Flounder's and Excursions in Grand Cayman

[HooKooDooKu]

Ok, finally started looking into some shore excursions for our up-comming Western 7-day trip. We want to do some snorkelling which means the 2yo will have to stay in Flounders. But from what I'm reading, DCL does NOT want to make this easy for me.

To try to simplify things, I'm looking for help to plan a snorkel excursion on Grand Cayman that includes the stingrays.

The first limitation is the hours for flounders. Based on other posts, it sounds like the day we are at port, we can expect flounders to be open from 7:30 to 1:00 and again from 5:45 to 12:00. Can anyone confirm these hours specifically for the day at Grand Cayman? Unless I hear otherwise, what I've got laid out below assumes flounders closes at 1:00.

Since the itenerary shows you must be back to the ship by 4:30, that limits our time to 7:30 to 1:00.

Based on DCL's sponsored excursions:
"Stingray City Snorkel Tour" 7:30 to 11:00
"Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays" 7:20 to 11:00

That's it, that's our choises because all other departure times gets you back AFTER flounder's 1:00 close time.

I also looked into Captain Marvins since it's gotten so many great reviews.
"Short" 8:00 to 10:30 and 10:45 to 1:15 (over by 15 minutes)
"Half-day" 9:15 to 1:00 (sound's real iffy based on flounders hours)

So unless I can keep DS in flounders until about 1:30, I'm stuck with getting everyone up, ready to leave, AND FED (because flounders doesn't feed the kids, only snacks) by 7:30. I can buy myself 30 minutes if I do the "Short" trip, thought the half-day would be much better.
So it looks like I'm either stuck with "risking" the Half-day

 

[CM_Mom]

Can't tell you definitely, but my standard answer for everything is talk to the CMs. Disney wants you to have MAGICal cruise so they might work with you on the 30 minutes.

The other option is if you're traveling with family or friends that could pick up your 2 yo.

Be sure to check with Captain Marvin's to see if their times are ship to ship or just from the beginning to end of the excursion at their location and you have to add time to get to and from the ship. Since the Magic usually tenders to Grand Cayman the location of the time frame is really important. If the times begin and end at Captain Marvin's location, you could easily add 30 minutes to each side of the trip.

 

[Serena6010]

Here is another option. Captain Marvins allows children...you could always bring the 2 yr old along w/ you and take turns getting off the boat and snorkeling.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Serena6010
Here is another option. Captain Marvins allows children...you could always bring the 2 yr old along w/ you and take turns getting off the boat and snorkeling.

This is what we planned to do with my four year old on the trip but she was in her life jacket with her mask on and in the water with us all! And when she was tired she just hung onto my back while I swam around and snorkeld. As long as you book Capt. Marvins on your own there is no problem with bringing young kids.