What is the best thing to do at Grand Cayman?

[123linz123]

Sea day the tendering makes it a miserable experience. But. If you make it to the island the 7 buck cokes are great!!!

 

Please tell me this is someone having a joke.

[123linz123]

Thank you for your replies, I have been to Sting ray city.

Going to check out Rays,Reef and Rum, and also Eden rock.

 

Merry Christmas :)

[123linz123]

I have been looking at Eden Rock.

Is this something where you have to go with the dive center? or could I just take my own snorkel gear and do my own thing?

 

Thank you

[bookbabe]

I have been looking at Eden Rock.

Is this something where you have to go with the dive center? or could I just take my own snorkel gear and do my own thing?

 

Thank you

 

Eden Rock can definitely be done on your own. It's a few minutes walk to the right of the cruise terminals. I would recommend a life vest (bring or rent) as the water there is very deep and the current is quite strong.

[Capt_BJ]

Sunset House to snorkel or shore dive then ... or just hang at

http://sunsethouse.com/

My Bar

http://sunsethouse.com/bar.php

doubtful you'll see another cruiser . . .

[gay head]

When we were in Caymen last year when we were on the Magic we took the excursion to seven mile beach where we went to a beach club for the day.We did not want to leave when the bus came back to pick us up so we stayed and took a cab back to the ship for around two dollars.It is not necessary to do an excursion through the ship, just get a cab at the port and tell him you want to go to a beach club at seven mile beach.All the clubs have a resturant, bar and music.IAsk thrm to call you a cab whrn you are ready to leave.The entrance fee was not very much and you get a beach chair .

[gr8life]

If you guys are planning on swimming with the stingrays you must try the Buccaneer catamaran. You'll have a great time and the price is right compared to Carnival. As soon as you get off the dock take a left and walk about 2 short blocks, and a scenic bus ride takes you directly to the boat dock. Anyway, the directions and information are on this site.

 

 

http://www.caymanislandsdiscounts.co..._Excursion.htm

 

 

It was $39., looks like they just upped it a few weeks ago to $45, maybe because of the Christmas holiday. Still worth it!:)

[OCruisers]

Gee, probably the best thing to do for some may not be the best for others ... depending on what sort of tours people like.

 

Most do want to see the stingrays their first time.

 

WARNING: Don't go to Hell!

 

LuLu

~~~~

[sparklingsoul]

I spent a day at Sea Grape Beach in January, 2013, and absolutely loved it. For a small charge, I rented a front-row beach chair and umbrella on this gorgeous beach. I spent the whole day swimming. I had a delicious milkshake and fries for lunch (they had a huge menu, but I ordered my favorites:-)

 

I recommend brining water shoes, because they are some rocky areas to step around in the water, but I didn't have shoes, and I had an amazing day.

 

After spending the day at Sea Grape, I did a little shopping in town and enjoyed the beautiful stores. I had a $7 icecream in port, but it was delicious and worth it.

 

Grand Cayman is one of my all-time favorite ports. If you love spending the day on the beach, and you go to Sea Grape, you will have a fantastic time!

Edited December 25, 2013 by sparklingsoul

[soulshaker33]

Sunset House to snorkel or shore dive then ... or just hang at

http://sunsethouse.com/

My Bar

http://sunsethouse.com/bar.php

doubtful you'll see another cruiser . . .

 

Hey Capt.

I have not dove in 4 years, only have 8 total dives, none in the ocean. I would do a guided shore dive at eden or sunset, which place would be better for me? Eden has swim thrus, caves, etc. not comfortable for me, is Sunset more open diving?

Thanks

Es

[Capt_BJ]

You would want to book a 'refresher course' with Sunset Divers due to your 4 year hiatus

 

then you could do another shore dive with a buddy or a paid escort

 

if you have someone interested to can book a discovery dive for yourself and the novice and use the Discovery as your refresher ...

 

At Eden/Grotto you don't HAVE to go thru the swim thrus ... but at Sunset you won't be tempted and I VERY MUCH prefer the staff at Sunset. That's where I took dd for her first Discovery and we spent a week diving there this past March.

 

From: http://sunsethouse.com/tips.php

For certified divers there are some important things you need to remember: If you haven’t dived for more than 2 years, you’ll be asked to complete a Refresher Course which consists of a pool session and a dive. This is normal on-island procedure and not only helps you reacclimatize to the water, it insures our continued excellent safety record. If you haven't dived for 10 years or more a re-certification is required... Once you have completed this, you’ll be able to go on any of our trips. There is a nominal fee for this.

 

Another option would to complete a refresher at your local dive store prior to arrival and get your log booked stamped while doing so.

[soulshaker33]

You would want to book a 'refresher course' with Sunset Divers due to your 4 year hiatus

 

then you could do another shore dive with a buddy or a paid escort

 

if you have someone interested to can book a discovery dive for yourself and the novice and use the Discovery as your refresher ...

 

At Eden/Grotto you don't HAVE to go thru the swim thrus ... but at Sunset you won't be tempted and I VERY MUCH prefer the staff at Sunset. That's where I took dd for her first Discovery and we spent a week diving there this past March.

 

From: http://sunsethouse.com/tips.php

For certified divers there are some important things you need to remember: If you haven’t dived for more than 2 years, you’ll be asked to complete a Refresher Course which consists of a pool session and a dive. This is normal on-island procedure and not only helps you reacclimatize to the water, it insures our continued excellent safety record. If you haven't dived for 10 years or more a re-certification is required... Once you have completed this, you’ll be able to go on any of our trips. There is a nominal fee for this.

 

Another option would to complete a refresher at your local dive store prior to arrival and get your log booked stamped while doing so.

 

Thanks for the reply Capt. I am doing a refresher tomorrow here locally. I'll have to call sunset to see if they offer guided shore dives. I only have 6 hours shore leave from the cruise, and I am trying to maximize every minute on Cayman.(my 1st cruise, booked it because Cayman was a stop). Anyway, would snorkeling sunset or eden be almost as good as a dive? Snorkeling would take less time. I'm guessing stingray city, and snorkeling the reefs by boat would be a don't miss if you have 1 visit to Cayman? I was also thinking of cemetary reef on 7mb, any thoughts? I really appreciate your help and comments, thank you.

[bookbabe]

Cemetery is pretty crappy if you're an experienced diver, even if it's been awhile. Eden Rock, even as a shore snorkel, is better.

 

If you like wreck dives, there's also the Kittiwake. http://www.kittiwakecayman.com/

[Capt_BJ]

I'll have to call sunset to see if they offer guided shore dives

 

they do and it is an easy dive

 

rather than call I've had good luck e-mailing the hotel and heading the MSG:

 

PLEASE PASS TO DIVE SHOP

 

and got a reply the same day . . .

 

mailto: sunset@sunsethouse.com

 

mailto: pete@sunsethouse.com (dive shop manager)

 

Dive Shop Direct Line 1 345 946 6789

 

***

 

snork as good as a dive? The depths at Eden and Sunset will run 30 to 60 - on top of rocks at Eden less in spots. I prefer a dive but snork is very good

 

my 2 cents on time line

 

If you snork you may get in the water faster if you have your own gear esp at Eden

 

For every 20 people who snork/dive Eden ONE will go the extra half mile to Sunset. So there is a chance of a crowd trying to rent at Eden, while the dive masters are sitting around at Sunset. Sunsets house boats will be gone on the morning trip but a shore staff ALWAYS remains .. i.e., no line for gear rentals.

 

and for non-participants who just come along ... the bar is great and I've never seen them say no to "may we use the pool while dad dives?"

Edited December 26, 2013 by Capt_BJ

[soulshaker33]

Thanks Capt. you're the best, appreciate your time and your help. Capt. Marvin can get me to stingray and 3 reefs and be back by 1pm. I should still have time to snorkel Eden or sunset, I might try that. Looks like I am trading a Sunset/Eden dive for Cap. Marvin. After all this, we might not port due to winds, who knows. I'll be there January 9th. Thanks again.

[4Ollies]

Soulshaker33 my husband took our boys, then ten, on their first ocean dive with Eden Rock. They dove the Grotto and loved it. It was just the three of them and their guide. They got to see a lot of different fish, coral, fire coral (ouch), and went through the arches. If you have time I would try them!

[Capt_BJ]

one heck of a place for a first ocean open water dive!

[soulshaker33]

Soulshaker33 my husband took our boys, then ten, on their first ocean dive with Eden Rock. They dove the Grotto and loved it. It was just the three of them and their guide. They got to see a lot of different fish, coral, fire coral (ouch), and went through the arches. If you have time I would try them!

 

Thanks Julie. My 1st ocean dive looks like Sunsethouse, then I 'll try to go to Turtle Reef if I can get a guide. There is not much action on my roll call thread for our cruise, would love to find a good dive partner. I'll prob snorkel eden, but I'll have to hit the cruise dock running that morning to do all I want, not to mention 7mb either:)

[NJKathy1]

There seems to be an issue with tendering. You may do better with a ship run excursion only because the ship tours usually get the early tenders because there is a set time for the excursion. OR wait an hour or two to get off the ship, there will be no line. I've been several times and will be there in a few weeks. Did the stingrays years ago and may do it again with snorkeling. If you do the stingrays, do it on a small off ship excursion, much more enjoyable but then again, you have that tender issue.

 

Kathy

[vwrestler171]

There seems to be an issue with tendering. You may do better with a ship run excursion only because the ship tours usually get the early tenders because there is a set time for the excursion. OR wait an hour or two to get off the ship, there will be no line. I've been several times and will be there in a few weeks. Did the stingrays years ago and may do it again with snorkeling. If you do the stingrays, do it on a small off ship excursion, much more enjoyable but then again, you have that tender issue.

 

Kathy

 

I'm getting ready for my 3rd cruise to Grand Cayman and I've never had any issues getting ashore. Most excursions leave an hr or more after the ship arrives, leaving plenty of time to tender.

[soulshaker33]

I'm getting ready for my 3rd cruise to Grand Cayman and I've never had any issues getting ashore. Most excursions leave an hr or more after the ship arrives, leaving plenty of time to tender.

With 4 cruise ships scheduled to Cayman that day, still not much delay getting to the pier from your experience?

[vwrestler171]

With 4 cruise ships scheduled to Cayman that day, still not much delay getting to the pier from your experience?

 

We had the Magic, Liberty, and 2 Norwegian ships in Grand Cayman the last time I was there.

[DandyTwister]

Just my opinion...but waiting in line for a tender ship to take me to an island or bring me back to a cruise ship from a day on an island is better...much much better than sitting at home on my couch...especially in the winter.

 

I think people who have big problems with tenders vacation different than we do...we think of a vacation as a time to relax and "go with the flow"...we aren't worried about spending 1/2 hour...or an hour waiting in a line...some people like to go top speed on a vacation and cram in as much as possible or always be the first in line...guess it depends on what type of travelers you are...for us tendering is simply part of the experience.

 

I'm not criticizing others...just saying you have to be honest with yourself about who you are..if you get impatient waiting in lines...save yourself the aggravation of a tender and stay on the ship...your vacation will be better for you. (no offense...but it will also save us from standing in line and needing to listen to people complain about standing in line....listening to people is the only problem we have ever had with tendering...and that was just a one time experience itself...the rest of the times those around us were patient and we often had fun just chatting with people):)

[4serenity]

Fat Fish Tours, jet ski's to Stingray Sandbar.

 

 

Pay It Forward. Be kind.