Cayman Islands - First Cruise

[RickEsGirl]

Hello,

 

My husband and I will be taking our first cruise aboard the Carnival Legend this April. I checked the Cayman Island Port Authority page, and we will be one of SEVEN ships in port that day.

 

We are not sure what shore excursion to try, or if we should book one with the ship or on our own. I'm a little scared that if we book one on our own we will somehow left, particularly on such a crowded day in port. What can we expect? Does anyone have any suggestions for a first-time shore excursion?

 

Thank you!

 

RickEsGirl :)

 

PS: Just found out we will be one of EIGHT ships in Cozumel too. Great...

[glasgowgal]

Hi

We have been to the Cayman Islands a few times and have done the trip with the Stingrays.

The first year I was too scared to try and just took photos of my husband with the Stingrays.

Next time I went in and stayed very close to my hubby but I loved it. The water isnt deep you can just stand and let them swim by. One of the guys running the trip lifted one out the water for us to be photographed with it. Memorable.:p

[Suebee42]

I was just in Grand Cayman last week (*sigh*), and there were 7 ships in port that day... it wasn't too bad!

 

Knowing when the last tender sets out will help a great deal. :D

 

We went snorkeling at the Paradise Restaurant, in walking distance from the port, and in full view of the ships. It was quite a view -- and the snorkeling was great!

[DiveCruiser]

We use ShoreTrips instead of the ships. They are usaually cheaper. Just log in and check out the islands. Never had a problem in 5 years

 

Bob

[M&M Mousers]

Grand Cayman has virtually no crime so you can feel totally safe there. When you disembark the ship there will be tour guides, with vans, waiting to offer you very inexpensive tours. They are all licensed by the state. We've had wonderful tours everytime. From Georgetown you can go out to the Turtle Farm - $18 to play with turtles from babies to huge, you can look them up online for more info. You will also visit Hell, which is really a souvenir shop/store with some interesting paintings on the outside and a post office drop in front of some very wicked volcanic formations. Picture opportunity is about all it offers - look online for more info. They'll take you to the Rum Cake Factory, actually it's another gift shop with samples of many many types of rum cake. Yum. On this tour they'll drive you through town and past 7 mile beach and generally talk all the way. You can have them drop you back at the ship, or at Cemetary Beach where you can visit the white coral beach and swim in the always warm water. Then, you can catch a public bus ($1.50 per person) back to the ship. The bus system is really 8 passenger vans and is totally reliable. It is also a wonderful way to see the island - you can look them up online also (use Grand Cayman public bus as your search term) and the site gives you all the routes and rates. If you take a tour to the opposite end of the island from Turtle Farm, you can visit the beautiful Queen Elizabeth II botanical garden and the Blue Iguana Habitat - look online for info. This tour will take you past miles of gorgeous beaches. If you ask, your driver will stop and let you look at blowholes. We rent scooters at Scooters and More and drive ourselves around the island. It's $45/day per person, but if you're not familiar with the island it might be a bit much for your first visit. Believe me, once you've gone, you'll go back.

Happy Cruising!

[Suebee42]

Grand Cayman has virtually no crime so you can feel totally safe there.

 

I agree, when we were there, I felt like I was on Long Beach Island, NJ, one of my favorite (domestic) places to vacation. Just with more expensive jewelry stores and liquor stores... LOL!

 

I honestly think I'd have NO problem spending a whole week on Grand Cayman, if I could afford it. :D

[dmblnd]

I'm interested in creating my own tour using the bus as a fun and inexpensive way to get around but can't find a schedule anywhere. Does anyone know how I can find my way around on it? thanks in advance!:p