Castaway Cay - Snorkel or Kayak excursion?

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

Hi all:

Has anyone done the Seahorse Snorkel Adventure or the Walking & Kayak Nature Adventure on Castaway Cay? What did you think of them? Has anyone done both and would recommend one over the other?

We can't make our minds up and are sailing on the Aug. 17 4-day cruise, so we're running out of time.

Thanks,

Pirate

 

[Wishing on a star]

Bumping this up...

I too am curious about the Snorkel Adventure on Castaway Cay... We will not be able to do the Catamaran Snorkel at Nassau. So, I wonder if this on at CC is really good? ( At $50.00 bucks per, it ought to be!) Plus, it would be two+ hours of valuable CC time!

Also, I had heard that DCL had not been offering this, due to "vendor problems'. Are they now offering this without any problems?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

Hi Wishing:

First cruise! You're going to LOVE it! We've been many times, but this is the first time for us that either of these excursions were offered.

The reason we're not sure about the snorkeling one, in particular, is that we found the snorkeling area off the family beach to be disappointing - very poor visibility unless you get there first thing in the morning, and not a lot to see even then.

If someone has done this catamaran/snorkeling excursion, we'd really like to know if there's a decent amount of marine life, etc., to see.

Cheers,

Pirate

 

[floridaminnie]

We went on the Cataraman Snorkle at Nassau and it was excellent. EVerything was clean and done 1st class. That excursion is done through the Atlantis resort. Several excursion at CC, including the snorkling mentioned, is also done through Atlantis. Based on my experience in Nassau, I would reccomend the one at CC.

 

[Wishing on a star]

So, the Seahorse Snorkel Adventure on CC may actually be operated thru Atlantis... Wow. Thanks for the info!!!

I know that this is a new excursion... I am hoping that we will find somebody who has done it!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Pirate... Yes, it is our very first cruise, and we are EXCITED!!!

I can see why the snorkeling in the lagoon may not be the absolute greatest. But, since it seems that the surf at CC is always fairly calm, (right???) that CC must be protected by some pretty substantial reef. If that is true, then THAT would be where the real snorkeling would be found.

sdoane.... Thanks again for your input. May I ask if you are really sure that the Seahorse Snorkel is being run by the same outfit that operate the Catamaran Snorkel from Atlantis? It always get great reviews! Of course, when I called about reservations for CC, nobody there at DCL had any knowledge whatsoever You seem to be in-the-know!

So, I am bumping this up again... If anyone goes on this new snorkel excursion soon, be sure to tell us all about it!

 

[trishy]

The seahorse snokel excursion was up and running on the 7/5 cruise. I couldn't partake in it because I had an injury; however, my family did this and loved it tremendously. The "Seahorse" boat (not a catamaran) takes you out to a reef (about 20 minutes out) and you climb down a ladder (2 off the back of the boat) into the water. Now, the reef is approximately 9-12 feet deep. You need to be a comfortable swimmer because there is a current - your out in the middle of the ocean. There is a helper in the water (did a great job following the younger swimmers around), a helper at each ladder, a helper giving drinks (all kinds ) on the boat. Trip report according to kids and dh: the reef was beautiful - lots and lots of colorful coral. The fish were beautiful and plentiful. There was even some squid. There was plenty of time to enjoy this snorkel trip. The boat had about 15-20 people on it. All in all, the trip was very much worth it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sounds wonderful! Did you say ALL kinds of drinks!!

Do we need to bring some cash - or is everything completely included?

 

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

Thanks very much, Trishy! That was really helpful. We had almost decided on the kayak trip, but now we're reconsidering after your glowing report of the snorkel trip.

Anyone else done the kayak trip so we can compare?

Pirate

 

[trishy]

No cash necessary. They were serving sodas (ginger ale, coke, etc.) and rum punch for example. You know how on most excursions, the crew usually gives a speech about how hard they work, times are tough, going to have to file bankruptcy - we all know the speech. This crew is not permitted by DCL policy to ask for tips. That's not to say you CAN'T tip them, it's just that you won't be getting the speech and there will not be a "TIP" jar sitting out upon exiting the boat. People were tipping a couple bucks on their own on our excursion.

Oops forgot to add, snorkel equipment is included also.

 

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

WOW! THAT was a valuable piece of information! Thanks again Trishy!

I don't mind tipping for good service, but "the speech" you refer to really annoys me when you hear it everywhere, year in and year out. How refreshing not to have to hear it on CC. That's just made my mind up between snorkeling on Nassau or on CC.

Pirate

 

[Wishing on a star]

A million thanks Trishy!!!!

Pirate, you will be sailing, and snorkeling, soon!!! Be sure and post when you get back.... You know, for all of us over-excited newbies!!!

Now, how can I convince DH that this is worth the fifty-bucks for him to come with me? Today we pass the 60 day mark, and I called this morning and made our reservations! Woooo-Hoooo!!!

 

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

Hi Wishing:

We'll be sure to post when we get back. 59 days! I bet you're excited! It's getting close for you now, too.

How to convince DH the fifty bucks is worth it? My DH and I just put our heads together to come up with a few ideas for you:

* You'll be going mid-September - the water will still be as warm as swimming in a bath tub.

* How often do you get to snorkel in tropical waters at home?

* (my personal favorite) When you're old and sitting in your rocking chair, will you be saying, "Remember when we went on that fabulous snorkeling excursion on CC?" or "I'm sure glad I had that $50 forty years ago."

Hope that helps!

Pirate

 

[Wishing on a star]

Gotta love that last one!

I know I'll be out there, come heck or high water.. Ummm, well maybe not the high water LOL!!!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Will my nephew who is 5 and knows how to swim be able to do this with me? Sounds like a great time and I think he would love it, but do they let 5 year olds participate?

 

[Wishing on a star]

According to the description on the DCL site, it shows a price for children 5 and up.... I have a 5 year old, but he is NOT a little fish!!! So, he will stay on CC with the club for a couple hours while we go!

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Have a great time and looking forward to hearing all the details when you get back.

 

[S. C.]

We have our own snorkle equipment, would it still be full price if your not useing their stuff? We were at CC a few weeks ago for the first time, but since we already had planned on snorkling off the beach we never really looked at the excursions their.

We did go on the dolphin swim at blue laggon and loved it.

 

[macbasset]

We are leaving next week for our 8/2 magic cruise and i have the excursion brochure right here. 5 yr. olds are the minimum age allowed to snorkel both on castaway cay and the seahorse snorkel adventure. on castaway cay the rental for a 5-9 yr old is $10; 10 and older $25. the seahorse snorkel excursion is $29 for 5-9 and $49 for 10 and older. hope this helps. have fun!

 

[PirateOfTheCarribean]

Hi all:

Wow! What a great response we've had on this thread lately! I'm still searching for info on the kayak excursion, though, so if anyone knows anything please let us know.

S. C., you asked if there would be a price reduction if you brought your own snorkeling equipment. I don't know for sure about the CC snorkel excursion (that's why I started this thread), but I can tell you for sure that the Nassau snorkel excursion doesn't give you any money off for bringing your own equipment. I'm guessing that the CC excursion probably won't either.

Having said that, we always bring our own stuff anyway. That way, we're all guaranteed a perfect fit and we know where the mouth pieces have been. Although it's bulky, it's pretty light to carry. Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,

Pirate