Soto's Cruises Stingray City Trip

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

We just got back from Cayman and had a really excellent experience with these people. I can't recommend them highly enough! Thank you for recommending them to us!

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

Did I read wrong in another post, I thought Soto's was not reopening?

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:48 pm Post subject:

There are two Sotos:

Bob Sotos Reef Divers was primarily a dive company and they are now saying that there are no plans to reopen. I am still trying to confirm this directly with the owner, Dan Tibbitts and will post back as soon as I hear from him.

Soto's Cruises is owned by Randy and Kerry Soto. Randy is Bob Soto's son and they are a snorkel company. They are very much open and I highly recommend them. Their price and service is outstanding and you will find an ad in our magazine for them once you get here for CI$24. Mention that ad and you will get the $24 price.

Children 10 and under are US$25.

Updated info: You need to book directly (not through the hotel) with Kerry at scruises@candw.ky or 1-345-945-4576, and remember that payment must be in cash or traveler's checks - credit cards are not accepted.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

Can I book in advance?

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:50 pm Post subject:

Yes. You can call Kerry at: 1-345-945-4576. Mention Activity Guide so you get the discount. If you don't have a confirmed accommodation yet, you should do that first. There are not as many rooms open as usual and this is busy season. You may have a problem finding something this close to your planned arrival date.

Frequent Flyer Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

Sotos Cruises is open and the best priced trip on the island. We went with Captain Marvins last trip and they charged us more than twice as much. Book it ahead of time though, they sell out because they are so good.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 10

We have been coming to the Cayman Islands for 7 years and have been out with both Captain Marvins and Sotos Cruises. There is no question that Sotos is much cheaper and has a much faster and better equipped boat. Their staff is caring and conscientious and they have you back in time to enjoy the rest of your day. With Captain Marvins, you spend all day riding around on that slow boat breathing diesel fumes and paying twice as much. There is no contest here. Sotos wins by a mile!

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 9

We used to go with Captain Marvins until Sotos opened up a few years ago and then we never went back to Marvins again after that. Now that should tell you folks somethin right there!

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

With the Acitivity Guide discount for Soto's of $24CI, what does that translate into in US $

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:56 pm Post subject:

It works out to about US$29. You will not find a better price than that anywhere on the island.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks for the quick response, Joe. I had asked because we had already booked with Soto's for Apr. 4 when we will be in Grand Cayman off the Splendour of the Seas. Kerry had confirmed a price of $30 for the adults and 13 yr old and $20 for our 9 year old. Sounds like it is pretty close to the same price, so I don't think I will bother her about a total of $3.

We are looking forward to it though!

Maybe you can tell me if I booked the right time. Our ship is scheduled to be in Grand Cayman from 9-5. Since I know daylight savings time will have just started (although Kerry's email said they don't observe it) and I wanted to be safe, I booked the 1-3 time frame. Would have liked the morning, but didn't know for sure what time would be safe. Have heard so many things about whether the different ships have a different time than the ports. What do you think, if our last tender is 4:00 or 4:30, should we be OK? I know my confirmation said we should meet at noon for the 1-3 p.m. excursion. I guess the afternoon should also help us avoid the mad dash for tenders (hopefully).

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

Sandy

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Sandy:

The price works out about the same in US or CI. Even if you don't use the coupon, I would appreciate it if your would mention that your heard about it from Acitity Guide. I don't take a commission on any of this, so all I really get out of it is a little appreciation from my advertisers.

We do not have daylight savings time; It is always Eastern Standard Time here.

The second trip is probably better. You will be sure to have plenty of time to get off the boat and make your pickup. The ships give preferential treatment to passengers with cruise-booked activities, so it might take you a couple of hours to get to shore, depending on how many people are on your ship and how many ships are in that day. You will be back in plenty of time if you take the 1:00 trip. You will have time to spare, so you might want to have them drop you off at the Wharf for a great lunch on the way back. Or spend a couple of hours downtown, there are a lot of great stores and bars in that area.

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject: Sotos Cruises

This is a relatively new place. We went out with Captain Marvins for years, but then didn't go snorkeling at Stingray City for a few years. We gave Sotos a try last year when we brought our kids and everyone loved it. They had a much lower price than we were used to paying and a brand new boat with lots of terrific features. Someone on the boat shot a video and they made a copy for us on DVD for a very reasonable price too.

Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

We've been out with them a bunch of times over the years. We were always extremely happy with their service and prices.

Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 4 Location: nc

Hi I'm a newbie and this will be my first trip to the Caymans. I'm so glad I found this site. My cruise ship docks at 7am and leaves at 3pm. I want to do the Sting ray city swim and also want to snorkel the reef. Is this possible without paying the outrageous price the cruise ship wants? Can you recommend a way to do both in this short period of time that I have? Thanks Debi

	Cayman Activity Guide Forum Index -> Stingray City	Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Next
Page 1 of 7