Grand Cayman

[Hawaii5o]

We are on the Jewel 11/14/04. What's your opinion about the island being ready to accept cruise ship by then?

 

Thanks.

[skedaddle43]

Not a chance! It will be at least then before all phone, water, electric and sewage will be restored on the island. Ships could possibly go to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac which were more lightly hit by Ivan.

[sawyerhermes]

Received an e-mail from our Captive Insurance Company management staff - they are being moved to Bermuda (along with all the computer records, etc) for a "still undetermined" amount of time. Looks like Georgetown may not be a cruise stomping ground for some time to come.:(

[frayedend]

A post in another thread had a person saying that RCCL told them Grand Caymen may not be out of the question for our cruise which leaves Sept 26. That seems impossible to me, but I guess they are making repairs quickly because of the importance of tourism on their economy. I would call the cruise line and inquire if you really want to know.

[lv2bcruzin]

We leave on our Explorer cruise on Oct. 24th. I sure hope all is well by then. We have been looking forward to going to Grand Cayman the most out of all the islands on our itinerary.

[DannyS]

Here's the current status of hotels in Grand Cayman. I would suspect that hotels would be among the fastest to recover, as they'd be the ones with corporate backers that can pay the most money.

 

http://www.caymanislands.ky/hurricane_archive.asp

 

Cayman Islands Property Update

 

The latest reports into the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism office are listed below. This information will be posted on http://www.caymanislands.ky and will be continuously updated as reports come in.

 

Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman is closed until December 1, 2004 due to water damage sustained from the passing of Hurricane Ivan. Repair will begin on the affected areas as quickly as possible and are accepting reservations for travel beginning December 1, 2004. (source: Hyatt website)

 

The Marriott - The hotel is temporarily closed through October 15, 2004. (source: Marriott website)

 

Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa - The hotel is currently closed and more updates will be posted as we receive them. (source: website)

25% totally damaged

50% good, some water damage

25% operational

The Ritz Carlton – Nothing stated at this time

 

Sunshine Suites – Property still being assessed. (source: website)

 

Divi Resorts - Pleased to report its resorts were fortunate to encounter either no or only minimal damages from Hurricane Ivan. At this time eight of Divi’s nine resorts are fully operational, receiving guests and taking future reservations. Divi Tiara Beach Resort in Cayman Brac is expected to resume operations once the Cayman Government lifts its restrictions for non-resident entry.

 

Sunset House - All the blocks are standing with roofs on all of them. There is obviously shingles missing, but the plywood is still there. The upper floors have water damage. The sliding glass doors and windows are all still in place! The dive shops roof is missing, but walls are still there. ALL THE BOATS ARE OK! The 800 number is going to be re-directed for the next few days as they get the office back into shape. They have a little water damage coming in from up above. My Bar is leaning, but the roof with all the palm fronds is still there. The Barringtonia tree next to the 300 block is still standing, but does not have a leaf on it. There is damage around the pool (some of the railings), but nothing near what happened during Hurricane Michelle. The restaurant is fine and the chef’s have been preparing excellent meals for the staff! The generator is on giving power to the front office and restaurant freezers. The propane is supplying gas for the kitchen. Water has been switched to the cistern for showers and they have bottled water for drinking, but still boil water for safety. Tentative open date is in 6 weeks. (source: management)

[Globaliser]

It's really a bit early to be engaging in speculation about dates that far off. I'll bet that the people in the Caymans don't even know what the situation is going to be for themselves from day to day - and they're the people in the best place to know or to make educated guesses about how rapidly things will return to normal.

 

Those of us who are a thousand miles or more away and who know nothing about what's happening on the ground are really just throwing straws in the wind if we try and make any guesses about what's going to happen. Que sera, sera - we will find out in due course. But not just yet.

[reggierail]

I missed GC on a cruise in November of 2002 because high winds prevented tendering. I hope we can get to the island on my 10-17 Rhapsody cruise.

 

Reggie:D

[ritarussell]

I would really hate to miss Grand Cayman on my upcoming cruise Nov 27th. It's so beautiful. Does anyone know what island they are substituting on current cruises?

[mbisson]

It's really a bit early to be engaging in speculation about dates that far off. .

 

Aw Gee, it's never too early to speculate (so long as you don't present anything as fact).

 

-Monte

[hstrybuf]

Grand Cayman was beautiful, but not now. It's going to take time for Mother Nature and the islanders to rebound. Speculation as to when GC will be ready to receive tourist is all over the spectrum as is what alternate ports might be for those of us cruising in the next few months. The only clue we may get would be from checking the RCI website to see what they are doing from week to week.

[lauren0309]

I'm supposed to go to Cayman Islands in February. Hope we can go by then. If we do go to another island I will just have to book another cruise that will get me there another time.

[natesfirewife]

I would be happy with an extra day in Cozumel!! There are supposed to be 5 ships in port the day we are in Grand Cayman, talk about alot of people having nothing to do!

 

Misty

[7nucruzers]

Hawaii50 - We are on the same sailing as you - jos 11/14/04. RCCL told me today that we may not know until we board the ship. A lot of times it is somewhat left up to the captain to determine what would be best - another port, if available or stay at sea. Either would be ok with us, as long as we are on vacation. I have complete faith in the captains of rccl ships to make the right decisions in the best interest of his passengers. can't wait til 11/14 only 58 (?) days!!!!

[cruisinqt]

I just read a very interesting post in the Cayman Islands section of the boards. It was posted by an excursion company in the Cayman Islands. They said there was a hurricane of similar magnitude with considerable destruction a number of years ago ( they gave the name but I can't recall it.) Even though the island was devastated, they were up and running in just 4 weeks. :) The Cayman islands makes quite a bit of money from tourism and cruise ships. So these areas will be concentrated on and restored first. Remember this is a wealthy island with lots of resources so they will recover much quicker than some of the poorer countries that were hit.

 

Anyway, this excursion company located in the Cayman Islands said that those who are cruising within the next month will probably not be able to go to the Cayman Islands. But after a month passes, there is a possibility that the Cayman Islands will be accepting cruise ships again. I know this is only speculation, but considering this info. was from someone on the Cayman Islands who not only has seen the current destruction but has been through other hurricanes who have hit the area before, I feel their info. is probably a little more reliable than others. In my opinion Hawaii5o, there exists a reasonable possibility that you may get to go to the Cayman Islands.:)

 

I agree with Monte, speculation is okay, just don't present it as fact. I think everyone is a little worried about when the Cayman Islands will be up and running again. I'm worried too ,I am scheduled to visit them on Nov. 4th. I doubt I'll get to go there, but at least it is far enough away (6 weeks) that there is a slight possibility.:)

[Alphawave]

My friend from Barbados says that the beach erosion can be a problem for many months. This should not affect snorkeling and the like after a few months.

[Majesty Fan]

MY TA told me docs are in and a note that GC will be missed and will be a sea day instead.

[brn2crz]

Back from Rhapsody today.Captain said a def. no go for 4 weeks.But could be longer....

We did not get any info on them while onboard.Was it pretty bad?

Dissapointed to have missed it...but more sad for the folks,and their beautiful homes...What a heartbreak.

Our Captain was awesome though this BTW...We took 15 ft waves,with a short period of some 30 ft.80 MPH winds,and at our closest point as we passed him in the Yucatan....about 115 miles from the center!!

[springtxbill]

When they do reopen GC I hope people will not be disappointed at a limited number of excursions offered. I am sure there will not be near the choices there were a couple of weeks ago.

[Hawaii5o]

Hey 7nucruzers! I am getting so excited about this cruise. I hope we get to see Grand Cayman, but if we don't it won't ruin our trip. I wonder if Ivan did any damage to the Stingray City sandbar?

 

I will continue to keep the people of the caribbean in my prayers.

 

Sandy

[DannyS]

The Stingray City Sandbar is actually bigger than it was. (As is Seven Mile Beach.) The storm brought in additional stand. The stingrays may be a bit hungry, they're used to having their food delivered, but there are plenty of fish in the ocean.

[Aprille]

What about the turtle farm? Anyone heard how much damage it sustained?

[hstrybuf]

One report I read said the turtle farm was destroyed. :(

[vossjemi]

This dive site is supposedly next door to turtle farm & they say it survived!

www.divetech.com

[TheWog]

I too have read conflicting reports on the Turtle Farm. I bet HELL is still there. HELL will always be around.... :eek: