February 25, 2006 Western Magic Cruisers!!

[rjh8115]

When we are in Grand Cayman our tentative plan is for my DF, DH and 2DD's to go with one of the Captain Marvin's excursions to Stingray City. My DM and I are thinking of taking the Rum Point Beach Jeep Excursion with Grand Cayman Excursions.

Here are the questions:
If we do this "guided tour" I am the one driving the jeep, or is the guide driving? It says that you need a valid drivers license so...?

Assuming you like your guide, would this be someone you consider tipping after the tour? If so what tip range would be appropriate? I understand that tipping is a delicate subject, I just don't want to offend someone if they are or are not expecting a tip. Believe me if I have a problem with service and feel that a tip is not deserved I do not have a problem explaing why one is not recieved.

Would anyone here consider renting a car for the day in Grand Cayman a viable option? Is the island difficult to navigate, or are there areas that need to be avoided? Keep in mind that none of us have ever been to Grand Cayman before, and I feel like a scheduled tour might be too restrictive. We may want more time sight seeing and less beach time. Or we may like the beach so much that we just fall asleep there for the afternoon. Although I do have a fairly good sense for navigation others in my family worry that my DM and I might get a little lost and end up somewhere less than desirable to two women to be alone. Is this fear reasonable?

Thanks in advance for your help, as I know many of you have been to this island before.

While we haven't been on that particular excursion, I believe it is similar to the one we went on in Cozumel. Yes, you will be driving (most likely a manual transmission Jeep). The tour guides do expect a tip, but I would only tip if the trip was enjoyable and they did a good (or great) job. Our guides in Cozumel were fantastic and we tipped them $10 I think.

I have read that people have rented cars for the day in Cayman. If you want to, I would book it now. I belive Avis has a special for cruise ship passengers where they pick you up near the dock and it is an all-inclusive price (including gas). Another thing to consider is the traffic on the island. When the ships are in town, the streets around George Town get very crowded. Just something to keep in mind.

This is only our second trip to Cayman. Last time we did the Stingray City trip with Nativeway. This time, we're going with Captain Marvins.

Hope this helps . . .

Rick

 

[BusyMomIANH8115]

While we haven't been on that particular excursion, I believe it is similar to the one we went on in Cozumel. Yes, you will be driving (most likely a manual transmission Jeep). The tour guides do expect a tip, but I would only tip if the trip was enjoyable and they did a good (or great) job. Our guides in Cozumel were fantastic and we tipped them $10 I think.
Rick

I am not so sure about the manual jeep, if they cater to Americans I'd bet there would be normal automatic jeeps to drive as that is what we mostly drive. In Cos we got one of the only manual jeeps they had, it was the tour guides and it was in poor shape. I wouldn't get too stressed about the type of transmission, they couldn't take most Americans if they didn't offer automatics.

 

[SallyB]

Doin' the single digit dance!!!

 

[rjh8115]

Guten Tag mein Freunds!

Well another busy day here in Deutschland. Work has been keeping me very busy during the day and I do not have a good internet connection from my hotel so please forgive the gaps in my posting. Thanks to everyone for stepping up and answering the questions.

Firstly, welcome to all of the new posters. I can't believe how big our group has become! Should be a hoot on board. It always makes the cruise better when you know a bunch of people ahead of time.

As you may know, the days leading up to Lent are celebrated around the world (Mardi Gras is a very good example). Here in Köln, they celebrate Carneval. It is so big, that Monday the 27th is a holiday here in the city. All weekend are parties and parades to celebate this time of year. Everyone dresses up in costumes, consumes fair quantities of Kölsch beer, and has a ball. Part of the tradition is to sing songs. Each year, they come up with some new ones so they have practice sessions around town. Last night, we went to one and now my German co-workers have issued me honorary Kolsche citizenship. Apparently, after a few beers, my German was OK. I'll bring the songs back home so we can all prepare . . .

Anyway, glad to hear about everyone's plans progressing. I'll check in later.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Rick

 

[Mr508MA]

I am not so sure about the manual jeep, if they cater to Americans I'd bet there would be normal automatic jeeps to drive as that is what we mostly drive. In Cos we got one of the only manual jeeps they had, it was the tour guides and it was in poor shape. I wouldn't get too stressed about the type of transmission, they couldn't take most Americans if they didn't offer automatics.

It is odd just how many people do NOT know how to drive a maunal transmission.
I was taught on a stick & got my license on one too, all there was..
[not really, for In 1938, General Motors developed the first line of cars to sport automatic transmission, {sorry Rick}] & I got mine in 74...
I taught my daughter in a standard too.... It's good to know & if you can drive one, you can drive anything... Tough part is driving a standard for a while, then get in the auto & your clucth foot keeps looking for a pedal.

 

[feiste]

David and Ivan's site is down. Can anyone tell me how long their ruins tour lasts? Thanks

 

[BusyMomIANH8115]

It is odd just how many people do NOT know how to drive a maunal transmission.
I was taught on a stick & got my license on one too, all there was..
[not really, for In 1938, General Motors developed the first line of cars to sport automatic transmission, {sorry Rick}] & I got mine in 74...
I taught my daughter in a standard too.... It's good to know & if you can drive one, you can drive anything... Tough part is driving a standard for a while, then get in the auto & your clucth foot keeps looking for a pedal.

Awww cmon Jeff, there's nothing so much fun as jamming your foot into the hole (made from alll the other attempts to do the same ) to the left of your pedals as you switch from one type transmission to the other......

 

[feiste]

Has anyone not yeat booked a tour in Costa Maya? We are thinking of doing the ruins. I can't get through to Ivan and David's website. I found another tour with the same company that I'm using in Grand Cayman. The tour runs 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I wish I knew what time we are getting in and leaving! This comapany also offers private vans (air conditioned) starting at 390 for 10. We are a group of 6 if there are four more interested at all.

 

[Mr508MA]

Has anyone not yeat booked a tour in Costa Maya? We are thinking of doing the ruins. I can't get through to Ivan and David's website. I found another tour with the same company that I'm using in Grand Cayman. The tour runs 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I wish I knew what time we are getting in and leaving! This comapany also offers private vans (air conditioned) starting at 390 for 10. We are a group of 6 if there are four more interested at all.

we booked David & Ivan (I e-mailed Ivan to tell him site is down) I don't recall the time, just know it started 11:30, it was an AC Bus to the ruins, & was approx $43 . ?? Sally may have more info on it.

 

[feiste]

Thanks Jeff, and thanks for contacting Ivan and David too!

 

[MoiraRD]

David and Ivan's site is down. Can anyone tell me how long their ruins tour lasts? Thanks

I booked with them as well. Here is a copy of the email Ivan sent to me when I expressed interest in the tour:
********************************
Dear Mrs. Dresser,

Thank you very much for contacting us.

We do have spaces available for our Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour, in a
group that will be leaving from our location in Majahual, village at
11:30AM (or one hour after the ship docks) on Wednesday, March 1st.

The price for this tour is $43USD per person. It includes round
transportation, travel insurance, entrance fees, local native guide,
bottled water at the beginning of the tour and beer or soda at the end.
It is completed in 4 hours.

To confirm reservations we only need your approval and the names of the
participants. We don't require a credit card number as guarantee due to
the limitations in technology we have in our village. For the moment
we're requiring cash payment (Pesos or Dollars) for our services at the
beginning of the tour.

Please feel free to contact us in case you need any further details or
assistance in confirming reservations.

Sincerely,
Ivan Cohuo

PS. Our tour is suitable for anyone who likes adventure. In the past
we've guided families with young children and have not had any
difficulties. In this case we have a group from Disney Magic, and these
will be some other children.
***********************************

I hope they get their site up and running soon. Looks like it will be a great tour!

 

[MoiraRD]

I forgot to add that one of the reasons I went with David and Ivan is because I wanted all four of us to go see some ruins, but DCL only allows 5+ to go on a similar excursion. My little one is 4 and I didn't want to leave her behind for this one!

 

[SallyB]

David and Ivan's site is down. Can anyone tell me how long their ruins tour lasts? Thanks

We are going and it's 3.5 - 4 hrs.

 

[SallyB]

I'm really getting excited now!!! My OTC order just came.. AND some Tshirts we had orderd came too.. Of course Mine wont fit but Dylan's and Jeffs will.. and that's ok.

I messed up on one thing though... I only have 12 Tiara's.. I thought there were 50 in the package. I have enough tiara's for who has asked so far but not anymore. Sorry everyone.

I have 2 for Jennifer, 1 for Cajun Princess, and 2 for Susanne. Then there are 7 in our party.. so that's all of them. Got plenty of patches though and beads!! I got Dylan some bubblegum coins to pass out to the kids too

WoooHooooo!!! Bring on Pirate Night and Mardi Gras !!!!!

 

[dreamakermom]

fieste.... I am going with the other company you were looking at .... (island marketing ltd) costamayaexcursions.com. The tour is 3.5-4 hours... wanted quickest tour. We were going to use these guys in Cozumel.

 

[feiste]

I'm really getting excited now!!! My OTC order just came.. AND some Tshirts we had orderd came too.. Of course Mine wont fit but Dylan's and Jeffs will.. and that's ok.

I messed up on one thing though... I only have 12 Tiara's.. I thought there were 50 in the package. I have enough tiara's for who has asked so far but not anymore. Sorry everyone.

I have 2 for Jennifer, 1 for Cajun Princess, and 2 for Susanne. Then there are 7 in our party.. so that's all of them. Got plenty of patches though and beads!! I got Dylan some bubblegum coins to pass out to the kids too

WoooHooooo!!! Bring on Pirate Night and Mardi Gras !!!!!

OTC came for me today as well!!!! Thanks for the tiara's. I'm bringing the tattoos for mardis gras and pirate night!

 

[feiste]

fieste.... I am going with the other company you were looking at .... (island marketing ltd) costamayaexcursions.com. The tour is 3.5-4 hours... wanted quickest tour. We were going to use these guys in Cozumel.

I think we'll go with this one as well. My DH wants to get in some beach time, so we would like the shortest tour as well. My DH and I saw some ruins on our honeymoon, but the restt of our group has never been. Since the girls are missing a week of school I thought I'd justify it with something a bit educational!

 

[Mr508MA]

BAD POST

 

[Acctng Lady]

Our weather even further north from you was nice today & tomorrow in the 50's
Cold snap coming for the week-end...
I see the location where you are from & we knew someone that moved from there & went west into the farm land [82 miles one-way from NN]. His name is Jeff Maring Didn't know if the name rang a bell?

Hi, everyone.

Jeff, your door signs are great. I am planning to come take a look at them. We are on the same deck, but other side, in 5009.

The name Jeff Maring doesn't ring a bell. We have lived here since 1972, but this is a big area. Newport News alone has a population of over 180,000.

We are having 70 degree weather today, but will drop to much colder temps by the weekend. Just so long as we don't get snow the end of this month, and miss our flight. Several years ago, we had a real midwestern blizzard at the end of February. Everything gets shut down, as the city doesn't have plows, etc.

I grew up in Western New York State, so know what snow and cold is like. Don't miss it, though.

I just got back from shopping. Got my suntan lotion, Mardi Gra beads, the paint chips, and the rest of the things for the door signs.

We are down to single digits, too. Leta

 

[Mr508MA]

Hi, everyone.

Jeff, your door signs are great. I am planning to come take a look at them. We are on the same deck, but other side, in 5009.

The name Jeff Maring doesn't ring a bell. We have lived here since 1972, but this is a big area. Newport News alone has a population of over 180,000.

We are having 70 degree weather today, but will drop to much colder temps by the weekend. Just so long as we don't get snow the end of this month, and miss our flight. Several years ago, we had a real midwestern blizzard at the end of February. Everything gets shut down, as the city doesn't have plows, etc.

I grew up in Western New York State, so know what snow and cold is like. Don't miss it, though.

I just got back from shopping. Got my suntan lotion, Mardi Gra beads, the paint chips, and the rest of the things for the door signs.

We are down to single digits, too. Leta

small world, we are almost neighbors for a week
so you too won't have a lot of "passer by's" at your room, where there are only maybe 8-10 after you to a dead-end

I never realized Newport News was that big... Jeff was a retired school teacher... Now our town only has about 4,000 population & I only know about 100

We have a nice day too... mid 50's, wind warning & rain for tomorrow, then the weekend is going to be single numbers, then climbing into the lower 30's before we leave.... Oh 70-80's are gonna feel GREAT

see ya soon Neighbor