Sunrise Posted January 24, 2005 #1 Share Posted January 24, 2005 We were on the Grand Princess and arrived in GC on Wednesday. We booked ahead for Stingray city with Captain Bryans. Unfortunately they cancelled the tour due to rough seas -- they were really choppy. So we headed back to the pier to see what else we could do in town. I saw a guy holding a Nativeways sign for Stingray city and he said they were still going. So we went ahead and went with them. I was not impressed with the Nativeway boat -- it was SLOW and the engine roared so loud that they couldn't talk to us and give us the educational part. Also -- lots of acrid black smoke and fumes had to be endured by the poor folks at the back of the boat. The guides were great -- I give them lots of credit. They don't ask, but try to remember to tip them. There were only 4 other boats at Stingray city -- never seen so few people there. The water was choppy, but not dangerously so. We all felt very safe and had a great time. I personally would not book with Nativeway again just b/c the boat was lousy, but the personnel was good. If they have other boats then I would go -- we were on the long flat looking one that had a ladder to an upper deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbound Posted January 25, 2005 #2 Share Posted January 25, 2005 sorry you had a bad experience with the boat.. we have used Nativeway in the past and think they were excellent.. no problems with the boat we were on.. We're headed back in March and are already booked with Nativeway.. Mayve its just me, but I dont remember them giving any educational speeches about the island when we were there.. everyone just talked amongst theirselves till we got to where the stingrays were.. but maybe Im wrong.. They did afterwards take us to a place for snorkeling though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachygirl Posted January 26, 2005 #3 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Thanks for your honest opinion...Do you have any experience with Soto's or Captain Marvin's? I hear great things about both on these boards but I am trying to narrow it down. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBcruiser Posted January 26, 2005 #4 Share Posted January 26, 2005 We had a similar experience as well with Capt. Bryan on Thursday. They told us our tour was cancelled due to weather, but I later found out that we were the only two booked on the tour so they cancelled it. Luckily, Captain Marvins had room on their tour and we had a great time with them. Couldn't ask for better. NBcruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEERINH2O Posted January 26, 2005 #5 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I am sorry that you had that experience with Nativeway, Have used them twice. Both times great, they did have one boat that was hit hard in the hurricane, maybe it was the one that just went back in the water. We rented one of their entire boats on Thanksgiving day this year and it was great. We talked to the guides and they let the kids drive the boat, they told us about the island. I hope that you give them another chance. they are really great people. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mermaid40 Posted January 26, 2005 #6 Share Posted January 26, 2005 DEERINH2O How much was it to rent the whole boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbieSu Posted January 26, 2005 #7 Share Posted January 26, 2005 We had a similar experience as well with Capt. Bryan on Thursday. They told us our tour was cancelled due to weather, but I later found out that we were the only two booked on the tour so they cancelled it. Luckily, Captain Marvins had room on their tour and we had a great time with them. Couldn't ask for better. NBcruiser Thanks to you and the OP posting. We are booked with the Buccaneer next week and though I hope all goes well, I am now forwarned and will have a plan B. Su Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEERINH2O Posted January 27, 2005 #8 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Mermaid4, It cost us $400.00 to rent the boat, and there was nine of us in our group. We had two familys and split it down the middle. We had the boat to ourselves and we got alot of personal attention. The kids held so many stingrays and drove the boat and sunned on the decks, we snorkled at different spots and it was great. This is the one port we had decided to spend the most on excursions, so even though it was a bit pricey, we love Cayman and wanted to spend our money there, Would I do it again. Most definitly, we had five kids with us and the individual attention was worth every dime.;) Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBcruiser Posted January 27, 2005 #9 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Su, We were booked for the 9:30 tour on the catamaran, but the lady told us the weather was bad, but it would probably be better in time for the 10:30 buccaneer tour, and offered us that instead. After some prying, I figured out we were the only 2 people booked on the 9:30 tour, and it wasn't a problem with the weather after all. We didn't take the 10:30 tour with them because I was mad that the lady lied to me. When we were out with Capt. Marvin, the Buccaneer was there, with maybe 25 people on board, so you should be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbieSu Posted January 27, 2005 #10 Share Posted January 27, 2005 NBcruiser, I don't blame you for being mad. It is too bad they couldn't be upfront about needing a minimum number... Su Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setcarp Posted January 27, 2005 #11 Share Posted January 27, 2005 So is the moral to book on the slow, loud, and smokey boat instead of the one that stays tied to the dock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcliffebob Posted January 27, 2005 #12 Share Posted January 27, 2005 We are also going on Capt. Marvins in about two weeks. Did you go on the "three snorkle tour?" We were told they usually take about 20-25 customers. Any comments on the ship, the sites or the crew would be appreciated. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieQT Posted January 28, 2005 #13 Share Posted January 28, 2005 We were booked with Capt. Bryans a few weeks ago and the weather was too bad. We knew of at least 4 others on our trip, we were a group of 8. Captain Marvin's was still going, only because cruisers wanted to go. They were very honest and were not recommending it. I don't know how it ended up being, we didn't find anyone who went out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbieSu Posted January 28, 2005 #14 Share Posted January 28, 2005 So is the moral to book on the slow, loud, and smokey boat instead of the one that stays tied to the dock? LOL,,, Yup it would definitely seem that way. .. ;) Su Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBcruiser Posted January 28, 2005 #15 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Bob, We did the 3 stop tour. There was probably 25 people on our tour. The boat was clean and well maintained. There was a lady videotaping the tour, I think the DVD was $60, probably a good souvenir, but I didn't buy it, too expensive for me. The first stop I believe was called the Coral Gardens for snorkelling. It was good, but not as good as the second stop, the barrier reef. Lots more to see at the reef, our guide even lured a 4 ft long shark out of a hole in the reef for us to see. I think we saw a moray eel as well. Finally, at the stingrays, the tour guide made sure each person got a chance to hold a stingray if they wanted for a picture and they supplied squid to feed to them. As soon as we got off the boat there were probably 20 rays around us. We were probably 40 minutes at each spot and it was 30 minutes there, 30 minutes back. Overall, it was an excellent tour, and I would recommend Capt. Marvins to anybody. NBcruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcliffebob Posted January 28, 2005 #16 Share Posted January 28, 2005 NBCruiser, Thanks an awful lot for the info. I should ahave asked another question. Does Capt. Marvins use snorkle vests? I'm 6ft/ 220 lbs and can't swim. (almost drowned as a kid:-( Do non swimmers have anything to fear? But my wife and I are looking forward to this trip. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBcruiser Posted January 28, 2005 #17 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Bob, They did have snorkel vests for those who wanted to use them. I didn't so I can't tell you how they worked. I'm not a good swimmer but I found it quite easy to get around without them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted January 28, 2005 #18 Share Posted January 28, 2005 NBCruiser, Thanks an awful lot for the info. I should ahave asked another question. Does Capt. Marvins use snorkle vests? I'm 6ft/ 220 lbs and can't swim. (almost drowned as a kid:-( Do non swimmers have anything to fear? But my wife and I are looking forward to this trip. Bob All of the operators will have at least snorkel vests. Soto's Cruises has real life jackets if that is of interest. Not worn as you might normally, but across the chest and under your arms. Not confining, and if the water ever does get over your chest you will just bob (sorry) along. You might want to confirm they have not changed, but that is how it was last November and I don't know why they would change. Once again, my too many pictures will give you an idea of how it works. And yes, it was a little rough that day (but I loved it). zydecocruiser's Album:Conquest 11/7/04 Zydeco Cruise Click on the link above to view the 118 pictures in this album. As the recipient, you can download, re-share and order prints and merchandise containing these pictures. Please do not use the owner's pictures in an unexpected way. <IMG id=pageCounter height=1 width=1 border=0> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramsof7 Posted January 30, 2005 #19 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Zydecocruiser, those are terrific pictures. On the slide show, they went fast, and were very clear. What kind of camera did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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