Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Grand Cayman?

[SweetSpot]

Has anyone tried going to the new Margaritaville in Grand Cayman? I read that it is right by the pier and thought it would be a nice way to spend a little while but read a bad review on another board and now wonder if it's worth it.

We are doing a beach in Cozumel, don't really shop much when on vacation and we don't want to do the stingrays. If Margaritaville turns up being not worth the time can anyone recommend a relaxing way to spend the day other than staying on the ship? (Which is what we did last year)

 

[webray]

I didn't think the new giant Grand Cayman Margaritaville was open yet. It definately isn't listed on the website. The one in the Turks and Caicos is open.

 

[Float My Boat]

I tend to avoid chain restaurants while on vacation. If you have heard anything bad at all, you might as well try something that you can't get in the US, that is unique to the Caymans. That way you can get a true island experience.

 

[mommasita]

Having done the crown 9/12, we wanted to go to the Margaritaville in Grand Cayman, but it is not finished yet...They stopped us, and said they had some damage still being fixed...

For the one in Turks and Caicos....

HTH

 

[disneylover5]

I found this

The pool was really little, and the swim up bar had like 4 seats. It took us a minute to even notice it. I was soooo excited about Margaritaville. I had never been to one before and since I was going to Cayman on my honeymoon (last week!) I thought it would be a good thing for us to do. Hang out in the pool have a bite to eat. I was WRONG! Yeah it was kinda cute but nothing special. The prices were CRAZY. Our final bill had 1 plate of nachos, 1 cheeseburger, 2 mango margaritas (which were pretty small), and 1 mango margarita that came in a take home glass (this margarita was $14 their money so like $17.50 American money) and the total was $80 US! Can you believe we paid $80 for nachos, a cheeseburger, and 3 drinks. It was ridiculous. I was so disappointed, not just because of the money. I wouldn't have minded paying that if I thought it had been worth it, but the food there really wasn't that good. And they weren't large portions or anything. I would only recommend Margaritaville if you want to stop and have ONE drink just to say you have been. Other then that don't bother.

 

[disneylover5]

Margaritaville opens in Grand Cayman
Saturday, September 23, 2006



Margaritaville Grand Cayman as cruise shippers enjoy themselves.

The newest attraction in Grand Cayman opened its doors to the public last week and reportedly turned into an instant hit.

Following on the success of Margaritaville in other resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the US, George Town, with its regular influx of cruise ship passengers, has been chosen for the latest addition to the chain of themed restaurants originally created and made famous by the singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

Located just across the road from the cruise ship terminal, the new Margaritaville occupies a prime spot which were offices.

After a major transformation, the place where people used to work has been transformed into somewhere they can come and enjoy themselves.

Entering the building through the Trading Post, or main souvenir shop, customers go upstairs to eat, drink and possibly dance.

With seating for 650 people there is more than enough room, even at the busiest times. On a day when four cruise ships were in the harbour, the place could best be described as comfortably crowded.

Customers can enjoy a choice of inside seating, two bars and balconies looking out on the harbour.

There is plenty to attract the customer and a small army of staff to look after them. The two souvenir shops are packed with t-shirts and other merchandise for tourists to purchase.

According to owners, once what was described as a minor licensing problem is resolved, an open-air swimming pool with a water slide will open, providing a unique facility on these Islands.

Manager Arthur Screaton said the place had been a success from the moment the doors opened.
He pointed out that the facilities are not just targeted at cruise shippers but are also ideal for long-stay visitors and residents looking for somewhere different to go in the evenings.

Company director Ian Dear said they were catering to a clear demand and meeting it. "A lot of work has gone into the building but it has more than paid off," he said surveying his new premises.

 

[SweetSpot]

disneylover5: That was part of the thread I've been following. It opened a couple weeks ago and still has some kinks to work out but we aren't going for 3 weeks. When we found out it was open and so close to the ship's location it sounded like a great place to visit. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[disneylover5]

Well it sure sounds big enough so it won'r be crowded like Key West. I am going to go to 7 mile beach and then maybe back to JB for a drink and to buy a shirt

 

[Colorado DISers]

We've been to the one in Orlando and it was just OK, and very pricey. I would rather return to the ship to have our lunch. After all, it's already paid for.

 

[mommasita]

Wow, I missed it by a couple of days...I truly think it is fun, at least the 2 I have been to....

 

[Lisabell]

I was really excited when I found out that Margaritaville was going to be open for our cruise (9/23). We went to the original one in Key West a few days prior (Loved it....small and fun with lots of character!) and we thought we'd make a theme of it in GC.

It was everything the prior posts said it was -- good and bad....pricy, festive, small pool....I would also add that the music the DJ was playing on that particular day was awful!!! As a budding Parrothead I was hoping for mostly Jimmy Buffett music but it was really loud "Club" music in the middle of the afternoon (with one or 2 Buffett songs throw in).

We ate lunch (I had the Cheeseburger in Paradise and DH had a Wrap and both were excellent). I had a Margarita (small one), DH and our 2 friends had iced tea which was awful!! (Our friends didn't eat). Our bill came to $60!!! CRIKEY!!!

The pool was very tiny but I still loved the idea of it, especially as hot as it was that day. It wasn't crowded at all that day (only 2 ships in town). I might have gone for a quick dip but I was the only one in our group interested and I didn't want to go alone.

The atmosphere was very festive and will probably only get more so as they continue to add memorabilia and such. The gift shops were great (and yes, we really did buy the T-Shirt and a few other trinkets. Souvenirs were not any pricier than Disney).

Would I go there again? Maybe....but I'd just get a Margarita, take a few pictures and head back to the ship for lunch. It's still worth checking out. I really liked the open-air feel and the view of the ocean. With a different DJ I might have liked it a bit more....

Here's a link to pictures from that day. Margaritaville pics are in the middle of the batch....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19454315@N00/sets/72157594307538420/

 

[msaseifert]

Lisabell......thanks for the pictures, we are going on a Western on Jan and on my liost of things to do is Margaritaville - I am a huge JB fan!

 

[SweetSpot]

Thank you Lisabell! I think we'll give it a shot. Just go there for a drink, be able to say we actually stepped foot in Grand Cayman and then head back to an empty ship to enjoy that.

 

[JodyTG]

On our last cruise, Grand Cayman was our favorite island, although I know some people don't like it as well as we do. We liked to walk down to the Tortuga Rum store and buy some of their yummy rum cakes (I love the coconut) and pick up a bottle of coconut flavored rum.

The rum tastes better than Malibu, but it has more of a kick to it.

 

[Stein]

I can't vouch for that one, but my wife and I love the one in Vegas. I am really into their cheesburgers, draft beer and the fun atmosphere, but if you aren't into that, it probably isn't the place for you. Reading above, I don't think I would drop $80 on a lunch though.