zmanmorg Posted March 7, 2006 #1 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We are sailing in less than two weeks and I need to book a stingray tour in Grand Cayman. I've heard of Captain Marvins, but anyone have any other good experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffie Posted March 7, 2006 #2 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Last cruise we used Captain Bryan's Buccaneer. http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/Stingray_City_Buccaneer_Excursion.htm The catamaran and its times were perfect for us. We had a fabulous excursion. Here are some pictures from that day: http://community.webshots.com/album/530801710NJTzFf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleciajoyful1 Posted March 7, 2006 #3 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We used Moby Dick Tours for Stingray City. My best advice for you in Grand Cayman is to get off of the ship as early as possible. It took us 1 hour from the time we got in line for the tender until we were actually on the pier. They have 3 boats that go out for Stingray City, but they leave at 9am, 10am and 11am. We were on the last boat, and it was so crowded and the rays were full from the early boats so we did not get a great experience. If you do not book ahead, there were plenty of tour companies at the pier selling tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleciajoyful1 Posted March 7, 2006 #4 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We used Moby Dick Tours for Stingray City. My best advice for you in Grand Cayman is to get off of the ship as early as possible. It took us 1 hour from the time we got in line for the tender until we were actually on the pier. They have 3 boats that go out for Stingray City, but they leave at 9am, 10am and 11am. We were on the last boat, and it was so crowded and the rays were full from the early boats so we did not get a great experience. If you do not book ahead, there were plenty of tour companies at the pier selling tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntrine Posted March 7, 2006 #5 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Captain Marvins is the best. We were just in Grand Cayman last Wed off the Mariner and booked for our 3rd time with Captain Marvins! All the other boats we see are always so crowded. Our boat had no more than 20 people, plenty of seating, upper and lower for everyone. Great staff. We've bought the video twice. Organized and on time. we missed our tour getting a late start off the ship and they immediately put us on the next tour. They even give you a refreshing fresh water shower after the last stop. Considerate and kind staff. We even give a guy who had been left behind by his tour a lift back to the shore. The other boat he rejoined looked like it had over 100 people on it, jam packed!, no wonder they left one behind. Captain Marvins is top notch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted March 7, 2006 #6 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Native Way is our choice! used them three times and they are great and a small company. They try to take you away from the crowds. http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibrarianBecky Posted March 7, 2006 #7 Share Posted March 7, 2006 My DH and I also used Nativeway when we were in Grand Cayman 2.5 years ago. We LOVED them and cannot say enough good things about them. It was honestly the highlight of our first cruise (which is really saying something since we had a fabulous time!). I would not hesitate to use them again--they were great! THe guides were wonderful--gave us lots of opportunity for pictures (me with stingray, DH with stingray, etc.) and had lots of interesting trivia about stingrays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyG Posted March 7, 2006 #8 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I'll throw my hat in the ring for Captain Bryan. We were just there last March with him and we made 2 snorkeling stops before Stingray City. He timed it so that we were there when there were very few other boats there. The guide on his trip was excellent, did underwater filming, etc. My vote is for Captain Bryan! BobbyG:cool: 18 days until the Serenade of the Seas!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broch Posted March 7, 2006 #9 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I can't speak about the others but we used Nativeway last year and I can't speak highly enough about them. It was their attention to there passengers that overwhelmed me. The care they took to ensure safety. I am a non swimmer and they watched me like a hawk. One of the boys thanked me for telling them I was a non swimmer because he gets annoyed if he does not know "only by knowing he said can I keep an eye on you". He made sure my life jacket was on correctly and insisted in helping me in and out of the water. When we were picture taking he made sure everyone had a good position. Probably the fact they do take smaller amounts of people out is why they can give this attention. I hope you can get booked with them as I am sure they will look after you. I see Iamthesea has given you the link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherin65 Posted March 7, 2006 #10 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We used Nativeway last year and are going with them again this year. We loved Sharon, her dh, and crew. Sher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjerryw Posted March 7, 2006 #11 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Another vote for Captain Marvin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXASMUNK Posted March 7, 2006 #12 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Ditto...Captain Marvin's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzz Posted March 7, 2006 #13 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Capt Marvins..make sure that the videotographer is on the tour u book....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
designermillion Posted March 7, 2006 #14 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We went with the ship excursion. I have no idea the name of the company they use. The boats weren't that great, but they did the job. They also talk you into buying a vhs tape of your adventure. The tour guide we had didn't shave her legs!! That really grossed my husband & I out. lol Other than that, it was alot of fun. They took us to the coral wall to snorkel for about an hour. Ran into some friendly sharks, and thimble jelly fish. We were told it was their mating season & they were dying off & wouldn't sting. Well, they lied. Everytime one touched my face, neck or shoulders, I felt BIZZZzzzzzzz. It wasn't painful, but annoying. When I got back to the ship I had what looked like mosquito bites all over. Stingray city was fun, however we were told once we got there that we couldn't wear flippers or water shoes. I jumped out of the boat, and soon realized I couldn't touch the bottom (I'm 5'5). I panicked when I saw these large black things swimming pretty fast towards me. I was worried that as I was swimming to the sand bar, I would hit one the wrong way & get stung. They were everywhere! It was like a feeding frenzy. I made my husband carry me back to the boat. He decided to goto the sandbar, and said he felt a little uncomfortable because there were so many people & so many stingrays. They were bumping into you constantly. Overall I had an enjoyable time, but will avoid the stingrays next time :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSCruiser Posted March 7, 2006 #15 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Another vote for Nativeway - do the full excursion including Rum Point - what a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelin269 Posted March 7, 2006 #16 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I can't speak about the others but we used Nativeway last year and I can't speak highly enough about them. It was their attention to there passengers that overwhelmed me. The care they took to ensure safety. I am a non swimmer and they watched me like a hawk. One of the boys thanked me for telling them I was a non swimmer because he gets annoyed if he does not know "only by knowing he said can I keep an eye on you". He made sure my life jacket was on correctly and insisted in helping me in and out of the water. When we were picture taking he made sure everyone had a good position. Probably the fact they do take smaller amounts of people out is why they can give this attention. I hope you can get booked with them as I am sure they will look after you. I see Iamthesea has given you the link Ally, Being that you are a non-swimmer as I am. Did you to snorkeling? I am just curious because I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffie Posted March 7, 2006 #17 Share Posted March 7, 2006 My mother was virtually a non-swimmer and did great, especially with the life vests they provide. Once you get to the spot where you can stand up you will feel very comfortable with the water. Maybe this will help to show you the depth of the water: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncoz1 Posted March 7, 2006 #18 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We did http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html last year and will do so again this year. Small group, great crew, nice people. Can't say enough good things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suntrine Posted March 7, 2006 #19 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Ally, Being that you are a non-swimmer as I am. Did you to snorkeling? I am just curious because I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Thanks. We just did Captain Marvin's last week with my Dad who cannot swim. The tour staff in the office notified the captain of our boat before we left. Even though they told us at the office there would be a 25 foot swim to the sandbar, the Captain backed the boat close enough to the sandbar that it was Not over our heads(up to our necks..5 feet) but only 3 or 4 steps with the life vest on and you were in the shallow water up to your waist. My Dad was able to enjoy the stingrays with us on the sandbar. He did not go snorkeling but again, the Captain and his crew made sure they fed the fish very close to the boat so that my Dad could enjoy seeing them in the crystal clear water. Captain Marvins was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KamloopsCruisers Posted March 7, 2006 #20 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We booked with Nativeway last February - did the stingray, Rum Point excursion. A perfect 10. The BEST excursion we've ever taken (and we've taken many). So, another vote for Sharon, Eldon and their fine crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broch Posted March 7, 2006 #21 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Ally, Being that you are a non-swimmer as I am. Did you to snorkeling? I am just curious because I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Thanks. Well I did snorkle of a kind. As you have a vest on it is not so good to get down into the water but Nativeway had a long line with a bhoy at the end of it and I was told to hold on to the line and I was able to stay in one place and put my head in the water without being swept away. They also provide masks and snorkles as well as vests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC Cruiser Posted March 7, 2006 #22 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Ditto for Nativeway. We did the R-R-R tour and had a fantastic time. There was a videographer on our tour and I'm waiting for the DVD of our excursion to be sent to us. That should be fun to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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