Cayman Island Dolphin/turtle questions

[Dismama2]

We have an option of an early (7:15) or later (10:15) time. We are trying to decide which one to book. Does this tour leave from the ship (meet on board then tender ashore). We don't want to take the later one and be "stuck" on board until our departure. But then, on a Sunday morning would there anything to see and do (shopping, etc) that would be open that early?

It has been many years since we have been to Grand Cayman- is there places to walk around where the tenders dock.

Any other info or tips on this excursion would be greatly appreciated! And if anyone knows details of the pictures that can be purchased that would be most helpful!

 

[BruinEd03]

I would suggest 7:15 a.m. or so if you are OK with waking up that early.

We met at the dock. I think our time was around 10 a.m. In any case, we were on one of the early tenders. Most of the shops were closed on Sunday and what few were going to be open . . . only a few of those were open at 9 a.m. or so. So we were wandering around the area when most of the shops were closed. Furthermore, we didn't want to get that much stuff to carry back. The only "big" thing we could get was a few bottles of rum because they had to walk it back to the tender ship anyways, so we just ordered in the morning and dropped by on our way back. We were done and back from the Dolphin place (which included a quick stop at the turtle farm at around 2 p.m. When we got back, a few more stores were open. However, at that time, we didn't have time to eat lunch and didn't want something too heavy either. We just wanted to get back onto the ship.

So the advantage of doing the 7:15 a.m. one is that by the time you get back, most of the shops will be open if they are going to be open on a Sunday. You'll also be back for lunch time if you want to eat off the ship. Furthermore, if you do any shopping, you can just lug it back onto the ship instead of lugging it all the way to the Dolphin place and back. Anyways, like I said, I didn't do the 7:15 a.m. one, but just my suggestion.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have an option of an early (7:15) or later (10:15) time. We are trying to decide which one to book. Does this tour leave from the ship (meet on board then tender ashore). We don't want to take the later one and be "stuck" on board until our departure. But then, on a Sunday morning would there anything to see and do (shopping, etc) that would be open that early?

It has been many years since we have been to Grand Cayman- is there places to walk around where the tenders dock.

Any other info or tips on this excursion would be greatly appreciated! And if anyone knows details of the pictures that can be purchased that would be most helpful!

Typically, early excursions meet onboard and tender together, while later ones you tender off yourself, and meet on the dock.

Don't know that that's what will happen, just that's what typically happens.