If you've done Stingray City thru RCCI...

[Tralynn222]

I need to know about the boat that you take to the sandbar. Once there...is it easy to walk on and off the boat? My mother will be traveling with us and she has really bad knees. Is it something that she could do without me having to lift her back onto the boat??

[luvmy2doxs]

We did the stingray city through RCI last year and almost all the boats out at stingray city were about the same. You do have to climb up the ladder at the back of the boat to get back in. But the crew on our boat and probably most of the boats were very helpful with anybody in need. Just let them know that your mother will need this help before you get off. We had one older guy that was in trouble in the water and they immediately jumped in and got him back on the boat. He just got to tired but this was at our snorkeling stop after we did stingray city.

[Tralynn222]

We did the stingray city through RCI last year and almost all the boats out at stingray city were about the same. You do have to climb up the ladder at the back of the boat to get back in. But the crew on our boat and probably most of the boats were very helpful with anybody in need. Just let them know that your mother will need this help before you get off. We had one older guy that was in trouble in the water and they immediately jumped in and got him back on the boat. He just got to tired but this was at our snorkeling stop after we did stingray city.

 

Sondra,

Does the ladder go all the way to the sea floor or is it one of the dangly ones?? That will make all the difference in the world. Thanks for responding!!

[Kruzeagain]

Most small boat ladders are dangly types. Some are the rope style and others are a bit more substantial (utilizing aluminum vertical posts and wider steps) but the reality is that they all hang down in the water. It wouldn't be wise for a boat to have a fixed attachment touching the sea bottom because even the slightest wave could damage the ladder or the brackets that attach it to the boat's swim platform.

 

There are 2 stingray tours to 2 spots. One is at the shallow sandbar (approx 4 ft deep) and the other is in deeper water. Make sure you've chosen the shallow water excursion.

 

And also, once the boat has left the dock be sure to identify the excursion group leader and slip him/her a few bucks ahead of time and identify the reason for the advance tip.

 

You will all love it!

 

Happy Cruising,

Alan