As a non-registered guest, you are only able to read a portion of our forums. For complete access to all forums and the lowest prices and greatest savings, please spend a few minutes and register.
Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 5730 Location: Cayman Islands
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject: Spectacular Sunset Dinner Cruise
Oh Boy leaves from a dock behind the Courtyard Marriott. It's easy to find if you have a car or they will pick you up. Their luxurious boat gleaming in the late afternoon sun is a beautiful sight unto itself.
As soon as you board you are offered an ice cold glass of Blackbeard's Rum Punch. There is soft Caribbean music playing in the background and everyone gets acquainted while they wait for everyone to arrive.
The main cabin is spacious and luxurious with many comfortable places to relax, congregate and enjoy the views.
Captain Alvin arrives and after getting to know everyone it's time to shove off. When I say getting to know everyone, I really mean it. Alvin and his crew all make it a point to call every guest by name and make extraordinary efforts to keep track of every individual's particular interests. I don't know how he does it; I have trouble remembering my own name!
With so many seating options aboard this massive vessel, everyone finds their favorite niche and enjoys the ride out to sea.
There was a full moon that night, which Alvin said was a good omen.
The sun begins to set and everyone finds their favorite place on the ship to watch and take pictures. As you can see, space is not an issue on this huge vessel designed to accommodate 60 people - yet Alvin only takes 20!
Sunsets from sea can be even more magnificent and dramatic than viewed from shore.
They provide breathtaking photo opportunities.
Meanwhile, Matalie and the crew start dinner preparations.
Matalie serves a delicious authentic Caymanian meal: Jerk Chicken, Cayman Style Fish, Potato Salad and Rice & Beans. You can't get food like this in any restaurant!
Seating options are virtually unlimited. Our group was one family so we all ate together in the main cabin. Other options include a private table for up to four people on the aft deck, bench seating on the fore deck, upstairs on the fly bridge, inside the cabin or downstairs in any of the staterooms. The main cabin is air conditioned and the outside areas stayed cool with a light evening breeze.
After dinner, Alvin and Matalie tell stories and show their pictures. Alvin is Captain Marvin's son and Matalie is his aunt. The family spans six generations in the Cayman Islands, dating back to the 1930s. Matalie is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the Cayman Islands and will tell you things that are not even written in books! They have been handing down information from generation to generation and spending an evening with them is like taking a Cayman history lesson. Even Peggy and I learned a few things so no matter how many times you've been here, this is a great way to gain a better insight into the history and culture of the Cayman Islands from people who have experienced it all first hand. You will not find more friendly and gracious hosts anywhere and by the end of the evening you feel like you are a member of the family. Indeed, that is exactly how you are treated.
Of course, Blackbeard's Rum Cake for dessert. For a true Caymanian experience, it's the only way to go since Blackbeard's is the only locally produced rum in the Cayman Islands and it's used in their rum cakes as well. It's a common misconception that Tortuga Rum is produced in the Cayman Islands, when in fact it's not even made in the Caribbean. They import it from Miami.
On the leisurely cruise back everyone spread out around the ship. Peggy was on the fly bridge with Alvin and one of the guests, I was dealing with my photo gear, some of the guests just found a little spot and curled up for a little nap or shared some quality time with a family member - the ones they came with or the new ones they met that night.
For a beautiful relaxing sunset cruise with a delicious local dinner it doesn't get any better than this. Not only will you be on one of the most comfortable spacious boats on the island but Alvin, Matalie and their crew will prove to be some of the nicest people you will encounter during your entire vacation. This is much more than a dinner cruise; it's an opportunity to heighten your awareness of the Caymanian people, their culture and their proud heritage. It's a voyage back in time, to a time when visitors interacted on a much more personal level with native Caymanians. You will leave with a sated tummy, a camera full of beautiful pictures, a lifetime of meaningful memories; and best of all, an elevated sense of awareness about what really makes Cayman special.
I recommend doing this tour early in your vacation as it provides the perfect way to acclimate yourself to a more relaxed and carefree island style life, conducive to enhancing the overall quality of your entire vacation.
[h]
We have a brand new sunset dinner cruise that you are going to love!
Oh Boy Charters is now offering a special sunset dinner cruise for Activity Guide members and readers.
We are no longer recommending any of the large crowded dinner cruises - including Jolly Roger, which we have in the past. Those days are over. We now have something so spectacular, unique and culturally significant it is truly in a class all of its own.
Picture this:
A small group of no more than 20 people aboard a 60 foot luxury yacht, complete with air conditioning, sophisticated stereo system, movies, private rooms, staterooms, fully-equipped bathrooms, showers, wet bar, spacious fore and aft decks, numerous comfortable seating options, and much, much more. This boat has it all!
Enter Alvin, of Oh Boy Charters - a local captain who has been fishing and boating in Cayman waters for over 30 years is at the helm. After fishing each day he returns with what will be your catch of the day, served Cayman style complete with all the trimmings.
Alvin will dazzle you with his knowledge of the Cayman Islands, its folklore, his amazing sea tales and maybe even a few jokes. Spend some time getting to know one of our most famous local fishermen who has won numerous awards in the local fishing tournaments. You will not be going out with some corporation, you will be among friends and treated like family. Alvin would not have it any other way.
Motor out to the north sound in serene luxury and enjoy as much complementary rum punch as you desire. As the sun begins to set, you will be served mouth watering traditional Cayman style food - prepared fresh right in the ship's galley, presented in your own personal seating area. The seating options are virtually unlimited aboard this huge upscale luxury yacht. Depending on the weather and your personal preferences you can choose from indoor air conditioned dining or outdoor al fresco dining, with a warm ocean breeze. This ship could easily hold 50 people comfortably but to insure the most private and intimate experience, seating will be limited to only 20 passengers.
Alvin and I put a lot of thought into customizing an experience which would surpass anything that has ever been offered in the Cayman Islands. You no longer have to contend with high prices, crowded boats, and marginal food or give up an evening of fine dining to experience a sunset cruise. Oh Boy's Sunset Dinner Cruise offers the best of all worlds. You will experience a traditional gourmet Cayman style meal aboard a luxury yacht in the company of one of Cayman's most friendly, knowledgeable and caring captains and crew. Experience warm genuine Cayman culture, cuisine and hospitality at is very finest!
The price for all of this - including all the rum punch you can drink, along with a 3-course gourmet authentic Cayman meal is only US$75 per person! This is a special offer for our members and readers and you will find the discount offer in the next issue of Activity Guide.
In the mean time, if you want to book this spectacular must-do evening adventure, contact Alvin and mention the Activity Guide special rate of only US$75.
Ms. Popularity Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 3460 Location: Pennsylvania
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject:
YOU are a genius!!!!!!!!!! THAT was SO missing from the whole sunset cruise experience in Cayman.....AS WELL as in other tropical spots we've stayed at! The food on the other cruises is NOT any where near as good as dining in one of the wonderful island restaurants but this sounds FANTASTIC! AND lovely!
I SO can't WAIT for this.......I'm guessing it will leave from 7MB or Georgetown though...which, for we eastenders is not as easy....especially with unlimited rum punch........so maybe you can suggest a second drop off point???????????just a though and a hope.
oh, and the price.........WOW! Please warn them they will loose money on me with the unlimited rum punch alone however....with apologies
Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 5730 Location: Cayman Islands
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject:
Celine - I am trying to arrange a special deal for them so they can provide Blackbeard's award winning rum.
For people staying on Northside or East End we can work on having a second pickup at Rum Point.
There has never been anything like this here as far as I know. The fish is so fresh it will usually be alive in the bait wells until it's prepared. It really doesn't get any fresher than that.
I really like the idea of putting our visitors directly in touch with the natives for a culturally significant Caymanian experience. It's as much a cruise back in time as it is into the sunset. Back to a time when visitors interacted on a much more personal level with the people who have introduced generations of culture into the island. They have so much knowledge and history to share, the educational value of something like this will be both enlightening and rewarding. To have played a part in creating it brings me tremendous pleasure.
Ms. Popularity Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 3460 Location: Pennsylvania
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:53 am Post subject:
Thanks again Joe........I'm so excited about that, I can't stand it! Please, please try to work on that second pickup/drop off thing.......I'm sure it will be a little bit of a problem, but also sure there'd be a lot of interested people on that side of the island.
Temporary Resident Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 192 Location: Orlando
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject: Joe-sign me up
I am ready for that dinner cruise. That is such a good idea. And you are right on the bullseye. I think it is so important for visitors to greet and meet the people of CAYMAN. That is a big part of the draw for me to this island. I can get sun and white sand in southern FL. But the people of Cayman are so special.
thanks again for all your hard work.
Now if you would just plan a massive meeting of all of us in the CI. I would like to take a boat cruise around the whole island. That is my dream. A whole day going around and checking it all out. Eating fresh marinated conch and drinking rum. Maybe throwing Celine in the drink!!!!
WE NEED OUR OWN CONVENTION
Be afraid
caymancic
_________________ In honor of WALDO. Any one remember him?
Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 1293 Location: Grand Cayman
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject:
I can't wait to see the photos from this and learn more about it. I've got several events coming up in the next couple of months where this might be just the ticket!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot bump topics in this forum
FAQ
AND lovely!
