Which Stingray City Excursion?

[Chattyaholic]

Just made final payment for our 1/18 Western cruise and received the shore excursion info from Dreams Unlimited. Looking the ones over for Grand Cayman and trying to decide which one would be best for swimming with the stingrays. There are three that I can see: Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays (3.5 hours), Stingray City Snorkel Tour (3-3.5 hours), and Stingray City Snorkeling and Discover Cayman Tour (3.5 hours). In which one do you get to spend the MOST time in the water with the stingrays? And how many people are in the groups that go on the excursions?

 

[inkkognito]

We did Island Tour and Snorkeling With Stingrays and loved it! At the shore excursion talk, they said that the groups are smaller on that one than on Stingray City and Discover Cayman. We went to the Turtle Farm and Hell in small vanloads, and then we went to the boat dock where we stayed with our same small van groups and boarded the boats. The groups were small enough to allow plenty of help from the guide with feeding the rays, holding them for photos, coaxing in reluctant kids, etc. Drinks are provided, and there is a freshwater shower to rinse you off when you get back on the boat. We had plenty of time in the water. I saw many large boats with big crowds of people, so I was glad we were on a small one. However, we did arrive back quite a bit later than the stated time so be aware that could happen and don't schedule something like a spa appointment right after. I have more details in my Western trip report on www.castawayclub.com
Barb

 

[Chattyaholic]

Thanks Barb!
That's the excursion I was kind of leaning towards, and you just confirmed it for me!

 

[JODIELYN]

You might also want to consider Cpt Marvins tours... we are using them for our 12/7 cruise and i have heard NOTHING but GOOD reviews...

Jodie

 

[Chattyaholic]

Jodielyn: Thanks, I did think about Captain Marvin's, but the worrier that I am decided to go with Disney because if you're on a Disney excursion and for some reason it doesn't get you back to the ship on time, they WILL wait...but I thought that if something happened on the Captain Marvin's excursion and we didn't make it back, we'd be outta luck....