Welcome to planDisney Angela, and as Nemo's teacher Mr. Ray would say - Welcome Aboard Explorers!
One thing I love the most about heading out on a Disney Cruise Line voyage is the array of
Port Adventures that they have available, with the reassurance of the
Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency that the Walt Disney Company is known for. If I had to count, I've probably sailed in and out of Cozumel at least 50 times and am so happy you came to ask about one of the adventures that I've personally experienced on
this sunny island just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula!
Based on the
list of experiences offered, I figured that you must be referring to the one named:
"Everybody Loves Rays!" (CZ64). In my experience, this was just a short taxi ride away and located about an equal distance away from either cruise ship terminal on the island. Unlike a trip requiring you to float out in open water, they describe themselves as a marine sanctuary with a smaller underwater area enclosed by netting in which you'll be able to snorkel freely and view even more marine life; on my last visit they had several nurse sharks lurking below that kept their distance. As for the stingrays themselves, they were like floppy, slippery kittens that affectionately brushed against you during your encounter time standing in the shallows. We had the opportunity to feed and hold them, while some took the opportunity to bring their faces closer for the photo opportunity. (Especially if you want to like, kiss and stuff - which the staff encouraged!)
We also had some free time to relax and encounter the iguanas and parrots that lived on the property; the beach itself is rocky but there is a sand-covered enclosed dining area. Something to be mindful of is that at the time, they didn't allow you to take your own photos nor video of the stingray experience; they offer a photo package at the end for an additional fee. I recommend checking again as policies may be subject to change!
In my opinion this experience has more wildlife encounters than
Castaway Cay's Stingray Adventure, but you might also like
checking out Stingray City if you're heading out to
Grand Cayman for an experience out on an ocean sandbar and don't mind crowds!
I asked fellow
planDisney Panelist and ocean-loving marine biologist Melanie O about stingrays and she let me know that it's a common practice for aquariums to trim the barbs found on their tails, similar to clipping fingernails as an added bit of safety. She also told me to keep an eye out for their distinctively flat teeth, which you might be lucky to spot in the sand underwater!
Please feel free to come back to planDisney to a
sk me anything else about any educational excursions or fun encounters you won't want to miss on your next voyage. All the best on your aquatic animal adventures!
Prince