MSC tendering at Grand Cayman? Stingrays?

[Touringmom]

 How long does it take to get off the ship at Grand Cayman? Trying to organize a private tour rather than a ship one. Thinking that might be a better way to see the stingrays without quite so many people? If anyone has experience with either, would love to hear your thoughts on tender timing and process and stingray excursions with the ship versus privately? The time we have in Cayman is so short - only 6 hours! 

[GOLDENBONNY]

1 hour ago, Touringmom said:

 How long does it take to get off the ship at Grand Cayman? Trying to organize a private tour rather than a ship one. Thinking that might be a better way to see the stingrays without quite so many people? If anyone has experience with either, would love to hear your thoughts on tender timing and process and stingray excursions with the ship versus privately? The time we have in Cayman is so short - only 6 hours! 

No one knows how long its gonna take but first they let out Yacht club then black members ,then excursions ,then regular customers. Stingray city it's a small sandbar in middle of sea. No matter how private your excursion you will end up in same place with 1000 people. 

[tobyt]

Hello, have never tendered with MSC but it depends on how quickly and what number you receive. Loved our non cruise ship stingray event, great memories and there were all of 15 with several non swimmers adding another 5 onboard so  much better than the giant cruise ship tours, lots of attention!

[psmarkle]

Touring Mom:

 

It's been a few years since we did Stingray City, but have used Capt Bryan's tours several times.  You let him know which ship/date/approx time you expect to be ashore and go from there. Walking distance from where the tenders drop you off.  I think he kept his tour to about 12 people (don't quote me on that number, but was never a big group).  He takes you out to the stingrays and it's a much more personal experience vs the double-decked boats carrying throngs from the cruise ship excursions. He actually anchored away from the larger boats.

 

Hope that helps!  It's a blast to feed them...feels like putting a vacuum cleaner hose to your hand!

[Bet_The_Field]

Can't help you on timing re: tendering as we were YC front of the line.

 

We did arguably my favorite cruise excursion ever with Dexter.  Stingrays, snorkeling, and an overall great relaxing day.   Eight of us did a half day tour with him and IMO it was very reasonable.

 

https://www.dexters-fantaseatours.com/

 

 

[Robinsoncruiseso]

It is a very short tender ride to shore.  We used capt marvins and it was awesome. Took us two tries. First time swells were too large and our Capt cancelled the port stop. Second time was almost a repeat. Big swells. After about an hour delay, the Captain allowed us to go ashore, however, all ship sponsored snorkeling/stingray tours were cancelled. Thank goodness Capt Marvin’s still took us out and seas were wonderful and sites were not crowded.