Western Caribbean on the NCL Dawn

Grand Cayman was probably our favourite port. We chartered a private boat with a wonderful captain "JM" and sailed all over the island. We went to "Stingray City" first where Bruce soon became an expert in feeding and handling these magnificent creatures. I also really enjoyed interacting with them. Ben went in the water with dad and though Abby was content to stay in her inner tube; she did touch the sting rays. One even came right up to her tube for a hand out.
After Sting Ray City, JM took us to two places for some world class snorkeling along the reef's edge and some interior. We saw almost every fish in the guide as well as some cool spiny lobsters. We then headed for a beach and ended the day with a ride through the same mangrove swamps near to where "The Firm" was filmed.

Like a B-rated sci-fi movie, the sting rays came in as soon as we showed up.

Ben meets the sting rays

Abby watches from her perch.

Bruce really had a knack for feeding the sting rays.

This sting ray came right up to the inner tube Abby was sitting in and stuck his head out of the water in hope of some squid- this one is almost as wide as the diameter of the tube. The ray then ducked under Abby's tube. You had to watch them because they would come up behind you and "goose" you if you weren't paying attention. They were quite gentle though.

Dad brings a baby sting ray for Abby to touch.

Our intrepid captain "JM".

After Sting Ray City and some snorkeling, we went to a gorgeous & secluded beach for a while. Ben loves his turtle floaty.

Ben was utterly fascinated by the star fish. He kept yelling "star" over and over.

The water was only about one and a half to two feet deep and Abby enjoyed herself immensely.

Here you can see our chartered boat behind Ben as well as the pristine beach.

STAR!!!!!

Ben at the end of the day. We made it back on board the Dawn with fifteen minutes to spare.