short time in port what can we do?

[dishie02]

Hey,

 

We are scheduled to be in Grand Cayman in early January from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm. We know that this is a tendered port but we don't know how much time waiting in line and tendering actually takes. Also is this a port that is likely to be canceled during this time of year. What would we actually have time to consider doing while in port?

 

Any suggestions?

[Snorkel2Much]

Walk to:

1) Eden Rock for snorkeling

2) Shopping

3) Margaritaville for lunch

[twinkletoes4445]

Since you're going to be there in the winter, ship time and island time should be the same (if you are sailing out of Miami, FLL, ect)...so I'd probably try and book a early morning snorkel trip. Captain Marvin's has one from 8:30-10:45. I'd email them and see if they think this will work for you. I'd tell them the ship you'll be on and the time you'll be in port. Joan or Ruth will be able to help you. CM's is a short 5-minute walk (max) from the tender area.

 

http://www.captainmarvins.com/

 

Or you could always book a Stingray Sandbar snorkel through the ship. The only reason I'd consider this is because you're in port for such a short time.

 

If you do this in the morning, you'd probably have time to shop a bit, and maybe grab a bite to eat. The last tender will probably be at 1:15 or so. As long as you're in the line, you'll be fine. :)

 

Or you could consider grabbing a cab and heading for Royal Palms for a day at the beach. They have chairs (I think you have to rent them), a restaurant, restrooms, water toy rentals...and I believe they have lockers for rent. It's not too far from the port area...a mile or so.

 

Here's their website...

 

http://www.reefgrill.com/

 

We usually vacation there in Jan or Feb, and they do have storms that come up and the ships have to pass this island on by. I don't know how often this happens, but it does happen.

[twinkletoes4445]

As for the tendering, a lot depends on how many ships are in port, and the ship you are on. Once you're on the tender, it seems like it takes maybe 3-4 minutes to actually get the docking area.

 

Here's the Cayman Port Authority site so you can check what other ships will be in port. Count yourself very lucky if there are only 4 or so. We've seen as many as 10 at one time...and it's a mess.

 

http://www.caymanport.com/schedule.htm

[suziqz007]

We had the same port times and chose Moby Dick's tour to Stingray City and snorkeling...

We were gone about 3-1/2 hours.

 

Got off the ship with no waiting at about 8:20 (and actually could have stayed on the ship another 30 minutes). Checked in with Moby Dick tours at the dock shortly after 8:30, then walked around the town about 1 hour. About the only thing open that early is the grocery store, a short walk away. You DO NOT need to rush to get off the ship for this tour since they load the van at 9:30 with ALL who signed up...not just your group. If you are there too early, you will have to fill time until 9:30.

 

After loading on the van, we drove about 30 minutes to the boat. There were maybe 25-30 people on our boat...VERY comfortable and not crowded. Saw some huge double-decker boats from the ship's tour and they were very crowded...looked to be over 100 people on some of them.

 

When we got to Stingray City, it was fairly crowded with boats, so our guides took us to do snorkeling first...very close. You can see the stingray sandbar from the snorkeling area. During snorkeling, the guides get into the water with you and help you find cool underwater things. We saw a huge eel and a 5-foot nurse shark. Kids & I got close enough to touch the shark and took pics. I was surprised that I was not scared...it was awesome!

 

After about 45 minutes, the stingray sandbar had cleared out a good bit and the ship tours had gone, leaving us a very uncrowded experience! We all kissed a stingray, some of us fed them, and DD held one and got it to lay on her.

 

On the boat they have water and fruit punch, an on-board bathroom, plenty of snorkeling equipment & life vests, a fresh-water shower, music, very fun and "hands-on" guides...a SUPER experience....for only $35 USD. Since this IS a frequently canceled port, you may be interested to know that no down payment is required...you pay in full when you show up for the tour.

 

We got back to the dock in time to pick up a few very quick souvenirs. Although the tendering line looks long, keep checking it as it moves fast. My DH & DS thought they had plenty of time to pick up a few things and they were the last ones on the last tender boat. They had to jump on. :rolleyes: