Stingray City

[mishes]

Hi all. I've been reading this board for months and have gotten so much fantastic information. Thank you!

We are thinking about going to Stingray City since everyone seems to rave about it. We would have to book through Capt Marvins since one DS is 4 1/2. How was Capt Marvins? We have another DS who will be 15 months, has anyone ever taken a toddler on the boat while doing one of these excursions? Since this is such a great experience, are there crowds of people there?

Thanks for any info!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hello Mishes!

We booked a Stingray City excursion through Captain Marvin's web site for our last cruise in August. We had a wonderful time and can only say good things about the company, customer service, and excursion itself. The only drawback, in retrospect, is that we booked one of the shorter excursions and would have enjoyed spending more time with the stingrays and at the reef.

At any rate, to answer your question about it being busy, I would say yes. Although the Captain Marvin boats were not overly packed with people (I'd say about 25-30 or so) the Stingray City area was quite busy. There was still plenty of room to swim and wade, with space to yourself, but I was surprised at the number of boats at that location. In all, I would say there were 15+ in the general area. Still, I wouldn't say it was over-crowded, as it seems that the sandbar stretches for quite some distance.

Hope this helps a little and enjoy your cruise!

 

[cjsmith]

We loved our excursion with Captain Marvin's and were lucky enough to only have our party of 9 and another family of 4 who were also with DCL. If you go directly to their website, you can get plenty of info on their tours and also e mail then directly to see about having the baby on board.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We just booked the "Bucanneer Catamaran" with Capt. Bryans. There are "Childrens rates", and it didn't give a minimum age. They also stressed that one of their "claim-to-fames" is that they schedule their boat trips so that they are at SC in between all of the cruise ship excursions. I thought that was a neat idea and one of the reasons we chose them. I didn't want to be totally surrounded by people when we go (like it was last time when I did a ship excursion). So I am expecting about 20 or so people on the boat (from the looks of it in the picture) and plenty of space at Stingray city. PLUS, the "Bucanneer" is the only boat doing excursions there that has a liquor license and fully stocked bar. The price can't be beat either. $35.00 pp ( kids - $25).
This is for a 3.5 hour trip with sail, 2 snorkel stops and SC sandbar, (I love to sail on catamarans vs. the motorboats) Beverages (non-alco) and cash bar. Our trip leaves at 10:00 so that gives us plenty of time to tender in. No need to rush and get on the first or miss the tour!. Their office is only a couple blocks from the tender pier, so no need to get a cab! Back in town at 1:30. Plenty of time for lunch, a couple of Stingray Beers and a little beach time - or more snorkeling at Edens rock if we have the desire!
Mrsfuzzmo

 

[scubarn]

How far in advance should you make reservations with Capt Marvins?
We are cruising in October

Thanks!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I would say you really want to know your kids, especially how they tolerate new experiences, as well as the others in your party.

DD was 13 when we went last summer and stood about 5'3 or 4" at the time. She spent about 20 minutes in the water and then it was back to the boat. The instructions given were pretty specific about keeping feet on the sand (not that I really think there was a ray buried for miles with all those people!) and there was just enough current action to make this difficult. Water was about chest high on her, I'm 5'7" and it was just above mid-torso on me. I also was fighting the current a bit but anchored myself to my DS who stands over 6' and goes about 210 lb. Nice anchor. DD was still a bit freaked hanging on to Dad.

So the 4 1/2 YO may or may not enjoy the excursion. Is there someone else in the party they may want to spend more time onboard and wathc, take pictures, etc.?

DD still swam with the rays and wouldn't have missed it for the world. She also took some great pictures from the boat for us. I have read other trip reports about folks with younger kids who reported not a great experience.

Good idea to do your homework and definitely check with the excursion folks.

Deb

 

[Jdubbs]

I think I will definitely do either capt. marvins or this bucaneer catamaran for stingray city, leaving the two girls on their own on May 25th

 

[mitcam]

We booked through DCL our DS's 7 & 5 - while our 5 y.o. quickly jumped into the water he was so overwhelmed by the rough water he got scared and quickly got out never to return again.

Our 7 y.o. got in with mask only he couldn't really use the snorkel he loved the minute he was in the water then got spooked by a stingray and got out also never to return again!

Now DH and I did this:

DH couldn't stand the thought of little boys on a boat without their parent so he got out after about 2 minutes! He video'd me with the Sting Rays ~

I loved it, I didn't get out until the whistle blew. I held 3 one baby a female and male it was great. The water was very, very rough. Because of that the boat couldn't get to 4 foot waters and needed to be in an area that was 13-15 feet deep. no sand touching here!

If you were not a good swimmer or at least comfortable with floating in rough water this trip would have been a disaster. I love the water and as I said, this was for me the boys had fun on deck watching.

My DH had a great time on the catamaran on the way back ~ the bar was opened and Red Stripes were flowing! The kids also loved the Catamaran and looking through the front net.

All and all it was good ~ not sure if I would take them again until they are much older especially since it cost alot of $$ for them to go.

 

[mark & sandra]

Just a quick heads up to anyone booking an excursion in Grand Cayman. We did the Western 1/17/04 and had an afternoon excursion booked with Capt. Marvins. The seas got rough and the tender service was stopped. They moved the ship to the other side of the island and resumed the tender service. Disney gave preference to people who had Disney excursions booked. Those like me were told to go to the Walt Disney theater and wait for further info. I don't think it's right that Disney should make the guests using other excursions to wait and possibly miss their time because of the limited amount of space on a tender. It should be first come first served. Disney outright cancelled all of their morning excursions and offered refunds, no other choices. When we finally got to shore, past our due time, all the excursion companys were there lined up with signs. We found Capt. Marvins and they were only to happy to take us on a later excursion. If you decide to book an excursion at Grand Cayman, but not with Disney, don't pick a first thing in the morning tour.

 

[mishes]

Thank you everyone for the great information. It will make our decision much easier now.

You all are awsome!!

 

[BWVPam]

We booked through DCL on our western cruise in May 2002. We really loved it and thought Stingray City was one of the highlights of the trip. My 7 yo daughter did not like being in the water and she spent her time at the back of the boat. Luckily there was another little girl her age and they danced at the back of the boat to the music being played. Either me or husband stayed right at the back of the boat with her though.

Pam