balanceok Posted December 21, 2004 #1 Share Posted December 21, 2004 We are planning on booking the snorkel trip to Stingray City and want to avoid the prices and crowds of the cruise excursion. Can anyone recommend one of these over the other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwlane Posted December 21, 2004 #2 Share Posted December 21, 2004 For us, Capt. Bryan couldn't have been better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robcool Posted December 22, 2004 #3 Share Posted December 22, 2004 I just got back from Captain Marvin's, and it was a great trip. Sounds like you can't go wrong with either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillB Posted December 22, 2004 #4 Share Posted December 22, 2004 Dear jwlane: Approx. how many people were on your tour? If there were any children aboard, were the staff good with children as well as adults? Any details about why you enjoyed your tour with Capt. Bryan's so much would be very much appreciated, as we are trying to decide between Capt. Bryan's catamaran and Capt. Marvin's boat. Thanks very much, Jillb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cujosmom Posted December 24, 2004 #5 Share Posted December 24, 2004 We just got back and we did Captain Bryan. This was the best decision we ever made. The catamaran could hold up to 35 people but there were only SIX people on our afternoon Stingray City/Snorkel Tour ($34 per person). When we got to Stingray City and saw all those other boats with dozens of people on them, I just couldn't believe how lucky we were. (A couple boats must have had at least 100 people on them!!) There was even a professional photographer on board that took photos and you could buy them if you wanted. I got some pretty good pictures, though, using a cheapo Fugi water camera, though. You can see some of the photos and the boat on the following link: http://community.webshots.com/user/panamacanal2004 For the snorkeling part, there were snorkel vests, masks, snorkels and fins to use. You cannot go wrong with Captain Bryan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&M cruiseaholics Posted December 24, 2004 #6 Share Posted December 24, 2004 My wife and I and our two daughters 18 and 21 took Captain Bryan in March 2003 and had a great time. I would prefer a catamaran over a boat any time. The girls were able to lay out and sun on the catamaran on the way out and back - it's much more comfortable than a boat. There were maybe 40 people on the trip. We were on Hannibal catamaran. My wife and I are scheduled to take Captain Bryan again in early January on the Buccaneer. Hannibal is $34 pp while the Buccaneer is $39 pp (Hannibal was sold out). Buccaneer has a pay bar on board while Hannibal does not. In 2003, we arrived at the stingray site and it was very crowded. Captain Bryan decided to change course and do the snorkeling portion of the trip first. We then doubled back to the stingray site with much less traffic. The Hannibal I believe leaves at 9:00 while the Buccaneer leaves at 10:00 (they advertise that the Buccaneer arrives at the site at a lull between the first group of boats and the afternoon group - we'll see). Captain Bryan also taught many of the passengers how to hold and kiss the stingrays. It was great - and comfortable!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooganbs Posted December 31, 2004 #7 Share Posted December 31, 2004 My wife and I and our two daughters 18 and 21 took Captain Bryan in March 2003 and had a great time. I would prefer a catamaran over a boat any time. The girls were able to lay out and sun on the catamaran on the way out and back - it's much more comfortable than a boat. There were maybe 40 people on the trip. We were on Hannibal catamaran. My wife and I are scheduled to take Captain Bryan again in early January on the Buccaneer. Hannibal is $34 pp while the Buccaneer is $39 pp (Hannibal was sold out). Buccaneer has a pay bar on board while Hannibal does not. In 2003, we arrived at the stingray site and it was very crowded. Captain Bryan decided to change course and do the snorkeling portion of the trip first. We then doubled back to the stingray site with much less traffic. The Hannibal I believe leaves at 9:00 while the Buccaneer leaves at 10:00 (they advertise that the Buccaneer arrives at the site at a lull between the first group of boats and the afternoon group - we'll see). Captain Bryan also taught many of the passengers how to hold and kiss the stingrays. It was great - and comfortable!!! Hello, My group wants a catamaran! Did you do it direct on the web? Thx BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joule Posted December 31, 2004 #8 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Hello, My group wants a catamaran! Did you do it direct on the web? Thx BC Hi there, I just booked a trip with Capt Bryan when I am in port on January 13th. I called them directly and gave them a credit card to hold the reservation. I spoke with a woman named Merites and she told me that they don't charge the card until you get there. If your boat doesn't make it into shore, they don't ever charge your card. If you go through some of the other online advertisers, they may ask for a deposit up front. I found calling was better. I asked for and received a confirmation of my reservation by email. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nybumpkin Posted December 31, 2004 #9 Share Posted December 31, 2004 I booked online through the website. They first send you an e-mail confirming availability for your selected date/time and a link to their secure server to book the trip. Once you do that, they send you another e-mail with a confirmation that you are booked. Very easy and very prompt. I did see another post advising that you should bring with you a printed copy of your confirmation. You should note that the balance due must be paid with cash or traveller's checks only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooganbs Posted January 1, 2005 #10 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Hi there, I just booked a trip with Capt Bryan when I am in port on January 13th. I called them directly and gave them a credit card to hold the reservation. I spoke with a woman named Merites and she told me that they don't charge the card until you get there. If your boat doesn't make it into shore, they don't ever charge your card. If you go through some of the other online advertisers, they may ask for a deposit up front. I found calling was better. I asked for and received a confirmation of my reservation by email. Julie Hi Julie, What ship are you on? We are in port that day too, we are on the Jewel. Can you give me the number you called? Thx, Brenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwlane Posted January 1, 2005 #11 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Approx. how many people were on your tour? If there were any children aboard, were the staff good with children as well as adults?Any details about why you enjoyed your tour with Capt. Bryan's so much would be very much appreciated I believe there were 9 of us when we started the trip, so there was lots of room for lounging and relaxing. At the reef, we picked up 8-10 people that I guess were initially late and had ridden out on another boat. There was still plenty of room on the sail back in. Our 3 1/2 yr. old son was the only kid on the way out, but they were great with him! He got to steer the boat, play with the stuffed ray; really loved it! In fact, we'll be there again on Feb. 3. The catamaran has two trampoline-type areas to lounge on, just really relaxing and fun overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie&Rob Posted January 1, 2005 #12 Share Posted January 1, 2005 We'll be joining Capt Bryan on Feb 3rd as well from the Star Princess. We also booked on line, very easy to do. As nybumpkin said, they send an email to you that is not a confirmation. It has a link to book the actual reservation from there. They were quick to send the actual reservation confirmation, with instructions to bring it with you. Hope we'll see you on the 3rd jwlane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unique Posted January 2, 2005 #13 Share Posted January 2, 2005 We'll be joining Capt Bryan on Feb 3rd as well from the Star Princess. We also booked on line, very easy to do. As nybumpkin said, they send an email to you that is not a confirmation. It has a link to book the actual reservation from there. They were quick to send the actual reservation confirmation, with instructions to bring it with you. Hope we'll see you on the 3rd jwlane We are going in March and I was torn between Capt Marvin and Bryan but I think a catameran sounds more fun. Can you give me the email address? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellgirl99 Posted January 2, 2005 #14 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Can anyone provide me with the website to Captain Bryan's snorkel/stingray excursion? Thanks so much. Megan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p5woody Posted January 2, 2005 #15 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Try this link http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/StingrayCityCaptBryans.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joule Posted January 4, 2005 #16 Share Posted January 4, 2005 You called Grand Cayman? Ouch!! We used to own a timeshare there years ago and I can do call about my reservation once...never again. The call cost close to $50us!! I think its somewhere around $3 per minute so be carefull !! Oops... I called from work... oh well. I am surprised about the price to call there... wow! Well, I think next time I will email.. :) Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balanceok Posted January 4, 2005 Author #17 Share Posted January 4, 2005 I just sent an email request for February 5th for 4 adults. I'll post how things go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooganbs Posted January 4, 2005 #18 Share Posted January 4, 2005 I just booked 29 people on the 130pm snorkle on Jan 9th. I promise it will be a fun group! I used the live chat and then booked via the site. Really easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&M cruiseaholics Posted January 5, 2005 #19 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I booked Captain Bryan on the internet at http://www.caymanislandsdiscounts.com. I first wanted to book the Hannibal at $34, but it was sold out. They offered the Buccaneer at $39. Both are catamarans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balanceok Posted January 6, 2005 Author #20 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I just sent an email request for February 5th for 4 adults. I'll post how things go. The 9:30 am trip was sold out, but they recommended the Buccaneer Stingray City Excursion at 10:30 am. Apparently, this is also associated with Capt Bryan and is on the catamaran. Just a few weeks to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tluvs2talk Posted January 7, 2005 #21 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Our Ship arrives at 7:00. I saw where the 9:30-noon stingray city has to meet at 8:45. I am just worried I won't be off the ship in time to meet. They alway's let booked excursions through the ship tender in first. Do they pick you up at the pier or do you have to walk somewhere to meet them. We are on the NCL Majesty. Teri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwlane Posted January 7, 2005 #22 Share Posted January 7, 2005 It's about a 5 minute walk to their office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted January 7, 2005 #23 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Oops... I called from work... oh well. I am surprised about the price to call there... wow! Well, I think next time I will email.. :) Julie I called GC a number of times last year on an $20 ATT phone card from Sam's Club - price came out about 28 cents/minute. I have heard some horror stories about how much others have paid. Using a phone card, at least you know what the max damage is, even if you don't know what the per minute cost is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamelajs Posted January 7, 2005 #24 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Does anyone know if RCCL is docking at GC yet? I heard that there were some ships that weren't docking because the docks were still screwed up from the huriccanes. I know we are tendering in. I want to set up an excursion for that day Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrb123 Posted January 7, 2005 #25 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I hate to be dumb, but what is the difference between a boat and a catamaran? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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