After Soto's, what to do?

[CruisingCatherine]

We are booked on a half day snorkeling excursion with Soto's. I haven't heard much mention of other things to do in Georgetown. Are there any historical sites, good shopping, a great hang out? Any advice would be appreciated!!

[LisaRhea]

We are booked on Mariner on October. I would love to hear from you on tips of what to do, etc... I am currently looking at excursions - Soto's is one I am considering. HELP! I would love to hear from you.

 

Lisa

[CruisingCatherine]

Lisa;

 

We looked at many tour companies in Georgetown. The excusions from RCCL seemed very expensive compared to the locals. I have also heard on the boards that they are very crowded and hurried. Since there seems to be very little crime in the Caymans we felt comfortable booking with an outside agency.

 

We knew we wanted to snorkel and see stingray city. The Caymans are well known for snorkeling and diving. Since I am not a certified diver there didn't seem to be much of a choice.

 

Here are all of the links for the companies that came highly recommended on CC:

http://www.sotoscruises.com/

 

http://www.captainmarvins.com/

 

http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

 

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/CaptainBryan.htm

 

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/Stingray_City_Buccaneer_Excursion.htm

 

We are booked with Soto's. We liked the timing of their excursion, the facilities, the cancellation policy, and the fact that they go to two snorkeling reefs. It was also high on our list because of our Roll Call. Many of my CC friends will be going on this tour with us.

 

Nativeway, I didn't care for. If I remember correctly, they only have one reef stop and the timing of the excursion just didn't work for us. I have also heard so many negative things about them recently on the boards that I wouldn't trust them.

 

I really liked the two Catamaran tours. Especially the Buccaneer. However, there were some concerns with them. I had read a couple of reviews that stated the boat was extremely crowded. I called the company myself and was told that they will take as many as 50 people on board. Seemed too crowded for me. Also there were many reports of instances when they couldn't use the sails and had to use a motor. Not a big deal for me but my mother takes medication that makes it easy for her to burn. Without the sails my mother would have no shade. Didn't want sun poisoning!! I was still considering it though until I read their cancellation policy. That did me in. I urge you to read it carefully if you decide to go with this company.

 

Captain Marvin's we liked as well. Really the only reason we didn't go with him in the end was because so many CC Friends were already booked with Soto's. It was a toss up between Captain Marvin and Soto's. That ended up being the final decision maker.

 

Well, I hope this helps you decide. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[pringle]

We are booked with Soto's. We liked the timing of their excursion, the facilities, the cancellation policy, and the fact that they go to two snorkeling reefs.

 

I'm thinking of booking Soto's as well. What is their cancellation policy? I'd like some flexibility in case my 4 year old does not take well to the cruising (especially kids club) experience.

 

What do you think about not making a reservation and just seeing if they have an opening that day?

[obosix]

we are just off the VOS this past August 13. Did Soto's and was real pleased. To see about their cancellation policy check out their web site sotoscruises.com. We had done lots of research and got many opinions off this board. Had great time, as a matter of fact just received our picture diary from Ester the videographer and they came out great. After we were dropped back off at the pier we did some shopping as there is plenty right there. Some decided to hop a cab to "Hell" but we had fun browsing the shops there.

[CruisingCatherine]

Here is a copy of their cancellation policy:

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

4 days advance notice.

If the ship cannot dock because of weather conditions or arrives

very late and you miss the tour, you will not be charged. If we are

notified in advance in case of illness, there's no charge.

"No shows" are automatically charged 50%.

 

PLEASE NOTE IN CASE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS

IF YOUR SHIP MUST ANCHOR AT SPOTTS LANDING, PLS STAY THERE FOR PICKUP.

 

Most other places I checked wanted written notice, two weeks notice, ect. too extreme in my opinion for an excursion.

I don't know if I would wait if you are really interested. I have heard that they fill up quickly. I have also heard that the children really enjoy stingray island.

[pringle]

Here is a copy of their cancellation policy:

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

4 days advance notice.

If the ship cannot dock because of weather conditions or arrives

very late and you miss the tour, you will not be charged. If we are

notified in advance in case of illness, there's no charge.

"No shows" are automatically charged 50%.

 

PLEASE NOTE IN CASE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS

IF YOUR SHIP MUST ANCHOR AT SPOTTS LANDING, PLS STAY THERE FOR PICKUP.

 

 

Most other places I checked wanted written notice, two weeks notice, ect. too extreme in my opinion for an excursion.

 

I don't know if I would wait if you are really interested. I have heard that they fill up quickly. I have also heard that the children really enjoy stingray island.

 

Thank you. I think I will book with them.

[CruisingCatherine]

Bump:eek:

[LisaRhea]

Thanks for the info on Soto's! Do you have recommendations for Cozumel? We have 3 families going on Mariner in Oct. Can't wait!!:) :)

[CruisingCatherine]

http://www.islacozumel.com.mx/home.asp this is a good link for tourist information.

 

So far we have decided on a few excursions;

 

We are going to snuba. It is a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling. We wanted to go with a company called Mayan Paradise Tours. We have heard many good things about them. The price is very reasonable. Unfortuantely their current schedule will not allow us to use them we had to go with RCCL. But they are in the process of changing to a slow season schedule. Here is the link that tells you a little more about it http://www.snubacozumel.com/

 

After sunba we will be hitting Paradise Beach http://paradise-beach-cozumel.net/home_pbeach.php We have heard great things about them.

 

My mother is very interested in local history so we may also hit the local museum http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2804893-museo_de_la_isla_de_cozumel_cozumel-i Frommer's Travel guides highly recommend this.

 

For shopping we heard about Cinco Soles http://www.loscincosoles.com/mainwelcome.htm It is a mansion turned shopping center. Apparently each room is dedicated to some type of craft or art. Fabric, pottery, glass, wood carving, ect.

 

And of course close to the pier is Carlos and Charlie's a bar that comes highly recommended. Can't wait to try it out http://www.carlosn-charlies.com/

 

Well I hope this helps!