George Town (Grand Cayman Island)

George Town (Grand Cayman Island) is a popular cruise port of call on Western Caribbean itineraries. The port city is also the capital of Cayman Islands (a British Overseas Territory). The group also includes Little Cayman Island and Cayman Bra Island.

Grand Cayman is located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. Island's population is around 65,000, while in George Town live around 30,000. As a cruise destination, the island attracts travelers with its underwater attractions (perfect for scuba diving), beautiful beaches and shopping. Among the largest cruise companies with regularly scheduled visits to George Town are the Carnival Corporation ships (CCL-Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa, AIDA), also RCCL-Royal Caribbean (RCI, Celebrity, Pullmantur), MSC, NCL Norwegian, Disney, TUI, Marella.

In December 2018 was announced that Carnival Corporation and RCCL-Royal Caribbean will finance the construction of a new cruise pier project. In late-February 2019, industry's largest companies joined Disney Cruise Line, and in May 2019 - MSC Cruises. The project's financing (~KYD 200 million / USD 240 million) is exclusively private, with no public money used to build the new terminal facilities. The project's financial contributions were not revealed.

Cruise ship companies and selected bidders provided all funds to construct the new/larger berthing facility plus a cargo dock, and for 20 years (until 2039) will collect all passenger fees. The "Cruise Berthing Facility Project" is estimated to support around 500 construction jobs plus local employment and ~USD 245 million in economic benefits.

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 at 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.

Due to the global Coronavirus crisis, in 2020 (March 31st) the Cayman Islands officially closed borders. The policy also affected cruise ships, 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).

George Town cruise terminal

George Town 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)