CocoCay Excursion Question

[chauncy's wife]

Hi All,

 

First time cruiser here going on Monarch late August. I was wondering whether purchasing an excursion really has any benefit when it comes to snorkeling? If I've got my own equipment, can't I find my way to the sunken plane & other hot areas? Is it really necessary for the staff to escort me out to those locations? Will I feel like a third wheel if I happen across a group of paying passengers snorkeling while I'm doing the "do it yourself" tour? I'd like to save as much money as possible & it just seems like a no brainer to me that if I already know how to snorkel, I don't need assistance & can explore on my own. Any & all comments & suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[OV8]

Hi All' date='

 

First time cruiser here going on Monarch late August. I was wondering whether purchasing an excursion really has any benefit when it comes to snorkeling? If I've got my own equipment, can't I find my way to the sunken plane & other hot areas? Is it really necessary for the staff to escort me out to those locations? Will I feel like a third wheel if I happen across a group of paying passengers snorkeling while I'm doing the "do it yourself" tour? I'd like to save as much money as possible & it just seems like a no brainer to me that if I already know how to snorkel, I don't need assistance & can explore on my own. Any & all comments & suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks![/quote']

 

Great question & from all I gathered, you can snorkel all you want on your own.

However, because it is RCL's private island & their liability issue, you will need to rent a life jacket.

 

Here is a recent discussion: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1030580&highlight=

 

 

Would luv to hear your views after reading that.

[Chelsea17]

I would love to know where that plane is! Last July I couldn't find it - snorkeled on my own (although I did not ask anyone - maybe I should have). Perhaps you only see it if you are on the "paid" snorkeling excursion?

 

I'll be on the Monarch 8/21 and was wondering about this also.

 

Deborah

[karena1]

I would love to know where that plane is! Last July I couldn't find it - snorkeled on my own (although I did not ask anyone - maybe I should have). Perhaps you only see it if you are on the "paid" snorkeling excursion?

 

I'll be on the Monarch 8/21 and was wondering about this also.

 

Deborah

 

Nope you can find it on your own, it is way out by the last life guard on the right past the platform. Tons of fish by it.

 

You can snorkel all over CocoCay, no reason to take the excursion. If you don't have your own jacket, you can rent one. We have the yellow inflatable ones and just keep them in our snorkel bag. I don't like to be in deep water without a jacket so I always wear mine anyway.

[Chelsea17]

OV8 - I passed over your post and didn't see the link you provided. I saw the information - thank you. I didn't go out past the lifeguard chairs last year. This year I definitely will.

 

Thanks,

Deborah

[OV8]

I would love to know where that plane is! Last July I couldn't find it - snorkeled on my own (although I did not ask anyone - maybe I should have). Perhaps you only see it if you are on the "paid" snorkeling excursion?

 

I'll be on the Monarch 8/21 and was wondering about this also.

 

Deborah

 

 

I hope this helps you: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=13954833

 

Let me know what you think. I am doing same research!

[OV8]

Nope you can find it on your own, it is way out by the last life guard on the right past the platform. Tons of fish by it.

.

 

How deep is it over there by the plane/lifeguard do you think? Thanks

[F5Loar]

We were there 2 weeks ago and took our own snorkel stuff. The shallow areas were full of the little jellyfish and they were biting.

We asked about that and were told they pretty bad this week and many yesterday were bitten but we have omintent for the bites.

We thought it would not be worth that the rest of week over seeing a few fish so decided best not to go in the water. Went back to ship and had all 4 pools by ourselves.

[frednsb]

Hi All' date='

 

First time cruiser here going on Monarch late August. I was wondering whether purchasing an excursion really has any benefit when it comes to snorkeling? If I've got my own equipment, can't I find my way to the sunken plane & other hot areas? Is it really necessary for the staff to escort me out to those locations? Will I feel like a third wheel if I happen across a group of paying passengers snorkeling while I'm doing the "do it yourself" tour? I'd like to save as much money as possible & it just seems like a no brainer to me that if I already know how to snorkel, I don't need assistance & can explore on my own. Any & all comments & suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks![/quote']

I have snorkeled at CoCo Cay five times! There is no guided tour. The excursion price is to rent equipment only. The boat and plane are right infront of the gear shack lagoon with life gaurds. You will have to rent a life vest though!

[Chelsea17]

I do have my own equipment so I definitely would not pay for the excursion, but I did think that in order to see the plane you had to go on the excursion. Glad I can see it on my own.

 

Also, thanks for the warning about the jelly fish! They were there last year at the end of July as well. I did get bit but I sucked it up and kept on snorkeling. I couldn't bear the thought of not snorkeling again for another year!

 

Thanks for all the helpful info everyone!

 

Deborah