Grand Cayman Land and Sea Tour

[HockeyHeather]

Hello veteran Western Cruisers!

Did anyone do the Grand Cayman Land and Sea Tour? I was wondering how difficult it was to enter the moored submarine. Any comments would be appreciated!

HockeyHeather
I believe in Disney magic and in Bowling Green State University hockey

 

[Hopkins]

We're planning on taking the same excursion in January. I can't wait. Hubby doesn't swim, so seeing the stingrays from the semi-submersed submarine will have to do. I did the swim with the dolphin excursion in Nassau, but something about the stingrays really scare me. So, hubby and I both agree on this excursion. Sorry I couldn't help with your question.

Tina

 

[Lisabell]

Oh, the Stingrays were SOOOOO sweet!!! They are like puppies looking for a treat. The only time they would hurt someone is if you tried to step on them or grab them by the tail (which no one did on our excursion). I overheard a conversation of a woman who had previously done the dolphin encounter and she said that the dolphins scared her worse than the stingrays because they are so large and could knock you over.

The Stingray City excursion was one of the highlights our our Western Cruise!! The water is very shallow (barely waist deep for me at 5'5") and you are only a few feet from your boat so if you really get wigged out, you can get to "safety" very quickly. My hubby doesn't swim either and we had a blast!!

Playing with the Rays was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life!!

Just my 2 cents!

You'll have fun no matter what you decide!!

Lisabell

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by HockeyHeather

I was wondering how difficult it was to enter the moored submarine.

I would imagine the procedure is similar to the Atlantis submarine at St Thomas. I have a photo of the Atlantis submarine at St Thomas at my site (www.dcltribute.com/gallery/p311.htm). The submarine moors to a support boat that shadows the sub at all times. And the boat that brings you out to the sub also moors to the sub. The sub has railings all around the top. So there's no problem with stability and no worries about whether there's something to grab if you lose your balance. The entry is through the doorway at the top and then you climb down a ladder into the cabin.

 

[tkd lisa]

A little caution about trying stingray city if you don't swim.

We did the Captain Marvin's excursion to Stingray City. Yes, where you stand is shallow (3 1/2 or so feet). But the boat can't usually get in that shallow of water. We stopped about 20 feet away, and swam over. My kids can both swim, so I didn't think twice about this. The stingrays can be damaged by contact with rubber, so they make you leave your vests and flippers on the boat.

For some unknown reason, DD FREAKED out on the swim, and climbed on my back. Of course, I then panicked and had a tough time getting into the area that I could touch bottom.

So, if your husband CAN'T swim, I wouldn't try to do the stingray city other than on a boat.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

We did the Land & Sea excursion in Grand Cayman. It is not a submarine but a moored boat with an underwater viewing area. You are taken out to the moored boat on another boat and have to transfer over. The guides/workers are right there and it is pretty easy. Then you go down a narrow stairway (careful, it can be slippery); but it is not hard. The boat does not move at all.

This is a good tour if you are not a diver. They bring the rays right up to the viewing windows; and you can get some great pictures.

Hope this helps.
fran

 

[HockeyHeather]

Thanks for the information, Fran! Neither my mother nor I are swimmers. We both wanted to be able to see the stingrays. I am glad to hear that it is a stairway and not a ladder. What were the highlights of the rest of the tour? My mother and I are getting really excited about the trip!

HockeyHeather
I believe in Disney magic and in Bowling Green State University hockey

 

[SQUIGGLE]

There was a stop at Hell. Interesting rock formation; but you are not there very long. You can get postcards there and mail them. They are then postmarked from "HELL". Pretty cute; but since you don't have much time you kind of need to hustle.
Also made a stop at the Turtle Farm. Not a real great stop if you are a Floridian (we do a lot to try and save the Sea Turtles - not eat them); but others thought it was good. They have a good sized shop there.
Made a really quick stop at a beach. Water color is beautiful.
I don't think we drove completely around the island; but did get to see a good bit of it. It is a pretty island. Lots of plants and flowers.

fran

 

[HockeyHeather]

Thanks for the additional information, Fran! I agree with you about saving the sea turtles instead of eating them. Last summer my mother and I visited Maui and saw some beautiful sea turtles on a black sand beach. The locals there were very protective of these sea turtles. You could take pictures of them, but if a tourist tried to touch a sea turtle, one of the locals was right there to stop it from happening. The Hell stop sounds fun! I'll send a few postcards to some of my fellow teachers. They will get a kick of it. I have also been to Hell, Michigan.

HockeyHeather
I believe in Disney magic and in Bowling Green State University hockey