Western Excursions

[laurenk]

We want to do an excursion to Stingray City. Can you book thru Captain Marvin's independently of DCL? Has anyone done the tour thru Captian Brian? It seems alot cheaper than thru DCL.

Also, has anyone swam with the dolphins? Who did you book thru, and what was your experience. My kids want to do the one where they get a push across the water from them.

What does anyone reccommend to do with kids at Key West?

Thanks!

 

[vcasey]

I haven't swum with the Dolphins in the Caribbean myself but a friend of mine has done it twice in Chakanab Park in Cozumel and says its the greatest. We'll be doing it ourselves this summer. To book directly go to
Dolphin Discovery

 

[laurenk]

Thanks for the link!! Let us know how it was after your trip this summer. How far in advance did you book?

 

[vcasey]

I'm a real planner, so even though my trip isn't until August, I have all but one of my excursions planned already. But more realistically when I emailed them their response was 'Yes book early they could sell out at least 2 months in advance'. Read that however you want, I just went ahead and booked mine.

 

[vcasey]

Oh I also wanted to respond regarding the Cayman snorkel excursions. Again can't speak personally but I've searched these boards as well as cruise critics boards and couldn't find a complaint anywhere for either Capt. Marvin or Bryan. Many glowing praises for both. We decided to go with Bryan becuase we liked the idea of being on a sail boat plus we're also doing horseback riding and Honey Suckle was willing to pick us up right at their shop.

 

[mmouse37]

We did Captian Marvins this past August and had a wonderful experience....the stingray are awesome!!!!

We did the 2 hour trip from 11:15 to 1:15 which was just enough. It really turns out to be longer than that becuase of travel time to their boat, etc.

First we went to a snorkeling area for about 20 minutes and then we went to the stingray city sandbar and was in the water with the stingrays for about 1/2 hour. It really was a special experience. The boat was not fancy and held about 15 people. They provided all the snorkel gear and also fruit punch and ice water. The guides were very helpful and even let us feed the stingray with food they provided.

Here is a link to some our pics from our 8/3 Western Cruise and also a link to recent 1/4 Western cruise (could not make Grand Cayman due to rough seas)

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48731914ZhBAek

http://community.webshots.com/album/61021700mgkcmV

http://community.webshots.com/album/61027011UZJmCn

MJ

 

[laurenk]

Thanks you guys! I am a heavy duty planner too! Our cruise isn't until October, but from what I have read the Dolphin excursion books up pretty fast, and since we promised our twins this could be their birthday present, we don't want to not be able to get it.

mmouse- I was viewing your pictures last night at midnight. They are awesome!

I have e-mailed Dolphin Discovery, but no reply yet.

Any suggestions for Key West with kids?

 

[dzneprincess]

Wow Dolphin Discovery looks so neat! I have a question tho, I noticed their form stated 1 adult per child, well what if you have three kids? Has anyone encountered this problem?

 

[Tracy&Co]

We are torn between Captain Bryans and Red Baron Sailing Charters which is a private sailboat you charter up to 10 people for stingray city & snorkeling, no crowds

Captain Bryan's is cheaper as we are a group of 6, if we had a bigger group we would do it for sure. But Red Baron is 1 hour longer and they teach you how to sail if you want and I want to

So I'm pushing for the Red Baron

 

[pjacobi]

For the Dolphin Discovery, I've read in this forum that you must book through Disney because all of the time-slots are reserved in advance by Disney on the day that the boat is in port.

For Captain Marvin, you can book in yourself on-line.


-Paul

 

[laurenk]

pjacobi- What if you want to do more at Dolphin Discovery then what Disney has to offer? Disney does not offer the one where the Dolphins push you across the water. Unless I am missing something. Thanks!

 

[vcasey]

The excursion that Disney offers is the Dolphin Encounter NOT the Dolphin Swim I was told by Dolphin Discovery that the swim is a different reservation and is offered to the public when any cruise ships are in port. (I think it is different alternating time slots). Also if you actually go to there reservation page you'll see that the Encounter is only on certain days while the swim is offered each day. I imagine the days the encounter is not offered are the day that cruise ships buy it out.

 

[laurenk]

Thanks vcasey! How are you corresponding with them? I e-mailed them 2 days ago, and am waiting for a reply.

 

[vcasey]

Actually during the week if you to go their site many times there is a link to chat with live agent. It takes a bit to come up but then it was great becuase then I just bombarded them with questions and theyanswerred every one without a problem. I just faxed my reservation request myself last Thurs but have not been back to my office yet since then. I took Friday off and will be taking Monday off too. According to the form I should have something waiting for me when I return and by indications from the person I 'chatted' with she didn't think I'd have a problem. Here's keeping my fingers crossed that the agent wasn't being too optimistic.

 

[vcasey]

LaurenK, Just wanted to reiterate again that the chat is the way to go. Just went on, waited less than a minute, told them I had faxed a ressie but was not near the fax where I sent it from. The chat person went in looked it up and confirmed right there, they'll even email you a transcript of your conversation. No waiting impatiently (which I'm not very good at)

Good luck planning the rest of your trip, I added you to my buddies list so I'll remember to send you a pm when get back to tell you how it was.

 

[laurenk]

vcasey- Thanks for all of your help! Please do let me know how everything went!!