About how long to tender?

Newbie Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 2

Hi,

We are sailing to cayman with carnival and will be in port 7-4 local time. We have rented a car to drive to Rum point because it is our favorite place on the island. We realize that the time will be tight but does anyone have a rough estimate of how long it will take us to get on and off the ship. I checked the port website and there is only one other Disney cruise in port that day from 615 to 6pm. Some of our group were thinking of taking the glass bottom boat tour to stingray... has anyone done this? Any thoughts?

Thanks

Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 5:02 pm Post subject:

Welcome sbarron,

I think your question about tendering is kind of hard to answer, only because the problem is going to be getting on a tender......some ships give preference to those who have booked shore excursions through the ship.....although some do take into consideration people's schedules even when seeing the island on your own. So, that's going to depend a little on luck and your ship's procedure. Once you're on the tender, it doesn't look like it would take more than ten minutes to get to the dock.

Have you been to Sting Ray City before? I only ask because from your post you say that you have been to Rum Point before. If you have been to Sting Ray City before, you'll probably remember that it is very shallow. I think seeing it from a glass bottom boat makes no sense at all. Are there people in your party that don't want to get in the water? That would seem to me to be the only reason to take a glass bottom boat. Even then, they'll see the sting rays better by standing on the deck of the boat and looking out into the water.

Char

Temporary Resident Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 164

sbarron:

you have a 9-hour stop, so you should be able to do what you propose within that time frame. in my opinion, it is not too practical to rent a car and drive to rum point in the space of a one-day cruise ship stop.

first you have to get to the rental agency. there is no speedy pick-up and drop off with the rental agencies. there is always a line which never seems to move. there are forms to sign. then there is the driving to rum point. figure on 45 minutes. tack on a few extra if it is a georgetown pick-up and you have to negotiate the conflagration of AM rush and cruise volume. it would not be unreasonable to figure on 90-min to 2-hour at each end for the whole process excluding getting on and off the ship and tenders.

the glass-bottom boat is a RedSailSport operation out of RumPoint. they are a little more expensive than Sotos or OhBoy. about $35pp. the "glass-bottom" is a little superfluous. not much to see actually. the sandbar is only a few feet deep and not so likely than the stingrays will be venturing under the boat for your viewing pleasure. at the snorkel stop, they do not drop anchor over the coral formations, so again there may only be the random sighting. Jimmy Ebanks is the "captain" and he is quite entertaining.

how big is your group? if you are 10 or more, for about $50pp you could get a day charter that would pick you up at the cruise dock, take you out to stingray city plus two north sound snorkel stops and a trip to the reef before heading over to RumPoint for lunch and lounging.

Newbie Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the input, I was thinking that it was going to be tight but now I'm wondering if it is even going to be worth it at all. The reason for the glass bottom boat was really because only some in our group want to go to stingray city (others have been several times before) and that was the only tour we found leaving from Rum Point. I will have to talk to the group and see what they want to do. Perhaps Soto's tour for the snorklers and seven mile beach for the rest. Ah but we will miss Rum Point!

Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject:

Hi sbarron - Welcome to our forum. Very Happy

As mentioned, a glass bottom boat would be the absolute worse way to experience Stingray City; You might as well just watch the video I posted if you don't want to actually interact with them.If you have enough people in your group to warrant a private charter, Oh Boy Charters will put together a combo package for you that would include Stingray City, at least 1 or 2 other snorkel stops and lunch at Rum Point. If it's just 1 or 2 of you, I'd stick with Stingray City this trip and save Rum Point for another visit when you have more time.

Be sure to print out our

and bring them with you for savings on lots of things near the cruise ship dock. Wink

Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

GJM, you said if you have 10 or more you can book your own excursion to SRC and other snorkel spots and Rum point, and they will pick you up at the cruise dock. We have a family of 13 that will be arriving on a RC cruise in August. How do I find out about recommendations for booking our own charter. Thanks,

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject:

Hi mslederer,

I just reponded to your other post.... if you tell Soto's you have 13 you may get the boat all to yourselves, without a special fee for charter.....

If not, then try Oh Boy Charters and see what they offer, I think they will be able to come up with something for you....

I really think Soto's is the best bet for your group and if you book in advance you have a good chance of having you own boat...

Have a Great Day!!

Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for all the great info. You are all so helpful. I've checked w/ Soto's and can get on a boat, but not a charter. Thought I would check w/ Oh Boy just to see. Does anyone have an email for them. I found ohboy at candw.ky on the net and tried it but my email bounced back. Thanks!!!

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject:

Try this.....

Good luck!

Char

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