Stay away from Stingray Excursion in Grand Cayman

[petunia]

For those cruising to Grand Cayman beware the "Stingray Snorkel One Stop" excursion. Sold as a snorkel experience with the stingrays, this is actually the opportunity to wade in 2-3 feet of water with 200 people on your boat and many other boats all anchored at a sand bar. The stingrays are fed at the end of your boat so they flock to the free food and then move on to other boats in about 20 minute intervals. Researchers present at the site said the only benefit to stingrays is a free source of food, "unfortunately mostly squid". . Nothing about this expensive excursion is as advertised. No snorkeling, no additional marine life, and too many people around. Avoid this one and ask for a refund if you fall for it. The cruise line only gave us half a refund. The worst excursion experience we have had.

[Lisabee]

We had gone to Stingray City on a Royal Caribbean cruise (Enchantment). .. .. . We thought it was WONDERFUL! My spin: They took us out on a boat (maybe 30-50 people). .. ..lovely ride to a sand bar. I found it remarkable that there was no land in sight, yet we got out of the boat and were able to stand in waist high water! The blue green clean clear water was absolutely breathtaking and then the stingrays came.. .. . it was almost a surreal feeling.. .. . A most amazing experience to say the least!!!

Now if I ever go to an aquarium and see stingrays, it'll never compare to that real life experience!

[ettersja]

I think it all depends on who you are doing the excursion with, I have read many good reports about this excursion.

[Guest]

We have done this excursion twice with Native Way Watersports and we go snorkeling after the stingrays (which we loved and had around us at all times of our excursion). . Saw some fabulous reefs, fish and even a huge eel.

[guest]

The first time we went to Stingray City, we were on the first boat out and we were able to get in about 1/2 hour before the other boats arrived. The 2nd time we went, there were other boats there, but I feel we still got plenty of time with the stingrays.

I feel it was a great experience both times and I would do it again.

[bride2be]

My parents and I took the stingray excursion about 3 years ago and had an amazing time! While this is not a private area only accessible to the boat "you" go out on, I felt that the guides that went with us took the time to make sure everyone was able to interact with the stingrays and answered all of our questions. There were plenty of stingrays to go around and it was an overall great experience.

Please don't let this poster discourage you from taking this excursion.. .. .. .

[Guest]

thiswas one of the best adventures our family took on a 7 day cruise. I say go once go again.

[sparty1]

We had plenty of time with the stingrays and hand-fed them. It was a great experience. Well worth it.

[Cynthia]

[size=18][b]This was an incredible experience. The guides were knowledgable and informative about sting rays and their behaviour and habitat. The water was incredibly clear. Just being in the water with these amazing creature, whom we had been taught to fear, was an exhilarating feeling. We LOVED it.[/b][/size]

[pach]

I agree the excursions offered by rccl have tons of people on them. We used Captain Marvin, our boat had less than 10 people. We had personalized service, it was great. It is only a short walk from the pier. He has a website, do a search. It is not to be missed!

[lynelle]

[b] :lolThis was a great excursion. If you don't have a good time here then your just very hard to please.: [/b]

[GUEST]

THIS WAS THE VERY BEST TRIP WE HAD SO FAR IN 3 CRUISES. YOU HOW DID NOT LIKE THIS TRIP PROBABLY DO NOT LIKE ANYTHING. NEXT TIME STAY HOME AND WATCH THE GRASS GROW.

[Tammy]

Ours was thru Moby dick and included about 30 people. We went late in the afternoon and almost didn't make our ship but it was great and our guide took us away from all the other boats. The water was crystal clear and we were able to hold stingrays at a sandbar and went to deeper water to snorkel for about 1/2 hour for $35 per person.

[ettersja]

We snorkled with Native Way for the second time on our cruise in December. Like before we had a great time, nice guide and beautiful weather. Booked directly through them though not through the cruise line.

[Cruzer]

If you don't want to hand-feed or hold a four foot, friendly, amazing sea animal NO.. ..don't go, and miss an experience of your life! Though, I was not thrilled with the snorkelling after that experience. I hear it is better to book shore excursions online ahead of time rather than through the cruiselines, 100% markup. The cruiselines say if you are not happy they will refund your money but if you read a posting earlier they only redfunded half the money, the shore company keeps it's part. They also promise not to leave you behind if your trip comes back late. Any thoughts on this topic?

[Fabbenn]

We went on the same stingray excusion about 5 years ago in Grand Cayman and we thought it was wonderful. We sailed out of Tampa and went on the Carnival Cruise Line. Once you get past the slimy stingrays I was good to go which was about the time the ship left since you ar eonly on the sandbar about 30-45 minutes. We got our picture taken it was pretty cool. There were a few screaming women that would not get in the water but you always have a few of those.