Best location for first island trip for family with teen girl and boy: Grand Caymans? Something else?
Jun 11th, 2001, 07:12 AM
#21
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Alana -
Perhaps I need to clarify re the alcohol and food issue, we are not boozers. I believe I stated that we rarely had more than a cocktail at dinner and with two drinks being $20, the cost of the food (since it was all a la carte) plus tip rarely had us exiting a restaurant without spending $100.00. What was interesting was that when we departed the Caymans, the alcohol was so inexpensive upon leaving that we took a few bottles of Amaretto and Frangelica home with us. It had nothing to do with the devaluing of the $ in comparison. The Caymans are just very expensive compared to other islands in the Caribbean and not really that special unless you are a diver.
Perhaps I need to clarify re the alcohol and food issue, we are not boozers. I believe I stated that we rarely had more than a cocktail at dinner and with two drinks being $20, the cost of the food (since it was all a la carte) plus tip rarely had us exiting a restaurant without spending $100.00. What was interesting was that when we departed the Caymans, the alcohol was so inexpensive upon leaving that we took a few bottles of Amaretto and Frangelica home with us. It had nothing to do with the devaluing of the $ in comparison. The Caymans are just very expensive compared to other islands in the Caribbean and not really that special unless you are a diver.
Jun 11th, 2001, 07:22 AM
#22
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I realize that everything is relative, however, we, too, have traveled to the Caymans - once, and it will be our last. We have traveled to over 30 island worldwide, and the Caymans are just greedier than most. We heard broadcasts while we were there involving the Bureau of Tourism and government officials re the increasing cost of alcohol and food. First off, the Caymans are very religious, and don't feel that tourists, or anyone for that matter, should drink, so the high cost of liquor is by design. The Bureau of Tourism is very concerned that someone spending a day on the island from one of the many tour ships would stop on 7 mile island and have one of the $15 drinks and say the Caymans are nice, but we wouldn't want to spend a week there. This is a real concern. The cost of spending a week in the Caymans exceeds that of other islands, IMO. As others have stated, it is a safe island, has some lovely beaches, but you can definitely do better. Yes, food is imported and yes, one expects to pay more, but the Caymans are excessive.
Jun 15th, 2001, 08:58 PM
#23
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Just returned from vacation on Grand Cayman-we have 3 children-10, 15, and 17.It was our last family vacation before my daughter goes to college so I wanted it to be special. I wanted to have my children to experience snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and the turquoise waters of the Carribean in a safe atmosphere. It was everything I expected. We weren't looking for a lot of activities-just a relaxing vacation.My kids weren't bored but we were there for only 5 days. My husband and I both agreed they might have started getting bored if we had stayed any longer. If your kids aren't into the beach and watersports I would look at another location for a vacation.
Aug 6th, 2001, 01:25 PM
#25
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We took our two teen boys to Grand Cayman for spring break this past March.
We are defintely water people so we dove, snorkeled, etc. However, if you're not totally into the water sports, you can go to Rum Point where there is lots of shade as well as a beautiful beach and literally spend the day. The ferry leaves from the Hyatt or you can rent a jeep. They also have some really beautiful botanical gardens. We also took the submarine ride which was a good way to see the reef down to 100' but not dive. Lots of activites on the beaches for shorter attention spans -- banana boat ride, parasailing, jet skis if you like. The shopping is OK -- just don't go into town if more than 2 cruise ships are in port. We also drove the island, stopped at the Cathy Church gallery (she is an underwater photographer and is on the premises to talk), etc. 8 days was long enough. Also, be aware that the food cost is really high. We ended up planning about $100 usd for each dinner (no drinks, no dessert, no appetizers); do breakfast and/or lunch at Eats cafe if you're close as its reasonable ($30 per meal) most hotels have a small fridge in the room so you can stop at a grocery and get fruit, bagels, etc as well as wine or snacks. It has beautiful beaches, great sunsets, rather british atmosphere; we'd go back to Aruba instead or mayan riveria(more culture, more reasonable, same activities).
We are defintely water people so we dove, snorkeled, etc. However, if you're not totally into the water sports, you can go to Rum Point where there is lots of shade as well as a beautiful beach and literally spend the day. The ferry leaves from the Hyatt or you can rent a jeep. They also have some really beautiful botanical gardens. We also took the submarine ride which was a good way to see the reef down to 100' but not dive. Lots of activites on the beaches for shorter attention spans -- banana boat ride, parasailing, jet skis if you like. The shopping is OK -- just don't go into town if more than 2 cruise ships are in port. We also drove the island, stopped at the Cathy Church gallery (she is an underwater photographer and is on the premises to talk), etc. 8 days was long enough. Also, be aware that the food cost is really high. We ended up planning about $100 usd for each dinner (no drinks, no dessert, no appetizers); do breakfast and/or lunch at Eats cafe if you're close as its reasonable ($30 per meal) most hotels have a small fridge in the room so you can stop at a grocery and get fruit, bagels, etc as well as wine or snacks. It has beautiful beaches, great sunsets, rather british atmosphere; we'd go back to Aruba instead or mayan riveria(more culture, more reasonable, same activities).
