Must do Banana Boats !?!?

[TheBeast]

My DD, DS, and DW are VERY concerned about the banana boats. DD and I think it would be a blast, BUT do you fall off a lot? Is it guaranteed you will fall off at least once, or does it only happen occassionally?

We'll be there in two weeks - need to convince all how much fun it will be!!

 

[aprilgail2]

We did the banana boat ride last time and only one guy fell off...he was the guy in the back of the boat...other than that we all held tight on stayed on LOL.

 

[Goin4forty]

We were on the 3/20 Wonder and did the banana boat rides. The boat before us had 11 out of the 12 fall off. Must have been a hoot. We got on (I was completely dry getting on) and took off slow. They actually take you out past the ship into the ocean a bit. I had contacts in and the salt water burned my eyes. (didn't taste the best either) It was pretty bumpy and fairly windy that day. Needless to say, on the way back, my dd8 started to cry, so they slowed down. I am pretty sure someone would have fallen off if we hadn't slowed down. I was having trouble hanging on myself. By the time we got off, we were completely soaked. I know this all sounds negative, but it was fun. I say try it. You might all have a great time. Do your kids know how to swim? I could see someone panic if they fall off and don't know how to swim. Have a great time!!

Kris

 

[mketting]

The banana boat ride was awesome. It was very bumpy and we had to hold on for our lives but no one fell off. We laughed harder than we had in a long time. THey have someone in the tow boat watching so they slowed down when it looked like people were about to fall off. This was one of our favorite parts of the trip!

 

[yazee1]

I'm hearing such great feedback about this excursion. I'd like to add a question. I'm not keen on the idea of booking anything ahead of time for the stop at Castaway Cay. I'm wondering is this excursion so popular that if I don't book ahead of time, we might not be able to try it?

 

[Invisible Penguinboy]

The Banana boats were amazing. One person in our group fell off and she started a chain reaction and her whole side and me, I was next to her all fell off. She grabbed me and the person in front of her, and he grabbed the person in front of him and so on. It was a little scary at first but it was fun, and even though we fell the ride was still great.

 

[Goin4forty]

I'm hearing such great feedback about this excursion. I'd like to add a question. I'm not keen on the idea of booking anything ahead of time for the stop at Castaway Cay. I'm wondering is this excursion so popular that if I don't book ahead of time, we might not be able to try it?

I booked ours before we left home, but I heard some people saying they had just booked it that day. My dh and dd11 were also going to go parasailing but that was canceled because of the wind. No matter what you decide, you will have a blast. Everyone on our boat was laughing so hard!! (except my dd of course!)

 

[yazee1]

I booked ours before we left home, but I heard some people saying they had just booked it that day. :

Thanks for the information!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

DD8 and I did the banana boat last nov., she made it through the first part but when we stopped at serenity bay to catch our breath she climbed into the tow boat. She was not impressed with it and she even had on goggles, so the salt water in the eyes didn't bother her a bit. She was just terrified of the possibility that she might fall off, even though I promised her that if she did, I would fall off with her. They told us that people falling off actually shortens your ride since it takes so long to get people back on the banana. None of us fell off, but we had a blast bouncing around trying not to fall off.

I agree with Goin4forty, everyone was laughing their heads off, except my DD8 who now has to live with "riding in the wiennie boat" jabs from time to time. LOL

 

[depomas]

I think I will try this next time...I have seen, and heard about it...

I just keep remembering the poster who talked about the lady covered in sun tan oil...

Remember, it is almost a guarantee you will fall off...

The visuals are happening again..

 

[Goin4forty]

Depomas, I was thinking about that exact thread as we were getting on. I just had regular sunscreen on, but kept thinking about "sliding" off!

KyCruisinSusan, our dd's must be just alike. She hates for us to even discuss the BB ride. I think she's kind of embarrassed. She stayed on the banana boat with us, but they did slow down, for which I was grateful. I turned to the others and apologized for having to slow the boat down, but everyone was fine with it. It was worth the laugh!!

My jokester dh told the driver of the boat that he could've used some pepper to go with the salt! That made everyone laugh even more!

 

[jhorstma]

Or you'll do the most of the ride with your eyes closed.

You could probably book this at CC w/o fear of it being sold out (we did).

Lots of fun, but kinda tame in comparison to Rhino Boats at St. Maarten. But still a really rough bumpy ride that'll leave you with a big grin. But don't worry - chances are in your favor that you won't fall in (unless you kinda really want to).

You do go a ways out, so I can see where some folks especially younger kids would get scared. You wear life jackets so you'll float effortlessly if you fall in, but it is in deep water.

 

[herrbeeb]

we signed up early on castaway key day. there was no room for me but the kids hated it. they said the water was in their faces the entire time and they were too busy holding on to enjoy the ride. unlike parasailing or skidooing thet will never do the bbs again.

 

[BaileyEvanH]

We just came back and my DD liked the ride at first, but be aware, that they put the smallest and lightest in the front. DD is 10 and was put in the front. She wore goggles, but only made it half way through the ride. She was drinking too much sea water and signaled the driver to stop. She and another kid got into the boat--they had enough.
We also tryed it in Cozumel at Paradise beach. My DS 8 could also do it there. They said it was much better---and they fell off there!

 

[tkd lisa]

I agree with the goggles comment. I'd also add something to protect the inside of your legs (like shorts). There's a fair bit of sand, and when you're bouncing up and down, you rub the insides of your thighs!

We had a couple of people fall off our boat. I think they kind of adjust it for the passenger make up. If it's a bunch of teens and athletic adults, they'll whip you around. Younger kids, and older or out of shape people, they'll take it a little easier.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

they said the water was in their faces the entire time and they were too busy holding on to enjoy the ride.

I agree with this statement. I was hesitant to try this ride, but my 16 yo dd wanted me to (yes, I'll blame her ). We rode this last Fri. Never again! My arms still ache as I write this. I felt I had to hold on too tightly to enjoy the ride. My daughter loved it, but said she doesn't need to do it again.

I didn't mind so much the burning eyes from the salt water splashing in your face, it was the holding on so tightly and the fear of falling off that took away the fun. I know others love this ride, but it is not my thing. I ride TOT and Rockin Roller Coaster effortlessly, but will never do the banana boats again.

The lady that checks you in says if you follow the rules, you will not fall in. Don't believe that! It only takes one person to lean the wrong way, for most of you to fall in, no matter how tightly you hold on and no matter how diligently you lean to the center of the boat.

We were pretty far out, the water was pretty deep, about 35 feet (I asked) when someone in the front leaned outward and one by one, 11 of us flew off the boat and into the water. I scraped my leg and my arms are bruised, so it hurt a little. When I landed in the water head first, I didn't know which end was up. I swallowed sea water during the fall also. It's pretty funny now thinking about it, but I couldn't wait for the ride to be over as soon as it started going fast and getting very bumpy.

After the fall, as we bobbed in the water trying to catch our breath and make it back to the banana boat, I knew I couldn't go through that again, so I requested to ride in the boat. A teen girl who was also frightened, and her mom, also rode in the boat with the guys. One little girl, about eight years old, got back on the banana boat with no problem.

I can't say enough good things about the two gentlemen running the ride. They were awesome. They did say the sea was choppy that day and apparently, the parasailing for mid-afternoon got cancelled.

I think I'm glad I tried the banana boats. Now I will never have to wonder about them. It gave us a good laugh and a great memory! My daughter said it was quite a sight seeing 11 people flying off the boat in an almost domino affect. She fell off too, but managed to hang on to the handle a bit. Edited to add that my daughter wore goggles, but I did not. I also noticed that closing my eyes to stop the stinging salt water made me less in control of being able to stay on the boat. In other words, I needed to keep my eyes open in order to stay on the boat better.

I just want to warn some of you who might be hesitant, that you should expect to fall off.

Tink

 

[TheBeast]

Well DD and I did the banana boats- DW and DS stayed on shore. We had a blast -laughing the whole time and glad we did it. She was a little nervous about falling off, but once it got going, she was having too much fun to worry about it. Fortunately we didn't fall in!! Water in the face wasn't too bad.

We thought it was worth it. Thanks for the input!!

 

[Hollyster2]

We are visiting Castaway Cay next July. Do we need to arrange banana boat rides before we board the ship?

 

[Honu]

We booked beforehand, but there was tons of availability for my nieces to go again, and again once we got there.

I admit to being an adrenaline junkie and thought the ride was boring and lame, but the kids had fun and that's what it's all about.

 

[TheBeast]

We just booked when we got to the island (and not even early), but I suppose to be safe you might want to do in advance. I'd agree with OP that it's not a "super wild" ride, but I thought it was fun and so did DD.