Terminals, Tendering and Getting Around

North Terminal at Grand Cayman Cruise Port (Photo Credit: eric laudonien)

When more than one cruise ship needs to ferry passengers to or from the cruise port, the North Terminal and South Terminal can be used. As mentioned, these two smaller terminals are basically used for spillover when the port is busy.

Since they are used basically to deliver visitors from cruise ships to the island, both terminals pretty much consist of a single small tender pier leading to a fenced walkway. From there, both walkways have a gate that opens to Harbour Drive.

Worth Reading: 10 Well-Known Western Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit

Beyond passenger-controlling gates and a few shaded benches that act as a waiting area, there is not much more to these two terminals. With that said, all three terminals are within short walking distance of some of George Town’s main attractions. If you arrive at either the North Terminal or the South Terminal, you can just walk roughly 500 feet between the two terminals and the Royal Watler Terminal. 

Since they are so close to each other, you can even wait for your tendering boat to arrive at the North or South Terminals in the nearby Green Parrot Bar or duty-free shop at Royal Walter. 

Cruise Lines that Visit Grand Cayman

Cruise Ship in Grand Cayman, Caribbean (Photo Credit: eric laudonien)

Despite the relatively small and simple cruise port, Grand Cayman is a popular stop for numerous major cruise lines. The three terminals receive over 2.1 million cruise passengers per year, which is due to the island’s strategic location for western Caribbean cruise itineraries. 

The following are just some of the cruise lines that regularly tender at the Grand Cayman Cruise Port: 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line

MSC Cruises

Princess Cruises

Holland America Line

Celebrity Cruises

Disney Cruise Line 

Traveling to Grand Cayman Cruise Port from the Airport

Owen Roberts International Airport (Photo Credit: Blue Sky imagery)

The primary airport serving all of Grand Cayman is Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM), which is located roughly 2.2 miles from the cruise port. Given the airport’s close proximity, those arriving by plane can easily make their way to the cruise port. 

Taking a taxi is by far the most popular mode of transportation between the two, but some will opt for a rental car, especially if they plan on spending a few days on the island before their cruise. 

Driving Directions

If you do plan on driving from the airport to the Grand Cayman Cruise Port, you can follow these simple driving directions: 

Exit the airport onto Roberts Drive

After 1 mile, enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Elgin Ave

After 0.7 miles, turn left onto Shedden Road

At the end of Shedden Road, turn right onto Harbour Drive

Look for signs for Grand Cayman Cruise Terminal and turn left into the parking lot 

Getting Around Grand Cayman

Transportation in Grand Cayman (Photo Credit: Angela N Perryman)

While George Town is very walkable, you can also take the following transportation options to explore the city and beyond:

Taking a Taxi

If you prefer to take a taxi, taxis are readily available outside the arrivals gate at GCM. You will find them waiting at a designated taxi line, so there is no need to call or flag one down.

To regulate taxi rates on the island, the Grand Cayman Tourism and Transport Board introduced an updated fare schedule. From the airport to anywhere in the city of George Town, there is a flat rate of $25, which includes two pieces of luggage. Since this covers the cruise port, you can expect to pay exactly $25 to get there via taxi. 

For even greater convenience, the move to regulate fares also aimed to encourage fare transparency, so the CI:GO taxi fare calculator and tracker were introduced.

Much like the Uber App, this user-friendly mobile app allows visitors to book pickup and drop-off locations, calculate costs ahead of time, and even digitally fare split. It’s a convenient app that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

We recommend downloading the CI:GO Taxi Fare App before you go! It makes getting around Grand Cayman incredibly easy. 

Booking a Rental Vehicle

If you’ll be on the island for a while and prefer the flexibility of driving yourself, rental vehicles are readily available at the airport and throughout the city. Rodney’s Car Rental is just a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, but the island is also home to most of the major car rental providers, including Budget and Avis, which both have offices at the airport and other locations throughout George Town. 

By Shuttle Bus

Since relatively few cruise ships list Grand Cayman Cruise Port as a homeport, there are few shuttle options from the airport to the cruise port. That said, some hotels offer complimentary airport pickups via shuttle bus. 

You can also pre-book an airport shuttle if you have a larger group. We recommend Prime Time Shuttle, which has reasonable rates and can be booked and paid for beforehand. You can also book shuttle services to any destination on the island so that they can be a practical option for groups looking for more organized transportation.

Beaches Near Grand Cayman Cruise Port

Grand Cayman is renowned for its white sand beaches scattered along the island’s entire coastline. Lucky for visiting cruise passengers, many are easily accessible from the port: 

Seven Mile Beach

Cruise Visitors on Seven Mile Beach (Photo Credit: eric laudonien)

Located 2.8 miles north of the port, it’s possible to walk to Seven Mile Beach along restaurant and store-lined West Bay Road in about an hour, but most people opt for a taxi. Tripadvisor named the award-winning beach the 4th best beach in all of the Caribbean, and we can’t disagree. 

The turquoise waters and powdery sands make this highly popular public beach one of the most popular destinations on the island. As the name implies, the beach is seven miles long, so it’s easy to find a quiet spot to relax. The beach is also lined with palm trees, beachside restaurants, bars, lounge chairs, and more.

You can also book about any type of water activity imaginable or even take a horseback ride along the shoreline. Visiting the beach is a must-do activity when visiting Grand Cayman. 

Smith’s Barcadere Beach

Smith Cove (Photo Credit: eric laudonien)

If you go 1.5 miles south of the cruise terminals, you will find Smith’s Barcadere. Also known as Smith Cove, it’s a wonderful beach for relaxing and swimming. The beach is bookended by two large limestone formations, making it great for photographs. 

The turquoise waters feature a child-friendly sandbar, but they lead to a steep, deep drop-off that makes the area perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. With local souvenir stalls and a few nearby bars, there’s also plenty to do if you get tired of relaxing on the sand. Free public restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic benches make it an excellent option for those looking to escape the crowds of Seven Mile Beach. 

South Sound Public Beach

If you want to go further south, you can find South Sound Public Beach, one of the quietest beaches near George Town. Located on the island’s southwestern tip, the beach is a bit of a hidden gem.

It’s fairly bare bones in terms of facilities, but it offers stunning views and plenty of shady palm trees. We think the two-mile journey is well worth it if you want to escape the crowds. 

Rules for Fishing and Collecting Shells

Fishing in Grand Cayman (Photo Credit: Brandt Geer)

The government of the Cayman Islands is stringent when it comes to protecting the country’s natural environment with regulations. Even if you’re just visiting, make sure you adhere to the following rules: 

Visitors are allowed to line fish from the shore or a boat without a license, but catch-and-release rules are enforced for non-residents. Spearfishing of any kind is strictly prohibited without a specialized permit.

Certain fishing charters you can book have a certification allowing their guests to remove fish they catch over eight inches, so check with your booking group if you have decided to take one of these excursions. 

Coral, marine plants, and sea turtle eggs cannot be removed under any circumstances. Removing a conch is not allowed without a permit, and even then, conch season only runs between May and October. In fact, you’re not even allowed to purchase more than five conch shells or take them out of the country.

While you are allowed to take shells you find on the beach, they could be confiscated if they are found to be in prohibited quantities. 

While these rules may seem strict, they were put in place to protect marine life and the natural ecosystem of the Cayman Islands from the damage of overtourism.

If you want to play it safe, we recommend purchasing shells and other natural souvenirs from reputable vendors, as they will have all of the required permits. 

Currency and Tipping Expectations in Grand Cayman

Cruise Passengers in George Town, Cayman Islands (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)

Although the Cayman Islands is classified as a British Overseas Territory, its official currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). With that said, the US Dollar is widely accepted throughout Grand Cayman and the other islands.

Remember that the US Dollar is worth a bit more, but some vendors will only offer you a 1:1 conversion, so it can be worth using the local currency if you are going to be in Grand Cayman for a while. 

Most retailers and just about every restaurant and bar will also accept the major credit cards, so that is another way to avoid overpaying on conversion rates. However, if you plan to shop locally-made souvenirs at some market stalls, you will likely need cash. 

Like most places in the Caribbean, tipping is also customary in the Cayman Islands. For sit-down restaurants, a tip between 15% to 20% of the bill is standard.

For larger groups, the tip is sometimes included in the bill, so you’ll want to check ahead of time. Tipping your taxi driver is also considered relatively standard, with tips between 10% and 15% being seen as polite.

You can also tip a few dollars to hotel staff, tour operators, and other service people, but this is more at your own discretion than tipping in restaurants and bars. 

Dining Near the Cruise Port

Casanova Restaurant (Photo Credit: Angela N Perryman)

The three tender piers that make up the Grand Cayman Cruise Port sit right within George Town, far from various restaurants and bars. For a mix of local and international cuisine, we recommend the following: 

Sandbar Daiquiri Bar & Grill Grand Cayman

Located just steps from the Royal Watler Terminal, this small but lively bar and restaurant serves various delicious skewers seasoned to local tastes. They also served grilled seafood that is about as fresh as you will find anywhere. 

As the name implies, no visit is complete without ordering a daiquiri or other frozen cocktail. They have a huge selection of flavors, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, so you’re sure to find something that will cool you off. Plus, this waterside restaurant and bar offers amazing views of the port. 

Lobster Pot

For a more formal dining experience, head north along North Church Street for half a mile. Here, you’ll find the Lobster Pot, one of George Town’s most iconic restaurants. This family-owned restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood right on the waters of the Caribbean Sea for over 50 years.

The upscale menu features a wide range of gourmet seafood dishes, and the wine list is tailored to pair with just about every dish perfectly. If you’re planning to go for dinner, we highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time! 

The Brasserie

Another more formal option, The Brasserie is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Grand Cayman. The menu mostly features seafood dishes served in Caribbean style, but the upscale venue and carefully selected ingredients give the restaurant a very upscale atmosphere. There is a significant focus on local, seasonal ingredients, both for the dinner and drinks menus. 

It’s only 0.7 miles from the cruise port, so you can easily walk there and enjoy exploring the streets of George Town on your way. Keep in mind that it is fairly expensive, especially by Caribbean standards, but it can be a memorable experience that is well worth shelling out a bit extra for. 

Casanova Restaurant

If you’re not sold on seafood, Casanova Restaurant serves up classic Italian dishes with a bit of a Caribbean twist. The food is delicious and allows picky eaters to still get a taste for local flavors without having to commit to an unfamiliar dish fully.

It’s only a 5-minute walk north of the George Town Cruise Port along North Church Street. You can even watch the tender boats come and go from the port as you enjoy dining outside on one of the three decks of outdoor seating. 

Shopping in Grand Cayman (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

Since Grand Cayman has become a premier destination for cruise ships, it offers many shopping options, including luxury boutiques, duty-free shops, and plenty of local vendors. Here are just a few of the options in and around the port: 

Shopping at Royal Watler Terminal

If you don’t want to travel far, a fairly large, air-conditioned duty-free shop is in front of the Royal Watler Terminal. Here, you can buy jewelry, designer watches, perfume, imported alcohol, sunglasses, and more. 

If you’re looking for something more unique to the island, you’ll also find a variety of local vendor stalls selling locally-made souvenirs and snacks. 

Kirk Freeport

Just a few steps south of the South Terminal, you’ll find Kirk Freeport, a well-known duty-free shopping store specializing in imported luxury items and cosmetics. It’s a great place to score a deal.

With cruise passengers spending an average of $585 on watches, jewelry, perfumes, and other luxury items when they visit, it’s no wonder Grand Cayman is such a popular destination for shopping enthusiasts!

Cayman Craft Market

If you’re willing to walk half a mile north of the cruise port, you can find your way to the Cayman Craft Market, where you’ll find the widest selection of uniquely made Cayman Island souvenirs.

Not only is this a great place to find a gift or souvenir, but it’s also a fun shopping experience that really gives you a feel for the island’s unique culture. Find anything from handmade beachwear to hot sauces made using old family recipes. It’s definitely worth visiting! 

The Best Time to Visit Grand Cayman

Photo Credit: Angela N Perryman / Shutterstock.com

Like the other Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman enjoys a year-round tropical climate, making it an enjoyable place to visit throughout the year. However, most people tend to visit between November and April, which is considered to be the most pleasant stretch for weather. 

While the temperature tends to sit between 70° and 85°F throughout the year, the rainy season runs from May until October, with the summer months particularly wet.

Read Also: What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?

While Grand Cayman rarely deals directly with hurricanes, stormy weather, and heavy rainfall can increase drastically if a hurricane occurs elsewhere in the Caribbean. For this reason, we would avoid visiting in July and August, or at least check the forecast for delays before you go. 

With cooler and drier months between November and April increasing demand, many cruise lines relocate ships from Europe to the Caribbean, increasing the number of itineraries that include stops in Grand Cayman.

This means you can expect bigger crowds in George Town and throughout the rest of the island, but it also means that finding tickets for a cruise that visits Grand Cayman will be easier.

If you want to experience the island’s culture, you can also enhance your visit by visiting the Cayman Islands’ only national carnival, the Cayman Carnival Batabano, which runs in early May. You can also check out the Pirates Week Festival in mid-November!

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Publish date : 2024-09-11 06:39:00

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