Cayman Brac reached a milestone in its cruise history this month with the successful inaugural visit of the sailing vessel Star Clipper, bringing visitors, economic activity and renewed confidence in the island’s ability to host boutique cruise tourism.
The ship arrived on Thursday, 15 Jan., carrying 104 passengers and 72 crew members, many of whom came ashore at Cemetery Pier/Scott’s Dock to experience Cayman Brac. From the moment tenders began arriving, the atmosphere was festive, with residents gathering to see the ship offshore, take photographs and share in what many described as a proud day for the island.
Passengers were greeted with a craft and vendor market, organised by the Cayman Brac Heritage House, where local artisans showcased handmade goods, traditional crafts and locally produced items. According to vendors and organisers, demand was strong throughout the day, with many stalls selling out entirely.
An information table, delivered through a partnership between the Department of District Administration and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s Cayman Brac Office, provided guests with guidance on attractions, activities and transport options.
Visitors enjoyed live music, local food, organised tours and beach transfers, while others chose to rent cars and scooters to explore the island independently. Snorkelling in Cayman Brac’s clear coastal waters proved particularly popular among those looking to experience the island’s marine life first-hand.
Chevala Burke, District Administration’s marketing and promotions manager and on-island cruise coordinator, described the visit as a clear success.
“This was truly an amazing and positive experience for everyone involved,” Burke said. “From the warm welcome by our community, to the collaboration among vendors, musicians, tour operators, shipping agent and government partners, the day flowed beautifully. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a role in making this visit such a success and in showcasing Cayman Brac at its very best.”
The official welcome was led by Nickolas DaCosta, minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, who greeted passengers on arrival.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the guests and crew of the Star Clipper to Cayman Brac,” DaCosta said. “I was very pleased with how smoothly the operations ran and with the level of collaboration across our agencies and community partners. This visit reflects Cayman Brac’s readiness to deliver a high-quality experience while maintaining the unique character of our island.”
District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts also said the day was a success.
“The visit was much appreciated by the vendors on the Brac and the community at large, and from all accounts it definitely appears the visitors onboard the Star Clipper truly enjoyed their time here. We anticipate repeats from many onboard,” Tibbetts told the Cayman Compass.
He added that residents are keen to see more such calls in the future.
“The community not only appreciated this visit, but they look forward to many more and trust such cruise visits will become a regular occurrence,” Tibbetts said, thanking everyone involved in ensuring the day ran smoothly.
Cayman Brac Port Manager Myra Ryan-Ebanks echoed those sentiments, highlighting both the economic and logistical success of the call.
“All of the guests came off the ship and they had a great time,” she said. “They purchased absolutely everything that the vendors had on offer, and both the set-up for the arrival of the visitors and the breakdown at the end of the day went extremely smoothly.”
The visit revived memories of earlier years, when the Star Clipper’s sister ship, Star Flyer, made over a dozen calls to Brac. Those visits began on 14 Feb. 2014 and continued through 2018, with the last call to Cayman Brac recorded on 24 Jan. 2018.
Marine environment protection
Cruise operations in Cayman Brac are handled with particular care for the marine environment. Visiting ships do not anchor to avoid damage to coral reefs. Instead, vessels remain under engine in the designated offshore anchorage area on the island’s northwest side, with passengers ferried ashore by lifeboat tenders to Scott’s Dock.
Former acting port director and part-time Brac resident Joseph Woods explained that Scott’s Dock offers significant advantages for cruise operations.
“In the past, tenders came into the government dock at the Creek, but it was too high and not the safest method,” Woods said. “We switched to Scott’s Dock because it offers better space, better ambience and is closer to shops, the post office, restaurants, beaches and hotels in the West End.”
Although Scott’s Dock is one of just two approved ports on Cayman Brac, it is privately owned, having been purchased by local businessman Frank Schilling, who has proposed a residential and marina development known as Port Zeus. The dock also continues to serve its traditional role, periodically handling vehicles and some cargo arriving by barge from Grand Cayman.
Two future cruise calls are scheduled for Cayman Brac this year. The Windstar ship, named the Wind Surf, is expected on 20 Feb. with 386 passengers, followed by the SH Vega of Swan Hellenic Cruise Lines, which will bring 152 passengers on 6 May.
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This ship was super cool. Saw it but wish I stopped to take a photo.