Grand Cayman Island (George Town Harbour)

George Town (Grand Cayman Island) is the principal port (and cruise port) and the capital city of the British Overseas Territory of Cayman Islands. The group also includes Little Cayman Island and Cayman Bra Island.

Port George Town Harbour (locode USGGE) is one of the most visited on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries leaving from the USA.

Grand Cayman is located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. The island's population is around 65,000, while in George Town live around 30,000. As a cruise destination, Grand Cayman attracts travelers with its underwater attractions (perfect for scuba diving), beautiful beaches, shopping. Among the largest cruise companies with regularly scheduled visits to George Town are the Carnival Corporation ships (CCL-Carnival, Princess, Holland America, AIDA), also RCG-Royal Caribbean Group ships (RCI, Celebrity), MSC, NCL-Norwegian, DCL-Disney, TUI, Marella UK.

In December 2018 was announced that Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group will finance the construction of a new cruise pier project. In late February 2019, the industry's largest companies joined DCL-Disney, and in May 2019 - MSC.

• The project's financing (~KYD 200 million / ~USD 240M) was to be exclusively private, with no public money used to build the new facilities. The financial contributions were not revealed.
• Cruise shipping companies and selected bidders had to provide all funds to construct the new/larger berthing facility plus a cargo dock, and for 20 years to collect all passenger fees.
• The "Cruise Berthing Facility Project" was estimated to support ~500 construction jobs plus local employment and ~USD 245 million in economic benefits.
• So far, the new cruise port project is a dead issue.

The world-famous Seven Mile Beach attracts with its crystal clear waters, amazing panorama and infrastructure featuring numerous hotels, seaside bars and restaurants. Among the best-known beach locations is also Royal Caribbean's exclusive beach resort "Royal Palms Beach Club".

Royal Palms is an approx 10-min taxi ride from RCI's cruise ship tendering point. To go there, just exit the passenger tendering area, pass the shore tours area and go into the parking lot from where take a taxi (rates around USD 4 pp). Royal Palms pricing includes

• USD 2 pp entrance fee
• USD 15 per day umbrella rental
• USD 10 beach chair rental
• USD 100 beach cabana rental
• USD 10 per day locker

Watersport rentals (cost per hour) include

• jet ski ($75)
• jet pack ($150)
• snorkeling gear ($15)
• paddleboard ($25)
• seakayak ($25)
• parasail ($80)
• serenity float ($12)
• snorkeling tour ($35)

Royal Palms has open-air restaurant, beach bar, outdoor swimming pool.

In October 2021, the Turks and Caicos' Tourist Board announced a US$25 million (EUR 21,5M / GBP 18,1M) investment (by Carnival Corporation) in the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Most of the funding (US$25M) was for property acquisitions - for building a vendor’s market and vendors accommodations, as well as a new floating dock (to be used by local watersports operators). Also was announced that between 2021-2023, Grand Cayman will inaugurate new luxury hotel properties by the brands Ritz-Carlton, Grace Bay Resorts, and Hyatt's Andaz Hotels. The new resort accommodation options range from residential homes (1-6 bedroom apartments) to 2-3-4-bedroom hotel suites and 2-level penthouses.

Due to the global COVID crisis, in 2020 (March 31st) the Cayman Islands officially closed borders. The policy also affected cruise vessels, which were banned from docking at its ports through January 2022.

• In July 2021, the Cayman Islands Government announced a 5-phase reopening plan, with January 27, 2022, being the date when all tourists will be allowed to visit the country (without quarantine periods or travel restrictions).
• The cruise shipping industry effectively ceased operations in the country for 21 months (in the period April 2020 through February 2022).

According to FCCA data (Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association), in 2019, the Cayman Islands were visited by 2+ million cruise tourists.

Grand Cayman Island cruise terminal

Grand Cayman Island tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Stingray City: the top-rated attraction of Grand Cayman.

Shopping in George Town: the main shopping street is Cardinal Avenue. There is located the Caymania Duty Free. Great place for shopping is Kirk Freeport – duty free with Swiss watches, crystal and china. You can visit also the Jewelry Center or the shops in the Galleria Plaza (located at West Bay Road).

Scuba-diving and snorkeling: main attractions of the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Turtle Farm: the farm houses around 16,000 turtles. The farm is surrounded by an amazing park. Located at Northwest Point Road (West Bay).

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park: is spreads over 65 acres. Located in the North Side district, it works from 9 AM.

Dolphin Discovery: across from the Turtle Farm in West Bay is the Dolphin Discovery. You have the opportunity to see, play and swim with those amazing mammals.

The Pedro St. James Castle: islands’ oldest structure made of stones. It is known as the birthplace of the Cayman Islands democracy.

Next are listed the most popular Carnival Cruise Lines tours on Grand Turk, with USD prices per adult:

• jeep tours ($100)
• Tiki Beach all-inclusive ($70)
• combo catamaran-snorkeling ($70)
• mini-submarine trips (from $50)
• snorkeling ($40)
• scuba lessons ($100)
• Island tour ($50)
• Cayman Motor Museum ($50)
• Parasailing ($85)
• 2-tank diving ($90)
• Stingray City Sandbar safari ($50)
• Dolphin Encounters (from $100)
• kayaking ($75)
• Rum Point Beach ($60)
• Boatswain's Beach ($50)
• Turtle Encounters (from $50)
• golfing at 18-hole Championship Course (from $150)
• Sea Grape Beach ($50)