Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Reviews Captain Marvin Please?

hatched4 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:30:09 GMT

We're looking at Island Tours for our day in Georgetown with three kids and saw Captain Marvin does a trip to the turtle farm and Hell for $30/head.

Anyone know of his reputation?

Free Lift to Turtle Farm

hatched4 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:18:28 GMT

Has anyone tried taking advantage of the free transportation from the port to the Boatswain's Turtle Farm, as advertised on their web site? Also, we were thinking of going from there to do our own West Bay area tour (Hell, gingerbread house, 7 mile beach) via public transit. How feasible might that be with three kids 6-14 years)???

Stingray city and Rum Point Beach questions?

jenibk — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:06:47 GMT

My husband and I are going on our first cruise 11/30 (Destiny). We were thinking about the Stingray City and Rum Point Beach excursion. I was wondering how much time at each place do we get? Anything we need to know doing this excursion?

My husband really just wants to do Rum Point Beach (he's afraid of the Stingrays I think) but I didn't see an excursion that's just the one place...

Any advise is greatly appreciated!

bar hopping in the Caymans

prissy8 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:58:27 GMT

We're not doing an excursion, but interested in checking out the bars and strolling through the shops. Are there any GOTTA SEE's or MUST DOs?

Senor Frog's in Grand Cayman

The Greenwells — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:12:19 GMT

We've just returned from our 5-day trip on the Inspiration to Cayman and Cozumel. We stopped in Senor Frog's for a break from shopping. My husband and I ordered a Margarita and a Senor Frog drink in the "Yard" speciality cup -- $18.95 (Cayman money) each and an order of chips and salso (no meat or cheese). The total bill was $59.67!!!! It might have been ok, but I didn't even get a buzz from my drink (and I'm a lightweight!!!) Yes, I understand that the US dollar is worth $.80 Cayman money, but here's the kicker..... We decided that since we wasted so much money at Senor Frogs that we would drink from the "Yards" back on board the ship. One brown cup from the Brassierre Grill (Lido Deck) completely filled the "Yard" cup!!! The plastic cup does not hold liquid at the bottom. The bottom of the cup starts at the tiny part of the cup and leads up. We paid more than $20 for one cup of watered down fruit punch!!

After talking to other guests on-board we discovered that we were not the only ones that got ripped off in Grand Cayman. Although, some 4 friends at dinner went to Senor Frogs in Cozumel, drank and shared two orders of appetizers and only paid $50.

Buyer Beware! Check the ounce size of your drinks!

Dolphin Encounter and Sting Ray City (Carnival Inspiration)

Tinbadge — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:32:31 GMT

My first message to you if you are considering this trip. DONT DO IT! This was a big waste of TIME and MONEY. I am talking for the booking off of the Inspiration. You only hae a couple of hours as it is, and this will take every minute youve got. You are hearded like cattle from place to place with no real time to enjoy anything.

First they ferry you to the main dock, cruise ships dont directly dock at this location. They your grouped up to go to the locations you paid for. They give you an arm band, they take you to a parking lot where your ride is waiting. From there is is about a 20 minute trip to Dolphin Cove. You walk through a little forest area with some parrots. Take your photos fast because they are rushing you through to get the next group in. You enter a souvenier shop and exit onto a patio facing the cove where the dolphins are kept.

They then seperate you into those who paid for the Encounter (Touching), and the Swim (Just another form of touching). This is the funny part. The explanations for the no cameras policy is because the dolphins could eat them, but that doesnt stop them from sending kids down to take your photographs when your doing your thing with the dolphins. Their cameras are dolphin friendly I guess. They also charge like crazy when you llok at them after the event. You cannot take pictures of you or your family doing this yourselves. If you want photos, you have to buy them.

The encounter was shaking fins, then the guy yelling "Are you having fun"

Then touching his belly as he swims by, then the guy yells "Are you having fun"

Then touching his back as he swims by then the guy yells "Are you having fun"

Then the photo shot. The dolphin comes out of the water for a kiss, then the guy yells "Are you having fun"

You are then hearded up to the porch where you wait for the boat to take you to Stin Ray City. You board a boat that takes about 20 minutes to get to the sandbar where the stingrays are. This was great (funny I mean) this was nuts. There was about ten boats docked in a circle around this sandbar. All having about 25 to 30 passengers a piece. Here you are let off the boat and put into a circle. The guys on the boat do all the wrangling of the stingrays while yelling at you "get in a circle please" the guys bring the stingray around to you to touch, then they bring it behind you where they sit it on your back and head for the obligiatory photographs. One thing to remember that everything is about making money. A couple f people including myself snuck away from the group and did the encounter on our own. This part was great. The rays do come up to you. You can pet them, and hold them with no problems. The largest I saw was about 5' across. (Huge) Definately take the underwater cameras for this one. All this time you still here the guy yelling "In a circle please" It's funny. Anyway you hearded back onto the boat where you are taken back to Dolphin Cove.

You then catch a shuttle back to the dock. Here you stand in line to catch a ferry back to ship. No time for sightseeing.

If I had it to do again I would skip this tour all together. If anything I would do the Stingray City on waverunner. This is offered by a company on the web, sorry I dont have the name. They have fun driving out to the sandbar, do the encounter in a small group of about 6 persons, then have fun driving back. Please dont waste your money on this. I was excited probably like you are right now about the whole thing. What a let down this was. Definately book something else.

IF you only did one excursion ever on Grand Cayman .....

RickPV — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:04:26 GMT

What would it be? I am going with my 28 yr old daughter, fit as a fiddle, 50 yr old sister, pretty good shape, and myself 54, bad feet but can handle pain. What's best?

Stingray city...fabulous!!

doxiemom — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:04:38 GMT

Our group of nine just returned from the Carnival Freedom cruise which included Grand Cayman. I just have to say that the tour to Stingray city was the HIGHLIGHT of the cruise for ALL of us!! Truely awesome! We booked this tour with Moby *** Tours and they were great....very professional and lots of fun too! WE WILL DO THIS AGAIN SOM EDAY!

Excurions with a 2 Year Old

matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:56:49 GMT

We are going on a Eastern Caribbean cruise on November, and are bringing our son, who is 2 years old. Does anyone know of a good excursion???

Looking for a great Beach in the SouthWest end of Cayman.

Jeannie — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:47:00 GMT

We plan on hiring a driver for the day. We want our final stop to be at a beach not too far from the port. I don't want Seven Mile beach. We would prefer the Southwest area. Smith Cove was a thought.

We would like; Less traffic, maybe trees, a lounge chair, crystal clear water.

Any suggestions?

Seven mile beach

julieg — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:06:36 GMT

Can you walk to the beach from the port or would it be best to book the shore excursion offered with Carnival? I was unsure whether to wait and book it depending on the weather. We are going out on June 15th on the Inspiration. Can't wait!!

Book Island tour on land or thru Carnival??

CaribbeanCruiser — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:41:40 GMT

Hey guys just wanted to know if anyone did a Grand Cayman Island tour when they reached the port and how much that cost vs. Carnival's 3 hour 52.95 island tour.....

Pirate Adventure

Fregins — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:15:34 GMT

We were wondering if anyone has been on the Pirate Adventure at the Grand Caymans. We are thinking of going, thought would be a fun one for the whole group of 8 of us going. Some feed back would be much appreciated. Our group ages rage from 12-65.

sting ray city

trixie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:42:39 GMT

I'm doing the sting ray city in oct and I'm scared to go because don't the sting rays have barbs on the end of it tail ? please help scared of the sting rays. I know it's a stupid question but had to ask so I could calm my nerves.

Jewelry Shopping in Grand Cayman

babygirl — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:55:47 GMT

I would like to say that the Grand Cayman has excellent food!!!! But hands down the best experience I had while there was Shopping for new wedding rings. My husband was so happy that we both recieved new jewelry . I cant wait to step foot back on the Island so we can do the whole thing over again.

What about buses in Grand Cayman?

Barbara — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:48:14 GMT

Are buses a good source of transportation in Grand Cayman? I have a family of four and we would like to go to 7 mile beach and dont want to spend a fortune on getting there. Do they run on time? We wouldnt cut it too close, we just want to go for a few hours. Would it be safe?

Turtle Farm Through Boatswain's

duckstomper — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:31:02 GMT

Anybody book the Turtle Farm on their own through Boatswain's Beach? They have a bus that meets you at the cruise terminal; wondering if anybody's done this on their own and how it turned out.

I am estimating if they pick us up as stated at 9:30 ships time, that we'll have about 4 hours (10:00-2:00) before we have to catch a ride back and get in line for tenders. Bummer -- that is way too short of a day, but oh well...

"postcards from Hell" post office

GAcruiser — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:22:39 GMT

On the tours to Hell, do you have time to stop in the postcards and send some back home. If so, how much are they to send? It looks like the whole stop is a tourist trap.

Dolphin swim in Grand Cayman

julieg — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:01:25 GMT

Has anyone done one of the dolphin swim excursions in Grand Cayman? My kids really want to do it but was wondering if it was worth the price. Thanks for any input!

Seven Mile Beach after Dolphin Swim & Stingray City

exoticdestiny — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:17:02 GMT

Hello,

I plan to book the Dolphin Swim and Stingray city swim with Carnival and I noticed that they write that after the excursion, you have the option to detour to Seven Mile Beach and find your own transportation back. I really want to do that, maybe stay behind and rent a jetski, parasail or even horse back ride in the water. Do you know who and where that's offered? Is it offered right on the beach? If so, does anyone remember the cost for each activity? Thanks.

Jet ski's on 7 mile beach

sammygirl139 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:15:44 GMT

I have a couple of questions about 7 miles beach.

How much is it to rent a jet ski on 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman?

What other water related activites are there on the 7 mile beach.

I am going to book with Carnival for this excursion and wanted to know what happens if it is a rainy day. Do you get a refund or just eat the cost.

Most importantly though I want to know how much it would cost to rent a jet ski!

Thanks

things to do w/o booking excursion

prissy8 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:30:43 GMT

1st time to GrCayIs-don't really want to commit to an excursion-are there shops, bars, beach close to dock/port?

Any one ever rent a car in Cayman?

Barbara — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:49:49 GMT

I seen where I can rent a car all inclusive with insurance included for $65. Has anyone ever done this in Grand Cayman? Is there any thing I should know? I would appreciate any help on this.

Stingray: NativeWay or Stingray Sailing?

hudspeth — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:17:59 GMT

My hubby and I will be cruising in September! I have narrowed my choices down to 2. Does anyone know anything about either of these. I like the idea of being on a sailboat with Stingray Sailing but I havent found too much on them. Any advice?

NativeWay or Stingray Sailing

Thank you!!

Car Seats

titanspapa — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:04:27 GMT

We will be traveling with 2 small children on our cruise in April. If we book an excursion in the Grand Caymans, do we have to have car seats to go on the excursion? Do you know if there is anywhere there in Georgetown that rents car seats to visitors? That is the only Island that we will need car seats on.