Ray runner stingray City

[alabama gal]

I thought they had stopped the ray runners from going to Stingray City, but they are offering this on our cruise. Has anyone ever been on one though Carnival?

[SDRR]

We just got back from Carnival (five day grand Cayman/Ocho Rios) and did the Ray Runner excursion.

Good points:

* Excellent crew. Our guide Andy (I think his assistant's name was Brandon) were very helpful and entertaining.

* Snorkeling at the reef was fabulous! Lots of different species of fish, and saw what appeared to be a moray eel (about 3 to 4 feet long).

* Sting Ray City was incredible! A "Must Do"!!

* Small group = more "personal" experience. Our group numbered 18 (maximum number of tickets that are sold for this outing), which was a full excursion for them.

 

Not so good points:

* Full group = equipment capacities are maxed out. That means three to a boat. If the group is mostly couples, you may very well be split up from your traveling companion. You can fit four riders in a boat, but that is really taxing the equipment.

* Maintenance schedule needs to be accelerated. One boat was being towed in, and was out of commission for our segment of the trip. That put four occupants in three of the remaining five guest's boats...

* The boat we were assigned to did not have a functional bilge pump, which means that there were probably five to ten gallons of water in the bilge.

This water ran back of the stern of the boat when we accellerated, which made getting up on plane virtually impossible, equating to a bow high profile that was not only power robbing, but extremely uncomfortable in the chop...

* This excursion can give you a pounding in the chop, even with a properly trimmed boat, so of you have any neck or back or hip issues, save yourself the discomfort and find something that is a bit more gentle of a ride...

 

Overall, it was an excellent excursion, the guides were great and very informative, and the intimacy of the small group was everything I wanted it to be.

[alabama gal]

SDRR, thank you for your reply. this helps a lot. My husband would not want to be seperated. most of the boats we have been on hold 2 people. thanks for your help!