Cayman Islands Excursion Question

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We are a family of six going on our first western cruise in February. We are talking about the stingray city snorkling tour and would like to know more about it from those who have been. I have read on these boards that Captin Marvin's is excellent. Is that one of the official DCL excursions or do you book it on your own?

HBC

 

[kcashner]

It is an official Disney excursion. You can also book it independently and save some money, especially on the children's rate. However...if you book thru Disney and it is cancelled for any reason (we had tenders cancelled due to rough waves and change of ship's course due to hurricane on 2 separate sailings), excursions booked thru Disney are fully refunded. I don't know what Captain Marvin's policy is if you book directly thru him.

This is without a doubt THE highlight of the Western......personal opinion!

 

[cjsmith]

WE booked with Captain Marvins directly for our cruise this past June, it is not an official Disney excursion. His policy is that you don't get charged if the ship isn't able to make it to port. It was wonderful. Captain Marvin himself took us out and we had the best time. All of the other boats near us were very crowded and we only had our party of 9 plus another family of 4 that were on the Magic as well. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Don't forget to order the tape of your trip, it is so well worth the money.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Thank you cjsmith and kcashner for your thoughts. So on the official excursion list, I take it that Captain Marvins is the 3 hour snorkling tour? How long are you out if you book privately?

HBC

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

HBC - I think kcashner got you confused.

There is a Stingray City snorkeling trip listed on the DCL website excurions page for Grand Cayman Island. However, the trip is not with Captain Marvin. This trip is offered by Disney to its Magic guests. You call DCL and make your reservations through Disney, and pay Disney. Disney contracts out with another company on Cayman Island to take its guests on this trip.

Capt. Marvin runs his own company, not in any way connected with Disney, does not contract with Disney, and you have to book with him on your own. You can search the web and find a link for him - I don't think we can post it here because he does not link back on his site to the disboards. At his site, you chose the date, the time, and the type of trip you want to take. You fill out a form listing your credit card to confirm your trip, and this goes directly to him. He emails back to let you know you have confirmation.

I hope that clears things up for you --

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Grumpy's Mom,

Thanks for clearing things up. I appreciate it.

So what does everyone think? Captain Marvin's booked privately or DCL tour for stingray city?

HBC

 

[inkkognito]

We did the Island Tour and Snorkeling With Stingrays through Disney and really enjoyed it. For the snorkeling portion, we were broken down into small groups and put on separate boats, so the group sizes were very comfortable. The guide got into the water with us to give us food for the rays and to help us hold them for photos. We had a great time, but the tour finished quite a bit later than the stated time.
I've seen great comments about Captain Marvins, but we booked through DCL because we wanted to be sure that everything would be seamless, since it was our first trip to Grand Cayman. Either way, I think you would be fine.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

we booked through DCL because we wanted to be sure that everything would be seamless

Thanks Barb. That's what I'm thinking too, especially with this being our first Western trip. But in looking at Captain Marvin's web site, the description of the 3 hour snorkling trip really looks better than the one offered by Disney and described in their guide.

Does anyone know if the three hour Disney tour does anything other than the stingray city snorkling?

HBC

 

[vgaskin]

We just got back from the 11/22 Western and we booked the Stingray Snorkel with Disney. I can't think of the exact name of the company Disney uses but I think it is a subsidary of the Don Foster group. They were great. My daughter even got locked in one of the bathrooms and panicked and we couldn't get her to turn the knob so we asked a crew member and they had her out within seconds. We had a great time. My mom is paranoid and just more comfortable with using Disney excursions on her first cruise. So I think you are safe either way. There was not a video offered with this one though just pictures.

 

[vgaskin]

The tour we did which was just the basic Stingray Snorkel only did Stingray city. You are in the water about 40-45 minutes and the rest is the time for the bus ride and then the time to get out to stingray city and back.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Thanks vgaskin

HBC

 

[hawkrn]

I'm doing the Rum Point Beach Adventure and Stingray City excursion thru DCL on 12/20/03 cruise. I wanted stingrays but I also wanted beach time. I can never have enough of that! BTW, Cat, we are also doing the Tulum Ruins (saw your previous post)

 

[cjsmith]

We booked Captain Marvins on our own right through his website. It was our first trip to the Cayman Islands and we were thrilled with our trip. NOt only did we get alittle tour of the island and they were driving us in a nice, clean air conditioned van to the boat, but the boating trip was fantastic. Captain Marvin let you sit up on the bow if you wanted while driving out. The guy that got in the water with us was wonderful and great with the kids. They have punch and cold water on board for you to help yourself with. You could then watch the movie while going back to land. We ordered the tape and it's wonderful, nicely filmed and edited and set to Carribean music. Once we arrived back at Captain Marvin shop, they gave each of the adults a free small rum cake. I would book this again in a heartbeat when we want to do the excursion again.

 

[jlawall]

We ran out of time to book a DCL excursion at GC so we had to book an outside vender to see the stingrays. I believe that the DCL excursions are affordable. Our Captain Marvin's experience was excellent although noone asked us to buy a video. I think that either way you will have a blast. Just sign up immediately if you are booking DCL.

 

[rae519]

Horseback riding on the beach with Nicki!!!!

This was my dream come true of Heaven on Earth!

Rae

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Horseback riding on the beach with Nicki!!!!

Thanks Rae but we live near Saratoga, New York and we tend to think of horses in a different way than for riding. Of course if we could place a few bets on who could get down the beach first, that might be interesting.

I wanted stingrays but I also wanted beach time.

We really want snorkling time, that's why right now we are leaning toward Captain Marvin's. It seems like the DCL trip of 45 minutes won't be enough.

If anyone else has any other thoughts, we are still trying to decide.

HBC

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Happy Birthday Cat
Thanks Rae but we live near Saratoga, New York and we tend to think of horses in a different way than for riding. Of course if we could place a few bets on who could get down the beach first, that might be interesting.
HBC

You are talking about the "August place to be" - dear HBC!!
I am from the area also!!!(Graduated from Maria College, and SUNYA) - Small world! And remember Saratoga when you could bring coolers in and move the chairs up to the rail and watch the race REAL CLOSE UP!!!! (20 years ago!)

I can really get started on some memories of the AST area, but suffice it to say - there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME and that is home to me (I'll bring my horses with me!)

There is something special about riding on the beach though - you should give it a thought - Nicki might like the idea of hosting a "race"!!!!!

Rae

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I am from the area also!!!(Graduated from Maria College, and SUNYA)

Rae,

Yes small world for sure. I went to Siena and SUNYA (MS '85). My DW went to St. Rose. A fellow Alum on the Dis-Boards. Wow!

I still don't think I can get on a horse though. It just doesn't seem natural to not be watching them with binoculars and a program in my hand.

HBC