Reconsidering "On-our-own" Western Excursions

[bwbuddy]

I have my new 2nd edition Passporter in hand, and had decided to book our 7/3/04 Western excursions on my own to save some money. But, looking at those excursions rated 8 or above in the Passporter, and then comparing Disney prices to the prices listed at the various "on-your-own" websites, it appears to me that the Disney price is only about $5-$6 more than the "local" prices, for those excursions in the $45-$100 range.

For me, it would be worth it to pay $5 more per person to have the convenience of letting Disney plan it, tell me exactly where to go, etc.

Am I missing something? Having read so much about booking on-your-own, I was expecting Disney's prices to be perhaps double that of the locals.

 

[TheWog]

On the positive side, the Boat will not leave without you if you book through DCL, on the negative there may be more people on your excursion than if you book privately. I did not have any problems with booking through DCL and felt the prices were fine for our excursions on the Eastern.

 

[SeaSpray]

bwbuddy:

I noticed the same thing! Even on our Royal Caribbean cruise, the price differences were very small. I was very surprised at this because I kept reading how you could save a lot of money by booking on your own. I haven't found this to be the case, either.

We're going on the western cruise this summer and I plan on booking through Disney, especially if we do the Tulum ruins, which takes you to the mainland. Like TheWog said, the ship will wait for you if something happens and you booked through DCL, but might not wait for excursions booked outside.

 

[herrbeeb]

we went with disney for our western cruise last june. i think in grand cayman it would be ok to book your own because they speak english. i went snorkeling with the stingrays through disney and i was disapointed. it took a long time to get to stingray city and the boat was very crowded. i have read on the disboard that capt. marvin is a reputable shore excursion co.

the problem in mexico is that spanish is the main language and business standards are much different than in the us. we contemplated renting a car to get to the ruins at tulum but decided against it because my spanish is limited and we were concerned about car breakdowns, etc. tulum was wonderful although it takes awhile to get there and the included lunch is a sndwich from subway. we went into cozumel after dinner for mexican food.

i guess is the cost differential is small i would stick with disney in mexico. in grand cayman the best part of our day was 7 mile beach on or own.

 

[bwbuddy]

Yes, I had checked Captain Marvins, but again, didn't see significant difference in prices.

Is it worth going to the Captain for the smaller crowd?

 

[mississaugamom]

I would second the "on-your-own" approach in Grand Cayman. The snorkel with the stingrays can be booked with Captain Marvins or Nativeway (smaller but really great snorkel experience!)

We played it safe and booked everything through DCL for our 2/28 Western. When we got to Grand Cayman, Disney CANCELLED their Stingray City excursions!! (From reading these boards, I've gathered it wasn't that rare an occurrence). They felt the water was "too rough" so both morning and afternoon excursions were cancelled by 8:00 am.

Fortunately, I knew about Nativeway and Captain Marvin's so we went ashore and looked for either one. We found a Nativeway rep. at the dock and were able to get on a 9:45 excursion with them to both Stingray City AND Coral Gardens for only $25 per person rather than the $45 we were willing to pay Disney for just Stingray City.

There's plenty of time to get back safely as long as you book a morning excursion on your own.

I'd agree that it's safer to book with DCL for Cozumel. Have a great cruise!

 

[momofofo22]

We did on our own in Feb 28th with Captain Marvin. Effectively, the ship excursions were canceled. Captain Marvin told us that is it happening often. The ships if the water are a little rough cancel.

We did the excursion and I can tell you that the water wasn't rough at all. So if I were you I will book on my own....

 

[herrbeeb]

it is definitely worth trying a smaller group for snorkeling with the sting rays. many of the perople in my group screamed when the sting rays swam by and all those people in the water churned up the sand and lowered visibility. remember, it is a sand bar and most people just stand not swim.

if you take an am tour you will have plenty of time to get back to the ship and possilbly enough time for the beach or shopping if you desire.

leslie(herrbeeb)

 

[jrabbit]

Most of the "beach excursions" can be done on your own for 10-15 per person versus DCL $40+ for the same thing. Some of the snorkeling excursions you would only save $5-$10 per person by booking your own. So for us, we go to the beach on our own, and we snorkel with DCL excursions.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I can tell you that on the same cruise you are on, I have booked my whole family (not my sister and parents, just me, DH and the kids) on Capt. Marvin's 1/2 day and I know at least one other DIS family is on that same excursion. $6 a person adds up when there are 5 of you, and I think you get fewer people if you do it on your own.
Robin M.

 

[owenbyd]

We leave in just over a week and have booked our own excursions as well. I chose to do this for a few reasons - they may or may not apply to your particular situation. One, I consulted Captain Marvins and was told that the max number of people on the particular excursion that we booked would be 16. I was also told that since we were doing a short excursion to Stingray City first thing in the morning, that it would be rare to HAVE 16 people. Second, we will have a toddler son with us and Captain Marvins seemed better at accomodating us should he have a meltdown or not feel well, etc. Finally, in all (just an opinion) I like booking a local agency because...well, it's local. I appreciate when people visit my town and bring tourist dollars to our local economy. It's a personal preference thing.

Like I said, these same reasons may not pan out for you. Every family is different.

Amy

 

[The Brechun's]

I used Capt Marvin's back in Obtober 2003 and found the Stigray excurtion to be fantastic.

Smaller boat, less people, great crew and they also had a diver on board who videotaped the whole excurtion. You can buy the edited tape with background music in either video format or DVD. took about 2 weeks to get the video in the mail and the quality was great. They also give each adult in your party a free rum cake and also 10% off all purchases in their store.

Also the crew was very accomadating with all the kids on board and also let them steer the ship .

 

[jgalecpa]

I think you have to multiply!

(no, math, not people. That is up to you.)

If you have a party of four, $6 extra is $24. Time four excursions is about $100.

Worth it? Dunno. That's a personal preference. But it is $100.

On our Xmas 2003 cruise, some of our DIS group booked through DCL to Stingray city and we used Capt Marvins.

Not only did the difference in cost pay for a nice lunch at Rackmans, right down from The Captains, but DCL didn't go at all as the water was "too rough". Humbug.

They also didn't let the people know to nearly the last minute so they wasted time on the boat.

If the difference can pay for lunch in all the places we stop, to me it is worth it.

HOWEVER, I would never book a trip that took me off the island I was on (like from Cozumel to the mainland) as the time issue is too risky.

My two cents

Jim

 

[absame]

I've booked all our excursions for our upcoming western directly, not to save money, but for the better selection. In Key West we're going on a dolphin watch trip (not offered by DCL), in Cozumel we're going on the dune buggy trip (not offered), and in Grand Cayman, we're chartering our own boat with Captain Marvins (there are 10 of us).

 

[SeaSpray]

I just want to point out that the cruise lines DO use local vendors for their excursions. The price difference is the fee that Disney (or whatever cruise line) charges as the in-between party.

For example, in Key West, Disney offers 2 different excursions aboard the "Western Union Schooner". You can also book the same excursions directly with Western Union. So, the people who own and operate the Western Union Schooner are going to get their fee either way. I believe this is true of every excursion; the cruise lines do not directly operate the excursions in the ports, the locals do, which I feel good about. Like the above poster stated, I like to spend tourist money locally when I travel

P.S. Jim, you do have a good point that the dollars would/could add up, depending on how many people in your party, and how many excursions you book! But like the original poster said, at first I thought the price difference would be rather huge per person, per excursion.

 

[snelsonbrown]

MOF (my own feelings)
Anyone that wants to take the trouble with finding out about excursions in my hometown of Key West - I have been offering free information and tidbits about Key West for over 2 years and my understanding, that it has saved monies, times and confusion - also remember Mallory Square is right where just about everything is or within small walking areas - I found out in checking it out, you really come out better doing it on your own - also wanted to add NO there is nothing in this for me - I do it to help you while in my hometown - your cost? the cost of a large manilla envelope with stamps and self addressed - Norm and I leave in the AM for Key West and will be bringing a bunch of goodies to share.
Always
shirley

 

[SoThisIsLove]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how to go about booking Capt Marvin's Stingray City excursion for my July 3rd cruise? What time do I ask for? I am honestly clueless when it comes to this....I was going to book thru Disney but this is the one excursion my FH wants to do and would be disappointed if it was cancelled. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Heather

 

[traycie2201]

Hi just do a search for captain marvins on the net and you'll get to their site , you can book online. we booked through nativewaywatersports.com and for 2 ads and 1 child paying $80 for 45 mins at stingray sandbar , 45 mins at coral gardens, soft drinks onboard and then a drop off at 7 mile beach.

Have a great trip

 

[bwbuddy]

You've convinced me about Captain Marvins. Do they pick you up at the ship, or do I need to arrange transportation?