? Has anyone actually gone on Disney's Rum Point/Stingray excursion

[Ursula's Mom]

Please help!! - I did a search earlier and I cannot find a post by anyone who has actually gone on Disney's Rum Point Beach and Stingray City excursion on the Western cruise. I am a little concerned. Is is because it has not gotten a great review? Does anyone know someone who actually did the Disney excursion and heard their thoughts about it, such as how long they were in the water with the stingrays during the stingray part? Was it too long to get there? Was it too long a time to be away from the ship (and the included food and beverages) and that's why they don't recommend it? Or is it too long a trip?

I hope someone goes on this excursion before our August 14, 2004 Western. It looks like it could be fun (another beach day in addition to Castaway Cay!) but I would like to get some positive feedback before trying it!

I hope one of the Dis'ers out there can help!!

Thanks in advance, Kathy

 

[jweiss]

It was definietly our least favorite day of the cruise. Lots of travel time, and little time in the water. That was the day we took a boat from the ship to land, a bus to the next boat, that took us to the beach, where we got on yet another boat that took us out to the stingrays for maybe half an hour per group. the water at the beach was YUCHY. The food was okay, but nothing notable. I definitely wouldn't do it again. My waterproof camera filled with water. My 12 year old daughter was terrified of the stingrays, the size of which we just were not prepared for. BUT, the next day we swam with the dolphins and that was AWESOME!!!!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We were looking into this too, but I couldn't find any reviews on it either. Though, I spent 2 weeks on CG, just east fo Rum Point, so I know the area. I was really looking forward to the great snorkeling off the beach that we did, but it must have changed! (Like I said, we were about 1/2 mile east of RP). The water there was the most beautiful I've ever seen, so I thought I would go back. I also wanted to do a short excursion to Stingray City again because my sweetie hasn't been there, so I thought this excursion would be perfect. Sounds like maybe we will just do a longer Stingray Excursion and forget the Rum Point thing. I also can't find out if "alcoholic" beverages are included in the "lunch and beverages included". We like to have a few local beers on our trips. Not many seemed to have gone on this trip. I think I'll book the "Buccaneer" snorkel trip to SC (with full bar on board).

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks jweiss! Looks like we may just have to pick something else. My dilemma is that some of our group want to do the stingray swim and some just want to beach it. I was hoping that the excursion would be a good combination. But I guess I realized that there may some problem with this excursion, because, unlike some of the other excursions, no one has written about the details of Rum Point Beach/Stingray excursion on this site.

I'm glad you enjoyed the dophin swim - I am guessing that you did that in Cozumel? We already booked the Royal Swim for our Cozumel excursion for our 8/14 western trip. And that is why some in the group do not want to do the stingray excursion (I keep hearing "one day rays, the next day dolphins" - lets do something else!).

Again, thanks for the input! Kathy

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Hi mrsfuzzmo!

Can you give me some details on this buccaneer trip? Is it a pirate theme that kids would like? We have two 7 years olds, an 11 year old and 14 year old going with us. The younger two might like that!

Thanks, Kathy

P.S. were on the 8/14 western - which cruise are you taking?

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

No, I believe the Catamaran is just named the "Buccanneer". It is a large catamaran that takes a smaller group out to snorkel and stingrays. Their "claim-to-fame" apparently is their timing. They run their trip so that they are at Stingray Sandbar when the excursions from the ships are NOT! They have smaller groups and have the timing down so that there aren't mobs of people at the sandbar when you are there. They are also the only boat that has a liquor license and a full bar. I don't think that would appeal to your youngsters.

BUT, I do know that there is a pirate themed excursion....I want to say "Jolly Roger" or something like that, that we did when we were there a while back. THAT was fun and would be great for little ones. They actually had people walk the plank and did pirate themed games aboard an actual pirate ship, along with food, music and dancing. I know Disney doesn't offer it as an excursion, but you may be able to find it on another site. I'll look for it too! If I can find it, I'll let you know.

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I found it....jollyrogercayman.com

Take a look at that website. The ship is soooooocute. Let me know if you decide to do it!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks again mrsfuzzmo - I'll let you know what we decide!

 

[jweiss]

I have to say, that the actual experience of seeing the RAYS was great. Too bad there were about a million other people there at the same time!!! It was the overall day that lacked. The beach was NOT good. I think it was all shaded when we were there.