newbiecruiser54 Posted April 10, 2005 #1 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Hi Everyone - Just back yesterday from the Carnival Triumph. Hated the ship, but loved our tour in Grand Cayman! We were met at the dock by Nativeway, holding a sign, and waited about 30 minutes for all parties to arrive. We then were driven by bus about 15 minutes to the dock, where we were separated into two groups, those going on the shorter tour, and our group. Only 15 people on our boat. Many more on the shorter tour. Our captain, Chris, and assistant, Charlie, were polite, helpful and taught us a lot during the day. Headed first to Stingray City, which was packed with boats. Chris found a quieter area, and we got our masks and snorkels and got in. Only comment was that anyone who isn't a great swimmer should wear a lifevest as water was really choppy and deeper until we got a little farther onto the sandbar about 30 yards away. Charlie caught a stingray and we took turns holding and kissing the ray, and had plenty of time for pictures. Then we were given pieces of squid to feed the rays - lots of fun! We had 30-45 minutes with the rays, then got back on the boat and traveled a short distance to Coral Gardens for snorkeling. Saw some pretty fish, but not that incredible. We then traveled to Rum Point Beach for lunch and relaxation - we had 2 hours there, which was really nice - a beautiful beach. We had traditional Jerk Pork, but they had typical American fare too (burgers, etc.). Quiet, relaxing beach with lots of chairs and hammocks and shallow swimming area. Volleyball for the teens. Headed back and bus got us to pier just in time to join the massive line back to the ship! We loved this tour and I thought it the highlight of the cruise. Grand Cayman was beautiful - the water color indescribable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merlurker Posted April 10, 2005 #2 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Thanks for the great news about Nativeway!! We're booked with them (Rays, Reef & Rum) for this November and I love to keep hearing great things about them!!!Any tips or extra info you'd like to share??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 10, 2005 Author #3 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Not really, just make sure you take plenty of sunscreen and waterproof cameras. Enjoy your day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlsess Posted April 10, 2005 #4 Share Posted April 10, 2005 we are planning to book this also for our July trip -other trip we thought about was the catamaran but I've read so many good reviews on this-we'll go with this one!! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setcarp Posted April 10, 2005 #5 Share Posted April 10, 2005 We were the tall couple from Nashville on the same boat as you. It was wonderful. I was worried at first because the filled 2 big vans with about 60 people and I thought we were all on the same boat. On the dock, they picked out the 15 of us on that tour. We both had the Mahi sandwiches and they were wonderful. Water was a little choppy, but we did get to see the eel in the reefs. Will put pics on webshots very soon. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 10, 2005 Author #6 Share Posted April 10, 2005 You were so lucky to see an eel - we just saw fish, although they were pretty and I'm not complaining. Chris told us that when the water is not so rough, they go out past the barrier to snorkel, and I assume you can see more farther out. I really loved Grand Cayman and would love to go back there to relax someday! BTW, we also enjoyed our tour with Phil in Ocho Rios (except the lunch. LOL), especially the river tubing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setcarp Posted April 11, 2005 #7 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Here are our pics from our trip. http://community.webshots.com/photo/319844631/319844631bAqdxo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmom Posted April 11, 2005 #8 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. What excursion did you do on Cozumel? Looks like fun :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 11, 2005 Author #9 Share Posted April 11, 2005 I should have mine up on Webshots soon, too. Where did you eat lunch in Jamaica? Phil took us to a crummy little roadside stand with one small plate of meat (some unidentifiable!) and 3 bottles of juice for $20 - no ocean view! This was the only part of the day that we didn't like. Looks like you ate at a better place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dig21 Posted April 11, 2005 #10 Share Posted April 11, 2005 We are thinking of doing this tour with our 3 childeren, ages 10, 12 & 13. Do you think that kids would enjoy Rum Point or would be better off doing the shorter tour & spending the rest of our time in Grand Cayman doing something else? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setcarp Posted April 11, 2005 #11 Share Posted April 11, 2005 CrusinMom... Thanks... We bought Day passes at the Melia resort for $35 including all drinks and buffet lunch. About a $14 cab from Intl Peir and $5 from downtown. Newbie....we went to BiBiBip's. Phil had left us by this time and we had a different driver. Dig...Yes.. I think kids would love this. There is a vollyball court and other beach toys offered at a stand (not sure of price). Kids near us made a big sand castle. Make sure to take something for motion sickness. These little boats are not like the big ships. We got some from the purser and we were glad we took it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merlurker Posted April 11, 2005 #12 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Great tip about the motion sickness pills! Wrote that down LOL, although we'll probably be taking them daily on the cruise anyway.:rolleyes: Sharon from Nativeway just called me to confirm my reservation for November! We did the email thing last month and she wrote that she'd be calling to get a credit card number. Since I didn't hear from her right awayI figured she forgot or didnt' really need it. Then SURPRISE! She called today! She was great on the phone answered all my questions and reassured me that the timeframe for the tour works with my ship!!! I cant wait to do this tour!!!! :D BTW, great pictures setcarp!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlsess Posted April 11, 2005 #13 Share Posted April 11, 2005 WOW- Sharon called me today but i was not home- just emailed her back. seems very organized!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomewhereBeyondTheSea Posted April 11, 2005 #14 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Does anyone have any pictures from Rum Point? How far is Rum Point from the pier? I'm not realy looking to book the tour but I am looking for a beach beside 7 mile. I'd like something a little less crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vale Posted April 13, 2005 #15 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Newbiecruiser: You mentioned you were divided into two groups. Where did the other group go on the shorter tour? Thanks, Vale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 13, 2005 Author #16 Share Posted April 13, 2005 They went to the Stingray Sandbar and snorkeling. We went to Rum Point Beach for lunch and beach time. That was the only difference. You can check out descriptions at http://www.nativewaywatersports.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyroot Posted April 13, 2005 #17 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Setcarp, those are some of the nicest pictures I've ever seen on webshots! May I ask, what kind of camera did you use? Congrats on the wedding! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vale Posted April 13, 2005 #18 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Setcarp: Agree.....beautiful pictures! Where is the pool at Melia?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setcarp Posted April 13, 2005 #19 Share Posted April 13, 2005 I have a credit card sized Sony T-1 that takes great pics. I bought a $150 waterproof housing to take the underwater pictures. Thanks for the nice words. The pool the pic is of is right on the beach. The resort is on the north tip of Cozumel. $35 day pass for all inclusive drinks and food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 14, 2005 Author #20 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Be patient with me - I'm a computer moron! Here goes: http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=320168598 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 14, 2005 Author #21 Share Posted April 14, 2005 I didn't have a waterproof camera casing like Todd, so my underwater pictures only turned out so-so. As you can see, I thought Rum Point Beach was gorgeous - took about a dozen pictures there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomewhereBeyondTheSea Posted April 14, 2005 #22 Share Posted April 14, 2005 I didn't have a waterproof camera casing like Todd, so my underwater pictures only turned out so-so. As you can see, I thought Rum Point Beach was gorgeous - took about a dozen pictures there! I couldn't view the pictures?!? :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlsess Posted April 14, 2005 #23 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Me either- said an error occurred!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiecruiser54 Posted April 14, 2005 Author #24 Share Posted April 14, 2005 I'm not having a problem opening the link. Try again - maybe this will work? http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=320168598&photoID=320203279&security=twTZOZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomewhereBeyondTheSea Posted April 15, 2005 #25 Share Posted April 15, 2005 I'm not having a problem opening the link. Try again - maybe this will work? http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=320168598&photoID=320203279&security=twTZOZ I still can't open. I'm also getting an error message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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