Much of the debate around the cruise berthing facility has centered on the potential impact on the wrecks and reefs in the harbour.
Amid conflicting reports about the health of the marine life in the impacted area, we enlisted the help of underwater photographer Courtney Platt and produced an interactive graphic to demonstrate exactly what lies beneath the glassy surface.
Each of the flashing dots on the aerial image above, correlates to a specific dive site. Click on the dots to see images taken at those locations and a short description of the sites and what the available reports say about how they could be impacted.
Port Vote 2019
Potential decriminalisation of ganja and introduction of a national lottery moves closer
The potential decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis and the establishment of a national lottery moved a step closer after the government announced that...
Cruise tender dock in West Bay mulled for revived sector
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 has said.
No dock, no problem: Major rebound projected for Cayman’s cruise industry
An estimated 1.7 million cruise arrivals are projected for Cayman in 2027 suggesting the no vote on piers has not harmed the industry as badly as feared.
Lottery and cannabis options to be reviewed by Law Reform Commission
Government is to ask the Law Reform Commission to look at options for a national lottery and cannabis reform following April’s referendums
Government encouraged to prioritise ganja decriminalisation
Ganja decriminalisation should be a top priority during the first 100 days of Cayman's new government, a prominent lawyer has said.
Beyond berthing: A five-point plan for the future of cruise in Cayman
As part of a special report looking at the direction of the cruise industry following this month's referendum result, the Compass talked to multiple public and private sector leaders on what the future holds.
After the referendum, a new question for cruise: What now?
With the question of berthing answered - at least for now, a bigger, existential question hangs over the industry. What’s next?
Association for Cruise Tourism ‘deeply disappointed’ in referendum result
ACT said they respected the referendum outcome but added they were "deeply disappointed by the result, and concerned about the likely negative impact".
Election candidate rules ‘arguably unreasonable’, observers say
The restrictions on who can stand for Parliament are "significant and arguably unreasonable", a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association observer mission said on Friday.
Lawyers welcome ganja decriminalisation vote result
Firm referendum backing for decriminalisation of cannabis possession in small amounts has been welcomed by top members of the legal profession.
Cruise ship piers sunk but voters take chance on lottery, cannabis decriminalisation
Cayman has delivered a firm "no" on the construction of cruise ship berths, but backed a national lottery and decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of cannabis.
Voters to decide on cruise berthing, national lottery and cannabis decriminalisation
This year, it's an Election Day with a difference – voters won't just be ticking a box next to a candidate's name, they'll also be asked to put an X in three other boxes, indicating their position on separate referendum questions.
Cruise project would cost more than $300 million. Who pays?
A cruise-berthing project, similar to that proposed in 2019, would cost around $300 million, according to analysis for the Compass.
Editorial: The real question on cruise is: Can we afford it?
Before government asks the public what it thinks about cruise berthing it has significant questions of its own to answer, starting with the most basic - 'how much will it cost and who will pay?'
Both sides of cruise berthing issue fight for hearts and minds as referendum nears
With just days to go before the cruise pier referendum, proponents and opponents of the project are working to persuade undecided voters.
Support for yes vote on cannabis, but some urge caution
Campaigners for a change have long argued that the current approach of criminalising cannabis users is not working, either from a health or a law enforcement perspective.
Ocean icon Cousteau opposes cruise berthing in Cayman
Renowned oceanographers Jean-Michel Cousteau and Sylvia Earle have added their voices to those of opponents to cruise berthing in Cayman.
CCMI says not enough info available on cruise referendum
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute has weighed in on the cruise berth debate ahead of the referendum vote, saying it is not possible to make an educated decision about the issue with the information currently available.
The vote that guides
On General Election and Referendum Day – Wednesday, 30 April – voters in the Cayman Islands will have the opportunity to weigh in on three national questions:
- Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure?
- Do you support the introduction of a national lottery in the Islands?
- Do you support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis?
- Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure?
- Do you support the introduction of a national lottery in the Islands?
- Do you support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis?
Pro- and anti-cruise pier groups gearing up campaigns before referendum
With the cruise port referendum only a few weeks away, the battle for the hearts and minds of residents on either side of the debate is heating up.
Saint Lucia’s ex-PM says bad cruise deal won’t happen in Cayman
The 'yes' campaign in the cruise referendum received a boost this week from Allen Chastanet, former prime minister of Saint Lucia.
Economist questions necessity of cruise berth at campaign meeting
Campaigners against a cruise berth received a boost on Tuesday, 18 March, with a new report by economist Marla Dukharan on the issues surrounding the upcoming referendum.
Bryan warns of risks if cruise berth rejected, as opponents critique absence of details
The deputy premier warned of the risks of not building a cruise berth at last week's RF Cayman Economic Outlook conference, while critics highlighted the absence of detail put forward in the referendum question.
Take our poll: Cruise berthing, lottery and ganja vote
Referendum questions on cruise berthing infrastructure, gambling and cannabis decriminalisation will be put to registered voters in Cayman's general election.
Caymanians will finally get their say on cruise berth question
Caymanians will finally vote in a referendum on the future of cruise shipping as MPs have voted in favour of the Referendum Bill.
Cruise referendum bill poised for approval in Parliament
Referendums on cruise shipping, gambling and cannabis look likely to take place on Election Day after opposition MPs indicated their support.
Premier pushes contentious bills onto parliamentary agenda
Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly has forced the inclusion of two controversial bills on the agenda for the Friday session of Parliament.
Boutique cruises, overnight stays should be Cayman’s focus, say campaigners
Cruise tourism can continue to flourish in the Cayman Islands without a cruise terminal, says campaign group CPR Cayman.
Pro-cruise lobby says public being misled about industry
A pro-cruise pier campaign group, the Advancement of Cruise Tourism, held a public meeting in West Bay last week, where they alleged that the...
Opposition to cruise pier
Writer voices her opposition to the construction of a cruise pier in George Town.
ACT bid to torpedo cruise ship ‘myths and misinformation’
A cruise ship tourism pressure group is to hold a special session next week in a bid to dispel what it said were "common myths and misinformation" about the industry.
Cruise pier campaign group asks MPs to back referendum
A pressure group set up to promote cruise ship piers for Cayman appealed to politicians on Friday to stick to a plan to hold a referendum on the controversial proposal.
Cruise campaigners call referendum bill ‘ill-timed and unwarranted’
A referendum on cruise berthing at the next general election is “ill-timed” and "unwarranted", a campaign group has claimed.
Bryan calls for open debate as cruise referendum bill published
Government has published a bill for a referendum on cruise berthing infrastructure, a national lottery and cannabis in a bid to get the topics on the ballot at the next general election.
Clock ticking to get referendum questions on ballot
Now that Cayman's election process has been formally triggered with the issuing of writs the clock is ticking for government to move its referendum plans forward for the 30 April polls.
Minister suggests keeping casinos open as incentive for cruise ships to berth overnight
Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan is considering allowing cruise ships to keep their casinos open while moored in the Cayman Islands, if the public votes in favour of building a cruise berth in the upcoming referendum.
Lottery and ganja to get referendum at last
A three-pronged referendum to include votes on a national lottery and the decriminalisation of small amounts of ganja is to be held, several years after it was first proposed.
Cayman risks loss of cruise visits altogether, tourism minister warns
A long-term decline in the cruise ship industry in Cayman means that action will have to be taken before the sector "declines to nothing", Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan warned at a press briefing Wednesday.
Cruise referendum date change welcomed
While they may not agree on the issue, both the pro- and anti-cruise pier groups have supported government's decision to move the referendum to Election Day.
Cruise referendum moved to coincide with general election
Voters will have to wait until Election Day 2025 to have their say on the future of the island's cruise industry, as the cruise berthing referendum will not be held this year as previously expected.
Cruise berthing referendum motion heading to Parliament
Government has filed its motion to seek lawmakers' support to trigger a referendum on cruise berthing in the Cayman Islands.
Don’t build a cruise port
On a new port: As the world moves to recession you put money away before, to prepare. You do not spend.
As you go into...
Cruise ship operators warn Cayman could be bypassed without berthing facilities
Leading cruise ship operators have warned that the Cayman Islands risk being bypassed by the next generation of cruise ships unless the jurisdiction builds berthing facilities which allow passengers to walk ashore instead of being brought to the island by tender boats.
Bryan touts ‘simple’ cruise port referendum question
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan is holding firm on the decision to hold a referendum on cruise berthing facilities later this year, saying the question would be straightforward to prevent the issue becoming confused and risk being rejected by voters "for the wrong reasons".
Cruise and cargo port debates revive development questions
As Grand Cayman considers separate port projects - one for cargo and another for cruise tourism - stakeholders are weighing in.
Elections Office gets $1.2M bump for cruise vote
Cabinet has approved a $1.2 million increase in funding for the Elections Office to hold the upcoming referendum on cruise berthing.
Bryan: Port referendum a ‘directive’ on cruise berthing, not a project approval
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has responded to concerns on the upcoming vote on the cruise berthing referendum.
Plan for vote on cruise berthing prompts mixed reactions
Government's plan to hold a vote on cruise piers at the end of the year has triggered mixed reactions on the contentious issue.
Government announces referendum on cruise berthing ‘this year’
Cayman voters will have their say on the future of the cruise industry when government holds a referendum on cruise berthing at the end of the year, government has announced.
Bryan: Cargo facility nearing ‘end of its functional lifespan’
Public consultations on the planned expansion of the George Town cargo port are set to commence on Wednesday as government seeks input on next stage of development of the facility.
Analysis: What was missing from government’s spending plan?
While the government's two year budget, unveiled Friday, has a long list of high value projects, there were some much talked about big-ticket items that didn't make the cut.
Tourism minister Bryan resurrects cruise pier debate
Tourism and Ports Minster Kenneth Bryan has called for a referendum to be held on building a cruise pier at the next election.
Ganja, lottery vote unlikely until 2025 elections
Cayman's long awaited vote on decriminalising small amounts of ganja and a national lottery will not take place under the PACT administration's term and could instead be added to the 2025 general elections ballot.
Elections Office kicks off voter-registration drive ahead of referendum
The Elections Office has said it will start a voter-registration drive this weekend in anticipation of government's planned vote on gambling and legalising small quantities of cannabis.
Government considering referendum on lottery, ganja
Premier Wayne Panton has said government is considering launching a referendum next year to gauge public opinion on introducing a national lottery system in the Cayman Islands and decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana.
Bryan revisits floating piers idea to support cruise recovery
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said government will be looking at the viability of installing floating piers to help move the recovery of the cruise tourism industry forward.
Hurlston returns as port director
Paul Hurlston has returned to the helm of the Cayman Islands Port Authority as director.
Royal Caribbean boss ‘undecided’ on Cayman cruise pier project
Royal Caribbean has not completely abandoned plans for new cruise berthing facilities in Grand Cayman, the company’s CEO Michael Bayley said Wednesday.
Breaking down the referendum judgment
The ongoing saga over government’s plan to build new cruise berthing facilities in George Town took another twist on Wednesday following a judgment from the Grand Court. Justice Tim Owen ruled that government must put in place a general framework law setting out a fair process for how people-initiated referendums are handled before it sets the date and question for the poll. Here we break down his judgment and the repercussions for the port project.
Port court ruling likely next week
Acting Justice Timothy Owen is set to deliver his decision Wednesday, 19 Feb., on the judicial review challenging government’s port project referendum.
Port referendum question ‘tweaked’
Government says it has "tweaked" the question it plans to use for the referendum on its proposed $200 million cruise berthing and cargo project.
Court shields CPR member from paying costs
Chief Justice Anthony Smellie grants Cruise Port Referendum Cayman member Shirley Roulstone a protective costs order. It shields her from paying government's legal costs should her action over the vote on the port project fail in the court.
Uncertainty clouds voter eligibility for upcoming port referendum
The number of registered voters continues its steady increase, but it remains unclear how many people will be eligible to vote in the port referendum that hinges on which electors roll will be used.
Calico’s owner: ‘We should have built piers years ago’
Handel Whittaker is one of the most recognisable faces on Seven Mile Beach. After nearly two decades as the proprietor of Calico Jack’s and...
Langevin: ‘Do we want quality or quantity?’
As the manager of the Cayman Islands’ most luxurious resort, Marc Langevin has a vested interest in the future of the island’s tourism product. Amid an ongoing debate about tourism growth, the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is keen to see the island retain its reputation as a safe, high-quality destination.
How much tourism is too much for a small island?
Cayman's tourism industry is thriving. But amid the debate over if and how to develop the island's port facilities, some are wondering, if the growth in visitors is sustainable and what the impact of rising visitation might mean for the island over the coming decades.
Cruise ports around the region
Across the Caribbean the cruise industry is driving infrastructure projects to accommodate larger ships. Cayman Compass reporter Kayla Young looked at some of the...
Cousteau clarifies Cayman port position
In the early stages of this process, I was asked to voice my environmental concerns on video regarding a proposed cruise and cargo port enhancement project in the Cayman Islands.
Verdant Isle responds to referendum delay
Verdant Isle Port Partners, the consortium selected as the preferred bidder on the $200 million cruise and cargo berthing project, released a brief statement Wednesday in response to a court decision to delay the referendum on the port vote.
Public reactions of holiday still on
With everything that’s at stake with the proposed cruise berthing and cargo port project - millions of dollars in public spending, the health of...
Updated: Court delays port vote
The referendum on the controversial cruise and cargo port development will be delayed at least until next year following a court order Tuesday.
The decision...
Campaigners celebrate court decision
Campaigners were celebrating Tuesday following a court decision to delay the port referendum to allow a legal challenge to take place.
Shirley Roulstone, a leading...
