Grand Cayman - suggestions?

[Ana~n~Joseph]

We are on the Magic in January and will be stopping in Grand Cayman. Any suggestions for a port adventure or things to do? Will be traveling with my mom (73), my son (6), my niece (4) and brother and sister in law. We usually sail to Nassau and just walk around for a bit and then head back to the ship. We like making Castaway our long beach day.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sdjen]

I can tell you what I would suggest as it's what we are doing in February. We are booking our own tickets and transport to the turtle farm. They have sea turtles you can hold and there are fresh water and salt water pools to swim in which are kid friendly. I think the kids in your party would especially like it!

 

[DahliaRW]

The turtle farm is a must do with kids that age, IMO. Make sure you do it with a tour guide so you actually learn about the farm. Most people who complain about the farm go on their own and don't do a tour and have no idea what they are looking at. We did it through DCL, had the tour first, then lunch, and free time in the afternoon. My kids loved snorkeling in the lagoon with sea turtles. There is also a freshwater pool, an aviary, shark tank nature trail, etc to explore.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Sorry misread post and thought it was asking about St. Thomas! I have no suggestions

 

[bumbershoot]

We're vegetarian so we did not go to the turtle farm. Sure, great way to see turtles, but since it's a *farm* and they sell the turtles as food, it would have upset us all. I can't support that; might as well go to a veal yard! (so it's not a must for ALL kids)

Margaritaville is tasty though expensive, and they have a pool and pool slide there that you can partake in if you wish.

We had lunch there (forgot about the pool though and ran out of time) and took a hastily arranged Duck tour. Really liked the duck tour. Wanted to do that first thing and then go back to a beach, but we all slept in that day. We didn't arrange the Duck onboard, we took the company that doesn't work *with* the cruiselines but just arranges tours once you're off the ship.

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

Went in April with a 6 year old and 15 year old. We did the Turtle Farm and Dolphin Encounter - everyone absolutely loved it. We wish we had more time to spend at the Turtle Farm it was so great! Definitely a hit with the little one especially, but even the teenager was impressed.

 

[DahliaRW]

We're vegetarian so we did not go to the turtle farm. Sure, great way to see turtles, but since it's a *farm* and they sell the turtles as food, it would have upset us all. I can't support that; might as well go to a veal yard! (so it's not a must for ALL kids)

Margaritaville is tasty though expensive, and they have a pool and pool slide there that you can partake in if you wish.

We had lunch there (forgot about the pool though and ran out of time) and took a hastily arranged Duck tour. Really liked the duck tour. Wanted to do that first thing and then go back to a beach, but we all slept in that day. We didn't arrange the Duck onboard, we took the company that doesn't work *with* the cruiselines but just arranges tours once you're off the ship.

I will say that while they mentioned that SOME turtles are used for meat, the kids did not pick up on this and there was no place we actually saw it being sold. Their primary purpose is conservation, the "excess" is farmed, so to speak.

 

[Fluffypants]

The best thing we ever did on Grand Cayman was snorkeling with stingrays. An amazing experience.

 

[Muskegon78]

Agree that with small kids the turtle farm was the best for us. Our tour brought us to Hell and then to the farm. Still had time after to explore town

 

[lizabu]

We're going in January too and my parents are about your Moms age. We're planning to do the duck boat followed by some souvineer shopping. They have mobility issues and will be uncomfortable walking a lot.

 

[emilymad]

The best thing we ever did on Grand Cayman was snorkeling with stingrays. An amazing experience.

Did you do this on your own or through DCL?

 

[MarleneP]

I think I have an unpopular opinion but I did not enjoy the Turtle Farm, at all. Neither did my DS(9 years old). Several people that were on our boat complained also. I know one family complained to the shore excursion desk because they were so disappointed. When we went it was a full day excursion (no dolphin encounter). So maybe it was just not a place to be at all day. So many people post on these boards that they love it there and that leaves me scratching my head wondering if I was in the Twilight Zone that day! Lol.

 

[budamacdvcr]

For an on your own lunch Rackam's is a great place to go. Good food, great views and cold beverages. 5-10 minute walk from pier.
http://www.rackams.com/

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Wow! Thanks everyone for your opinions and suggestions. For those that have done the duck boat, was it easy to arrange? I am always hesitant to go off on my own and not on a DCL excursion but I'll do it if it's easy enough. Thoughts? Is the town pretty safe? For those that have walked around, did you guys enjoy it?

 

[Fluffypants]

Did you do this on your own or through DCL?

We booked through DCL. It's the "Stingray City" adventure. Absolutely loved it.

 

[budamacdvcr]

Is the town pretty safe? For those that have walked around, did you guys enjoy it?

All good for walking around the town by the pier / along the ocean. Felt safe, no "sketchy" areas.

 

[llkoolj40]

We booked through DCL. It's the "Stingray City" adventure. Absolutely loved it.

Did the DCL excursion stop for snorkeling too?

 

[outtabux]

We did Sting Ray City and snorkeling in the same private excursion. I would highly recommend Seven Seas Charter.

 

[luvthemouse71]

We are on the Magic in January and will be stopping in Grand Cayman. Any suggestions for a port adventure or things to do? Will be traveling with my mom (73), my son (6), my niece (4) and brother and sister in law. We usually sail to Nassau and just walk around for a bit and then head back to the ship. We like making Castaway our long beach day.

Thanks in advance!

I just went on my first cruise(got back yesterday) and I loved Grand Cayman. Very safe, they have a high standard of living there.

We did a combined Turtle Farm, Hell, and Stingray Sandbar excursion. This was through Royal Caribbean. The stingray interaction was the favorite thing I did on the cruise. I loved the cruise so much that I want to do a Disney cruise next year.

 

[Meriweather]

Loved the turtles....I would do that over and over