Caysundreamer

I am anxious about what to expect when arriving on Grand Cayman in two weeks, since our last stay was in 2004. How much construction and destruction to expect?? Will we see some of that old beautiful island or is it all different>>how many trees are there? How are the East End roads etc? Thanks!

ScottB

From what I've read on many diffrent websites, GC is a great shape. Will you still see evidence of Ivan...absolutely. But for the most part, your vacation will not be effected at all. Go and enjoy.

VegasM

I was in GC last May and everything seemed to be great. Of course it was my first trip but from what a lot of locals/visitors stated before I left - it was healing nicely. It seemed like most everything in the 7 Mile Beach area was up and running (aside from a few things) and the beach was AWESOME!!! The only time I saw real devestation was on my drive to Rum Pointe. You could see all the houses and trees down, etc. It was sad. But as far as most other things go, everything was great. Everything open in Georgetown (tons of cruise ships), we went on the Stingray City Tour, Turtle Farm, butterfly farm, Hell (delivered a postcard), etc. Tons of restaurants open.

Again.. this was last May - I'm sure things look even better now. Looked like the vegetation was coming back - slowly but surely. I can't wait to go back!

Caysundreamer

The island stole my heart in 2004 before Ivan, and I am worried the loss of trees and damage will make us sad. We stay at the East End and the drive out to that end was totally awesome.

TomCayman

Still a fair bit of construction going on, as well as a lot of trees still to come back.

The South coast took the worst of it, so that part of the drive to East End is much changed, but the North and East Coasts look much as before.

The roads to East End are now even better than before, nice new "blacktop" road surface in place.

Caysundreamer

Thanks for the update! I am definitely Cayman dreaming

christiegr

Caysun,
Where are you staying? We are planning to go in May and I am trying to find a place with a nice,calm beach to stay at.

Thanks,
Christie

obrien641

Hi,
Just got back 3/6 from caymans. Lot of building going on. We stayed at the Marriott. the building next door had damage and they were working on the pool. Still I thought the island look good. We had no trouble getting around.

krissykris

I was there in November. I have a timeshare. They are recovering slowly but it is still a very fabulous place. There is a lot of dead coral stacked up everywhere. The diving on the island, so I heard, wasn't so good anymore. I'm sure those diving at Ocean Frontiers on the East End were disappointed-that is what I've been told. Some of my favorite restaurants were not there anymore. Portofinos on the East End, has rebuilt, yeah for that. This is the restaurant at the Wreck of the Ten Sails. The Hyatt, on 7 mile beach, except for the ocean front units, were still closed. They might not ever totally recover. I don't think there are enough visitors for the Hyatt to reopen its complex...not sure.
I don't dive anymore.

krissykris

Christie, On 7 mile beach, my favorite property is Westin Casuarina. It is spectacular!!! Also, the Marriott bought out the old Holiday Inn property on West Bay road and it is now a Courtyard by Marriott. If you don't mind crossing the road to get to 7 mile beach, this is a good bargain and most rooms will still provide you with a view. If you can afford it, go for the Westin. The other Marriott lost some of it's beachfront due to Ivan. I think they might be eventually bringing in more sand to help this cause....I stayed there in November and was disappointed at the Marriott.

christiegr

Krissykris,
We just reserved a 2 bedroom condo at Discovery Point Club it's on the Northern part of Seven Mile beach.Have heard that it is close to Cemetary reef.Do you know of this place?

Thanks,
Christie

krissykris

7 mile beach is fabulous. Cemetery Reef is a great place to snorkel, although the reef has been beat up a bit by the hurricane. You'll love it at sunset. I am not familiar with the condo complex, I'd ask if they have completely rebuilt and make sure they are not hammering and building during your stay. It is a nice, central location. I checked their website, it certainly looks as if they have rebuilt. YOu should be just fine. I think there are more affordable choices. The diving is better on the east end, Ocean Frontiers will arrange for pick up. You might do some checking around as to the status of this property on www.stormcarib.com to see what the locals can tell you. They are still doing a great deal of rebuilding down there. The Stingray City boat tour is worthwhile and you might also find some good snorkeling off the dock and dive shop down by the turtle farm, Cracked Conch restaurant and Dive Tech dive shop.
For dining, if Casanovas downtown has been rebuilt, this is a great place for dinner or lunch. We also liked Cimboco as an affordable choice on 7 mile beach. there used to be a great cuban restaurant we loved, but it's being rebuilt. Deckers is supposed to be good, never been there.WE had some great italian food called Club Mediterranean last time were were there...this was also good.

If you want to stay in a more remote area and simply hang out, try Royal Reef Hotel on the east end. The condos are new, hurricane proof, and the two bedroom units are wonderful. It is a very nice place to stay. YOu may want to do a few nights in both places....I'll send another reply in a second.

krissykris

www.thereef.com.ky/

Here is the link to the Royal Reef. The property is hurricane proof. If you want night life and activities though you should stay where you are at.
Also, GC has a nice grocery store in Grand Harbour, but expect to pay abou 30% more than the states. I always bring a suitcase full of cereal, crackers, soups, stuff for tacos and drygoods, also booze. YOu'll pay $35 for a litre of booze there so bring it with you. It's well worth spending the money to go to GC, but some of us pack items to save a few bucks. Any other questions I can help with?

krissykris

YOu can also take frozen meat with you if you get a label that says USDA inspected and ask your butcher to put it into freeze dried plastic bags to seal it. Generally, if they don't see a cooler, you can breeze right through customs. I talked to a lady (around Thankgiving) that had a turkey in her luggage. They nibbled on it all week long.

christiegr

Krissykris,
Thanks for all of the information.I already booked Stingray City with Capt. Marvin's for a 2 hour snorkeling tour.It will be me,my husband,my mom and our 3 boys ages 11,8,and 3 on this trip.We have never dived before but both me and my husband would like to get certified sometime in the future.

Someone on another forum told me that Discovery Point has been renovated and I also read it on there website.

We took a cooler of meat on our trip to St John last Summer and also a suitcase of dry goods.So we might do that again this trip.

Again thanks for all of your recommendations!

Christie

Caysundreamer

We will be renewing our wedding vows while at GC, am wondering best beach spot to do so on???Noel Johnson will be officiating I appreciate any suggestions......yum, yum can't wait to eat at Portifino's again!

lenleigh

We've been To GC pre and post Ivan (Most recently in October '05) and you can still see hurricane damage but the Island still looks really good and they were working hard when we were there. We didn't dive pre Ivan but we did 7 days of boat diving and shore diving and it was great. We noticed very little debris in the water and there was still a ton to see. We stayed at Cobalt Coast and used Divetech (on site) and they were great. We noticed the most damage to trees on our drive around the island to rum point. That being said, it won't ruin your trip at all. Can't wait to return!

Caysundreamer

It sounds like north and east side of GC stillin process of hurricane healing, but I do feel relieved to hear that most of island is looking and recovery well!Thanks!