So here is some history. I have been to Grand Cayman twice before this trip. Both times we had a horrible experience.
The first time was when my husband and I got engaged in 2008. We didn't know what to do in this port so we decided to walk around and maybe just grab a bite to eat. We had settled on the Hard Rock because we knew it from back home. We had some waters and nachos. Thats it! For whatever reason, maybe we didnt pay attention to exchange rates or something, but when we got the bill it came to $50 before tip! The nachos were good, but not $50 good! Shame on us for not doing our research!
The second time we went, was on our honeymoon in 2009. We decided to pick an excursion. We opted for Power Snorkel and Kayak. The description sounded great. It turned out to be us and a couple from Canada. The guide walked us over to a building right by the dock. He opened a closet, no exaggeration, and told us to leave our bags and valuables there. I was hesitant, but figured the company has a contract with the cruise line so they must have done some research on him. He walked us across the street and told us to get in a kayak with power snorkel machines. We did. My husband is pretty strong, but between the two of us fighting the ocean waves to get out by the reef/ ship wreck, it was exhausting. My power snorkel died after 5 minutes and the guy kept insisting I was just using it wrong. Then we had to kayak back to shore. I was pissy because I felt like I wasted my money. Thankfully, the broom closet had a lock and no one took our stuff.
Well, they say the third times the charm right????? NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!
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The first time was when my husband and I got engaged in 2008. We didn't know what to do in this port so we decided to walk around and maybe just grab a bite to eat. We had settled on the Hard Rock because we knew it from back home. We had some waters and nachos. Thats it! For whatever reason, maybe we didnt pay attention to exchange rates or something, but when we got the bill it came to $50 before tip! The nachos were good, but not $50 good! Shame on us for not doing our research!
The second time we went, was on our honeymoon in 2009. We decided to pick an excursion. We opted for Power Snorkel and Kayak. The description sounded great. It turned out to be us and a couple from Canada. The guide walked us over to a building right by the dock. He opened a closet, no exaggeration, and told us to leave our bags and valuables there. I was hesitant, but figured the company has a contract with the cruise line so they must have done some research on him. He walked us across the street and told us to get in a kayak with power snorkel machines. We did. My husband is pretty strong, but between the two of us fighting the ocean waves to get out by the reef/ ship wreck, it was exhausting. My power snorkel died after 5 minutes and the guy kept insisting I was just using it wrong. Then we had to kayak back to shore. I was pissy because I felt like I wasted my money. Thankfully, the broom closet had a lock and no one took our stuff.
Well, they say the third times the charm right????? NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!
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Here goes...
This time we planned in advance. We found a baby friendly excursion that would take us to Stingray City, Hell, and the Turtle Farm. Great, three highlights of the island I should have done years ago!! Paid for it a couple weeks ahead of time so we we be sure to get in.
We're waiting in the lobby for tendering to begin when an announcement comes on. All Stingray City excursion have been cancelled due to the weather. It was beautiful outside, so I didnt understand what "weather" might have caused this cancellation. So they instructed us to come to the shore excursion desk to exchange for something else. We found something similar, but different. This one included Hell and the Turtel Farm, but instead of Stingray City, we could take a semi-submersible out to a ship wreck! Great, a/c relaxing, easy to manage a baby on. Or so we thought!
While we waited I occupied my son's time by helping him write a letter to Santa. On the paper was a place for the child's name and room number. I was expecting to get a little note or something in the cabin from Santa. Nothing ever showed!
We're waiting in the lobby for tendering to begin when an announcement comes on. All Stingray City excursion have been cancelled due to the weather. It was beautiful outside, so I didnt understand what "weather" might have caused this cancellation. So they instructed us to come to the shore excursion desk to exchange for something else. We found something similar, but different. This one included Hell and the Turtel Farm, but instead of Stingray City, we could take a semi-submersible out to a ship wreck! Great, a/c relaxing, easy to manage a baby on. Or so we thought!
While we waited I occupied my son's time by helping him write a letter to Santa. On the paper was a place for the child's name and room number. I was expecting to get a little note or something in the cabin from Santa. Nothing ever showed!
Once we were ready we went down to the tendering area to get off the ship. It wasn't terrible. We had an hour to kill before our tour, so we walked with my mom around the port and downtown area. She had never been to GC before. We walked all the way down by the Hard Rock, or what used to be the Hard Rock. It appears that it is no longer in business. We have since found out it was operating on an expired franchise and they were shut down by a legal filing!!!!
I've always liked that I can take great ship shots on Grand Cayman. Being that all the ships tender there is no blockage of piers or other ships if you position yourself just right!
My husband, the daredevil. He walked all over the coral in flip flops because he wanted a really "cool" picture. Eh, here's what we got!
We went back to the port area and were feeling a bit hungry. My husband loves Jamaican Beef Patties and there was a stand inside the port area. So I ordered a chicken one, he had beef, and my mom had the veggie. After our snack we waited under the large tented area for our tour to be called. I will say that people here were very rude. we tried to sit on a bench a number of times with no luck, people would swoop out of nowhere to snatch a seat. Even seeing that we were holding a baby they tried their best to, basically, out run us!
I've always liked that I can take great ship shots on Grand Cayman. Being that all the ships tender there is no blockage of piers or other ships if you position yourself just right!
My husband, the daredevil. He walked all over the coral in flip flops because he wanted a really "cool" picture. Eh, here's what we got!
We went back to the port area and were feeling a bit hungry. My husband loves Jamaican Beef Patties and there was a stand inside the port area. So I ordered a chicken one, he had beef, and my mom had the veggie. After our snack we waited under the large tented area for our tour to be called. I will say that people here were very rude. we tried to sit on a bench a number of times with no luck, people would swoop out of nowhere to snatch a seat. Even seeing that we were holding a baby they tried their best to, basically, out run us!
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