Booking Stingray City Tour, How Far in Advance???

[daneicy80]

How far in advance do you suggest booking a tour to swim with the stingrays?? I was thinking about using Soto's or Captain Marvin's but it is only eleven days until my cruise, is it too late??

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[daneicy80]

Also.... Is it just better to wait until we arrive at the island?? Will there be tour guides at the pier offering to take you out?? Or can you go to their office on the island and book for that day?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[G-Man]

Book Capt MArvins. Had a great time and they were very good. and book now.

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3/28 Spring Break Family Victory Cruise

[pklopp]

We went with Soto's and they were good and reasonable. Would also suggest that you contact either one now.
Peggy

[st louis mo]

We've done ship based and, while on vacation direclty to GC, both Sotos and Capt Marvins--to gain some different flavors. My general observation is no matter who you use, you'll enjoy it. Go ahead and call whomever you think you want to use, and just see if they have openings--worse thing is they'll say no, and you go onto someone else.

[daneicy80]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I e-mailed Soto's last night and they said they had room for my party of three on April 21st so I went ahead and booked it this morning. I'm really looking forward to it. Anyone got any reviews of Soto's? Thanks.

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[Ecthelion]

I booked Sotos for a group of 25 the week before. Didn't have any problems.

3/14 Conquest
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[Ecthelion]

Sotos picked us up at the specified place a short walk from the dock. They were actually a little early. Other people going with them never showed up and I know they waited at least half an hour for them.

They have a nice bus that takes you to their dock. Once there, you pay for the trip and get outfitted. The equipement is pretty standard, no complaints there. The boats they have are nice sized and can accomodate about 30 people each. We had a group of 25 so our boat was full, but not crowded. There is a head on board. Didn't need it personally, but didn't hear any complaints about it. There were coolers with free water and punch if you get thirsty or want to rinse the saltwater out of your mouth.

Once on board, they take you out for 2 stops to go snorkeling. The areas were nice with lots of fish. Then to the stingray area. There were absolutely tons of boats and people there when we went. Not too crowded though, and plenty of stingrays to go around. Your guide will catch one and let people pet and hold it. Holding one was very cool. The guide will also provide chopped squids to feed them. Once you are done swimming, they have fresh water to rinse with.

After the stingrays, it's back to the dock, and a bus ride back to the port. The trip was very nice and the guides were professional. I'd recommend them, especially for the price.

I did notice that some of the other boats that other tours used were bigger and offered more services. By this, I mean that they were big enough to sell food and drinks on board. I didn't notice what tours those were though. We didn't go on the trip for food and drinks, so Sotos was very nice. Book with them and you'll have a great time.

One tip, if the guide offers to show you the bottom side of the stingray, close your eyes. When they lift the mouth of the stingray out of the water, they squirt a jet of water out of their mouths. Kinda funny as long as you don't get saltwater in your eyes.

3/14 Conquest
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[daneicy80]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience Ecthelion. It sounds like you really enjoyed yourself. I am so looking forward to our trip on the 21st.

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[daneicy80]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have just returned from my cruise and the excursion with Soto's was great! I highly recommend them to anyone. Water was a little rough at our first snorkeling stop but it was still enjoyable and the stingrays were amazing. And for $24pp you can't beat the price. Do not hesitate to book with Soto's, everone was friendly and made sure we each had time to hold/feed the rays. Thanks for all the advice!

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[brn2crz]

Do you know what age they allow..I have a 5 yo..
Will be 5 in Nov,we cruise in Sept.


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RCI-Rhapsody- 2003
RCI-Rhapsody- 2004
until the return to the Rhapsody of the Seas
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[daneicy80]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by brn2crz:
Do you know what age they allow..I have a 5 yo..
Will be 5 in Nov,we cruise in Sept.


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=505103011"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=505103011[/url]
RCI-Rhapsody- 2003
RCI-Rhapsody- 2004
until the return to the Rhapsody of the Seas
[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;09;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;09;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/url]
[url="http://heathersanimations.com/Fish2/netdiver.gif"]http://heathersanimations.com/Fish2/netdiver.gif[/url]
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I imagine that would be fine but to be sure you should contact them, there is a link on their website. They were very quick to answer when I sent them a question. Enjoy!

Serenade of the Seas 11/27/04
Carnival Triumph 4/17/04
Majesty of the Seas 1996
The Big Red Boat 1995
Viking Serenade 1990
Oceania 1986

[flor]

We just got back from our Voyager cruise. Four of us we played everything by ear and had an awesome time. When we got off in grand cayman there were tours being offered at the pier. We chose the Stingray /Snorkeling tour for $35 pp. We had and awesome time.Higlly recommend them and we got an option to purchase a video ( great!). Our dinner mates booked through the shop they paid $70 pp and did not enjoy it. They said the tour was packde and they didnt have an option of the video. Ours was a group of 10 and we all got individual attention.Highly recommend them!