Government is considering reviving plans for a landing dock for cruise passengers in West Bay in an effort to “spread the love” from tourism around the island, Deputy Premier Gary Rutty told members of Parliament during Finance Committee on Wednesday, 19 Nov.
The tourism minister acknowledged concerns about the future of the industry both from operators and from cruise lines following the referendum decision not to build berthing facilities.
But he insisted the future for the sector is looking good, with visitors projected to reach 1.7 million within the next two years. And he said the coalition government aimed to create a better experience for arriving passengers to address ongoing industry concerns.
Aligned with planned improvements at the Royal Water pier, Rutty said new landing points were being considered.
“The aim is also to spread some of the love around the island, possibly taking tenders into the West Bay dock,” he said.
Rutty also referenced a waterfront property in George Town, initially purchased by government under the previous tourism minister Kenneth Bryan, as another area where a new tender dock could be developed.
The area was initially slated for a seafarer’s park and Bryan warned, in Finance Committee hearings this week, that Rutty would face a ‘backlash’ if he does not follow through with that plan.
Rutty said government was currently cleaning up the site and seeing if it could work as a dock. He said improvements to Spott’s landing are also planned.
He expects to see significant growth in cruise numbers, approaching pre-COVID levels, and insisted Cayman needs to spread those numbers around the island.
“I am also exploring the possibility of having more cruise calls going to Cayman Brac to bring a regular economic boost to that island,” he added.
Consideration of a dock that could accommodate cruise passengers in West Bay dates back to McKeeva Bush’s time as the leader of the government and the concept was part of the rationale for the amount of money spent developing the Cayman Turtle Centre as a tourist attraction.
Rutty said the overall picture for the cruise industry is relatively healthy.
“I am pleased to report the cruise industry is not disappearing,” he said, following a dozen meetings with a string of industry executives at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association conference in Puerto Rico last month.
“They each reaffirmed Cayman’s position as a high-demand port of call,” Rutty told MPs in Finance Committee.
He acknowledged that industry leaders continue to assert a preference for a berthing facility that can accommodate larger ships.
Other concerns highlighted include the visitor experience and public beach, which the tourism minster acknowledged needs attention.
“There are concerns about jet ski safety, limited swim zones and insufficient amenities for passengers.”
For 2025 passenger arrivals are forecast to be 1.1 million from 363 ship calls, rising to 1.3 million passengers from 449 ship calls in 2026.
For 2027, early projections estimate 1.7 million passengers and over 500 ship calls, he said, adding that business and operators in the sector could “breathe a little easier and feel more hopeful about the future.”
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Possibly the worst idea since Cayman Airways flying to Barbados. “Share the love” you mean “Share the Annoyance”. Do you think locals in West Bay want to deal with the increased traffic and people that cruisers would create? Absolutely not. Leave the annoyance of cruisers to George Town and leave the rest of us with the option of whether we want to step into that or not.
The existing West Bay dock is way too shallow for cruise tenders boats. New much longer concrete dock would be needed with proper bathrooms. The existing parking has been cut by 80%, leaving just 6 spaces, that are occupied by fisherman’s boat trailers and public beach jet ski operators trailers.
Let’s then bus them all to George Town so they can go shopping.