How Best to Avoid Crowds from Cruise Ships?

Edited By : scubachar Sun, 11 May 2008 07:30:42 -0400

Hello all and thanks for all the useful information here. I love it when you can find such good information about a destination, thanks again.

Now to my question, We are traveling to Grand Cayman the first week in May and are staying at the Westin on 7MB. On 2 of the days there will be 4 and 3 cruise ships in port. Is it better to stay put on these days or get away from 7MB on these days. If we should get away, where to go where there won't be too many people? Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

title changed for clarity - scubachar

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:25 am Post subject:

Hi dgreenwoodnh - Thank you and welcome. Heavy cruise ship days are good for diving, sightseeing and most tours and restaurants. The main things effected by ship traffic are Stingray City, George Town shopping and a couple of beaches along Seven Mile Beach; and to a lesser extent Boatswain's Beach and Rum Point. If you plan on having a day or two to just relax at your hotel, doing that on a heavy cruise ship day would be a good idea.

Have a wonderful vacation.

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

Hello dgreenwoodnh, and welcome to the forum Smile

,

I agree with what Joe just said.....I think that the main thing you don't want to do on a heavy cruise ship day is to shop in Georgetown......I've never felt that Rum Point gets overly crowded on cruise ship days. Not that many people coming in for just one day, spend the time going over there.

Another thought is to go to Stingray City in the afternoon, instead of the morning. That, and choose a company like Soto's Cruises, who will only take out around 15 or 20 people at a time anyway, and you'll have a wonderful uncrowded time. That's exactly the way we did it this year, and so I can highly recommend Soto's from personal experience!

Also, just want you to know, that the cruise ship passengers won't be allowed on your beach, so there's no reason to worry about that. The beach is all public, of course, so they can walk along it and set towels down on the sand close to the water, but no one but hotel guests can ever use the chairs on any property. There are a few specific sections of 7 Mile Beach that are set up for hosting the passengers, so that's really where they go.

Thanks for your kind words, and let us know if there is anything else we can help you with as you make your plans.

Char

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

Great - thanks guys for the quick response. I think one day I will hang around the beach as it will be our first day there and the next I will head to Rum Point and maybe kayak in the afternoon with cayman kayaks. Only 13 days left before I will be basking in paradise.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject:

Cayman kayaks is VERY fun........one thing I didn't think of though, being a newbie to kayaking.......put sunscreen on the top of your feet........mine looked like little lobsters had attached themselves to my legs..........well

.........lobsters anyway..........NOT so little.

Kaibo Yacht club is a great place to stop beforehand for some lunch or afterward for a cool drink.......and don't forget to check out the starfish beach since you're so close.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

Celine - I don't think I read about strafish beach yet. How close is it to the kayaks and what is the easiest way to get there?

Also, can I just book with Cayman Kayaks when I arrive? I tried to send them 2 emails to reserve and got no response. I hope they will not be too booked to take us.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

dgreenwoodnh wrote:

Also, can I just book with Cayman Kayaks when I arrive? I tried to send them 2 emails to reserve and got no response. I hope they will not be too booked to take us.

dgreenwoodnh - I just updated the contact information for Cayman Kayaks. Please go to their topic and click the email button to send your request. If you do not receive a reply by Monday, send a copy of your message to me

and I will follow up.

Don't forget to add this to your

list so you have all the information with you when you arrive.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks Joe - I had this on my Must Dop list (which by the way is ingenious)!!!!. I have emailed Tom and hope to hear from him soon. Thanks again for all your help.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

Thank you dgreenwoodnh - That was very kind of you. Cheers

If you need any help with this or anything else, please don't hesitate to ask. I want this to be the best vacation you've ever had.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject:

Well Joe - since you offered - I am sending you a copy of an email that I have sent to three different email addresses for Andy's rental car. I'm not too concerned about being able to get a car when I arrive but I would love to get the discount and I understand that you have to reserve in advance over the web. I leave on Tuesday so if I can get any help with this I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Debbie

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

Starfish beach.....you will make a left into the parking lot to go to Kaibo Yacht Club and Cayman Kayaks.......if you just continued on that road to the end......there you'll find a spot to park and you can walk around and see the starfish.....don't give up if you don't see them right away, just continue around at the water's edge and you will!

Celine

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks Celine for the tip - we will try to make it down that way too.

Debbie

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

dgreenwoodnh wrote:

Well Joe - since you offered - I am sending you a copy of an email that I have sent to three different email addresses for Andy's rental car. I'm not too concerned about being able to get a car when I arrive but I would love to get the discount and I understand that you have to reserve in advance over the web. I leave on Tuesday so if I can get any help with this I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Debbie

I just spoke to Andys and posted a new email address in their topic. Please try that and let me know how it works out. They are aware of the problem and that it is costing them business so it's a high priority. I apologize for the inconvenience and hope the new email goes through for you. I tested it and had no problems.

If there is anything else I can do to help please don?t hesitate to ask but it will have to wait until tomorrow; it?s 8:30 here now and I need a break. My deadline is tomorrow so things are a little more hectic than usual. Very Happy

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 7:06 am Post subject:

Have fun and safe travels Debbie! We just booked thru Andy's yesterday for our June trip and got an immediate email confirmation and number........good luck with yours!
Celine

	Cayman Activity Guide Forum Index -> General Questions
Page 1 of 1