If you were going to do Grand Cayman on your own. . . .

[turtlemom2]

We are doing a Western Carribbean next week (August 5) on the Fantasy. I'm not really thrilled with the shore excursions offered and wondered how easy is it to do something fun on your own? If you were to go to a beach, which one would you choose? Also, are there options for in town?

Already did the turtle farm, stingrays and "Hell" on a previous cruise.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[mevelandry]

We booked a beach cabana in Royal Palms resort for our next cruise. It looks quite nice!

 

[cheribelle]

We went to Public Beach on our own (that's the name of the beach). On Seven Mile Beach. There were many buses and cabs going to the beaches there and a few people recommended this stop. We liked it enough to go back the following year. Calico Jacks (bar and restaurant) was right there (good for bathrooms), plenty of umbrellas and chairs for rent. Also available for use was various water activities (for a fee) - banana boats and inflatables (a tad bit down but walkable).
Crowds were good our first trip but the second we had a lot of ships docked and most beaches on Seven Mile Beach were crowded (Public Beach too). Crowded but we still got chairs and umbrellas.
Hope this helps some.

 

[turtlemom2]

Thanks! Good suggestions. Will check out Public Beach and Royal Palms!

 

[Capt_BJ]

I've never taken an organized excursion in Cayman and been dozens of times ... actually I regularly go for week long dive trips!

You can easily snorkel on your own by walking to Eden Rock or Sunset House ... I prefer Sunset. Then I hang at 'My Bar' for libations 'til time to head back to the boat.....

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

We went to Public Beach on our own (that's the name of the beach). On Seven Mile Beach. There were many buses and cabs going to the beaches there and a few people recommended this stop. We liked it enough to go back the following year. Calico Jacks (bar and restaurant) was right there (good for bathrooms), plenty of umbrellas and chairs for rent. Also available for use was various water activities (for a fee) - banana boats and inflatables (a tad bit down but walkable).
Crowds were good our first trip but the second we had a lot of ships docked and most beaches on Seven Mile Beach were crowded (Public Beach too). Crowded but we still got chairs and umbrellas.
Hope this helps some.

How far from port is the beach and, if you don't mind sharing, did you take a bus or taxi to the beach and how much did it cost? Was there shopping close to port (within walking distance?)?
I am curious as my family and I will be going on the Western Cruise in April 2018 and we are trying to decide on excursions, etc at each port.

 

[cheribelle]

How far from port is the beach and, if you don't mind sharing, did you take a bus or taxi to the beach and how much did it cost? Was there shopping close to port (within walking distance?)?
I am curious as my family and I will be going on the Western Cruise in April 2018 and we are trying to decide on excursions, etc at each port.

Hi I'm thinking it was about a 15 minute ride to Public Beach. There were others that were closer. I'm not sure of the cost (it was a private bus)
as I am usually just so excited to be somewhere and let my husband take care of the costs. But he wasn't too happy as we were a family of 5 and I remember him saying it wasn't cheap. Lol. I'll get back to you a little later on the costs when he gets home!
There is so much shopping near the port. When the bus dropped us off we had plenty of time to walk around and shop. Lots of restaurants and stores all within walking distance of the port. Once you leave the port - just look around and you will see plenty! My teen loves the cards they give you about entering the shops and get a free gift. She collected so many free gems and charms from that. I hated to keep going into stores with their coupons just asking for their free gift but my dad and her were more than happy to do it. Lol. We did end up buying some nice jewelry from one of those stores though so I don't feel too bad.

 

[cheribelle]

How far from port is the beach and, if you don't mind sharing, did you take a bus or taxi to the beach and how much did it cost? Was there shopping close to port (within walking distance?)?
I am curious as my family and I will be going on the Western Cruise in April 2018 and we are trying to decide on excursions, etc at each port.

Ok just talked to hubby and they wanted 6 dollars a person. So it really wasn't cheap for a family of 5! $60 round trip. Maybe the public buses would be cheaper but I guess we were impulsive and didn't research that part. That kind of happens to me when I'm excited and new to an area.lol.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Ok just talked to hubby and they wanted 6 dollars a person. So it really wasn't cheap for a family of 5! $60 round trip. Maybe the public buses would be cheaper but I guess we were impulsive and didn't research that part. That kind of happens to me when I'm excited and new to an area.lol.

Wow $6 per person.....I will look into other options for sure! Thanks for the great tips! Did the stores hand out the free gift cards or did you get those on the ship from one of the shopping guides?
I am getting more and more excited for our cruise by the day.

 

[cheribelle]

Wow $6 per person.....I will look into other options for sure! Thanks for the great tips! Did the stores hand out the free gift cards or did you get those on the ship from one of the shopping guides?
I am getting more and more excited for our cruise by the day.

I think there were people handing them out as you walked. I didn't go to any shopping tours or anything like that. But I still have a ton of cards in my Beach bag today. (Actually saw a ring I fell in love with yesterday and kicking myself for not looking at it while we were there!). They have people handing them out in Cozumel too.
You will be fine in Grand Cayman on your own. I was so overwhelmed the first time and was nervous about doing it on our own (it was my first time ever being out of the states!). But once you get there you will see how easy it is to navigate. Look at a map and check out Seven Mile Beach. You will see all the hotels on the beach and there are beach access points all over it. I believe all are free entry points and you just pay for your chair rentals. Have fun planning!

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

I think there were people handing them out as you walked. I didn't go to any shopping tours or anything like that. But I still have a ton of cards in my Beach bag today. (Actually saw a ring I fell in love with yesterday and kicking myself for not looking at it while we were there!). They have people handing them out in Cozumel too.
You will be fine in Grand Cayman on your own. I was so overwhelmed the first time and was nervous about doing it on our own (it was my first time ever being out of the states!). But once you get there you will see how easy it is to navigate. Look at a map and check out Seven Mile Beach. You will see all the hotels on the beach and there are beach access points all over it. I believe all are free entry points and you just pay for your chair rentals. Have fun planning!

Thank You for all your advice!