Rigid Hull Snorkeling Excursion

[JenPinks]

Has anyone done this excursion? Thoughts?

 

[MarleneP]

Is this the one at Castaway Cay? If so, is it the one that includes the time at the sand bar? If you answered yes to both, my family and I did this in December 2014. We loved it, loved it, loved it! It was one of the most fantastic excursions we have done so far.

 

[JenPinks]

Is this the one at Castaway Cay? If so, is it the one that includes the time at the sand bar? If you answered yes to both, my family and I did this in December 2014. We loved it, loved it, loved it! It was one of the most fantastic excursions we have done so far.

Yes it is the one at Castaway Cay. It is the one that is 3 hours in length. Sounds like an awesome excursion, hopefully we can do this as it being our first cruise.

 

[Wenawen]

I called Concierge Shoreside Services about the weight limit on this excursion. They don't actually weigh you. You have to be able to get back in the boat on your own power-they can't help you.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Loved it! Pics:

 

[JenPinks]

Are you able to take sand from CC?

 

[Dug720]

I called Concierge Shoreside Services about the weight limit on this excursion. They don't actually weigh you. You have to be able to get back in the boat on your own power-they can't help you.

Does the boat have a ladder? Or do you have to haul yourself over the side?

 

[Wenawen]

I think the Shoreside Concierge said ladder. But I am sure there will be other people to grab your hand to steady you as you get on the boat.

 

[swimfin]

THANK YOU for the pictures My2Qtz0205 ... I was wondering if anybody has done this excursion when the sandbar is not like picture number 1 and did they enjoy it just as much? High tide will be at 0700 when I cruise and low tide at 1300 ... So basically I will be inbetween tides if I book this excursion ... Our excursion time would be 0900. The pictures were gorgeous and I'm just wondering if everyone has had the same experience ... $139 is a lot of money to snorkel but I also know how amazing the waters are there ... This is our 1st DCL cruise and we are deciding if snorkeling in the CC lagoon would offer enough variety of fish or should we do this excursion 1st thing in the morning? TYIA!!! Cheers!

 

[MarleneP]

THANK YOU for the pictures My2Qtz0205 ... I was wondering if anybody has done this excursion when the sandbar is not like picture number 1 and did they enjoy it just as much? High tide will be at 0700 when I cruise and low tide at 1300 ... So basically I will be inbetween tides if I book this excursion ... Our excursion time would be 0900. The pictures were gorgeous and I'm just wondering if everyone has had the same experience ... $139 is a lot of money to snorkel but I also know how amazing the waters are there ... This is our 1st DCL cruise and we are deciding if snorkeling in the CC lagoon would offer enough variety of fish or should we do this excursion 1st thing in the morning? TYIA!!! Cheers!

As mentioned above I did this excursion in December. We did not know our time until we saw our tickets in our room. But our experience was exactly like what those picture look like. Again, it was amazing! The CC lagoon is pretty but in no way can compare to snorkeling on the reef. Looking at those pictures bring back such fond memories. 2 regrets about the excursion are: I did not bring my good camera because I was afraid of it getting wet and relied on DS camera....it did an OK job but mine would have been better and we did not bring cash with us to tip the guys on the boat. They were extremely helpful at the reef and at the sandbar. We felt really bad and tried to get back to the ship and bring them a tip but they already left for the day.

 

[Dug720]

I think the Shoreside Concierge said ladder. But I am sure there will be other people to grab your hand to steady you as you get on the boat.

Ladder I have no issue with. Hoisting over the side requires more upper body strength.

 

[Dug720]

Just answered my own question. In one of the pictures on the DCL site, there is clearly a ladder on the side of the boat.

 

[swimfin]

As mentioned above I did this excursion in December. We did not know our time until we saw our tickets in our room. But our experience was exactly like what those picture look like. Again, it was amazing! The CC lagoon is pretty but in no way can compare to snorkeling on the reef. Looking at those pictures bring back such fond memories. 2 regrets about the excursion are: I did not bring my good camera because I was afraid of it getting wet and relied on DS camera....it did an OK job but mine would have been better and we did not bring cash with us to tip the guys on the boat. They were extremely helpful at the reef and at the sandbar. We felt really bad and tried to get back to the ship and bring them a tip but they already left for the day.

THANK YOU!!! I'm assuming we will leave close to 0900 as the time that pops up when I check availability on the DCL site says 0900.

 

[swimfin]

THANK YOU!!! I'm assuming we will leave close to 0900 as the time that pops up when I check availability on the DCL site says 0900.

As mentioned above I did this excursion in December. We did not know our time until we saw our tickets in our room. But our experience was exactly like what those picture look like. Again, it was amazing! The CC lagoon is pretty but in no way can compare to snorkeling on the reef. Looking at those pictures bring back such fond memories. 2 regrets about the excursion are: I did not bring my good camera because I was afraid of it getting wet and relied on DS camera....it did an OK job but mine would have been better and we did not bring cash with us to tip the guys on the boat. They were extremely helpful at the reef and at the sandbar. We felt really bad and tried to get back to the ship and bring them a tip but they already left for the day.

No to be tacky, but would you have tipped around 20%? I TRULY appreciate the reminder about the cash!!! That's definitely something I'd forget!!

 

[MarleneP]

No to be tacky, but would you have tipped around 20%? I TRULY appreciate the reminder about the cash!!! That's definitely something I'd forget!!

I usually leave the tipping up to my DH. I always feel he tips too much but I think that is because he is in a service type industry. If I remember correctly, there were 3 guys on the boat and I would think $10 each would be a fair tip.

 

[swimfin]

I usually leave the tipping up to my DH. I always feel he tips too much but I think that is because he is in a service type industry. If I remember correctly, there were 3 guys on the boat and I would think $10 each would be a fair tip.

Excellent!!! Again, THANK YOU for your help with this!!!!

 

[Wenawen]

I asked what time the excursion was and I was told 1:30-3:30. There is another one for children and I think that one will be in the am.