GC, got ideas?

[cruisinmama]

We have had a change in things , and wondered what others who have been to Grand Cayman

Can we just walk around and do our own thing? or is a Tour the best bet?

We'd like to see the Turtles and go to Hell.lol..Do we need a Tour person to do these places?

Any other ideas? Just not water stuff..

Thanks

[sailingrose]

I'd skip shopping in this port. It's one of the most expensive islands in the caribbean. Grand Cayman is famous for it's turtle farm and hell but we have only done a ships excursion to get there. Also the rum factory tour is popular. Make sure while your browsing around town that you stop in Bernard Passman or Richards black coral stores. It is amazing what they can do to black coral! Definately a must in my book.

Happy planning!

[Suzila]

We took the cruise tour to see the turtles and Hell...you learn so much more about the place when you take the tour than if you go off on your own. But I would assume you could do both those places without a tour guide if you want to. As I recall, they aren't close to each other, so you'd have to pay for a cab, or rent a car. I do think a tour is the best way to go.

I do remember we had time to go on a glass bottom boat after the tour finished and after we walked around town. We aren't into water things, so the glass bottom boat was good for us, because we saw the stingrays, as our friends who took the sting ray tour did...but I didn;t have to worry about one on one contact with them. I'm not a 'water-loving' person.

[cruisinmama]

Thanks Ladies...

I'm checking for other tours... :smiley:

[DaCruzNut]

Ann, out of sheer coincidence, I just posted parts of my book, Sea of Memories, on the OT board. It had this:

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"Next, was Grand Cayman. It’s the one port that was, then, and remains, now, my least favorite port. If you are not a diver, or snorkeler, there is little to see, or do. It’s a flat, coral, rock with no topography to speak of. It has no natural beauty, no mountains, no caves, no rainforests, little tropical vegetation and second-rate beaches.

I will say, however, that my first visit was interesting. I went to the Turtle Farm, and played with all the cute, little, turtles, which turned out to be not-so-cute, after all.

The tour was informative, and a worthwhile stop. One word of caution. No matter what they tell you in the Gift Shop, it is illegal to bring any products containing any part of the turtle back to the States! If found, they will be confiscated, and you could be subject to a fine.

Then I went to Hell. Yes, the town of Hell has a natural formation of coral, which has been exposed for a quadzillion years and turned black. Not very impressive, but you can buy t-shirts that say, “I’ve been to Hell,†and have your post cards postmarked from, “Hell, Cayman Islands, BWI.â€Â

Next stop, Seven-Mile Beach. The beach was obviously named by a man, since it’s only 5 ½ miles long… It’s a very nice beach, if you’re a “beach person.†It’s not a Class A beach, but it’s great for people who don’t live near a beach, at home.

Living in South Florida, less than a half an hour from South Beach and an hour from mm 100 in Key Largo, the number one dive/snorkel destination in the world, beaches and snorkeling do not excite me, on a cruise.

However, one thing that truly impressed me, on Cayman, and, in fact, was one of the most memorable things I’ve done on a cruise, was an expedition on the “Atlantis.†The company operates a fleet of subs, scattered around the Caribbean, but the one at Grand Cayman is preeminent. This true submarine dive a hundred feet down the Cayman wall, revealing fantastic sights all the way down. Although it’s a bit expensive, it is well worth the price. In fact, I’ve done it twice.

Shopping in Grand Cayman is a joke, since the prices are higher than back home in the States. The local economy is based on “offshore secret†banks and insurance companies. There is little, if any, poverty on the island, and the Cayman dollar is the only currency in the Caribbean hat in worth MORE than the U.S. dollar.

On subsequent trips to Cayman, all I do is take the tender into town; stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of Tortuga Rum Cake (it MUST be Tortuga Rum Cake, at the factory. The others do not come close!); and head back to the ship."

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As far as black coral goes, you're better off in Cozumel. Yes, Passman, in Cayman, does fantastic work, but his prices are even more terrific! Wait until you get to Cozuml and visit Roberto's black Coral factory, on 5 Avenus South. When you get the town, go to the plaza del Sol, the big park in town. Go to the top of the park, and turn right. You'll be on 5 Avenue South. It's the tiled street. Go about three bloks and Roberto's is on the left, on the near corner. His work is beautiful, and his prices about 1/3 that of the prices on GC.

[jbond]

OK Jeff, I've said it before, but I'll say it again, you're in the wrong business. You need to get an agent. You have a way with words, you need to explore your "possibilties". Yes, I agree with what you said.

[cruisinmama]

Yes, Jeff it was great to read that part, more reason we want to see the turtle farm...can't decide until we are on ship if we take a ships Tour now..

Thanks everyone...

your the best!! :kiss: