arizonacruzr Posted October 17, 2004 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2004 My family is hoping to be on Grand Cayman Island during Thanksgiving week on our cruise. Last time we went, we rented a car from Avis which was located at the airport. We wasted valuable time waiting for a shuttle to pick us up at the pier, and return us at the end of the day. Are there any car rental companies that are located at or within walking distance of the pier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce-r Posted October 17, 2004 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2004 I would think that you should be prepared to pay a lot more for a rental car this time. Many cars were damaged in the storm surge caused by the hurricane, this could include some of the cars in the rental fleets. Rental cars might also be in short supply because people are having insurance pay for the rental car until they can get their personal car repaired/replaced. The relief workers also will be needing cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted October 17, 2004 #3 Share Posted October 17, 2004 Sounds like you are already stressing? Think island time, mon. If you don't want to wait for a shuttle, jump in a taxi? Don't know if their 7mile location is open - it was opposite the Marriott which certainly received damage, but: http://www.andys.ky/ They also have a shuttle. Don't know if I would depend on web reservations unless positive confirmation was received. Think I would prefer to talk with a person and they offer discounts other than web rates. Doubt all of the roads will be rebuilt by then and not sure what gas availability is. While the island will hopefully be open before then, much on the island will not be fully open for months. I might just hire a taxi that should have current knowledge of what is and isn't open and the best way to get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizonacruzr Posted October 17, 2004 Author #4 Share Posted October 17, 2004 Thanks for the advice- I hope I don't sound like I'm stressing, just an obsessive planner. Do you think Rum Point is a bad idea with all the damage that occurred? Perhaps 7 Mile Beach is a better option since it's closer. Any opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted October 17, 2004 #5 Share Posted October 17, 2004 My bad - a mis-diagnosis - good thing I'm not a doctor. Pure speculation, but... I think Rum Point, since it is on the north side of the island would have received less damage than the south side. I do see The Retreat at Rum Point is closed until further notice due to Ivan damage. http://www.caymanvacations.com/indexmenu.htm?properties/retreat.htm&2 However, I think you will have to drive through some of the heaviest damaged areas to get there. I think Rum Point is the farthest away from the cruise ships (via a road) that you can go and still be on Grand Gayman. Red Sail has (had?) a ferry from 7mile beach to Rum Point. They aren't currently taking reservations, but you might contact them to see what they might offer. They are under contract to some cruise lines. http://www.redsailcayman.com/gc_contact.html It runs from the Hyatt - scheduled to reopen 1-Dec). While some parts of the Hyatt are scheduled to reopen 1-Dec the main resort isn't scheduled to reopen unil 1-Jun-2005. http://grandcayman.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml If you go to 7 mile beach, not sure why you would need a car - perhaps just a taxi each way? It would be more crowded than Rum Point, but is also supposed to be larger thanks to Ivan. I think a number of us are in hurry up and wait mode for more information including when tourists are allowed back in and what we will find. My plan will include a snorkeling trip and then play it by ear once back on land. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizonacruzr Posted October 19, 2004 Author #6 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Thanks to both of your for your replies and input. I think it's still up in the air whether we'll be going to the Caymans over Thanksgiving. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llund Posted October 20, 2004 #7 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I am waiting to see what is going on with the island. Were were in GC before and I have done the stingrays, 7 mile beach, Hell and the turtle farm. So, this time my hubby and I were planning to rent a car and drive the East side to Rum Point. I had heard that the East side was the most heavily damaged. So, I am taking a wait and see attitude. We are planning to be there on January 5 so still have some time. If we can't rent a car, we may go with the rest of our group to the stingrays again and then relax on 7 mile beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted October 20, 2004 #8 Share Posted October 20, 2004 Rum Point is on the North Central coast of Grand Cayman, but you have to drive east from to get there from most places. A map: http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/cy/gcmap.shtml Andy's doesn't seem to be advertising the 7mile beach location, but they are advertising: http://www.caymannetnews.com/pdf_news/12.jpg I do agree it is going to be hard to plan - what is closed today may well be open tomorrow, and to a lessor extent, the reverse. Planning is everything, the plan is nothing (I hate it when they say that at work). I think flexability is going to be the name of the game for the next few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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