Not to be missed shore excursions HELP

[MelissaDBA]

Am now begging for advice as to ideas for not to be missed excursions in Grand Cayman!

I am in charge (eek) of figuring it all out for 4 adults, mid 40's; 4 teens and an 8 yr old...ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

We sail on Caribbean Princess July 30th, Western Carib itinerary.

:confused: :cool: :rolleyes:

[rarodg2]

From what I have read the stingray sandbar is a "not to be missed" spot. We are going on an excursion with Nativeway Water Sports (www.nativewaywatersports.com). We are going to the stingray sandbar for some swimming with the stingrays and then snorkeling at Coral Gardens. HTH.
Rebecca

[TheWog]

Stingray City

[konthego]

stingray city is the best. skip Hell (it is a post office and a store that sells Postcards and tee shirts that say you've been to Hell. )

[explorersummer05]

STINGRAY CITY!!!!! Rum Point is a fun area too...usually not as crowded as in town. I would say don't go to Hell...just iron shore and a post office. I would skip the turtle farm too...it wasn't much before the hurricane and I hear it is less since.

[Sandman44]

I highly recommend Moby Dick Tours trip to stingray city and snorkeling. Mark and Zac will provide a great trip for your group.

[tpcwags]

Hi,

I booked my family (20 people) on Nativeway's Stingray City Tour and they did a fantastic job.

I had booked Stingray City through the cruiseline on a previous cruise and Nativeway was far less people (our group and one other of about 15 people). Of course once you get to Stingray City there are many other boats there.

You don't have to worry about finding them, they met us right at the pier where we were dropped off, which is exactly where all of the cruise booked tours were met.

The 5 members of my family who did the Island tour of Turtle Farm, Hell and Rum Cake Factory were disappointed in Hell and said that the other stops were OK.

Go to Stingray City, get booked and everything will go well for you and your group.

I hope this was helpful, enjoy your cruise.

Charlie

[serene56]

Stingray city will be an awesome "cheap" experince for the kids- especially the age group you have going.
I think your teens will be bored at the turtle farm but your 8 year old MIGHT love it. Hell is a tourist trap.

Booking stingray city outside of the cruiselines will save you almsot 50%

Using any of the vendors listed here will give you a better tour- less people for less money. (dont forget to buy your underwater cameras)

[MelissaDBA]

Thanks for the replies to my questions on excursions for our upcoming cruise on Caribbean Princess...My group thanks you!!!:D

[DeAnnaC]

We did the Stingray city/snorkel tour last August.

Our group was 2 adults, one grandma, 2 kids - 12 and 9.

Grandma got in and did some snorkeling, but spent most of the time on the boat taking video and pictures of us in the water. We did buy the DVD they sold - they delivered it before our ship left port, and after dinner grandpa and grandma came to our room and we watched it on the DVD player in our laptop.

It was the most awesome experience. We saw the kids' faces light up when the nurse shark swam just 15 ft below us and the boat driver was taunting an eel with squid - oh, so cool... We are going again this August (the kids loved the cruise but said they wanted to visit Grand Cayman again) so we are booking another trip to do the Stingray city/snorkel. I would say it was the best part of our cruise last year.

I just asked my now 13yr old if he wanted to do the glass bottom boat - he said "why, if we snorkel, I can be in the water with the same stuff.."

I would suggest giving each kid their own waterproof camera, and giving some lessons on using the viewfinder before leaving. We have lots of pictures of feet in the ocean..not much else except what grandma took :)

It's a must-do.

[Sheffie]

I agree with all the comments above: you MUST do Stingray City! I have compiled a list of a lot of the vendors that people here on CC have recommended. I have friends who also chartered the Red Baron for about what it would cost you for your number of excursions. (Check out this link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=146389&highlight=red+baron ) That might be a good option.

You will have a wonderful time!

Sailboats:

Buccaneer: http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/Stingray_City_Buccaneer_Excursion.htm (http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/Stingray_City_Buccaneer_Excursion.htm)

Captain Bryan’s: http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/StingrayCityCaptBryans.htm (http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/StingrayCityCaptBryans.htm)

Motorized:

Captain Marvin’s: http://www.captainmarvins.com (http://www.captainmarvins.com/)

Nativeway: http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html (http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html)

Sotos: http://www.sotoscruises.com (http://www.sotoscruises.com/)

Kelly’s Watersports http://www.kellyswatersports.com (http://www.kellyswatersports.com/)

[Sheffie]

I just looked and found this site for the Red Baron. 1/2 day rate is $400 for up to 10 people. Here is the link: http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/RedBaronRates.htm

[fishoutofwater]

We went to Stingray City when we went to Cayman. At the time our daughter was 5. Still to this day she remembers that out of all our cruises. I do think that was the best time we had as a family. ( 3 kids and my husband) We are thinking about doing it again this year.

[Amy1969]

This sound like a definate no-miss excursion!!! Is this an Ok activity for a water-loving 4 year old? If not...are there any recs on what to to with him and DH while I am out w/ 9y/o?

Thanks!
Amy:D