Grand Cayman Island (George Town Harbour)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Rating:
Grand Cayman Island cruise port

Region
Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time
2024-11-02 03:27

min: 82 °F (27 °C) / max: 83 °F (29 °C) 82°F
28°C
Wind: 78°/ 8.2 m/s  Gust: 8.6 m/sWind: 78°/ 8.2 m/s  Gust: 8.6 m/sFresh breeze
8.2 m/s
Min / Max Temperature83 °F / 29 °C
82 °F / 28 °C
  Port Map

Port Grand Cayman Island cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Grand Cayman Island, George Town Harbour. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
12 December, 2023
Tuesday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Constellation08:0017:00
13 December, 2023
Wednesday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Beyond07:0016:00
16 December, 2023
Saturday
AIDA Cruises Cruises cruise lineAIDAdiva08:0016:00
19 December, 2023
Tuesday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Reflection07:0016:00
19 December, 2023
Tuesday
MSC Cruises Cruises cruise lineMSC Seascape08:0016:00
19 December, 2023
Tuesday
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineNorwegian Escape10:0018:00
19 December, 2023
Tuesday
Disney Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineDisney Fantasy10:0017:00
20 December, 2023
Wednesday
Carnival Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineCarnival Horizon08:0016:00
20 December, 2023
Wednesday
Royal Caribbean Cruises cruise lineOdyssey Of The Seas09:0018:00
21 December, 2023
Thursday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineRegal Princess07:0016:00
21 December, 2023
Thursday
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineNorwegian Epic07:0016:00
22 December, 2023
Friday
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineNorwegian Jade10:0018:00
23 December, 2023
Saturday
Carnival Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineCarnival Paradise08:0015:00
23 December, 2023
Saturday
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Cruises cruise lineSeven Seas Grandeur10:0017:00
24 December, 2023
Sunday
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineNorwegian Gem08:0016:00
24 December, 2023
Sunday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Beyond08:0018:00
24 December, 2023
Sunday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Constellation09:0018:00
24 December, 2023
Sunday
Carnival Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineCarnival Sunrise09:0016:00
25 December, 2023
Monday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Apex08:0017:00
25 December, 2023
Monday
Disney Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineDisney Dream08:0016:00
26 December, 2023
Tuesday
MSC Cruises Cruises cruise lineMSC Magnifica08:0016:00
26 December, 2023
Tuesday
Holland America Cruises cruise linems Rotterdam08:0015:00
26 December, 2023
Tuesday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Reflection10:0018:00
27 December, 2023
Wednesday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Equinox08:0017:00
27 December, 2023
Wednesday
Marella Cruises Cruises cruise lineMarella Explorer 211:0020:00
28 December, 2023
Thursday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineRuby Princess07:0017:00
28 December, 2023
Thursday
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineNorwegian Epic07:0016:00
29 December, 2023
Friday
Royal Caribbean Cruises cruise lineGrandeur Of The Seas07:0016:00
29 December, 2023
Friday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Ascent07:0019:00
29 December, 2023
Friday
Carnival Cruise Line Cruises cruise lineCarnival Pride10:0018:00
30 December, 2023
Saturday
Celebrity Cruises Cruises cruise lineCelebrity Constellation09:0018:00
31 December, 2023
Sunday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineRegal Princess08:0018:00
31 December, 2023
Sunday
Holland America Cruises cruise linems Eurodam08:0015:00
31 December, 2023
Sunday
Oceania Cruises Cruises cruise lineOceania Insignia10:0018:00

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

George Town is a tender cruise port. Cruise ships anchor and their passengers are transported to the terminal's pier via the ship's tender boats or local (commercial) tenders. Usually, ship's anchorage is approx 15 min away from the cruise terminal.

Port George Town has 3 tender terminals located along the main shoreline road - South Terminal, North Terminal, and Royal Watler Pier. Tourist offices are available close to the South and North terminals.

Terminal buildings at all cruise ship tender docks are small, shaded areas where passengers are gathered for tours or wait there to be tendered back to the cruise ship.

All cruise terminals are located within walking distance from most of downtown's highlights. Cayman Islands have their own public transportation service. Taxis are also readily available on the island.

(NEW) Grand Cayman Cruise Terminal

In May 2017, the seaport announced a project for constructing a new/larger cruise ship terminal in George Town Harbour. The new facility is all-privately funded (by Carnival, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, DCL-Disney, and MSC) and involves a construction company for the new piers building in return for a percentage of annual revenue that the terminal generates (mainly from passenger fees / ~US$8 per person).

In July 2019, for the Cruise Berthing Facility Project (KYD 200 million / USD 240 million), the Cayman Government selected VIPP (Verdant Isle Port Partners) as the preferred bidder. VIPP is a consortium that consists of RCG-Royal Caribbean and CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, plus two construction companies (Orion Marine Construction, and McAlpine).

The funding was from both cruise companies plus a loan from CIBC-FirstCaribbean International Bank. The expected revenue for the companies from the new terminal was ~KYD 333 million (USD 400M) over its 25-year lifespan, based on estimated ~2 million passengers annually.

The berthing facility includes 2-finger piers built on pilings. The project is supervised by DBFM (STROISERVIS group of companies) specializing in design, financing, building and maintenance. The new facility will be operated by the Grand Cayman Port Authority Company.

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)
Booking.com