Grand Caymon... Not so great???

Cruisechic2005 · #1 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 07:19 AM

I have heard rumors that Grand Caymon isn't all its cracked up to be? is this true? i've always heard great things about it...

Also what are suggested excursions for Grand Caymon, Labadee, Cozumel, and Ocho Rios??? i'm sailing on the Navigator 3/5/05 and those are the Ports we're stopping in. Thanks!

alison1170 · #2 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 08:15 AM

I stayed at the Hyatt on GC back in the early 90s and loved it. I spent most of the time scuba diving. There were some great restaurants and shops as well. I was supposed to go back around New Years 2003 but a storm kept us from getting ashore. I made it back last New Years and was disappointed. My hubby who had never been to GC was disappointed as well. We were on the Navigator (lots of people) and there were 7 ships in port that day (3 as big as ours). The shops and streets were jammed and we had to wait 30 minutes for a cab. We went to the turtle farm, which had changed because it was hit by a hurricane earlier and lots of turtles were washed out to sea. What really disappointed me was how much the island has been built up with condos, resorts, etc. I used to have to walk down a flower filled path and through a field to get from the Hyatt to Seven Mile Beach for diving. In the morning, it was so peaceful. There was a great little restaurant there where I had breakfast before diving. Both are now gone, replaced by condos and shops. Where the dive shop was (it may still be there but I couldnt see it) there is now a huge building-more Hyatt rooms I suppose. You used to be able to drive along and see the beach. Now all you see is condos. Its really a shame. Ive been to many other islands who have resisted development, or have done it in a way that doesnt destroy the views. Still, if youve never been, its worthwhile to visit. Personally, I dont think Id go back, even for the diving (the smaller sister islands have great diving, are less crowded, not built up, and theres not much else to do except dive).

alison

#3 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 09:18 AM

I loved Grand Cayman and all of the seven in our party felt it was our favorite port. We did Stingray City with Capt. Bryan and had a super time. In Ocho Rios I would highly recommend Phil Lafayette. He is great and you really get to see the Ocho Rios area and feel very protected from the aggressive vendors. We had the best time with him. Any questions just e-mail me.

jeleja · #4 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 11:43 AM

I loved Grand Cayman. Stingray City was an awesome experience that I HIGHLY reccommend.

#5 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 01:47 PM

Grand Cayman is beautiful! It was our favorite port when we cruised last week. You must do the Stingray City tour.

In Ocho Rios, book with Peat Taylor. He is phenomenal!!!!

Donna · #6 (**permalink**) August 28th, 2004, 06:18 PM

Yep, the thing to do in Grand Cayman is to snorkel with the sting rays, wonderful expierence, just remember to purchase an underwater camera at home before you leave. They also come in handy for other excursions if you don't want to bring along a better expensive camera.

In Latabee we did the waverunner excursion and it was a gas, just be sure to pre-book that one, it fills up quickly.

#7 (**permalink**) August 29th, 2004, 08:39 PM

Did not care to pet the stingrays We took a day excursion to Spanish Bay Reef resort (pricey) Got free buffet, unlim drinks & snorkeling/.dive. Nice place but everything runs on slow speed. Found the island to be very congested, not very charming & home of the $25.00 price fixed tee shirt. We're going again on our March cruise & think we will make it a beach or hotel day nearby the ship...

#8 (**permalink**) August 29th, 2004, 09:21 PM

Wow, hcat, I'm wondering where you shopped. We found several places with tee shirts priced 3 for $20.

We found Grand Cayman to be absolutely lovely. The people were friendly and we never felt safer.

CruiseChic, the reality is that everyone has different likes and dislikes. Don't listen to any of us. Get off the ship, take a look around, and make a decision as to whether or not you like Grand Cayman. I loved it; Hcat didn't care for it. Come back from the cruise and tell us what YOU thought of it

hkolln · #9 (**permalink**) August 30th, 2004, 04:56 AM

I can't say what the recommended excursions are but this is what we are doing on our Voyager cruise in Feb...

GC: renting a car and touring the island ourselves
Cozumel: Eagle Ray Divers 3 reef snorkel tour
Labadee: just hanging out at the beach there
Ocho Rios: Peat Taylor Tour

Now, if we do what we are planning on doing (become open water certified divers) we may just dive in GC and Cozumel instead. It all depends upon if we go thru the certification or not for diving.

Post Edited (08-30-04 04:57)

Darcy · #10 (**permalink**) August 30th, 2004, 07:39 AM

We enjoyed Grand Cayman when we were there in April 2004. We booked the Stingray
Sanbar tour with Soto's Cruises. It was $24/pp and we went to 2 snorkel sites and the stingray sandbar. They picked us up at the pier and returned us there when we were done. Took about 3 hours. We're going back again in April 2005 and plan to do the Seamobile Submarine tour.

LisaK · #11 (**permalink**) August 30th, 2004, 10:18 AM

Grand Caymen is a fun destination - the "thing" to do is the Stingrays. Book a tour to Sting Ray City/Sandbar its great. Caymen is a small island, it is a clean island, and by no means a poor island. There really aren't any shopping deals.
7 mile beach is a really nice beach if you just want to have a beach day.

#12 (**permalink**) August 30th, 2004, 02:51 PM

When my wife and I cruised to GC, we did Sting Ray City and a coral reef with Capt. Marvin. It was great. When we got there (SRC) we were by ourselves and we saw a great big group of a lot of boats and people and asked the crew what it was and they told us that it is the all the groups that book with the cruise ships. They have one spot to go to. We were sure glad that we didn't book with the ship.

Jack and Lynette

Time until our 12 day to Pamama Canal

pnorth · #13 (**permalink**) September 1st, 2004, 04:28 PM

Grand Cayman is great! The sting ray city is not to be missed. The water is only waist deep. Enjoy, the little shops across from the tender spot is nice to purchase cheap t-shirts and taste the rum cakes. I loved that port and would go again in a heart-beat! Heck I have to replace my refrigerator magnet I lost from there. :{

California Cruiser · #14 (**permalink**) September 2nd, 2004, 04:41 PM

I've been to Grand Caymon 4 times. The shopping isn't much except for the rum cakes (they're great to give as gifts). One trip to the turtle farm and hell for me and my 50+ travel buddies is enough. The snorkeling is great. My sister like the scuba diving so much that she went back for a week without hubby and the kids.

But my best trip was in June when I booked Captain Marvin for the half day trip to Sting Ray City and 2 other sites for my sister, her 13 year old twins and myself. Not only was the trip less expensive than a shore excursion from the ship, it was longer, less crowed and we even got free rum cakes at the end. Being the indulgent aunt, I splurged for the $66 DVD taken during the trip. I've shown it to several times since I returned home and everyone who's seen it wants to go, including one of my 50+ travel buddies that opted for the turtle farm the last time we were there and my fair haired cousin who didn't thin they'd enjoy the hot sun of a tropical vacation.

#15 (**permalink**) September 3rd, 2004, 01:10 PM

We'll be back there in March again so we'll see what else there is to do. Looking for a place to get to via water to avoid congestion--saw a beach in the opposite direction of the snorkel locations so that may be good. Where are the cheap T shirts? Only good buys we found were cigars at Churchills for my husb. Hard to judge on a one day visit--always willing togive it another try--it was clean!