Plans for new berthing facilites now doubtful

[drew sailbum]

There had been a bit more of a push towards developing berthing facilities for up to four ships in the Cayman Islands. See prior discussion from this board:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=770421&highlight=memorandum+understanding

 

With recent elections of May 2009, the Cayman Islands has a new government and the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the previous government is described as "dead." It looks like plans for new berthing facilites in George Town will not go ahead at this time.

 

See article from June 24, 2009 edition of the Cayman Net News: http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-16400--1-1---.html

 

It seems that the new government is not in favor of building berthing facilities or new cargo docks in George Town. Once again they are discussing the possibility of developing such facilities in East End. This is similar to the idle chatter which has been around for more thna 8 years now.

 

Consequences

• For the foreseeable future all ships will continue to tender cruise passengers into George Town or occasionally to the existing alternate site in Spotts.
  
• Once the new larger Genesis class ships come online you should expect that those ships will not stop in Cayman. The cruise lines have already indicated that those ships will only go to berthing ports.
  

Stay tuned for the next 4 years to see if the current government is able to move forward with alternate plans and to see if government changes again. Wash, rinse, repeat.

[caribsun]

Thank you for the update.:)

[falkcor]

well that's a little disappointing. i can understand not wanting the cargo port in georgetown, but it would be the best location for a passenger dock.

 

i wish the cruise lines would put a little pressure on or agree to work with g.c. to realize the dock. tenders are a pain.