Phased return for cruise ships begins late March
(CNS): Cruise ships will be returning to the Cayman Islands from 21 March in what officials have said will be a phased approach, with a maximum of 40% of the previous passenger numbers for the first four weeks. In a press release issued late Friday afternoon following the cancellation of a press briefing scheduled for Thursday to announce the news, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan stated that the return of ships was pending the approval of Cabinet and changes to the regulations.
Aside from limiting the number of calls and accepting only fully vaccinated passengers and crew, the minister had asked for no other requirements, such as ensuring that Cayman was the first port of call or asking that passengers must take a COVID-19 test before disembarkation. Also, despite claims that “effective public health protocols will be maintained”, most cruise ships now no longer require their passengers to wear masks.
During Phase 1, passenger arrivals will be limited to 40% of previous volumes or a maximum of 75,000 passengers during these first four weeks. Should things go well and subject to Public Health approval, the capacity constraint will be removed before the end of April, though “effective public health protocols will be maintained, integrating the lessons learned during Phase 1”.
Bryan said the decision was not taken lightly and that all travel, whether by air or sea, presents a certain degree of risk while the pandemic persists.
“However, as we are seeing with stayover arrivals, our island’s high vaccination rate, coupled with having the right safety protocols in place, is allowing our tourism industry to recover,” he said.
Drawing on experience from the reintroduction of tourist air arrivals, the Programme Board and various local government entities are reviewing regulations to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to protect the public.
These are intended to take into account the unique characteristics of the cruise industry and the fact that cruise passengers are only in the jurisdiction for six to eight hours on average.
Officials claimed that cruise operations have been safely resuming, and public health measures, such as pre-embarkation tests and wellness checks that comply with COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are in effect. Individual cruise lines have also developed their own safety protocols that exceed CDC guidelines, and ships are now equipped with excellent medical facilities, including intensive care and isolation units, the release said.
Nevertheless, there have been numerous outbreaks, and given the closed situation onboard ships, the virus can still spread very quickly.
But officials said that during Phase 1, in addition to the rigorous safety protocols implemented by cruise lines, which include the requirement for passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated, the Cayman Islands Government has identified which cruise calls will be permitted to increase the layers of public protection, though these details have not yet been released.
Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Autilia Newton has examined the health protocols of all cruise lines that operate under the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and said she is satisfied, noting that no COVID-positive passengers, crew or their close contacts will be permitted to disembark the cruise ship in Grand Cayman, whether they are symptomatic or not.
Minister Bryan urged cruise operators, businesses and employees to prepare. “After two years of uncertainty there is finally light on the horizon,” he said. “I encourage businesses to start staffing up and making the necessary preparations to give cruise passengers a great experience when they arrive.”
Officials said that a press conference will be held in the coming weeks after Cabinet approval to provide the public with further information, including the approved cruise ship schedule.
The return of cruising will be welcomed by some in the tourism sector but many others, as well as the wider community, saw the ban on ships due to the pandemic as an opportunity to re-assess Cayman’s relationship with this sector, given the myriad concerns about the business.
These include the exploitation of operators in the jurisdiction supplying trips, the appalling environmental record and the limited benefit to the economy when weighed against the negative impact on overnight tourists, who are a far more lucrative source.
Bryan has also said that Cayman needs to rethink how it handles cruise ships, but he has said it needs to return before changes can be made.
- Fascinated
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Kenneth, why don’t you petition your people of GT to see if we want cruise ships back at all? Like you did with the same sex marriage vote?
RIGHT????????
That’s pretty funny.
Something with such a huge impact on our island should not be left up to just GT. We ALL have skin in this game. I agree with what you said, however my concern is that Kenneth would poll just the businesses in GT and conclude that everyone was onboard.
Now that they are elected, the promises they made mean nothing. All they are trying to do is protect their backsides. Enjoy your high pay check while it lasts. It would be nice for once to have a government that is really there for the people and not the money.
Such a place does not exist unfortunately
They will use the excuse we need the income. How about stop giving the rich concessions to build their projects that make money for them and not the people. Until then,stop making the Cayman people and the environment suffer because of your greed.
‘Cui bono’?
If payoffs for political decisions in favor of real estate developers and against the interests of the people often took the form of ‘consulting fees’ and/or free condos, how does the cruise sector pay for such decisions and how much? A decision that is clearly against the wishes of the vast majority of the people strongly suggests that some incentive has been or will be received by one or more politicians or politically connected persons somewhere.
We’re going to need some more designer leather bags
What a crock of $hit. If we are letting in untested persons from one conveyance we must let in all untested from all conveyances. Situation normal for this Government…Zero logic, all buffalo pancakes.
Is it just me or does this government (and the previous one) always do the illogical or unpopular thing 95% of the time when they have a decision to make?
illogical and unpopular decisions provide the biggest kickbacks…..
We are you all surprised by this decision. Did you really think that PACT could stand up to big business.
They have scrapped the 1st port of call and clear LFT testing requirements, but for some reason are digging-in on racist “no fully-vaccinated crew” are allowed to come ashore for their day off. Like that even matters as thousands are due to come ashore anyway from the same boat.
No Covid positive cruisers will be allowed to disembark, even if they are asymptomatic. But if you don’t require a PCR or LFT before they get off the boat, how will you know they are positive? Especially the asymptomatic ones? You can’t. Adopting this logic may as well scrap the pre flight checks for vaccinated air travellers as well.
Yup, and none of them will be wearing masks, because even blue states are scrapping those mandates now.
We don’t want those nasty polluters back. Have enjoyed the break from clambering through all the litter that washes up on the beaches as they pass by. Nature and the environment are no doubt enjoying the break too. No more cruise ships until the operators clean up their act and show accountability for the damage and pollution they’re causing.
Instead of complaining, put forward recommendations for better outcomes. We import all our litter and don’t recycle%. Oh and litter on the beach is not come from cruise.
LOL, how can you miss all the huge tourists walking down the beach dropping their water bottles and leftover snack items. Sometimes, it’s because of the wind catching it, but lets be honest, the more bodies the more garbage
Stupid.
The recommendation is no to cruise tourism.
Instead of complaining, put forward recommendations for better outcomes. We import all our litter and don’t recycle%. Oh and litter on the beach does not come from cruise.
Ugh. Well that’s a nail in the coffin of the pretense that anyone in government cares one single bit about the environment. It’s all about a few cents on the $ for their buddies. The cruise companies must laugh themselves to sleep negotiating with these clowns.
It just goes to show our politicians have absolutely no interest in what the people of Cayman actually want. I suspect the overwhelming majority never want to see mass cruise tourism back again. The damage these vile behemoths do to our fragile ecosystem is heartbreaking and the benefit they bring the Islands is minimal for most people.
Instead of complaining, put forward recommendations for better outcomes. Understand the benefits and maybe focus on stopping the destruction of the paradise we live in.
OK, recommendation 1 – limit the return of mass cruise tourism and carry out an independent environmental impact study. Recommendation 2 – have a meaningful discourse with the community on what they really want to see in terms of returning tourism to the island
And in direct response to your post, the cruise industry as a whole has been proven to be extremely environmentally damaging to paradise locations right across the region so it is absolutely valid to question what benefit we actually receive from their return.
CDC has relaxed mask guidelines. Time to end the mask mandate.
CDC is not a trustworthy agency any longer. Their actions this week to magically change a risk map in the states was based on the economy instead of science.
Good. Glad they are coming back.
40% of previous numbers should be the maximum full stop.
Why not permanently limit the amount of ships visiting per week to say 3? Doing so would at least be be a compromise and to not return to previous levels of impact to our environment and infrastructure – traffic, roads, beaches, stingray city etc? Is that too much to ask?
This is the perfect opportunity to make such an adjustment but clearly it will be squandered. Incompetence! So frustrating!
Put forward recommendations for better outcomes. And while you are at it, maybe get our development laws updated so we can stop killing paradise
This could well be the nail in the coffin for this administration. Bryan should enjoy this period in office because it will most likely be his last. A huge chance to change the vision for GT missed, to pedestrianize it, beautify it, make it once again the capital city of Grand Cayman. But no, this government elects to bring back tourists that mostly stay on the boat where everything is free, or if they do get off spend an average of $20.00 per person. Such a lack of vision. Straight back to the bad old days.
that would be the only positive coming out of this decision.
and I hope the auditor general looks into that land purchase on the waterfront – where was the business case?
They do not have to take a test to come ashore, so stop the testing for airline passengers too. Otherwise there will be another lawsuit challenge.
Shame, enjoying Cayman without the large monsters from the US who waddle around town.
You don’t miss seeing the White-nosed Redleg in its natural habitat? What of the Snow-topped Waddleback? Surely there is an entertainment value at play here.
Spoiler: While I’m having some fun with them, I have nothing against the visitors who come here by cruise ship; they are much as us — working hard to enjoy the spoils of their efforts. I mean no insult. No, my issue is with the conveyance itself, the cruise ship, which appears to consistently pollute the air, sea and beaches with arrogant impunity.
If I’m given a vote, I want us to transition to a way of life (and governmental income) that is more sustainable, and less damaging to the very small area upon which we exist.
I welcome all visitors, and encourage them to move toward stayover vacations, which, while not seeing so many places, allow them to truly immerse in all the wonders which we have to offer. To come here and miss the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is unfortunate. To not sample local food at Miss Vivine’s Kitchen (and several other places) is to not truly “see” Grand Cayman.
Have you seen your Ministers?
Spent two years focusing on covid crying in press conferences just so we don’t do anything about the traffic and now the thing that backs up traffic more than anything is coming back. God help those who have to work at 8 or 9 and live past red bay
The “effective protocols” gave us one of the highest infection rates in the world. I don’t know if it’s hubris, arrogance, dishonesty or a combination but clearly all of the measures have done very little to stop nature from running it’s course.
Please stop with your foolishness and get out of our lives. Fix the dump. Fix the traffic problems if you want to do something constructive.
let’s start with forgetting about cruises
“…the minister had asked for no other requirements, such as: ensuring that Cayman was the first port of call, or asking that passengers must take a COVID-19 test before disembarkation”
In other words, he lied to the Cayman Islands public. What else is he lying about?
A glorious day for the jewelry and cheap tee shirt purveyors!
Not so much for those who must commute to jobs that can be done remotely and the marine life.
Oh well, the profits must go on!
I am a Cardinal Avenue ‘Jewelry purveyor’. And I don’t want the cruise ships back. They seriously hurt our business. Real customers don’t come to town when ships are in. So thanks PACT.
Cruise tourist are flipping insanely cheap. They are so cheap that they steal cereal from the dang buffet so as to not have to pay for a sandwich at a restaurant on island. They spend maybe $10 or $20 US if you are lucky. They don’t have any money. Or, they are so old as to remember when a house cost $40k, so the jewelry they are looking at was a dollar. They waste staff time and are super demanding. We incur increased staffing costs and gain nothing in sales.
I worked in one of those ‘t shirt’ type shops in GT. The cruise passengers bought nothing (but blocked the store wanting to cool off in a.c). If they asked a price (clearly marked on the item) they then wanted to haggle, or asked for a ‘buy 2 get one free’ scenario.
https://www.caymanport.com/ship-schedules-calendar/
The month of March is still showing arrivals beginning March 1. Did anyone in media ask about this?
They canceled the press conference so we can’t ask questions. Details about testing would be great but as usual we get no information. So sick of PACT.
Cruise ships are gross. Why do we want them here? Is it that profitable, or is it jobs for the untrained? I’m lost.
I don’t understand why we are going back to this mentality. Did Cayman not only survive but the coffers remained static without these monstrous beasts carrying thoughtless tourists.
We didn’t miss the endless barrage of garbage along our shores or the contamination of our reefs from these day visitors who have no real regard for our beautiful islands.
We don’t need them and we don’t want them.
This is disappointing news. How exactly is PACT making a difference? It’s business as usual folks! 2025 soon come please!
“Bryan has also said that Cayman needs to rethink how it handles cruise ships”
Cayman needs to rethink Bryan.
“but he has said it needs to return before changes can be made”. This makes no sense. Just make the changes now!!!!
Ha ha ha ha…if you didn’t see this coming then you’re off your nut! No masks on the boat then masks on to wander around the shops and bars. Can’t wait for the first loud mouth Trumper to refuse to put one on. Let’s see how our slave-waged security guards deal with that in the souvenir shops. Or maybe the public health mob will drop masks for residents as well? You read it here first folks.
Gov have sat on their hands for 2 years praying for this moment rather than doing the big boy thing and properly evaluating the entire tourist model and counting cruise ships as a dessert rather than the main meal. Couldnae run a menage as my auld Granny used to say.
Idk, think the masks most people are using are largely ineffective. Half the people are wearing the masks as some kind of weird chin warmer anyway. I think it should be optional.
Don’t worry. Government will remove the mask mandate just before they arrive.
Back to Scotland with you then.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!
Welp, we had it good for far too long, so the polluting behemoths and cheap tee shirts hordes are back with no regard to our native marine life that has seen a resurgence in their absence.
Nothing has been done to address the traffic problems and soon it will only get worse. How dense it is that thousands of people who could work remote will be descending on GT daily as thousands of tourists add to the congestion.
But just like everything else, we will take our medicine and go about life.
Unacceptable.
Please remove social distancing and mask mandates NOW. Both UK and CDC have already changed the rules. We need to too. Government is destroying cayman businesses.
Ban large volume discount cruise ships for ever! Only allow small, high quality vessels.
Yay. More gridlock traffic!
#WorldClass
Let the culture prove that it can sustain itself without expat money or fail. Only then can the island become all it can be.
How can anyone be allowed to drop anchor on the pristine coral nursery out there?
Can someone please start a new referendum to get rid of cruise ships from our shores forever!
I will sign and so will everyone in my family. Hopefully it will be designed to be legally binding because all of the adults vote and we will vote against the return of these monstrosities!
I agree 100%. Since this PACT that was elected to lead these islands are clearly out of touch with what the majority of Caymanians want, let us give them our clear mandate through a referendum. Those out there with the experience and know how to do so, please get a referendum moving asap! Let us make this government put a hold on this “bring back the cruise ships” plan; have a referendum and clearly direct them. Let’s do this!
Absolute disgrace.
Cayman has been a far far better, more enjoyable place since cruise ships and their huge number of passengers stopped coming here and cluttering up our roads and beaches.
If you were looking for a reason to not vote Mr Panton back, choosing Mr Bryan to be the Minister of Tourism would be a pretty good one.
To be honest, I see no difference between Wayne and Kenneth.
Mr. Bryan ? That’s a stretch….don’t worry little McKeeva will get voted back in.
Did Minister Bryan get improved terms for the Cayman water sports operators per passenger or is it still the same nonsense?
Since he wasn’t banging the drum about it I would guess this was not on the table and he completely ignored the issue.
The water sports operators only need a about quarter of the stay over guests to book their excursions to make the same amount of profit because the cruise lines keep most of the money when passengers book excursions through them. Why would the water sports operators even want to engage with the cruise ships under these terms? They should all refuse unless the tables are turned and they get a sensible amount for their tours. Kenny probably doesn’t have a clue about the economics for the water sports operators and is only looking at the money that the government will receive from the cruise lines.
This was the perfect opportunity to put a line in the sand and force the cruise operators to be fair with the water sports operators. They could have also substantially increased the per passenger fees which would have eliminated the discount operators from the picture. But as usual there were more missed opportunities when we were in a position of power to negotiate.
Has the government even thought to figure out the actual real cost of cruise lines stopping here? Between the extra garbage produced, environmental damage, impact on stay over numbers and the strain it puts on the infrastructure I would bet it is a big negative overall. But at least we can include it in the government revenue as a windfall and pretend all related costs to government are attributed to residents.
Makes no sense. If letting them back, why not build the new cruise terminal. It’s widely agreed that the ships that come add nothing on a net basis to cayman life and the economy, but the new cruise pier would, ridiculous.
Thanks PACT.
Such a crappy government you all have turned out to be.
But we truly deserve unna!
Time to reinforce south church street for the incoming pedestrian weight. Sinks the Island.
Troll
No one (except a handful of shop owners) want cruise ships back. What happened to focusing on smaller, more high end boats?
If this coincides with the closing of Cardinal Ave, get ready for total gridlock. Has anyone looked at the Fort St light? The turning lane can fit 2-3 cars max and now everyone driving north will be forced to turn down there now that we can’t turn right down Cardinal or Goring. This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.
Voters can overturn Kenny Bryan’s whims immediately via a petition that reverses this BS. We don’t need to wait for an election.
Many of us would be fine with cruise ship visitors if we aligned with the premium liners that aren’t part of the fast food FCCA cabal. Liners like Viking, Seabourn, Regent, Azamara, Crystal, and Silverseas transport premium guests that have not only earned a credit score with no arrest records, but can afford the sticker on a new SMB condo.
Time for a referendum on whether we want cruise ships?
Royal Palms, Calico Jacks, Tiki are gone. Where are all these cruise ship people going to go?
Public Beach? This is truly stupid.
Turtle Farm II! Coming Soon!
South Sound…
“…noting that no COVID-positive passengers, crew or their close contacts will be permitted to disembark the cruise ship in Grand Cayman, whether they are symptomatic or not…”
Will passengers and crew test 24 hours before arrival?
So, in other words, we have no say. Got it. Really not a surprise to anyone.
How long before CIG tries to resurrect the cruise pier debacle? Will the referendum be forced to begin anew from scratch? Head’s up folks. We all know how it works now.
“Bryan has also said that Cayman needs to rethink how it handles cruise ships, but he has said it needs to return before changes can be made.”
This would be absurd anywhere else in the world.
Borderline imbecile trying to act the intellectual. And failing.
We don’t want them.
Don’t you elected politicians get it?