Grand Cayman closed until at least September 1st

[DCLDVC1]

https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/05/08/cabinet-confirms-borders-closed-until-at-least-september/

 

[fdefulvio]

The one island on our August 7-Night Western Caribbean I was looking forward to. Now I really want them to cancel our cruise.

 

[soniam]

The one island on our August 7-Night Western Caribbean I was looking forward to. Now I really want them to cancel our cruise.

Yeah, this is the only port, besides Castaway Cay, that we care about on our 7/18 WC cruise. I would be bummed if we couldn't snorkel here.

 

[gotomu212]

I LOVE grand cayman. On the four cruises that were scheduled to go there we‘ve only managed to dock/tender twice. Always such a disappointment when we miss it.

 

[lklgoodman]

I LOVE grand cayman. On the four cruises that were scheduled to go there we‘ve only managed to dock/tender twice. Always such a disappointment when we miss it.

We've done 2 Disney cruises that were scheduled to go there and weather caused us to miss it both times. I think we may just fly there and spend time at a resort there. My SIL and her family go there several times a year and love it. They were just there before the virus got bad on this side of the world. They flew home just a few days before GC closed due to the virus. They were happy they were able to go(and get home)

 

[MillauFr]

We loved our port stop here. Public beaches were great. No need for any expensive excursions. Just went to the seven mile beach using the public bus. I'm sure their revenue has dried up.

 

[SamFaniam]

We loved our port stop here. Public beaches were great. No need for any expensive excursions. Just went to the seven mile beach using the public bus. I'm sure their revenue has dried up.

Tourism revenue yes, but the Caymans have significant revenue from other sources, especially banking. So, they might be better able to weather the storm than some of their island neighbors.

 

[T & R]

Tourism revenue yes, but the Caymans have significant revenue from other sources, especially banking. So, they might be better able to weather the storm than some of their island neighbors.

Wikipedia, "Economy of the Cayman Islands" section. If the page is correct and tourism is 70% of their GDP, then they are in a worse position to weather the storm than other islands such as The Bahamas for example. Only approx 51% of The Bahamas' GDP is dependent on tourism.

"Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings." - Cayman Islands, according to the world fact book, CIA

 

[fdefulvio]

I expect this to be just the first of foreign island countries to announce port closures through August. I also feel strongly that Disney will ultimately cancel most, if not all August cruises with the longer cruises most likely to be cancelled.

On the outside chance that these August cruises are not cancelled, what would Disney’s response be? Would they try to add an alternate port, or would they just credit back the port fees, which I believe is typical when ports are cancelled mid cruise? I can see that being a reasonable response for one port cancellation, but any more than that would have a dramatic impact on guests expectations.

Opening of Castaway Cay will be the ultimate decision on when Disney will start operations back up. Without that port available, I see no chance of Disney Caribbean ships sailing.

 

[SamFaniam]

Wikipedia, "Economy of the Cayman Islands" section. If the page is correct and tourism is 70% of their GDP, then they are in a worse position to weather the storm than other islands such as The Bahamas for example. Only approx 51% of The Bahamas' GDP is dependent on tourism.

"Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings." - Cayman Islands, according to the world fact book, CIA

All of this is true, but there are other ways of measuring the wealth of a country besides the percentage in tourism. The GDP per capita of the Cayman Islands is more than triple that of the Bahamas, the poverty rate is much lower, and the Caymans as a British overseas territory rather than an independent country, have some resources that the Bahamas will not have access to. I’m in no way saying that this would be an easy time for them, or any of the island countries. But, with less than 100 confirm cases and only one death from Covid, I can understand why the Cayman Islands want to shut themselves off.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Anybody have any ideas how long it will take DCL to acknowledge GC being closed this summer? Considering that DCL has some special rates available on August sailings, they appear to be planning to operate (at least in August) when GC closure would impact some voyages. I'm wondering when/if itinerary changes will be announced.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Islanders have a different culture. They know they are on a small speck of land together, and they view community and borders differently.

They would rather sacrifice tourism income for a time than sacrifice other stuff, especially headed into hurricane season.

 

[MomOTwins]

Anybody have any ideas how long it will take DCL to acknowledge GC being closed this summer? Considering that DCL has some special rates available on August sailings, they appear to be planning to operate (at least in August) when GC closure would impact some voyages. I'm wondering when/if itinerary changes will be announced.

I think when they pick a “real” reopening date they will adjust itineraries, but not before. We are not there yet.