Grand Cayman ??

[mariamard]

This is supposed to be a stop on our Jan. 29 cruise. I understand that the island took a major hit from the hurricane(s?).Has this island port been opened to visitors? And if yes, does anyone have any info on the condition of the island? If the island is still recovering, where else would we stop? Thanks!--Maria

 

[AnnMorin]

And there are confilicting versions as to when Disney will be returning, it has been confirmed that the 11/6 western will go to costa maya but nothing after that. We are on the 12/4 western and I was told by one CM we are definately going to grand cayman and by another it is doubtful. I would think though by the end of January you would be heading there. Personally I would much rather go to costa maya at this point but it's not up to me

 

[jel0511]

The last info I received from DCL regarding a DCL stop in GC is not good. We're on the 11/6 cruise and are confirmed for Costa Maya. The CM I spoke to indicated that they (DCL) feels that GC may not be up to DCL "standards" until late Jan/Feb. The port in GC is supposed to open at the end of this month, with limited cruise activity due to many tenders being lost or damaged during the hurricane. DCL is remaining very tight lipped as to when they officially plan on returning to GC, and they will change the itinery of each trip on a case by case basis. Meaning, you might not know you're not stopping in GC until about 2 weeks prior, as that's when we found out.

 

[MarkRG]

Read it here someplace that Disney was not looking at going back until February? Not absolutely sure on that, I can't find where I read it at the moment.

DCL has arranged to visit Costa Maya as a replacement stop until they are ready to revisit Grand Cayman.

As far as the rest, you could read here:

Grand Cayman to allow visitors! (click)

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by MarkRG
Read it here someplace that Disney was not looking at going back until February? Not absolutely sure on that, I can't find where I read it at the moment.

DCL has arranged to visit Costa Maya as a replacement stop until they are ready to revisit Grand Cayman.

As far as the rest, you could read here:

Grand Cayman to allow visitors! (click)

Maybe it was my thread about my conversation with a DCL CM? Here is a link to the thread and more info than I posted above.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=666018

 

[TooPure4u]

Mariamard...I too am on the January 29th Western and have heard good and bad about GC and about Costa Maya....whichever we end up at.....I am sure will still be beautiful!! (especially because it isnt home) lol.

See ya there

 

[CM_Mom]

From what I've read about Grand Cayman on other websites, I believe they expect to begin welcoming SOME visitors in early November. As the island recovers more, then they will be able to accomodate more.

Also, since many of the excursions on Grand Cayman involve beach or snorkeling or scuba, those shouldn't be affected as long as the operators boats are OK. I think I read a report maybe on cruisecritic.com that said that the sting rays were fine, the turtle farm had some damage but not catastrophic and that the snorkeling and scuba might even be better since the hurricane revealed some new formations when it shifted the sand around.

This is just my memory so it may be faulty. For a fact, DD says that Castaway Cay is greening up again so I expect that is true of Grand Cayman also. I think DCL is waiting till closer to each sail date because lots of progress can be made in two weeks so they're making the decision on a cruise by cruise basis.

I know many would rather go to Costa Maya but the folks that booked a year ago were planning on Grand Cayman so I'm sure DCL will get back to the originally published schedule as soon as it' feasable.

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by jel0511
Maybe it was my thread about my conversation with a DCL CM? Here is a link to the thread and more info than I posted above.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=666018

You type faster than me.

Seriously, yes it was probably your thread that I had seen.

The best source of info is still over here: http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/cayman.shtml

This part really tells the story: As of 18th October, the Chamber of Commerce has completed negotiations to facilitate the charter of a cruise ship with accommodations for 1,020 persons.

 

[mariamard]

For your speedy responses.........I was hoping to go to GC, but if it is as bad as I read from the links, I'd rather go somewhere else . But at the same time I would love to visit and bring the much needed tourist $$$$$ that the island relies on for commerce.Thanks everyone and keep us all posted on the ports!

Toopure4u, we're getting sooooo close!!

--Maria

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I think we will know more early next week after the first couple of cruises stop there.