Grand Cayman's November Cruise Ship Schedule Released!

[budwmn]

From:
http://www.caymannetnews.com/2004/10/747/ships.shtml

Wednesday, October 20, 2004
The Government announced on Thursday that cruise ships will resume visits to Grand Cayman beginning on Monday, 1 November, 2004.

A maximum of two cruise ships will be permitted in port during the first two weeks of November. The first two weeks will be closely monitored and, upon a satisfactory assessment of the situation and facilities, additional ships will be added as deemed appropriate.

It is expected that the number of ships in port in the second half of November will reach a maximum of three or four ships.

The Hon. McKeeva Bush, Leader of Government Business and Minister for Tourism, said, “I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone for all their efforts, including the many clean-up crews island wide, and I ask that each and every resident do their part in ensuring a warm and friendly Caymanian welcome to our cruise ship visitors on their return next week. I, for one, look forward to seeing those sparkling ships in our waters once again.”

The following schedule of forthcoming cruise ship visits was released by the Port Authority:

Mon, Nov 1 2004: Imagination
Inspiration

Tue, Nov 2 2004: Summit
Norwegian Spirit

Wed, Nov 3 2004: Carnival Triumph
Navigator of the Seas

Thu, Nov 4 2004: Carnival Conquest
Oosterdam

Fri, Nov 5 2004: Radiance of the Seas

Sat, Nov 6 2004: Coral Princess

Sun, Nov 7 2004: Seven Seas Navigator

Mon, Nov 8 2004: Norwegian Sun
Splendour of the Seas

Tue, Nov 9 2004: Carnival Miracle
Disney Magic

Wed, Nov 10 2004: Imagination
Inspiration

Thu, Nov 11 2004: Carnival Conquest
Carnival Victory
Mariner of the Seas
Star Princess

Fri, Nov 12 2004: Explorer of the Seas

Sat, Nov 13 2004: Volendam
Zaandam

 

[MiaSRN62]

Tue, Nov 9 2004: Carnival Miracle/Disney Magic

Thanks for the link.........while I would absolutely love for this to be true (as this is my cruise !), I believe some on the Nov 6 Western received letters from DCL stating that we're going to Costa Maya on the 9th. I, personally, haven't received a letter stating this. I've actually heard nothing from DCL (email, letter, website) or my TA regarding where we're stopping on Nov 9 but I'll bet it's Costa Maya.

 

[AnnMorin]

So many different versions, I think no one will know until the ship actually stops

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
So many different versions, I think no one will know until the ship actually stops

Ann - I completely agree. As a November 6th cruiser, this is actually becoming comical!! DH and I were looking forward to swimming with the Stingrays, but once we got word we were stopping in Costa Maya we cancelled that excursion and then booked the Oceanview Explorer for Cozumel. We decided that we only wanted the Rays, and the kids probably wouldn't want to snorkle anyway. So, what to do now.... I'm going to call DCL when they open, but it is entirely possible that DCL Has changed course again. It was reported that earlier in the week, the DCL Shore Excursion manager (as well as other cruise representives) were all in Grand Cayman this week. It is entirely possible that during that meeting, DCL decided that Grand Cayman is indeed ready for stops and is re-writing the itinerary as we speak. Remember, DCL most likely has a contract with Grand Cayman's port, and if Grand Cayman is saying that we can come, DCL might have to go if the island is ready. This is definately interesting, and continues to throw my excursions for a loop.

 

[MiaSRN62]

This is definately interesting, and continues to throw my excursions for a loop.

Isn't it though ! What a guessing game.....I'll be curious to hear what DCL has to say Lori, but I'm not sure I can believe anything at this point until I actually see it.....lol See ya on the "suprise" cruise

 

[jel0511]

Well I called DCL and they are still saying Costa Maya. They say that even though Grand Cayman is open, we're still scheduled for Costa Maya. He also stated that at this short term, the only way a port can be changed is by the Captain, and not by a DCL edict. So, it looks like the official line from DCL will remain to be Costa Maya for November 6 cruisers, even though we might stop in Grand Cayman if the Captain decides it's ready. Well, time to start packing for the Mystery cruise....

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the update Lori.....we shall see. I still have my excursion booked with Capt Marvin for the stingray snorkel. Do you think I need to cancel or if the Magic doesn't stop at GC the charge won't go through ? Not sure what I should do here ?

 

[PrincessCindi]

I am soo confused too. I called DCL last week regarding 11/6 cruise they said "definately Costa Maya" ... I call again a few minutes ago after reading this post they say "Definately Grand Cayman" ... Oh well at least I know one thing its definate... me sitting on the Disney Magic with a nice tropical drink w/ a little umbrella!!!!!!!

 

[lUVTOGO]

My Travel Agent just called me to tell me we ARE going to Grand Cayman on the 11/6 cruise. Yeah!! She said DCL called her!

 

[scottygirl]

I got a call from DCL Shore Excursions asking me if I wanted to book an excursion for Grand Cayman. He said they had about 9 excursion to choose from. He said that some stores may not be open and that the island had been hard hit, so it may not be pristine. I for one am thrilled. I so wanted to do the Stingray Swim!! I guess we won't be absolutely sure until we dock there. If the first ships that go there have a bad experience then I guess we could end up in Costa Maya. I am just happy to be going on a cruise in one week!!!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

MiaSRN62: I am also still booked with Captain Marvin. He said that if the Magic does not stop, he will not bill it. We have used him in the past and I trust him. I would not cancel your reservation. It is truly a wonderful excursion. Have a great cruise.

 

[DisneyWill]

Just talked to my TA and was informed that she was told by DCL that we are not going to GC. Seems the GC Port Authority and DCL are not on the same page. We will just have to wait and see.

See everybody on the 11/6 Disney Magic "secert stop cruise"

 

[scottygirl]

DisneyWill,

DCL did send out letters over the past week stating that we were going to Costa Maya. However, the call I received today was from DCL and the CM said that they had original made the decision to stop at CM and have now decided that GC was suitable for a visit. Maybe your TA has not received the updated info. Apparently if you call the main DCL line, some of the CM's do not have the updated info either. The CM I talked to was from Shore Excursions. I highly doubt that they would make all that effort to call folks and book excursions if we weren't going to Grand Cayman. JMHO

 

[jel0511]

We're also on the November 6th Magic and also received a call that we are going to GC instead of Costa Maya. When I spoke to the CM, I wasn't sure which shore excursion I wanted so I called back. The CM who answered the phone told me that we were going to Costa Maya, and I told her that I had received a call from another DCL CM who informed me that we had changed back to Grand Cayman. She put me on hold for a few minutes and then came back and stated that we are indeed stopping in Grand Cayman. I'm going to cancel theDCL excursions I have booked, we're going with Nativeway in GC and Paradise Beach now in Cozumel. We were originally booked with Captain Marvins, but switched to Nativeway, since they will pick us up at the pier, with a 6 YO and 3 YO, HUGE, since after 2 1/2 hours on the water, they probably would be exhausted and I wouldn't want to carry them back from Captain Marvins!!

 

[spencersmom]

This is such great news! That is where we were wanting to go and settled on the Costa Maya idea but got the call from the TA an hour ago with the great news! 6 days to go!

 

[budwmn]

I just got off the phone with a CM who said they are resuming stops in GC immediately. She added that the first one will be a "test run". As long as it goes well, they'll continue stopping there. However, if there are a lot of problems, they're open to changing ports again. I guess we'll just have to see.

The CM also noted that a few excursions were questionable because the channels were filled with sand and dredging will take a while.

I have to say, she was the most open and honest CM I've spoken with regarding GC. I'd rather know all the possibilities than to only know half the story.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by budwmn
I just got off the phone with a CM who said they are resuming stops in GC immediately. She added that the first one will be a "test run". As long as it goes well, they'll continue stopping there. However, if there are a lot of problems, they're open to changing ports again. I guess we'll just have to see.

The CM also noted that a few excursions were questionable because the channels were filled with sand and dredging will take a while.

I have to say, she was the most open and honest CM I've spoken with regarding GC. I'd rather know all the possibilities than to only know half the story.

Great, so those of us on the November 6th sailing are going to be guinea pigs!!!! What a place to be a guinea pig!!!

 

[Otimon]

We're hoping for Costa Maya. Would be nice to visit a new area.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Gloria---thanks....I'll take your suggestion and keep my Capt Marvin ressie !

but switched to Nativeway, since they will pick us up at the pier, with a 6 YO and 3 YO, HUGE, since after 2 1/2 hours on the water, they probably would be exhausted and I wouldn't want to carry them back from Captain Marvins!!

I thought Capt Marvin was close by where they left you off ?

 

[AnnMorin]

captain marvins is a short walk maybe a few blocks from where the tenders dock, not bad at all