Grand Cayman Cruise Port: All You Need to Know
Grand Cayman is a port of call offering cruisers crystal clear aqua waters and sugar-soft white sands. It is a great port for beach lovers, snorkelers, and adventurers, as there are some really cool bucket list adventures to check off (more on that in a bit). Note, however, that the Grand Cayman cruise port has a couple of downsides, which are important to consider as you plan ahead for your stop here. Why You Should Buy a Cruise Line Excursion in Grand Cayman The first downside of Grand Cayman is that it is a tender port. It also has three terminals at Grand Cayman which are very small. The tendering process can be lengthy. It takes up to 45 minutes to an hour, which is difficult for those who hate lines and waiting (hi, it’s me). Also, the tendering process eats into what, for most cruise lines, is already a very short call, which is the second downside of Grand Cayman. On a recent visit to Grand Cayman on Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, the call time was 8 am to 3 pm. Given that cruisers with priority status and those who purchase cruise line excursions are provided first dibs on the morning tenders to shore, most other cruisers can’t set foot on land until 9:30-10:30 am at the earliest. With a 3 pm departure time, the “return to ship” time will generally be around 2:15 pm. I tend to err on the side of caution when cruising and always return to ship at least 2+ hours before the return time, so if you’re like me, this really makes this a short call. Tender ports can take quite a bit of time. So, while I typically prefer to purchase independent excursions or explore on my own, Grand Cayman is the rare port where I now strongly prefer and advise others to spring for a cruise line-sponsored excursion. That way, you can maximize your time at a great port that, unfortunately, has a very short call time and also avoid the risk of the cruise ship leaving you if your excursion runs late. This advice, of course, applies to cruise lines with short calls at Grand Cayman. About the Grand Cayman Cruise Port The island of Roatán is compact, measuring just 31 miles (50 kilometers) from end to end, making it easy to explore from any docking point. Both Roatán cruise ports serve as convenient starting points for various shore excursions. It’s important to note that, like many other Caribbean nations such as Curaçao and Antigua, civilians in Honduras are prohibited from wearing camouflage, so leave that at home (or back on the ship). Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Grand Cayman has three cruise terminals. About the Grand Cayman Cruise Port Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the Cayman Islands, with the other two islands being Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Spanning around 76 square miles and 22 miles long, it is home to just 70,000 full-time residents. The cruise port is found in the capital city, George Town. There are three cruise terminals here, all of which are tender ports that require cruisers to take a small boat. It is called a tender boat or water shuttle. It is from the cruise ship to the terminal versus just stepping out onto a pier. The terminals are all clustered together within walking distance of one another, and consist of South, North, and Royal Watler Terminals. The port can accommodate up to four ships at one time. Unlike other popular Caribbean cruise ports, like Cozumel and Puerto Plata, where the terminals are expansive and chock full of amenities, bars, restaurants, and shops, the terminals in Grand Cayman are small and sparse. Cruisers are essentially deposited into downtown George Town. Although several world-class beaches are nearby, no beach is directly accessible from any of the terminals at the Grand Cayman cruise port. Language and Currency in Grand Cayman The official language of the Cayman Islands is English. While the country has its own official currency, the Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$). US currency is generally accepted, especially around the cruise terminals and in touristic areas. Credit cards are generally accepted, although not universal, and many of the taxi services only accept cash. Because of this, and the generally higher cost of things in Grand Cayman, plan to bring ample cash. Free Things to Do in Grand Cayman Cruise Port An upside of Grand Cayman is that once cruisers step off their tender boat and through the small cruise terminal, they’re right there in downtown George Town. Exploring Town Once off the tender boat and in George Town, cruisers can wander through colorful streets with shops, boutiques, and restaurants. The downtown area, especially along the waterfront, is relatively easy to navigate on foot, but the infrastructure might not be as pedestrian-friendly outside the main downtown area. Downtown George Town Map (click to enlarge). Credit: Explore Cayman Some roads may lack sidewalks or have limited pedestrian crossings, and traffic can be busy, especially during cruise ship days. It’s also important to note that vehicles are driven on the left-hand side of the road. Beach Day in Grand Cayman Cruise Port One of the top free activities in Grand Cayman is to enjoy a beach day. Most popular beach are Seven Mile Beach, Governor’s Beach, and Rum Point, detailed below. While these beaches are free, transportation to them is not, and unfortunately, taxis in Grand Cayman are pricey; also, more on that below. Renting chairs and an umbrella from a local will also set you back some money. These factors, coupled with the reasons noted above, are additional reasons why it may be more advantageous for cruisers to book a cruise line excursion here. Cultural Experiences There are also opportunities to explore the country’s cultural sites. You can learn about its history for free or at a low cost. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is a vibrant arts organization. It has a 9,000sq ft gallery that is home to a growing National Collection of significant Caymanian
