Apex Grand Cayman

[spammie]

We are currently on the Apex in Grand Cayman today from 10am until 5pm. ALL bars are closed until 4:30pm except the pool bar. 

[danceswithphones]

Looks like the Carnival Sunrise and Glory are there, too. Please let us know how the tendering goes!

 

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, danceswithphones said:

Looks like the Carnival Sunrise and Glory are there, too. Please let us know how the tendering goes!

 

When we were there in March on the Apex, the tendering was done by local tenders. The CC also was doing priority tendering for elite and above. We thought the entire tendering process was handled very well. Same when at Belize. Wasn't there talk plans for building a pier at Georgetown Grand Cayman prior to the shut down? 

 

We also experienced the same as @spammie. 

Edited April 20, 2023 by davekathy

[Cap_D]

The friendly Sandbar to left of the port exit when facing it from the water has terrific drinks and food.  Great place to watch the ships, tenders, and people watch.  Hang a left when exiting the port, and it's the first building after a small parking lot with the bar's food truck, smokers, and grills. 

[danceswithphones]

12 minutes ago, davekathy said:

priority tendering for elite and above

We are Elite and will be in a suite. I'm hoping to bypass the long lines. 

[davekathy]

4 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

We are Elite and will be in a suite. I'm hoping to bypass the long lines. 

That was our experience. Our meeting place was the Club. The CC concierge did a good job of communicating with tender station. We were escorted (same as always) to the tender, a separate line for checking out and boarded. No waiting or standing around.  

[Charles4515]

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

Wasn't there talk plans for building a pier at Georgetown Grand Cayman prior to the shut down? 

 

Those plans were scratched after public protests. The politcal party that backed the plans for a dock lost support and no longer controls the govermnent. That party which is out of power and now in opposition still supports a dock. There is also public opposition in Cayman to any cruise ship visits similar to recent opposition in Bar Harbor and Key West. 

[Duanerice1]

duplicate post

Edited April 21, 2023 by Duanerice1

[Duanerice1]

On 4/20/2023 at 5:06 PM, Charles4515 said:

Those plans were scratched after public protests. The politcal party that backed the plans for a dock lost support and no longer controls the govermnent. That party which is out of power and now in opposition still supports a dock. There is also public opposition in Cayman to any cruise ship visits similar to recent opposition in Bar Harbor and Key West. 

Never understood going to GC.  Once you see the stingrays... not much else that there islands don't have.   And it's one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean, add to the fact that it's a tender..... Not sure why they stop.  Surely there must be better options.

[davekathy]

13 minutes ago, Duanerice1 said:

Never understood going to GC.  Once you see the stingrays... not much else that there islands don't have.   And it's one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean, add to the fact that it's a tender..... Not sure why they stop.  Surely there must be better options.

Pick an itinerary that doesn't stop there. We have always enjoyed our Grand Cayman stops and the tender ride is short. 

[Charles4515]

20 minutes ago, Duanerice1 said:

Never understood going to GC.  Once you see the stingrays... not much else that there islands don't have.   And it's one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean, add to the fact that it's a tender..... Not sure why they stop.  Surely there must be better options.

I like it. There is great snorkeling and diving. Scuba divers love it. Seven Mile beach is pretty nice. It is a pretty safe island. Location is great for western Caribbean itineraries out of Florida. Lots of reasons cruise ships have been calling there year after year.