Cruise vote illogical without details, CPR founder argues
(CNS): One of the founders of the non-profit group Cruise Port Referendum Cayman (CPR), which is campaigning for a ‘no’ vote in the upcoming referendum on the development of cruise berthing facilities in the Cayman Islands, said the government’s decision to put the question to voters without giving them any idea of what those facilities would look like, how or where they would be built, how much they would cost or how they would be funded is illogical.
Johann Moxam, the chairman of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority board and one of the founding members of the CPR campaign group, which secured a people’s referendum on the PPM administration’s cruise project proposal, challenged Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan on the issue at a local conference on Friday.
Moxam, Bryan and Joseph Gaskins, the regional public affairs director for Disney Cruise Lines, appeared on a discussion panel led by Marla Dukharan at the Royal Fidelity CEO about the costs and benefits of the cruise industry for Cayman.
Bryan said he was concerned that the cruise sector here is in decline. In addition to the loss of government revenue, he said the lives of the Caymanian people are also being impacted and that without piers, that decline will get worse until the sector disappears.
But with no real cost-benefit analysis on what the decline of the cruise calls really means to Cayman, Moxam challenged the idea that the Cayman Islands Government should put the question to the people when it has no plans to offer and has not even outlined, let alone detailed, what building cruise facilities means.
With cruise revenue only accounting for a small percentage of government earnings and as a sector that employs a high number of permit holders rather than locals, Moxam said the question of how much the CIG is prepared to invest in cruise tourism for what returns must be answered before asking the people to vote on the matter.
“You can’t expect logical human beings to make a decision without any information. That’s illogical,” Moxam said. “Details and information are more important than anything else.” Without the data, no one can realistically expect voters to support cruise infrastructure “when no one understands yet what this looks like”.
Moxam pointed out that the project proposed by the PPM six years ago was conservatively estimated to cost about $250 million. Today, that could be more than $400 million, even $500 million, since no one knows what the government has planned, he said.
The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT), which is pushing for a ‘yes’ vote, want to accommodate as many new mega-ships as many days a week as possible. However, any project, even one small pier, would be costly. Dukharan, who led the discussion, asked the minister for details on the businesses that have lost out, but the minister simply said that if you go to George Town, you can see all the businesses that have closed.
In reality, much of the loss of business in town over the last few years was caused by the long and painful George Town Revitalization Initiative. In addition, COVID took its toll on the business community in the capital, and a number of businesses have relocated to Camana Bay.
The minister noted some figures published by the ESO that indicate the number of Caymanians who work in hospitality, largely based on who took a government stipend during the pandemic lockdown. However, all of those workers are employed in jobs that cater to both the resident population and overnight guests.
The government has not yet produced any figures on how many Caymanian small business owners and local employees are dependent entirely on cruise tourism or whether a rebalancing of the sector might be more cost-effective than spending hundreds of millions on piers.
All of Cayman’s tourism, including cruise, only makes up a small percentage of government revenue and the country’s GDP. Cayman’s offshore sector is its economic engine, contributing around 60% of government revenue and half of the better-paying jobs without taking any money away from the public purse other than funding required to regulate the sector.
Moxam said that, given the size of cruise tourism’s contribution to the public purse, jobs and GDP, it was mad for the government to be even thinking about spending as much as half a billion dollars on cruise facilities because it would never get a return on its money.
On several occasions, Dukharan stressed the need for data to support the government’s plans for the project and pressed the minister to confirm that the socioeconomic studies would all be done before the government embarked on any project of this magnitude if the answer to the referendum question was ‘yes’.
CPR will be hosting a rally tomorrow evening at the Constitution Hall in George Town, where Dukharan will be reporting on her latest research relating to the cost of cruise tourism versus the benefits. She will be joined by reef expert Dr Tom Goreau, who will be talking about the impact of cruise berthing facilities on the marine habitats around the region.
Meanwhile, the CIG has recently launched an information hub on all three referendum questions. The information on the cruise question includes speeches by the minister and data that shows the decline in cruise arrivals and why the government should build at least one pier.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Wote no
Everyone bickering about this port and we are turning against each other.
What makes most scene
Get rid of the referendum and have the politicians on the record state their stance
We vote on that
If they win ( those who want it ) just build it!!!
If they don’t .. then so be it
Enough is enough
Make them choose . Not us
For it is them who will be the ones who do it or don’t..
They are hiding their positions now AND THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE FIGHTING ABOUT.
“Dukharan, who led the discussion, asked the minister for details on the businesses that have lost out, but the minister simply said that if you go to George Town, you can see all the businesses that have closed.”
It’s funny, because Dave Miller made this point at CPR’s rally as well. When he was questioned about the 37 businesses he said Hard Rock and just drive through town.
It’s like they forgot that there was a pandemic and GT revitalisation.
Bread and Chocolate and Full of Beans closed because locals couldn’t reach them throughout the revitalisation. Blue stone Lane closed because the franchise wanted to move out.
Hard Rock, another franchise, closed because they did nothing to accommodate or entice local businesses. Jewelry stores, maybe people starting spending their money on necessities in the pandemic. Royal Palms was closing before and a change in business direction, also issues with beach erosion.
Send us the 37 businesses instead of making abstract remarks like this. I guarantee we could whittle down the reasons for closure from this sweeping remark of “declining cruise”.
Agreed, and out of those 37 businesses how many employees were Caymanian? How many WP holders? Are we going to spend $450M to keep hundreds of WP holders employed?
WP holders who will send their money off Island anyway.
WE were told from Royal Caribbean and Carnival that they would finance the cruise ship ports and build it the way they need it. Not being a marine engineer how would anyone besides marine engineers know? They would be paid back by increasing the port fees which is US$ 10.50 per person. The amount that the port is getting is 3.50 per person to do anything to manage the port.
Every time that a ship comes to George Town they drop an anchor and tender the guests to the dock. A lot of people who visit our island need help to walk. Which is why transport that they may use needs to be close to where they get off. Which is being offered in most Caribbean, Central America, in our region. Declines of cruise passengers WILL happen because of their business plan which is build larger ship that will hold 6000 passengers. It would take 4-6 hours to get the passengers off to do anything on the island. They wouldn’t want to pay to build a port if it wasn’t conducive to making a profit. Thats economics. We have done nothing since building Royal Watler that several years ago now offers a place to get out of the rain or the sun. But you all wouldn’t know that. Come to the dock and learn for yourself. There are long lines with the smaller ship using tenders. They will go offline when they reach 30 years old. Again not included in data . People in the Cruise industry could have helped with proper data that was skewed to only their opinion. People make good money in this industry. Obviously if you have a boat with a captain or a bus company you have some work permit holder who wouldn’t make the same as the owner because they have operating expenses. But jobs are offered to Caymanians who apply and are qualified. All businesses in Cayman work the same.
If numbers are less, there are factors like northwesters ships bypassing because of problems with the ship like your car, truck or boat. We also have in season and off season. We also have competition from other destinations. But collecting data without asking 100’s of people involved in the industry by handpicking anti cruise people who are mostly not Caymanians to make judgements without engaging with the natives of Grand Cayman is totally discriminatory.
Why don’t these people engage in dialogue with the business leaders that have been picked by over 800 taxi, tour and stingray city boat operators??? Are they afraid to hear the truth? There are 700 more who work for stores, museum, Turtle Center, Botanical park, Pedro st James, bars, restaurants, Dolphins Discovery, Crystal Caves, Starfish point, East End bar and restaurant, Hell, etc.
If one can go back in time with the political members of Parliament. When they came back benchers didn’t understand the issues. Years has gone by and now see we really do have an issue.
They took the trip and learn about the issues from the 2 largest companies of the world. Not by data, by meetings at the FCCA, from the horses mouth.
We have posted videos of other cruise ship ports around the Caribbean showing that the pilings that would be used, creates life. WE are not trying to destroy our industry by destroying the reefs. But the plans showed that George Town would be the best place to build the port. We have seen that plan from years ago. Why would anyone want to build it anywhere else?? They came back with a new plan that would build further away from shallow depths and go out to deeper depths to bypass that issue.
No data was shown, no one allowed to talk in a one sided discussion to basically destroy AN INDUSTRY since 1937??
If the cruise industry is left to die what is plan B? There is no plan B!! If you have a question which you should, then ask the people who are not aggressive.
I wonder what the data shows if these places close down, lose their businesses, employees let go, bank loans, medical insurances, house insurances, parents working 2 jobs to try to save their existence?? Has anyone figured that out? What would do if some people who’d don’t want to have a conversation would do????????
There’s no question that stepping onto a pier would be easier.
Tendering is a natural filter controlling the manageable flow of 100/150 visitors at a time. Having piers would mean thousands disembarking en masse only to create a log-jam waiting for taxis, buses and generally spilling onto our narrow overcrowded streets .
Think what happens to Cayman, not just your cash register , and open your eyes to the reality of having to repay a $450,000,000 loan.
So you ask for numbers, where was Kenny with his numbers? They can’t support their argument with facts so they don’t bring any, just fear.
“Kenny the convict” was a disgrace at this conference…totally outclassed by Moxam.
What is the point of a non-binding referendum when the government can do as they please regardless of the outcome?
To Anyone seriously thinking of supporting PPM candidates just remember you are equally to blame for this mess. This is clearly their methods when they wield power, They spend and spend and spend on non-sense. Electing them gives them a license to steal.
Imagine: Kenny, Joey, Dwayne (John John), Julianna, forming any part of the next government. WOW WOW WOW who in their good conscience would assist in that becoming a reality? Thats like having Mackeeva and Julianna and John John the original UDP back together. More status grants and PR, more permits and Stagnant wages. Even the expats complaining about the minimum wage, They must not know they are the cause of it being so low.
Anyone who thinks Fancy Pants Joey can control that group of mercenaries is delusional. How many “coups” do we have to have before people learn that some people just can’t be trusted. Juliana has been a part of every one of those coups (Kurt, McKeeva and Wayne!).
Vote No — to the piers AND the PPM
Johann Moxam said:
“…the government’s decision to put the question to voters without giving them any idea of what those facilities would look like, how or where they would be built, how much they would cost or how they would be funded is illogical.”
Dear Mr. Moxam,
Silly, silly, silly you! Expecting our government to do what is logical is like expecting an ape to do calculus.
Logic is far far above and beyond their exorbitantly extravagant pay grade.
Kenny “The Windmill” Bryan has promised Joey “Nascar” Who that he can bring his major sponsors port to life
(For the slow – whichever way the wind blows. You can’t possibly need elaboration on Nascar outfits)
You assume people actually watch Nascar?
Is it true that at last night’s candidates forum that Michael Myles announced that if elected the CINP would proceed with borrowing money to build a cruise ship mega-port in GT harbour? I am having trouble with believing that but I would like to know what was announced.
It wasn’t directly stated but it was very heavily implied that they consider that a part of their mandate. With that revelation from him, my vote goes right back to Sabrina. It’s a shame, because I consider him better in every other way, but I will not vote for you if your party is willing to destroy one of the few remaining natural features of our island to the benefit of so few Caymanians (1500 at best, and most of those are “Caymanians” – sorry, not sorry).
Given that they have refused to release a written manifesto to this point in time, hopefully at all of the remaining candidate forums someone will ask that question directly of all of the candidates
This is not correct. There was no statement or implied statement in the debate that Michael or CINP is supporting a cruise berthing facility.
I want to hear that directly from Andre.
I want a clear statement from CINP that blowing $450Million of borrowed money is NOT on their agenda.
Alas! As a fellow reasonable voter, I invite you to reconsider, 12:32pm. Myles getting elected does not automatically mean that the entire party will (the other option causes dismay).
CNS: Can you ask CINP this question? We don’t want to divide the votes and end up with PM. We have to know who is for cruise and who isn’t.
Hi- Short answer is no- that is not what Michael said. You can check the forum footage at 1:40:07 the question is asked about the port and see his full answer. Michael said specifically there is “I do not believe we have any sort of evidence to build a cruise berthing facility” He did comment that some of the facilities at the port should be upgraded so tourists aren’t in the hot sun or rain while they wait for their ship but that we already have a way to fund that in his view. No borrowing was suggested. (the prior governments have already borrowed significant funds and maybe that’s where it was misunderstood what you heard). Vote Michael for Prospect!
@9:10am Not true at all…in fact the opposite was said by Myles, no indication to build a cruise facility. Check the replay to be informed and then share that info back with whomever gave you this bad info.
I listened to every minute of the Sabrina vs Michael Chamber forum and Michael Myles did not in any way imply that they were for putting in cruise berths at the port. He said that the existing port needs upgrading with shade for tourists and the existing cargo area needs some upgrading, but he (and his party) were categorically against the idea of cruise berthing facilities and putting in a pier. Please watch the debate on YouTube. It is very very revealing.
They can’t give us real numbers because as we all know that cruise tourism benefits a small number of Caymanians that employ thousands of WP holders which destroys their narrative.
The only real numbers are contained in the bags of cash being pushed across the table to get this built.
Anyone we know who has a Yen for that kind of thing.?
Kenny said go.look at all the closed stores in town. What he forgot was the so called Revitalization that has turned GT central into a snarled dust bowl for the last 4 years. How much impact has that had on the businesses downtown?
Mr Dart will save us all. Honorable Bryant, you just let Dart, AmmeriCaribe and the Chinese build us a wonderful and fantastic cruise facility. We need it now for all the terrific construction jobs it will give us.
So we have to incur a $450,000,000. Debt to help merchants in GT to sell more T shirts and cakes..to have our roads jammed with Carnival cattle.. our public beach infested by higglers and drug pushers.
GT is too small to handle what Kenny and Mac want from the Chinese.
Don’t vote any PPM.
What use are shops if shoppers have nowhere to Park..?
The genius PWD “designer” amateur draftsmen should be fired for incompetent waste of public funds.
Just the arrogant way KB is sitting says it all, get him out of here!
Because he knows they will ram it thru because we need it.
He is an uneducated lout.. and shows it.
The 4 figure leg position body language is translated to mean one is ‘cocky’ and challenging of others, so yes he has an arrogant stance.
The poster was correct without your ‘cocky’ approval or confirmation.
It was neither approval or confirmation, it was additional information in support of the OP. Do I detect a little arrogance?
Unnecessary.
‘…so yes he has an arrogant stance.’
If a dock is pursued and actually ever gets off the bottom, Cayman Govt’ shouldn’t be spending a dollar to subsidize multi-billion dollar Cruise corporations to construct it.
Vote NO! KB is using scare mongering tactics to win over votes for this pie in the sky project. Anything he touches fails. The national Transport system, the Barbados /CAL route, the Scranton Park, placing homeless families in hotel rooms, purchase of ocean property close to lobster pot for locals to utilized and erosion of Seven Mile Beach to name a few. This project will bankrupt this country will destroy our environment.
But his favorite realtor will benefit.
His wife?
Well spotted Sherlock.
To 8:42pm: Truth be told, the Barbados/CAL venture had to close because McTaggart disclosed delicate contract information trying to play big opposition leader. Hew took over a couple weeks after.
5:25 am, KB and the flight crew were the only ones on the flights….going and coming.
In that case, thank you Roy.
There is NOTHING here to offer cruise passengers. The seven mile beach is gone, it’s expensive as hell, and they get all the food they can possibly eat on the ship already.
Even with berthing I wouldn’t get off the ship in Cayman, to get on a bus and fight traffic to go see turtles in a tank. Forget about the port. Fix the beaches and the dump and then worry about stayover tourism
A reminder here that most cruise ships sell heavily discounted and tax free jewelry onboard. Last one I was on announced they’d beat local prices at all 5 ports.
I disagree. Cayman has much to offer guests and residents. We have nearly 100,000 pursuing Cayman’s “nothing”, and making it their principal home residence. What previous governments haven’t done well is understand who our customers are, who they should be, what they are really after, and how that is delivered – fine tuning the experience mission via a cohesive destination plan. That plan, might still include a different type/echelon of cruise guest, but not mass-tourism herds and destructive convenience infrastructure. The Cayman Islands are not reliant on tourism, nor are we hungry to be a fully-owned “Half Moon” or “Castaway” Cay as the FCCA prefer to imagine. We have the self determination to be entirely more selective if that aligns with the core mission setting. It needs to be comprehensively reviewed. Same review exercise is necessary for Financial Services too, if we’re being honest.
The comment you’re replying to specifically said “nothing here to offer cruise passengers”, not “guests and residents”.
How about a scenic tour of the fish market to experience Cayman culture.
Honduran Fish Culture
Numbers don’t lie… The Port website shows about 157K passengers in Dec 2023, 166K for December 2024 and already booked for 170K in 2025…
Note that it is no coincidence that the cruise companies come and shake the tree during the summer months when the numbers are way lower and concerns running rife with the vendors as the experience the slow season.
They will NOT send more ships or passengers during these slow months – they know the cruise industry focuses on Europe and Alaska then.
They may send more in the winter months, but if the schedules are right, they are already meeting the demand with the smaller ships. They just want us to fund their economies of scale larger ships for their convenience.
Believe me, there is NO loyalty or benevolency in the cruise industry…No cruise piers will change that attitude just ask our neighbors in Jamaica.
VOTE NO for cruise berthing piers
VOTE NO for Kenneth Bryan
VOTE NO for McKeeva Bush
VOTE NO for Joey Hew
VOTE NO for Foolio Solomon
VOTE NO for Jon-Jon Seymour
VOTE NO for Ju-Ju from the Brac
VOTE NO for UPM
VOTE NO for PPM
VOTE NO for ACT
VOTE NO for cruise berthing piers
Vote PPM PPM PPM all the way. We will reap all the great benefits!
As I’m writing this, this comment got 38 thumbs up and only 3 thumbs down. If the overwhelming opinion is that these people are bad for the country, then how the hell do they keep getting re-elected??
One word .. giveaways.
Because the current electoral system only requires you to fool enough people in your tiny district to get elected and some MPs making doing so their full time job.
To 9:30am: I’ve come to the sinking realization that voters who see the bigger picture are outnumbered. Every single incumbent politrickster had to start from zero, yet we have people saying they’ll vote for “experience”. I rest my case.
The majority of actual voters no longer read traditional news outlets articles. They instead vote on FB posts or what a friend tell them is the truth.
Vote no to seizing Chris Johnson’s land.
Kenneth’s and ACT’s campaign today is even worse than the PPM’s efforts back in 2018-2019
No thanks I am voting NO
In that case, No Rum cake for You..
After the failed Verdant Isle fiasco, the stakeholders are back with a shiny new tactic. This time, instead of suits and corporate presentations, we’re getting the desperate faces of Caymanians used to sell the idea of a cruise pier. But let’s not kid ourselves—this is just a calculated push to expand the Royal Watler Terminal, conveniently tied to a China Harbour Engineering deal, all under the guise of “public interest.”
The 2006 Auditor General’s Report laid it bare: the Royal Watler project was riddled with governance failures. Yet, here we are again, being asked to trust the same flawed system with $400M+ of public money.
Key Findings from the Report:
• Poor planning and project management: No clear strategy, no financial assessment. Just winging it with taxpayer dollars.
• Flawed procurement process: Overcharges, poorly negotiated contracts, and deals that heavily favored contractors.
• Lack of oversight: The Port Authority Board sidelined management, leaving the project vulnerable to mismanagement.
• Overestimated costs: The terminal could have been built for $4.2 million less—but why save money when you can waste it?
Now we’re being told to trust this same system—without a plan, a budget, or even a basic financial strategy—to deliver a $400M+ pier project? And let’s be honest: any politician pushing a no-info referendum at this point is either clueless or on the take.
Without transparency, accountability, or a shred of competence, this will just be the Royal Watler disaster 2.0—on steroids.
Cayman deserves better than this rinse-and-repeat approach to “progress.”
PPM cannot be trusted ever again
Two words, Mount Trashmore
Vote no to seizing Chris Johnson’s land.
Sadly Sue Winspear the best auditor general we have had has gone with many other good ones. In the words of George Jones “who gonna fill their shoes”:
CPR continues to act in the best interests of this island, and we are so grateful for that!
I wonder if some officials in cig have already received their kickback payments, and that is why they are so desperate for a dock?
Joey Hew and Kenny Bryant are going to bankrupt the Cayman Islands due to their massive egos, tiny brains, vanity and general stupidity.
They, and others, are certainly trying their best. Everyone knows how to stop them hwoever.
Why? “knowledge is power” – so of course there won’t be any details….the plebs might vote differently from the (intended/gerrymandered) result, if the facts were (widely) known!!!!
This story is basically how CIG runs. There is no rhyme or reason for decision making as the auditor general constantly reports.
This is all deliberate by the the Deputy Premier Bryan and the PPM. We must vote no!
The lack of data is exactly what they want.
Too much detail makes it too complex to bring to us woters.
A simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to an idea and give them a blank cheque is what they really want amigos.
It is a recipe for disaster for the country
It is clear that Kenneth and his inept cabinet colleagues have no intention of sharing the design, cost, or financing details of the cruise port project. Without this crucial information, every voter must vote “No,” regardless of whether they support the concept of piers. Approving such an expensive and potentially destructive project without transparency is reckless, especially given the risks of further damaging the western coastline and pushing the country toward financial ruin.
While Kenneth may excel at organizing community events and overspending on parks and wishing wells, these skills do not translate to crafting effective national policy or strategy. His policies are incoherent, rambling, and lack the vision required for sound decision-making.
Adding to the concern is the Premier’s singular obsession with fast-tracking the high school in the Brac. She appears willing to overlook reckless spending and poor decision-making as long as her pet project moves forward—a project that reeks of political kickbacks and shady dealings. Her unwillingness to govern with the nation’s broader interests in mind is alarming. While her approach may benefit her small constituency, it is disastrous for the rest of the country.
While Kenneth may excel at organizing community events and overspending on parks and wishing wells, these skills do not translate to crafting effective national policy or strategy. His policies are incoherent, rambling, and lack the vision required for sound decision-making.
And yet people still vote for him. Worse than that, he WILL be premier in the not too distant future. What a thought. Wur aw doomed! Doomed ah tell ye!
Who Pays for 3.5 Million Cruise Passengers?
More ships = More strain on our infrastructure. But where’s the investment to support it?
🚦 Traffic & Transport Crisis – George Town is already in gridlock. More buses & taxis? Where will they go?
�🚻 Public Facilities – Not enough bathrooms or shaded areas now—imagine millions more visitors.
�🚢 Tourism Crisis – Many attractions are struggling or closed. Where will 3.5M cruise passengers even go?
�🛑 Emergency Services – More people = more strain on hospitals, police, and fire services. Who’s paying for the extra resources?
💰 Don’t sign a blank check.�📢 VOTE NO on April 30th.
The future conglomerate government will do as they wish, with our without our collective vote. Our voice grows continually dimmer.
The minister is out of his depth and lost at sea on this one
Poor Kenneth he just doesn’t get it. His reasoning and temperament are suspect
It was not a fair fight because it showed what mature leadership looks like compared to the desperation and petulance of the current government and the ppm.
Well done CPR and especially Johan Moxam
Kenny was outmatched after Moxam’s opening analysis
You were brilliant Mr. Moxam and spoke to the reality of this matter. Minister Bryant is full of hope but no real plan or information to help the public vote in favor of this project.
They are prepared to give all the leverage to the cruise lines who will hold all the cards. This mess can be avoided if logical and sound analysis are used to make a decision.
Smoke and mirrors.
NO!!! to the cruise port development!!!!