Grand Cayman experts needed

[vacationqueen]

I know someone has already been lucky enough to go to Grand Cayman and can help me out. First of all, you know how you can call and get the nicest person ever at Disney and then call and get the least helpful. Well, I just got the latter!!! I called to see the breakdown of the excursions at Grand Cayman. My dh does not love the beach and my dd is so fair, I thought we would try the stingray city excursion. Has anyone done this? Of course my daughter is terrified of being stung which I try to tell her wouldn't happen..........right? Anyway, between the two #G-19 Island Tour with Stingrays she said you would spend 30 to 45 minutes snorkeling, 30 minutes at turtle farm, 20 minutes in Hell, and approximately 45 to 1 hour at the beach. Transportation is no more than 15 minutes between sights. Is this too jam packed to enjoy. On the other hand, the other tour #g-16 Stingray City and Discover Cayman Tour did not give a lot more time with boat ride of 45 minutes, 45 snorkeling and the balance between the turtle farm and Hell.

Sorry to worry so but I want to do the one that gives us the most enjoyment. This sounds like a good "rushed" highlight. Plus, I get back to the boat a little earlier than if I did the 7 mile beach only.

What is your opinion??

 

[zurgswife]

I have never done a cruies excursion at Grand Cayman but I can tell you I have visited stingray city and it is incrediable....Stingray skin is the most unbelievable texture you will ever touch....a cross between velet and satin....

I believe stingrays sting if you step on there tail....something that would really done if you visit sting ray city as they are constantly swimmin around you.....

Not sure which excursion to take but I'd suggest doing it cause it is wonderful...

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

ALSO, to save money AND have MORE time where YOU want, I'd suggest doing it on your own. I've never been there, but we are going NEXT summer (2003). We did our own "excursions" on the Eastern, we just planned ahead, got a rental car, and did our own thing and saved SO much money it was rediculous.

 

[prymsu]

It is one of the most awesome excursions i have ever done. Not to be missed!!!

 

[dznymom1]

I highly recommend Stingray City. We did it on a Carnival cruise excursion when my boys were 4 & 9, and 6 years later we still talk about it. It really was an amazing experience. It can be overwhelming to a person that is timid or not really comfortable in the water though. We had a couple of women on our tour that never got in the water. What a shame!

We were very comfortable on Grand Cayman, and if we go on the Western next summer, we will most likely make our own arrangements there. We also hope to spend an entire vacation there in the future. We enjoyed it that much.

 

[skuba]

I have snorkled Stingray City twice and dove it once. It is a once in a lifetime experience. I preferred snorkling it to diving it. The Stingrays have learned thru the years that sucking off a divers mask will result in the food being quickly dropped.

I would suggest that you and the kids hang out on the outskirts of the group and watch for a while if you child is at all timid. They won't sting unless you step on them and they won't bite since they have no teeth. They suck in their food. It can be a little overwhelming though. If you stand on the outskirts and watch for a while, then your child can get used to them. I wouldn't suggest handling any of the food until you are ready to get up close and personal. They find the squid by scent and will play hide and seek in your legs until they find it. This even goes for the juice in your hands you tend to wipe on your legs after you've fed them.

Another funny thing. The joke is that you will hear the stingray horn which will tell you where the stingray are. Just go to the person who is screaming the loudest. LOL

Anyway, you can contact almost any dive shop on the island and get information. I believe cayman has its own web site but for right now I can't remember it.

Good Luck.

DG

 

[vacationqueen]

So are we saying skip all the turtle farm, Hell and beach and just do the Stingray City deal that is about 3.5 hours. Is there that much to do there?

Thanks so much for the information. I knew there were knowledgeable people out there!!! We can book our excursions on Tuesday and I want to have all my ducks in a row. Now my biggest question is do Stingray City for sure but just that one only or in combination with the other stuff.

You make this so much easier for me..... Thanks.!!

 

[prymsu]

and skip the other stuff if time is tight....

 

[KeenHo]

My DW and I cruised in Feb 2000 on the Celebrity Mercury and did the Stingray City excursion. It was our most enjoyable excursion of our trip which covered Key West, Cozumel, Cancun and Grand Cayman.

It starts out with a 30 min. +/- boat ride to a sandbar (Stingray City). When you arrive the Stingrays know it, they start to circle the boat and are expecting visitors, more importantly, visitors with food. You are given snorkel equipment and you jump into the water. The Stingrays swim all around, sometimes brushing up against your legs. I heard a lot of women scream with excitement when this happened. Maybe they were scared, but no reason. My DW and I got to feed them, actually hold one, touch them, etc. It was a once in a life time opportunity (one that we will certainly repeat in June on our Magic western cruise). I also snorkeled around the fringes of the sandbar and saw some exotic fish, a puffer (blow?) fish and a Barracuda. I didn't go too close to them.

I would highly recommend the excursion, the crew was pleasant, and we made memories that will last a lifetime.

I hope you all enjoy it!

Howard

 

[tchrmom]

vacationqueen....
I have spent the better part of today, trying to get this same info. On another posting, someone suggested to me to book directly with "Captian Marvins". They told me that they are right by where the tenders drop you off, and are a smaller operation. They said that their 3 year old had no trouble with this group, and they were very nice......also a little cheaper. $38.00, they thought. I'm trying to get the website now.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

We went to Grand Caymen on Carnival in 99 and did the tour of Hell, Turtle farm, etc. It was ok. I enjoyed it because I had never been,but I admit the Stingray excursion sounds funner. You can alway's take a taxi to Hell if you get back from the stingray excursion and have time. The place is interesting but very touristy...