Teen in Grand Cayman

Old Jul 14th, 2003, 02:16 PM
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Teen in Grand Cayman

My spouse and I are taking his oldest granddaughter for a long weekend in Grand Cayman (not my first choice, but we're getting free use of friend's condo.) for her 13th birthday. She's a fairly precocious girl and I'm interested in input for must-dos while we're there. I think she might like doing the Stingray City snorkel excursion, but I'm worried that it might be a bit hokey. Also, are the sunset dinner cruises mostly couples oriented? She doesn't get bored in adult-only company, but if the cruise is filled only with starry-eyed couples, we'll opt for something else.

She enjoys snorkeling, swimming, lying on the beach reading, and will probably want to do a little shopping. Please advise!
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Old Jul 14th, 2003, 03:46 PM
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She will have a blast, especially if she enjoys snorkeling, swimming, lying on the beach reading, etc.. She won't think Stingray City is hokey, my teenagers had a blast and have gone twice. (Just go on a small boat, and not with the cruise ship people.) Other things to do include golf and horseback riding, in addition to shopping. Skip "Hell", but shop in Georgetown, hopefully when there aren't many cruise ships in. By the way, why wasn't Grand Cayman your "first choice"? Did you have a bad experience there?
 
Old Jul 14th, 2003, 04:11 PM
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No, I've never had a bad experience on Grand Cayman, as I've never been there. It's just that other islands are higher up on my short list of places to visit, and of all the Caymans, I think I would treasure the laid back pace of Brac or Little Cayman more than the development on Grand Cayman. I prefer less crowded islands, but I've never had a bad Caribbean experience, so I'm sure I'll love Cayman once I'm there.

Since we're staying in a condo and won't have a concierge (At least I don't think we will...), how do I go about finding out ahead of time whether any cruise ships are in Georgetown or not?
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Old Jul 14th, 2003, 05:22 PM
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Your experience on GC really depends on where you are staying. I am leaving on Thursday for a blessed 3 weeks in our condo on the North Side. Not commercial, full of local flavor, and very relaxed. If you are staying at a condo on SMB, please get a car and come visit the rest of the island!
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 04:00 AM
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I did not think Sting Ray City was hokey. In fact it was quite enjoyable. I also found the turtle farm to be entertaining. I believe when we went on the sunset cruise there were other children (not a lot) on the ship. It's not overly romantic, so I would not be concerned about that. They do serve some kind of rum punch while on board. There are other cruises to choose from as well that are not "sunset" cruises. I believe our boat staged some sort of pirate skit (I think it may have ben called the Jolly Roger?? but the boat approached another boat in the harbor, fired some cannons, yelled at the other crew, etc.)....which was amusing, if not somewhat hokey. The cruise goes all along SMB, and the sunsets there are gorgeous. Truly. The sunset cruise is enjoyable, and it's not so long that one would get bored. I think a 13 year old would be fine.
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 07:28 AM
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THanks for all the input. Yes, I'll be renting a car and driving around the island (will be my first time driving on left), so that we can get out beyond the Seven Mile Beach area. As lovely as I'm sure it is, we would like to try for some seclusion at least one day. Can somebody tell me more about Rum Point and advise whether to go, what time of day to go, etc?

If we do a cruise, it prolly won't be a Jolly Roger one. Sunset dinner will be nice for all three of us, I think.

Thanks again!
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 07:42 AM
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I was told to go to Rum Point during the week since the locals go on the weekends.
Sting Ray City was so much fun, she wil lhave a blast.
I found 7Mile beach to be very laid back as well. Even though there are many hotels we went in the off season (Aug. ) and it was very relaxing.
I would avoid Georgetown when the cruise ships are in town (easy to tell you can see them).
There is also parasailing at Red Sail Sports and Jet skiing which she will love.
I think you will all have a fabulous time and want to visit again for a longer trip!
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 08:03 AM
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The dinner cruise may be more romantic, but I don't know for sure. We did not take the "Pirate" cruise on the Jolly Roger, we did the normal sunset cruise....but I believe we encountered another ship during the cruise so the crew put on a brief little show. The crew was so pleasant and courteous and the display was fun-natured and amusing. For a 13 year-old it actually might be more appropriate. And as an adult I don't think you would find it to be so immature that you couldn't enjoy it. The more "sophisticated" cruises (if you will) may be more romantic. Good luck. Either way, you can't beat sunset.
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 03:22 PM
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ejcrowe,
Check out Rum Point during the week, and early as possible, around 10 am would be great, before the ferry arrives. It's a public beach with hammocks and lounge chairs, and very pretty. There's a bar and restaurant where you can have lunch outside on the beach, and there's a reef for snorkeling. It's very different from the 7MB area, and a great place to relax and enjoy the other side of Grand Cayman. I think you would enjoy it!!
Sandy
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Old Jul 15th, 2003, 07:42 PM
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message: re: when cruise ships arrive..

leaving for GC this sunday. someone gave me a website with cruise ship info. so we would know when to stay away from Georgetown, etc. T]he site is www.caymanport.com. Hope this helps!
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