Topic: cruise berthing
Cruise controversy and airport progress as tourism arrivals surge
Amid another record-breaking year for tourism in the Cayman Islands, one controversial development was never far from the headlines.
A look back at the year that was
The year 2018 was an eventful one for the Cayman Islands.
Cruise petitioners seek assurances from governor
Campaigners collecting signatures for a petition to force a people-initiated referendum on the controversial cruise port project met with the governor Friday as they continued their push for Cayman Islands voters to decide the issue.
Brac cruise port plan considered
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell confirmed government is in talks over the possibility of bringing a cruise port to Cayman Brac.
Premier: Cruise lines commit to help finance cruise berth facilities
While speaking at Friday’s ceremony to christen the newest jet of Cayman Airways, Premier Alden McLaughlin made a major announcement concerning another aspect of the tourism industry.
Government defends $55,000 spending on marketing port project
Tourism officials have defended a decision to spend more than $50,000 of public money promoting the controversial cruise and cargo port project.
Tourism minister quizzed over port campaign spending
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell has denied that any public funds were spent on advertising that suggests signing the petition for a referendum on the cruise port amounts to a no-vote for the project.
Push for port referendum continues
Organizers of a petition calling for a referendum on the cruise project continue to collect signatures in an effort to trigger a national vote.
Cruise port environmental impact study must be updated
A second phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment on the cruise berthing project will likely be required before Cabinet can grant final approval for construction to begin on the project.
MLA Bryan wants new meeting to air all views on port project
Independent MLA Kenneth Bryan, who represents George Town Central, said a Thursday night meeting on the pending cruise ship port project was meant to provide his constituents with relevant information and a forum where the future of the project could be discussed.
Opposition questions claims over port’s economic benefit
Opposition politicians continued to argue against government’s cruise port plan at the latest in a series of public meetings Wednesday night.
Tourism Association stays neutral in port debate
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is maintaining a neutral stance in the ongoing debate over government’s plans for new cruise piers in George Town harbor.
Port project objections raised at North Side meeting
The first of several public meetings organized by Opposition politicians to address questions on the proposed cruise ship docks for George Town harbor dealt with such questions as the environmental impact of the project, alternatives to the two-dock design, or whether any substantive change is even needed to accommodate cruise passengers.
Cruise port meeting: Cruise lines say build piers or lose passengers
Representatives from two of the world’s largest cruise lines have insisted they are moving toward operating mega-ships that will not tender in Grand Cayman.
Cruise port meeting: Officials questioned over pier project
A panel of government officials fielded dozens of questions over the controversial cruise berthing project Wednesday night but were unable to give specific information about the cost of the piers, the funding formula and the identities of the bidders.
Government: Referendum would kill cruise port
Government has claimed that holding a referendum on the issue of cruise piers in George Town would delay the project to such an extent it would effectively kill it.
Tourism minister to discuss cruise pier at public meeting
Government is holding a public meeting about the proposed cruise berthing project on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Family Life Centre in George Town.
EDITORIAL – Cruise pier: To be or not to be?
As readers can see for themselves, the “pro” and “con” sides differ on many aspects of the port proposal, but what everyone should agree on is that the cruise dock would constitute the single largest and most influential public works project in the history of Cayman, the impact of which will reverberate through the tourism sector and wider economy, far exceeding the capital cost of the project, whether that turns out to be $150 million, $200 million or more.
Environment chief removed from cruise project committee
The Department of Environment is no longer represented on the steering committee overseeing the cruise berthing project.
Government: No final bid agreed for cruise port dock
Government has dismissed claims that construction on the cruise berthing facility could be under way within weeks.
Coral relocation for piers to begin next year
The feasibility of relocating live coral reefs to make way for new cruise piers in George Town harbor will be put to the test in a trial excavation next year.
Jamaica port issue concerns Cayman
News that cruise giant Royal Caribbean has pulled Jamaica’s purpose-built port at Falmouth from multiple vacation itineraries has sparked concern about proposals for a new dock in Grand Cayman.
No cruise berthing contract before election
No construction contracts will be signed for the cruise berthing project before the May general election, raising the possibility that a new government could decide to revise the plan or abandon it.
Carnival orders more mega-ships
Carnival Cruise Line has ordered two more mega-ships, providing further succor to supporters of a cruise dock for Cayman, who suggest the move toward bigger ships is bad news for destinations that still use tenders.
Bus shelters and other issues
From years ago I have appealed to our government to erect bus shelters for our schoolchildren but to no avail.
EDITORIAL – The Progressives’ unfinished business
The clock is ticking on the Progressives administration. In the coming months, our elected government will be subject to intensified scrutiny as to what it has done — and what it hasn’t.
Engineers sought for cruise berthing design
Advertisements are to appear in local and international media Wednesday seeking proposals for civil engineering design work for the proposed cruise berthing facility.
