Topic: cruise berthing
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interactive map: How the port will impact life in the harbour
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.
Port opponents kick off campaign with rally
A crowd of more than 200 people filled much of Celebration Park in downtown George Town Wednesday night as the Cayman Port Referendum group held its first rally in the runup to the 19 Dec. vote.
Port opposition details expenditures
Officials with the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman organisation said they have spent less than $12,000 so far in their campaign to stop the cruise berthing facility proposed for George Town Harbour.
Cruise line boss claims piers could mean 2.5 million passengers
A new cruise berthing facility in Grand Cayman could see visitor numbers surge to 2.5 million per year, the president of Royal Caribbean International said this week.
Geotechnical study planned for cruise project
Engineers have applied to begin drilling boreholes in the seabed in George Town harbour for a study to help determine the subsurface conditions in advance of the planned cruise port development.
Cruise campaigners want referendum next year
Campaigners are calling for the people-initiated referendum on the cruise port to take place in January at the earliest.
Cruise port referendum: Campaigners deliver petition to Cabinet
The Cruise Port Referendum Cayman group delivered its port petition to the government on Wednesday.
Letter: Thoughts on the cruise port
I, amongst many, am temporarily breathing a sigh of relief to have a bit more time to help ease the anxiety of watching pristine reefs that hold unimaginable marine wildlife, get annihilated.
Scientists warn port project will impact Seven Mile Beach
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute has urged Cayman to “consider the long lasting impacts” of the cruise port development and warned it will affect Seven Mile Beach.
Campaigners call for release of reports before referendum
With a referendum on the controversial cruise and cargo port project now looking inevitable, campaigners are calling for the release of detailed information about the project before a vote takes place.
Government spends $130,000 on cruise project ad campaign
A freedom of information report has revealed that the Cayman Islands government has spent more than $130,000 in public money in promoting the proposed cruise and cargo port project.
Letter: CPR outlines key concerns on cruise berthing facility – part 3 of 3
What will Caymanians really pay for the project? Governments have a duty to deliver value-for-money projects with public finances.
Opposition criticises government’s handling of cruise port petition
Opposition members on Wednesday described the government’s efforts to allow people to “unverify” their names on a petition calling for a referendum on the proposed cruise port as “dastardly” and undemocratic.
Carnival signs on for Bahamas cruise port project
Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed a deal to build a $100 million cruise port in Grand Bahama, according to Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.
Letter: CPR Cayman outlines its key concerns on cruise ship dock
Cruise Port Referendum Cayman has submitted a three-part letter to the Cayman Compass outlining its concerns about the proposed facility. This is part 1.
‘High intensity’ campaign to promote cruise port plan
Government is seeking to hire a public relations firm for a new “high intensity’ campaign to promote its plan for a new cruise berthing facility in George Town harbour.
Environmental study planned for port design
The final proposed design for the new cruise port reduces the ‘dredge footprint’ of the project by around 20%, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The cruise port deal: Readers’ questions answered
The Compass featured an extensive report on the key questions and answers about the deal that were addressed by the government. We asked readers to submit any questions they felt were not answered in that story, and we endeavour to answer those questions here.
The issue explained: What gov’t has said about the port deal
Government held a press conference Monday to outline details of the planned cruise and cargo port project. Premier Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, Chief Officer in the Ministry of Tourism Stran Bodden and Project Manager Peter Ranger gave details of the project and answered questions from the media.
Another port project, another protest
Citing environmental concerns, questionable economic benefits and a lack of transparency over the project, campaign groups are collecting petition signatures to stop a major cruise development in the Caribbean.
Campaigners cruise towards petition target
Less than two dozen of the 1,500-plus voters reviewed by Elections Office staff have declined to verify that they signed the petition calling for a referendum on the port project.
Web ticker follows verification progress for cruise petition
The Elections Office has released a web ticker that tracks progress in verifying petition signatures for the cruise port referendum.
Port referendum petition: Door-to-door verifications begin
The Elections Office on Friday began door-to-door verification of signatures on the cruise port referendum petition, in the districts of North Side and East End.
Extended hours for Elections Office
The Cayman Islands Elections Office is extending its office hours so people can verify their signatures on the cruise port petition.
Port referendum: No shortcuts to democracy, governor says
Governor Martyn Roper has given his support to the person-by-person verification process taking place for the petition for a referendum on the cruise port.
Campaign group concerned over verification process
Campaigners for a referendum on Cayman’s planned cruise and cargo port project have highlighted concerns about the scope and extent of the verification process for their petition.
‘Historic moment’ as cruise petition handed over
The petition calling for a people’s vote on the controversial cruise berthing project was handed over to the Elections Office Wednesday in what was described as a “historic moment” for the Cayman Islands.
Governor keeping tabs on referendum process
Governor Martyn Roper said he would work closely with the Elections Office during the process to verify the authenticity of more than 5,300 signatures on a petition calling for a referendum on the controversial cruise port project.
McLean calls for port negotiations to halt
Opposition leader Arden McLean has joined calls for the cruise port project to be put on hold until a petition calling for a referendum on the development has been verified.
Ships head to Cayman amid Cuba cruise ban
Cuba’s loss could be Cayman’s gain, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to ban cruise ships from travelling to the communist island.
NEW: McLean calls for port negotiations to halt
Opposition leader Arden McLean has joined calls for the cruise port project to be put on hold until a petition calling for a referendum on the development has been verified.
Premier makes no guarantees over port referendum
Government will proceed with plans for a new cruise and cargo port in George Town harbour despite claims from campaigners that they have collected enough signatures to trigger a referendum on the project.
The issue explained: How the referendum process works
Here, we look at the key questions around the referendum process, and how they were answered.
Every signature on port petition must be verified
The Elections Office will need to individually verify every single signature on the cruise port referendum petition before a vote can take place.
Deadline for cruise pier bidders
Final bids from companies vying to build the new cruise and cargo facility in George Town harbour are expected to be submitted to government Friday.
Bryan calls to expand port referendum to include gambling and skyscrapers
George Town independent legislator Kenneth Bryan is urging government to poll the public on gambling, same-sex unions and skyscrapers as well as the cruise port project, if and when a referendum is called.
Port referendum: Elections chief to address meeting
Elections supervisor Wesley Howell will speak at a public meeting Thursday evening on the cruise port referendum issue amid uncertainty over if and when a public vote on the controversial issue will take place.
Cruise pier campaigners: Threshold for referendum reached
The Cruise Port Referendum Cayman campaign announced on Friday that it has received enough signatures on its petition to initiate a referendum on government’s proposed cruise pier facilities.
Cruise berthing facility recruits another benefactor
Cayman’s potential cruise berthing facility came one step closer to reality Wednesday, when Premier Alden McLaughlin announced that MSC Cruises has made a financial commitment to the project. Royal Caribbean, Disney and Carnival had previously signed on to help build the facility in George Town.
Cruise port referendum campaign creeps towards target
Door by door, signature by signature, campaigners are inching towards their target of a people-initiated referendum on the controversial cruise port project planned for George Town harbour.
950 more names may trigger port referendum
Campaigners aiming to trigger a referendum on the controversial cruise port project say they are within touching distance of reaching the required number of signatures.
Cruise arrivals surge to new record levels
The Cayman Islands’ cruise industry just experienced its busiest month in recorded history.
Floating cruise pier arrives in Caribbean
Jamaican authorities are installing the region’s first floating cruise pier this month at the historic underwater city of Port Royal.
Disney to help finance cruise pier project
Disney Cruise Line has committed to help finance the building of the planned cruise berthing facilities and cargo dock in George Town, Premier Alden McLaughlin said on Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce’s legislative luncheon.
Opposition raises questions over cruise ship port financing
Opposition leader Ezzard Miller claims government’s negotiations with cruise lines to finance the new port have compromised the entire procurement process for the controversial project.
Bahamas announces plan for ‘mega’ port
Carnival Cruise Line is planning to build a “mega” cruise port in East Grand Bahama, the Bahamian government announced on Wednesday.
Cruise port petition puts dock debate on collision course
Almost six months after beginning a campaign to force a referendum on the controversial cruise port project, volunteers are still collecting the signatures needed to trigger a public vote, though organizers have not stated how many people have signed the petition to date.
Campaign groups plan town hall meeting Saturday
Campaigners for a referendum on the cruise port are hosting a community meeting, bringing together groups working on various related issues including beach access and the proposed development of land on the Barkers peninsula.
New piers will not impact storm dynamics, officials say
The proposed new cruise pier will be able to withstand severe weather conditions and will not exacerbate flooding in George Town during extreme storms, according to officials leading the procurement process on the project.
Panton supports referendum ‘if they get the numbers’
Former Environment Minister Wayne Panton says he supports the democratic right of campaigners to seek a referendum on the controversial cruise port plan.
EDITORIAL – What we’re watching out for in 2019
As a rule, Compass editors are cautious about indulging in the temptation of attempted prognostication. However, there are some issues and themes, classified as “in progress” or “recurring,” that we expect to find ourselves writing about in the coming year.
