Cinderellie Posted June 21, 2004 #1 Share Posted June 21, 2004 We have narrowed down our Stingray City tour choices to a larger, luxury ship who will video tape and do a 3 hour tour. People have raved about Buccaneer, which seemed to fit all our requirements. Their ships look great, new, impressive (which my husband likes.) They publish their prices, which are reasonable -- $39 per adult, and offer free transportation. If you've been on their tour, please rate it, with pros and cons. Also, was it really crowded? Thanks so much. Cinderellie Honeymoon Dolphin 1982 Royal Caribbean 1985 NCL Norway 1989 Chandris Bermuda 1990 Princess Alaska 1993 Big Red Boat 1998 Disney Magic 2002 8/29 Carnival Conquest Getaway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopermom Posted June 26, 2004 #2 Share Posted June 26, 2004 We were on the Buccaneer last week. There were 8 in our party and probably 15-20 others. There is plenty of room to spread out on the boat. The trip was very organized and the guides very helpful at both the stingray area and the snorkeling area. I would highly recommend this trip! The only complaint is how fast the time goes at each stop! The 3 hours flew by - I think the shorter trips would have been very frustrating! Have fun... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanabanana Posted June 27, 2004 #3 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Where is the website for this excursion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel in FL Posted June 27, 2004 #4 Share Posted June 27, 2004 My sister and I did this tour in April. While my sister was scared to death at Stingray City, she did finally get off the boad and actually touched a Stingray. She loved the rest of snorkeling stops. I loved it all and think this is the tour to take. The bar was not a big draw for us, but the guides, video and the boat itself made this very reasonable tour all worth it. We got more than our money's worth. Do it, you won't be sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaureenM Posted June 28, 2004 #5 Share Posted June 28, 2004 We just returned from Voyager of the Seas to Grand Cayman and we did not have a great expeerience with them. There were almost 50 of us. It took two large vans to get us to the Catamaran. They did not have any masks with corrective lens in or with the cut outs for those with facial hair. They also ran out of large fins. The office was very professional and organized but it felt like a ship tour. There was only enough shade for 4 people. You are out there for 3 hours and most people wanted to get out of the sun at least for part of the time. We were told we were motoring out instead of using the sail because the wind was going the wrong way. I spoke with the captain and and said I was excited about the ride back under full sail. He said we couldn't do that. Apparently He was recently injured and couldn't put the sails up. It was not their fault that the surf was rough but it took a lot of time to get people off and on the boat. At StingRay City they only let us get out the front and it took over 1/2 hour till everyone got off. We were only in the water 10 minutes when we were all told to get back on board. At the third stop hardly anyone went in because it was soo rough. They only offer you cold water and don't even have enough cups for everyone. They 'encouraged you to buy soda or rum' So they put up the small sail in the front of the cat and motored in. They were very pushy about tips also helping you out of the boat and putting their hand out and asking if you had a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvzcruzin Posted June 28, 2004 #6 Share Posted June 28, 2004 We went on this tour last Thursday (6-24) from the Conquest. We had a group of 7 and there were probably 20 or so others on the boat. They put the sail up on the return back. We had 3 nice stops and were able to spend a decent amount of time at each location. We did enjoy the snorkeling at the barrier reef the best. The crew was very nice and helpful. Any tour is going to have them pushing for tips--I have never been on any tour where they did not heavily suggest tipping. It just comes with the experience. We walked to their place in order to start the tour, but they took us all the way back to the tender area when we returned. I would recommend them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinderelli Posted June 28, 2004 #7 Share Posted June 28, 2004 It seems that MOST of you experienced a good experience, with about 30 people. Sounds like the one trip which had 50 people on it had rough seas, and a huge crowd. I wonder -- did it have a huge crowd because the cruise ships CANCELLED their tours because of rough seas? I have heard that happen before. Any comment?:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VOLEYMOM Posted July 1, 2004 #8 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Just did this tour in May. Probably have done this tour at least 6 times and quite frankly would not go on the Bucaneer again. We first of all had to wait quite a long time for a few people to get off the tenders. I could see if it was 10 or more, but it was only 4. Then the ship was very full. Not as much room to relax. No sails there or back. Of course they can not predict the wind. Bar is okay but not a huge draw for us. They were somewhat helpful but just to many people on this tour for me. They also ran out of medium sized fins so we had to make do with whatever was left. I am not saying we had a bad time just not as great or as personal as some of the others I have been on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantsfan Posted July 1, 2004 #9 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Cinderelli, Just back this past Sunday off the Explorer. We did this tour in Grand Cayman and would highly recommed it. We had 25 people on the cat and there was plenty of room for everyone. We came back under sail and the snorkeling was excellent (I am a scuba diver). The crew was very professional and they offered a video tape of the day ($66). Asked us only once and took no for an answer. The stop at stingray was awesome. We had planty of time to feed and hold the rays. The best thing about the excursion was that we were not on a cruise ship "bus" that was filled with 90-150 people. Very enjoyable time. I would recommend Capt. Bryans. By the way, the crew worked for their tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantsfan Posted July 1, 2004 #10 Share Posted July 1, 2004 Hi Luvzcruzin, I was on the same tour with you last week off the Explorer. We had a great time. I couldn't agree with you more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaureenM Posted July 4, 2004 #11 Share Posted July 4, 2004 Cinderelli, the day we went on the catamaran tour all the ships tours were out also. I think they just filled up the boat and took everyone whose Money was green. Did we get our money worth? Yes. Were we looking for something better? definitely. When we went with Captain Marvin two years ago we only had 10 of us and one of the crew went into the water and pointed out everything to us. From different fish to coral.It is also a lot easier to get 10 people off and on the boat then 50. Since we had been to sting ray city several times we were looking for a great ride on a catamaran.And that we didn't get, so to us it was disappointing. I'm not saying don't go Just be aware. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted July 11, 2004 #12 Share Posted July 11, 2004 Giantsfan - Is Capt Bryan's different than Buccaneer or is this the same company?? Thank you. Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinderelli Posted July 20, 2004 #13 Share Posted July 20, 2004 I have heard that on some of the ships, it is not easy to get back in the boat -- the ladders don't drop down into the water. How does the Buccaneer fare? :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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