Topic: cruise
Cayman’s cargo conundrum
Cayman's port is running out of space. The Cayman Compass spoke to government and port officials to break down challenges on the waterfront and why solving the cargo conundrum could be a $500 million problem.
Cayman starts its winter tourism season on a high note
Cayman has kicked off the 2025–2026 winter tourism season with momentum, posting solid gains in November as both air and cruise arrivals edged higher.
2025 Year in Review: Cruise at a crossroads and a bet on stayover tourism
2025 tourism year in review: while cruise numbers faltered, airlift, hotel development and marketing all pointed to a long-term bet on stayover tourism as an engine of sustainable growth.
Cayman has its worst October on record for cruise arrivals
Cruise arrivals to the Cayman Islands plunged to their lowest October level on record this year, underscoring a deepening downturn in the cruise sector even as stayover tourism continues to show resilience.
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.
Tourism dips in May, but Cayman still on track for strong 2025
Tourism numbers – both stayover and cruise – dipped in May, but Cayman’s visitor arrivals for 2025 are still on the rise, with visitation charting steady growth over the first five months of the year.
Tourism director: ‘We’re not out of the cruise business’
Despite concern that the Cayman Islands has lost its place on the Caribbean’s cruise map, recent data from within the sector reveals the jurisdiction is still in the game.
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?
The in tray: 10 immediate priorities for Cayman’s new government
The Compass Issues section examines the most pressing issues facing the new government and how the coalition partners might align to fix them.
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".
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?'
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.
Hundreds of cruise tourists arrive in Cayman Brac
Explora I, a cruise ship carrying 657 passengers, stopped by Scott's Dock in Cayman Brac on Wednesday morning.
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.
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.
From rising rents to the cruise conundrum: 10 issues for 2025
As the new year begins, we look at 10 issues that will be front and centre of our coverage in 2025.
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.
‘Lame duck’ government told to forget conservation and cruise bills
Cayman's beleaguered minority government risks an embarrassing parliamentary defeat if it attempts to pass controversial legislation - including changes to the National Conservation Act and a bill for a referendum on cruise piers - before the election.
Cayman’s cruise passengers spend US$116 each onshore, report claims
Cruise ship passengers visiting the Cayman Islands spent an average US$116 per head in the 2023-2024 season, according to a recent report.
Parliament green lights cruise berthing referendum
Parliament has unanimously voted to go ahead with the cruise ship referendum, which will be held during the general election next year.
Are ‘Cruisezilla’ ships crucial for the Cayman Islands?
Cruise executives warn if the Cayman Islands does not invest millions of dollars in building a cruise berthing facility, then the next generation of cruise ships would simply sail on by, taking their lucrative port fees and thousands of spending passengers with them.
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.
Bryan presses for referendum to decide future of cruise tourism
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has renewed his appeal for a cruise pier referendum, saying the country must make a decision about the industry and whether construction of berthing piers will move forward.
Progressives: Add cruise to ‘flawed’ cargo port plans
The Progressives opposition says the PACT government's plans to expand or move the cargo port must take the cruise industry into account to help pay for the multi-million dollar proposal.
‘World’s newest’ mega cruise ship hit by engine trouble after Cayman departure
Mega cruise ship MSC Seascape has cancelled the remainder of its itinerary after departing Grand Cayman on Thursday night, citing engine troubles.
November best tourism month of 2022 for Cayman
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has announced that the stayover tourist numbers for November were the highest of this year, with 34,118 people flying to the islands.
Disney brings the “Magic” of cruise back to Cayman
Cayman officially welcomed the return of cruise tourism on Monday, rolling out the figurative red carpet for the Disney Magic, its first cruise ship in two years.
Local attractions ‘excited’ for return of cruise shippers
Local attractions like the Turtle Centre and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park have kicked preparations into high gear as Cayman gets ready to welcome its first cruise ship in two years on Monday.
Tour operators struggle ahead of cruise return
Water-sports businesses are facing a long, slow road to recovery and may need financial support from government for several months, according to recent survey data.
Just passing… Cruise ship spotted off West Bay
The sight of a cruise ship on the horizon off West Bay Wednesday had some reaching for their phones to snap photos of the vessel.
100 cruise ships remain under CDC monitoring
About 100 cruise ships are now being monitored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for COVID-19 cases onboard.
Holland America cruise ship among 88 flagged by CDC for COVID cases
The Holland America cruise ship, whose stop in Grand Cayman was cancelled this week, is now among 88 cruise ships under investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for onboard COVID-19 cases.
2022 ‘Friends’-themed cruise adds Cayman to planned itinerary
Although Cayman's borders are closed to cruise travel, one 'Friends'-themed cruise is looking to stop in Grand Cayman in 2022.
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.
SeaDream halts Caribbean cruise as passengers test positive for COVID-19
SeaDream Yacht Club has halted a cruise in the Caribbean following several positive coronavirus tests among passengers, the company said on Friday.
Carnival to lose close to $3 billion in third quarter
Cruise line operator Carnival is expecting a $2.9 billion loss in the third quarter, as the industry is still subject to a no-sail order in US waters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Which way now for cruise tourism?
Covid-19 has decimated the cruise industry, killed off the controversial pier project and fundamentally shifted the key questions about the future of this sector of our tourism market. What type of industry will emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and does Cayman want to be a part of it?
Premier: Cruise referendum no longer on government’s agenda
Government has no plans to proceed with a referendum on the cruise port project, despite its decision to continue with a legal appeal connected to the proposed $200 million development.
Cruise referendum appeal set to go ahead via video-link
The court battle over plans for a referendum on a planned cruise port in Cayman is set to go ahead via video-link on 6 May.
US authorities halt cruise travel for another 100 days
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have extended a 'no-sail order' for cruise ships by 100 days or until COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency.
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...
Eden queries $3.5M allocation for port project
Savannah MLA queries a $3.5m allocation in the 2020/2021 budget for the cruise and cargo project, the Premier said its for pre-contract work.
The lowdown on Celebrity Cruises’ brand new ship
I am happy to admit that I have been a cruiser for a number of years now. My friend Lynne Firth and I took our first cruise on Cunard’s QEII in 2000 when we had a porthole cabin the size of a large sandwich.
Best brunches: From Christmas through New Year’s, we have the lowdown
What better way to celebrate this festive season than with a special brunch? Some venues are hosting brunch to celebrate both Christmas Day and the New Year and keep the festivities going. Here are the finer details of some of the festive brunches happening this holiday season.
Cayman delegation attends cruise conference in Mexico
Senior government officials and representatives from Cayman’s tourism industry are attending the 24th annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Conference in Merida, Mexico.
EDITORIAL – Company’s coming: ‘Dressing up’ Cayman for unexpected guests
Quick, Cayman: Lay out the good napkins and set extra places at the table. Unexpected guests are coming – 250,000 of them.
Cruise project to go out to bid in September
Government expects to go out to tender on the long-discussed cruise pier project by the end of next month, Premier Alden McLaughlin said this week. New piers that can accommodate Oasis-class mega cruise ships remain a priority for government.
Bad weather blamed for lower cruise figures
While Cayman’s cruise ship tourism continues to grow, passenger arrivals for 2017 are expected to fall below the 2016 total, in part due to bad weather during the first quarter of the year.
Watch as 20,300 cruise ship passengers pour into George Town
The George Town waterfront saw one of its busiest days of the year Tuesday, with six cruise ships bringing in more than 20,300 passengers, according to the Port Authority.
A must-have app for the true ‘cruiser’
Cruising is all the rage these days, and not just for people in their dotage.
Zika shows little impact on tourism
Zika-related travel warnings for tourists, like the one issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show little impact on tourism, based on available data for other Caribbean Islands.
Minister hails tourist spending increase
Growing tourist numbers added almost US$90 million in direct spending to the economy between 2013 and 2015, with the contribution split almost evenly between cruise and stay-over visitors.
First US cruise in decades arrives in Havana
The first U.S. cruise ship in nearly 40 years crossed the Florida Straits from Miami and pulled into Havana Harbor on Monday, restarting commercial travel on waters that served as a stage for a half-century of Cold War hostility.
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.
Seven cruise ships bring 24,000 tourists
Grand Cayman saw a huge influx of tourists on Wednesday as seven cruise ships arrived in port.
Disney ship picks up 12 Cubans at sea
The Disney Wonder cruise ship picked up 12 Cuban migrants while sailing from Miami to Grand Cayman Saturday night.
High winds and seas in store for the week
Boaters are being cautioned about rough seas and high winds this week, and the National Weather Service expects to issue a small craft advisory by Thursday as winds are forecast to pick up to 25 knots over the coming days
Asia’s economic climb presents scant threat to Caribbean tourism
Frank Bentayou
“Concern in Caribbean is unfounded.”
That’s the pithy first line of an email Stewart Chiron sent during a mid-trip pause in Dallas last week...
