*** PHOTO Trip Journal aboard Carnival's CONQUEST (Sept. 2012, Caribbean) ***

[daliflor]

 

 

 

Stingray City is in the shallow waters of the northwest corner of Grand Cayman's North Sound.

 

It is just inside a natural channel that passes through the barrier reef and consists of a string of sandbars

crossing the North Sound from Morgan Harbour to Rum Point.

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

VIDEO (visitors can pet and interact with the southern stingrays):

 

 

Some took a snorkeling trip in the heart of the sandbar where the water is only 3 to 5 feet deep.

 

 

Passengers disembark and enter the chest-high water to interact with the stingrays.

 

 

 

We were also able to see some dolphins that Wednesday (September 27, 2012)!

 

[daliflor]

 

It may be that stingrays began gathering in the area decades ago when fisherman returned from an excursion,

navigated behind a reef into the sound, and cleaned their fish in the calm water of the shallows and sandbar area.

 

The fish guts were thrown overboard and the stingrays eventually congregated to feast on the discarded guts.

 

 

 

Soon the stingrays associated the sound of a boat engine with food.

 

As this practice turned into a tradition, divers realized that the stingrays could be fed by hand.

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

Passengers disembark and enter the chest-high water to interact with the stingrays.

 

The boat Captain brings along with them pails of chunked-up squid meat dispensed by hand to the animals

(attracting various creatures to the feeding spot).

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

Our Stingray City tour lasted approximately 3 hours

(we spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City before heading for snorkeling at the reef).

 

Complimentary refreshments were available for the entire duration of the trip (i.e. iced water, fruit punch, sodas).

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

VIDEO (Stingray City - the sandbar area at the North Sound):

 

 

 

We spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City. Great fun!

 

Then we were heading for our next 45 minutes stop - snorkeling at the reef.

 

It was a glorious day, so the complimentary refreshments provided were more than welcomed!

 

[daliflor]

 

 

The second leg of our Stingray City tour involved about 45 minutes spent at a beautiful SNORKELING reef,

not far away from the Stingray City:

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

We got company at this fantastic SNORKELING stop in Grand Cayman!

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

The second leg of our Stingray City tour - 45 minutes spent at a beautiful SNORKELING reef in Grand Cayman

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

VIDEO (snorkeling stop in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

VIDEO (snorkeling stop in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

A quick summary of what was covered by this Stingray City excursion that soon comes to an end:

 

1). Reasonable cost: $25.00 USD/pp paid up-front, directly at the Pier in Grand Cayman/ George Town.

 

2). The Stingray City tour lasted approximately 3 hours (we spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City

and then another 45 minutes snorkeling at the reef).

 

Had a fantastic time and the weather couldn't be more beautiful!

 

2). Complimentary refreshments were included and were available for the entire duration of the boat ride

(i.e. iced water, fruit punch, sodas).

 

Drinks came in handy as typically it's hot-hot-hot and one has to hidrate often!

 

3). The atmosphere aboard the boat was informal and very much laid back.

 

One can move around as (s)he wishes (staying inside or outside); even dancing is encouraged!

 

4). The Boat Captain was knowledgeable, funny and friendly.

 

He lead petty much by example and took care of everything and everyone, making this experience a memorable one!

 

 

 

*** Stingray City is a protected marine environment, and everyone should be dedicated to preserving its natural beauty.

[daliflor]

 

 

BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club (Grand Cayman, September 27th 2012)

 

 

 

VIDEO (our Boat Captain preparing some "clean" SHELLS for us to take home):

 

[daliflor]

 

 

VIDEO (our Boat Captain preparing some more "clean" SHELLS for us to take home):

 

 

 

 

HOT day, so the Captain goes again into the water that Wednesday afternoon (September 27, 2012):

 

 

VIDEO (our Captain getting into the water behind the boat):

[daliflor]

 

 

 

BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

 

[Whoop98]

Loving your review!!!! We were actually on the Magic at the same time. I found it funny how the Conquest would leave ports before us, but the next morning we were docking first.

[daliflor]

 

 

 

All good things come to an end eventually and our Stingray City Tour was no exception...

 

 

We had a fabulous time and the crew was great too!

 

 

We disembark the boat at the Yacht Club as ANOTHER GROUP got ready for their own journey to the Stingray City!

 

 

 

The van ride back to the Pier in George Town, Grand Cayman was a breeze and

we had plenty of time left to explore the area by foot for the remaining of the afternoon!

 

 

Thanks againg for joining us (virtually) on this adventure!

 

~ To be continued soon! ~

[daliflor]

Loving your review!!!! We were actually on the Magic at the same time.

 

I found it funny how the Conquest would leave ports before us, but the next morning we were docking first.

 

Exactly! We also felt like we had a head start to then ironically enough find ourselves behind... the "Magic!" : - ))

 

BTW - Met some wonderful people from your sailing that week,

including two great couples from Puerto Rico, one living in Texas currently.

 

 

Thank you for taking time to comment and shall be back soon with more of sunny Grand Cayman

(not to mention the Sail-away with Carnival's Magic in the background!)!

[douglinc@msn.com]

Excellent review and pictures, brings back memories of the Conquest.

 

Doug

[daliflor]

Excellent review and pictures, brings back memories of the Conquest.

 

Doug

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

Hoping that you'll soon "catch up" and return to the 'upgraded' Conquest!

[daliflor]

At the end of our Stingray City excursion, we checked to make sure that

our cruise ship, Carnival's Conquest, was still where we expected it to be.

 

 

And it was (with Carnival's Liberty also present behind it)!

 

 

There was also the beautiful Carnival's Magic:

 

 

 

Few more hours left in George Town, Grand Cayman - time to explore the area some more!

 

 

Next stop: Grand Cayman's famous MARGARITAVILLE!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 14, 2012 by daliflor

[daliflor]

 

"Aye-aye cap'n, we see land!"

 

"Look out, Parrot heads! Jimmy has hit the high seas again and he's bringing a boatload of excitement your way!

 

His latest conquest is on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, now home to our biggest and newest outpost, Margaritaville Cayman."

 

 

Margaritaville Cayman has been serving up a giant order of fun since it opened in September 2006,

only steps away from the tender pier in the heart of bustling Georgetown.

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

Open Mondays to Saturdays, Margaritaville Cayman is the place to enjoy a world-famous Cheeseburger in Paradise,

washed down with a refreshing tropical margarita to go.

 

 

 

 

Just like the other Caribbean locations, Margaritaville Cayman is "wet by day and wild by night."

 

 

Cheers!