kycalgal Posted February 12, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Dh and I will be in GC in just a few weeks and want to enjoy a beautiful day on a boat or catamaran, with snorkeling. The tours I've seen so far all stop to see the stingrays as their main event. We would rather spend time sailing & snorkeling. Maybe even a stop somewhere else. I just realized there will be about 14,000 cruisers in port that day, and would like to book something to get away from the main crowds. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHappy1 Posted February 16, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We would be interested in this as well. We've done the Stingrays twice and would much rather spend our time sailing and snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janabm81 Posted February 16, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We'll be in Grand Cayman this summer and after extensive searching and many email to different tour guides it seems that unless you're okay on a small boat (like an outboard motor fishing boat) you're pretty much out of luck. We're in the same situation with 4 ships being in port and have decided to just do some snorkeling from shore instead. We'll get to snorkel at a couple different places without having to go to the stingrays (all within walking distance from the ship), spend 0$ on an excursion, and be able to stay away from the big crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHappy1 Posted February 16, 2012 #4 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We'll be in Grand Cayman this summer and after extensive searching and many email to different tour guides it seems that unless you're okay on a small boat (like an outboard motor fishing boat) you're pretty much out of luck.We're in the same situation with 4 ships being in port and have decided to just do some snorkeling from shore instead. We'll get to snorkel at a couple different places without having to go to the stingrays (all within walking distance from the ship), spend 0$ on an excursion, and be able to stay away from the big crowds. I was looking into a private excursion through Island Marketing. It is pricey ....I'd put it up on our roll call but I think you, kkdleon, and I are the only regulars on it...so I'm sure we wouldn't get much movement on it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepella Posted February 17, 2012 #5 Share Posted February 17, 2012 OP, you don't say which line you're sailing on. Carnival offers a tiki party boat which has snorkeling and a beach stop, and doesn't go to Stingray city. I was asking about that one, but no one seems to have tried it. It might be what you're looking for. I'm going to give it a shot. I've also done the reef and wreck snorkel, which I really enjoyed (again, no rays). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kycalgal Posted February 20, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We're on Royal Caribbean. I hadn't seen the reef & wreck snorkel, but had not looked far into ship excursions because there's so little specific info on them by the cruise line. I'll check that one out. Thanks! OP, you don't say which line you're sailing on. Carnival offers a tiki party boat which has snorkeling and a beach stop, and doesn't go to Stingray city. I was asking about that one, but no one seems to have tried it. It might be what you're looking for. I'm going to give it a shot. I've also done the reef and wreck snorkel, which I really enjoyed (again, no rays). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContingentSea Posted February 28, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Creepella, can you give us review of the Tiki snorkel/beach tour upon your return. We booked that same excursion for our April cruise and were wondering what it was like. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepella Posted February 28, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Creepella, can you give us review of the Tiki snorkel/beach tour upon your return. We booked that same excursion for our April cruise and were wondering what it was like. :confused: I will try to remember. If you ping this thread before you leave, I definitely will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContingentSea Posted March 17, 2012 #9 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I will try to remember. If you ping this thread before you leave, I definitely will. Are you back yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepella Posted March 17, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We leave Friday. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cce33e Posted March 20, 2012 #11 Share Posted March 20, 2012 We booked the luxury catamaran stingray snorkel tour with Shore Excursioneer (http://www.grandcaymanexcursions.biz/excursions/grandcaymancatamaranstingraycitysnorkel.html). It looks they only take small groups and the boat looks great. Will post a review about this tour, were lucky to get our space as they were almost sold out :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkcoffeecruiser Posted March 28, 2012 #12 Share Posted March 28, 2012 14,000 cruisers! WOW...I may just chose a small volume tour, dont like to be crowded and rushed on vacations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepella Posted March 29, 2012 #13 Share Posted March 29, 2012 We just got back, and here is my review: The boat is a standard catamaran, with tiki hut sort of decor. The staff are good. The snorkelling is in Grand Cayman, and therefore awesome. And they give you lots of time in the water. I got the impression they were very helpful with the newbies. The included beer is Miller Lite or Bud Lite. The music is loud, and there are contests. The sandwiches are not veggie friendly, but are, indeed 6 inch subway sandwiches (cold cuts and cheese). The beach is lovely; I spent most of the time just bobbing in beautiful crystal clear water. The amenities are plentiful (bring $$$). All in all, a good excursion. 4/5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContingentSea Posted March 30, 2012 #14 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thank You! I feel better about it since we have 16 booked on this excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MississippiMom Posted April 19, 2012 #15 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Hoping to find some other non-Stingray options for our family of five (the youngest is 9). We would like to snorkel in Grand Cayman. It will be the first snorkeling experience for our three kids, and I am having a hard time finding something that I think will work on the Carnival excursion options. I really don't want to go to a party scene, and no one seems to be interested in stingrays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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