Wind Star Cruises’ five-masted Wind Surf called on Cayman Brac last Friday morning with 310 passengers on board.
The world’s largest sailing ship, the Wind Surf, drew admiring glances as she glided into the Brac port at 6:30am with her sails billowing.
Shipping traffic advisor Raymond Scott served as the pilot to guide the ship into port.
Every year, several small- and medium-sized cruise ships call on the Brac.
Moses Kirkconnell, deputy premier and tourism minister, said he was “extremely pleased” to welcome the increased cruise calls to Cayman Brac for the benefit of the local economy, “especially this year”.
The Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman MLA said he was pleased with the tourism product being offered.
“The addition of the new rooms with the Alexander Hotel reopening, the flights and increase of arrivals by 7% last year” trickle down into the community and local businesses, Kirkconnell said.
Passengers from the Wind Surf were ferried to and from the port’s welcome centre to tour some of the Brac’s historic sites.
Scott said he thinks the island could cope with three small cruise ships a week, with a range of 100 to 500 passengers.
Wind Surf offered visitors guided tours of the National Trust Brac Parrot Reserve, the caves, the Cayman Brac Museum, and the Cayman Brac Heritage House to introduce the travellers to some of the island’s secrets, charms and culture.
At Heritage House, which is a modern version of an old Caymanian home, visitors got a glimpse into the lives and artifacts of the Caymanian people.
Cruise passenger Marilyn Buchanan, a university professor originally from Liverpool, England, said she was impressed with the Brac and its people.
“The Cayman Islands is near and dear to the hearts of the British because we know so much about them,” said Buchanan. “Having been to several other islands in the Caribbean, one of the things we have been most impressed with, particularly here on Cayman Brac, is how well the island is looked after, how clean it is, and the pride people take in looking after their environment. You don’t find that in all places,” she said.
Visitors also watched a thatchroping demonstration at Scott’s Dock, where vendors gathered to show their wares before the ship departed the island at 1pm, The ship had arrived in Cayman Brac from Grand Cayman as part of its Central American tour.
After departing the Brac, the vessel headed to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and then on to the Dominican Republic.
Wind Surf is Windstar’s 342-guest flagship. It underwent significant renovations of its public spaces and suites in November 2019. It is 535 feet long at waterline; 617 feet including bowsprit. It can reach speeds of up to 12 knots with engines only, and up to 15 knots when wind- and engine-assisted.
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