OK, so now I'm 24 pages of posts behind. Just returned from number 22 (19 on the Magic, 3 on the Wonder), so I can now start thinking about this one!!!
Scooby--yes, we did Captain Marvin's in June, and had booked with them previously. EXCELLENT. Easy to locate off the tender terminal. Just look across the street to the left as you prepare to leave the tender area and you'll see their storefront. You pay here and are sorted into vans as to who is doing which trip. You use a credit card to book, but can use another method to pay. If your ship can't tender, they don't charge your card (yeah, been there, done that too). Great snorkeling, great island tour. Truly professionals. If you do a 1/2 day, you'll have the choice of being dropped back at the tender port or at a beach--if you were planning on a beach it will save you the cost of the taxi one way. They'll drop you at 7 mile beach or Sea Grape beach, your choice.
Our current group is myself and DD 18. She's thinking about inviting college room mate. I told her to think carefully--they get along well and she's a nice girl, but they will have just spent 14 weeks in the same room (sort of). Do they need another small room for a week or do they need a little separation? SO, she's thinking about it.
Yiddles--$125 for a family of 4 at 7 Mile Beach is a RIP OFF. The beach is free. That's right, ALL beaches at Grand Cayman are free. The beach runs from the tender area and extends for about (you guessed it) 7 miles. There is a beach shuttle bus for $3 per person each way. A taxi to 7 mile or Sea Grape is about $5 each way. Hmmmm...taxi 2 ways, 4 people = $40. $125 - $40 = one heck of a lot of beach chairs and snacks. Besides, doing it on your own means that you can stay as long as you want.
A thought....Captain Marvin's island tour (includes turtle farm, hell, rum tasting) is $30 per person and they'll drop you at the beach afterward if you desire. So, for $140 your family of 4 could do an island tour AND a beach. The island tour is more grown up, but the turtle farm is fun for all ages. Boatswain's park (where the turtle farm is) is another great place--prices depend on what you want to do there.
We are flying in the day before...will have to check arrival time, but as I recall it is dinner time. Will get a Priceline room for that night and at some point decide between rental car or
DCL transfers to ship.
If you haven't booked flight home yet, you might want to look at them. Southwest went from $122 to $191 for our location JUST THIS WEEK. If I hang out till Monday I could do it for $91, but DD wants to get home for a while.
