CDNJehn

We did the afternoon snorkel in April with Jolly Pirates. We took a can from inside the port area up to their office. I had read it was cheaper OUTSIDE the port area, but we were rushing to get there because of our late port time. We told the driver to go to the Holiday Inn, and then had to walk a bit. Next time I'd just tell them Jolly Pirates or Moomba ... there's a road and parking lot behind their office that's less of a walk than the Holiday Inn was. Taxis in Aruba are per ride, up to 5 passengers. I believe it was $11USD.

 

 

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My husband and 16 yr old son are doing the afternoon snorkel with Jolly Pirates. I'm looking for a casual place (with local fare if possible) that we can go to for dinner...without having to go back to the ship to shower/prep. Something on the beach would be ideal. Any suggestions? Is MooMba beach bar decent?

 

Would any shopping be open in the evening? Thinking we could walk around after dinner before heading back to the ship for our 10pm departure time.

 

Thanks!

 

 

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We visited one of the cayes years ago after snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley that had some hut-type restaurants on the water and a dirt road from one end of the island to the other with some shops along it. It was a long island with almost no motor vehicles. Does this sound like Caye Caulder? I would love to go back but can't remember the name of it.

 

 

That sure sounds like Caye Caulker. Our first visit there was after snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley as well. We loved our return trip via water taxi.

 

 

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We were in the same situation. Our 3rd trip there we'd done the ruins and snorkeling. We took the water taxi to Caye Caulker and loved our day. It was very easy to get to the water taxi station (just the other side of the port gate) and the schedule have us plenty of time to relax at the split with some Belikins.

 

 

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Agree with previous posters,

Definitely book the cruise excision. It's not worth saving a few bucks. This is the one and only excursion I have booked through the ship and I was glad I did.

 

They stopped on the way back for lunch (bathroom break) but I don't think we stopped on the way THERE.

 

The tour was great and they filled the drive with interesting information about the country. Highly recommend.

 

 

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I adapted easily to driving on the left, and hubby was in charge of repeating 'left, left, left' anytime I turned. I always forgot to turn into the LEFT side of the driveways. The other 'challenging' things is the traffic circles. Our town is full of them, so they're old hat for us but difficult for some.

 

 

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We used ToursCayman.net. Great service and reasonably priced. They did offer to drop ppl at seven mile beach instead of back at port.

 

 

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Love all the suggestions so far. Our 2 week trip to Grand Cayman became a gastro-fest. So many memories in this post. Vivienne's, My Bar, Seymour's.

 

I'd add a burger or fish tacos at Sunshine Grill @ Sunshine Suites. Soooooo good.

 

We also loved Timbuctuu, but I recently heard it was closed.

 

Another fave is Kaibo Beach Bar. Their crispy fish curry is amazing.

 

Tukka's in the east end had a great jerk pork quesadilla...

 

but unless you're renting a car you won't be anywhere near either. :(

 

 

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We used Andy's when we stayed on the island...but went with Cayman Auto when we visited on a cruise. It is close to port, within walking distance.

 

On our upcoming cruise stop we want with Andy's again, because we arrive early and Cayman Auto isn't open as early as Andy's. Andy's even helped get us on the road faster by taking my license info ahead of time so we can just sign and go.

 

Completely agree with bookbabe though, unless you're heading east or up to Rum Point there is no real value in renting a car. Use the bus system or take a cab.

 

 

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Most of the liquor stores close to the port are licensed as duty free shops. Such stores will only deliver to the ship.

 

There is a non-duty free Tortuga Liquors store in the Jack & Jill building, 19 Fort Street, which is next to the Legislative Assembly building. They can sell beer for you to take on your trip. Not sure what selection they will have cold.

 

Drew, is that place on the left, near the end of the plaza? We bought from there, maybe hubby would remember the beer selection if we are talking about the same place.

I have always rented a moped in Cozumel and zipped around the island doing whatever we decide to do at the moment. Can you do this in Grand Cayman? We are experienced moped riders and have our own at home.

 

If not, does anyone recommend renting a car?

 

 

We rented from Cayman Auto, which is about a 20 minute walk from the port. They have autos and scooters. Our first time in GC we did a self driving tour:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/grand-cayman/729753

The routes are marked (even if the roads aren't). Just have to adjust for driving on the left. We had a great day (have the same plan or our upcoming April cruise). We personally chose a car over a scooter/scooters so that one of us could navigate with the map. Very easy island to get around.

 

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We will be in GC from 7a-4p, will that be enough time to do a 5 hour tour with Nativeway and do some shopping? We have never been to a tender port. The tour drops us back off at the port, but I would like to do some shopping before going back to the ship. We mainly are looking for BBD rum & rum cakes. From what I have gathered on here, we can get the BBD rum at the landmark building, but what about the rum cakes? Also, are these places within walking distance of the port?

 

Any info is GREATLY appreciated. :)

 

Loads of time and lots of shopping around port. The tender is about 6 minutes long and they get people through quite quickly.

 

There is a BBD store across the street from the port to the right. They sell Blackbeard's rum cakes. If you exit the terminal on the left you will see a (duty free?) store that sells alcohol and Tortuga Rum cakes.

 

You can also purchase Tortuga Rum cakes on the ship (well, for sure on carnival) and they are comparably priced to the land price.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks, Drew. I thought that U S currency was widely accepted, but I wasn't sure about places like grocery stores that cater more to locals than tourists. We will be spending a week on Grand Cayman in May, not the usual few hours a cruise ship normally stops for.

 

We do plan to use credit cards for the larger purchases, but do the smaller ones in cash. If we end up with some change in Caymanian currency, I guess I'll just have to find some way to spend it before we leave.....or maybe that will be a good excuse to plan another trip! :D

 

I used a leftover $1 CI bill as a bookmark. It wasn't long before I was back in the Caymans spending/getting new bookmarks. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

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Does carnival Tender in Belize. Is that what you mean by taking a ferry.

 

 

Belize is a tender port, I think that's what they were referring to. :)

 

 

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There will be 7 of us going from the French Quarter to the airport (post cruise). Can anyone suggest a reputable limo company to use? I've seen some rates as low as $100 for an 8 seat limo ... thinking this is the cheapest transportation option for our group. Thanks!

 

 

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THanks to CDNJehn and others we're doing the Caye Caulker rater taxi

 

 

When do you cruise? Would love to hear about your experience.

 

 

 

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[quote name='kcparrothead']I see there are about 3 water taxis that would take us there. Does anyone have any opinions about who we should use? Want to take it from the area next to the port.[/QUOTE]


My post #69 has a link to the water taxi next to the tourism village. Exit the village as far to the left (when exiting the tender) as you can. Turn left after exiting the village. Turn left again almost immediately into a small plaza area and the office is at the end on the right. The plaza has a coffee shop and a small store to buy soda (or beer...at 8am ... if that's your thing). ;)

Upon exiting the tourism village we were approached by one person who asked if we wanted a tour. We responded 'no thank you, we're catching the water taxi'. He told us to 'have a great day'. Not exactly the terrifying adventure I'd built it up to be.


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Trying to find a beach where the chairs are NOT lined up 6" away from the next. Does this exist?

 

 

 

Not looking to do stingrays or anything boat related again. Went to Royal Palms last time - it was ok, but it was just too packed for my liking. We literally were 6" away from the next chair and it was just a wall of people.

 

 

This is why we spend the day at Smith Cove. No chairs, but also very few people.

 

 

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I am trying to decide on who to use for a Stingray City Tour with snorkeling. I am getting very confused from reading posts and just trying to figure out which company to go with. Any help would be greatly appreciated! There will be 5 in our party, my husband and I and an 18,15 and 9 year old.

 

 

We used ToursCayman dot net. They were great, and very reasonably priced.

We did three stops...stingray city, northern reef and starfish point.

 

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We thought about doing this, but had already booked. :(

 

Our decision to book like this would have been based on the fact that we are cruising with a husband/wife, the wife has diabetes and does not drink. However she still has to buy Cheers program if her husband wants it. I wouldn't want to purchase Cheers as I don't think I'd get my money's worth.

 

AFTER the fact we realized we should have booked girls in one room and guys in another. Oh well.

Capt - how big is the beach area at Sunset House? DH and I are going with about 6 - 8 others...maybe 10 - 12 if we pick up stragglers.

 

I know DH and I will want to snorkel - I think they might just want to enjoy the beach/pool/bar. I'm guessing we should bring own towels too? Do they have lounge chairs on the beach?

 

Thanks!

 

Sunset House doesn't have a beach. You can SIT @ My Bar, but it's not a place that you would go to lounge all day.

 

If you're looking for a beach you can walk a few minutes past Sunset House to Smith Cove. There are no chairs, but the beach is gorgeous. Small washroom available. Sometimes there's a guy there that rents lounge chairs. You can snorkel from shore. Not the best, but reasonably good for beginners. Sunset House has better snorkeling IMO.

 

Thanks - I saw this statement earlier in the thread, that's why I wondered:

 

The Split is the popular hang out and swimming hole. However, was not our cup of tea. Loud reggae/rap like music, young people, etc..... We are not ol' farts by any means. Just like a different atmosphere than the 20 something crowd.

 

I can say there WAS a younger crowd there, mostly in their 20's, all backpacking like boho's (and making me wish I'd started my 20's that way). We chatted with people from all over the world. Very interesting.

 

I asked hubby about the music and HE remembers music at the bar. That said we sat not far from the bar and I don't remember it, so it couldn't have been THAT loud.

 

You could always ask the water taxi or a store owner about the beach further south. I read about it but we didn't seek it out.

We were told (and read) "you'll never go back once you get one". Not true in our case. We around for a balcony last time and rarely used it. Too many smokers around us...and our neighbours spent most of their time coughing up a lung (I literally watched them spitting stuff into a napkin/tissue) next to us. Oh, and did I mentioned she was usually topless? And not the kind of topless you want to see. The reflection in the glass 'railing' was enough to send me back inside. Not worth it for us.

Also love stuff from the Caribbean Canvas Company (on Fort Street or at Caymana Bay.)

Can anyone recommend a beach in case the music drives us away from the Split? :D;)

 

They had some football matches on the TVs, but I don't remember any music, certainly not loud enough that it registered in my memory.