter. If you bring your own snorkeling equipment I believe you will have to rent the vest (required). Their vests were great compared to what we had on Nassau.

Actually if you bring your own equipment, they will provide the vest for free since they require it to go into the snorkel area.

Steve

 

[runmom]

This may seem silly, but I think this is worth is for us, because all the indvidual Stingray package times were after 1p, so for this reason the bulk package may be good, I'm glad to know our 11a time is for the Stingray's - I heard its good to go early when they are still 'hungry!'

We don't have our own snorkel equip, we've never done it before, which was another reason we are probably going to wait to do it on CC - other advice is greatly appreciated! we are still contemplating doing it either in Grand Cayman or Cozumel but the thought of doing in the wide open waters w/o the kids being able to touch the bottom - I think they may feel more comfortable just 'walking in..' Tho I do hate leaving all the activities for Castaway.

My 6yo is great on the bike, and he is very excited about that, who knows if we'll really get to do it, but the option is nice.

Anybody know anything about the 'dry snorkel' equipment I keep reading about, is it where the water doesn't come in thru the tube? might be worth buying beforehand so they don't get a swallow of the salty water first time out and get turned off?.. trying to locate on-line, but all were sold out last time I looked

Thanks for all the great advice, keep it coming. Still tyring to plan the other island stops!

 

[soccermother]

We did the last session of the day for stingrays on Castaway--I think it started at 3:30pm or so. The rays were still hungry--they ate all of our group's food. Plus it was not crowded at all, and, it was kind of interesting walking back to the ship as the island was being closed up for the day. So I wouldn't worry about getting an early time slot.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

We did the last session of the day for stingrays on Castaway--I think it started at 3:30pm or so. The rays were still hungry--they ate all of our group's food. Plus it was not crowded at all, and, it was kind of interesting walking back to the ship as the island was being closed up for the day. So I wouldn't worry about getting an early time slot.

Changing my 10 AM to 3:30 right now, LOL.