Airfares are up all over as a result of jet fuel prices. RT airfare from Seattle to GCM is $600/ea for the same dates as we are traveling to Jamaica this year. Only $50 more per ticket. I wouldn't blame the drop in visitors on airfare unless it is uniform across the Caribbean region. I know the US passport issue is one that is impacting many countries and islands and that may be more of a reason than airfare alone.

CS,
How do you know that GC is "uninteresting" if you have never been there?

(not trying to be rude,just curious)

Christie

Hear's a completely different idea:

Travel has slowed down all together? (Not just Caymans, but nowhere is meeting expectations) People are flocking to the "cheap" islands. When housing markets, retail, even restaurants in the States slow down, it has to affect people vacationing!

christie, perhaps that's just a more succinct way of saying that Grand Cayman is not of interest to him?

Even though you've been there and I've not, Aruba is not of interest to me for the same reasons you prefer not to return.

on a sidenote, how's your planning coming along for the JA trip?

We like Grand Cayman for the same reasons other people don't. We don't mind the number of people on 7 Mile Beach. It's easy to navigate around the cruise shippers. We liked that there are plenty of things to see and do, good resturants and good shopping. We actual prefer the "Americanization". For those same reasons, we like Aruba too. I just wish they would put in more AI hotels, to balance out the high cost of food/drink.

Yes, GC does not have the lush topography as Jamaica, St. John or St. Lucia, but 7 Mile Beach, the crystal clear water and great snorkeling make-up for that IOHO.

And just like people don't like CG for being too Americanized, we didn't care for St. John or Turks & Caicos because it too remote for us. And very uninteresting. (yes, we've been there).

I think another reason is… the impact on the convention trade by the Hyatt not rebuilding their main section.

When at GC, the norm for us was a 1 week stay at the Hyatt at a convention then a week off 7MB for hubby & me. I don’t know how many rooms our group took up but we would have over 300 people at the convention.

Usually wherever our group goes, we stay in a Hyatt Resort if there is one. They must be easy to deal with and really cater to conventions groups. (That’s not to say that our group won’t come back to GC and stay somewhere else, but it is possible it could be a factor.)

I assume the Hyatt on GC attracted a lot of convention groups and probably stayed quite busy with conventions. Even if other resorts on GC cater to conventions, the loss of the Hyatt had to have a major impact on the convention trade if for no other reason but the loss of a large number of rooms at one resort. I know our group is very limited on the places we can go because there are not a lot of islands which have resorts that can accommodate the size of our group and the necessary logistics.

PS: My family is going to GC soon and staying near Cayman Kai. I can’t wait!!!

LvSun, what you say makes sense in theory, but in practice the Hyatt lost 235 inland rooms and never had much in the way of meeting space... but at the same time the Ritz Carlton opened, with over 350 rooms and LOTS of convention space.

In reality Cayman now has more convention and other group bookings than ever before... so great for the hotels that do that and the restaurants that tie in to them (eg Wharf, Papagallo), but not so good for air availability and thus visitors to other hotels, restaurants, dive operators etc.

It will all balance out in the end, just takes time.

Emily,
Hi!Nothing is set in stone yet.We do plan to go this Summer.

Christie

<b>We had a great time in GC in 2005 - I surprised my husband for his birthday. And although we too found ways to cut corners, it still seemed to be a bit expensive. I would go back in an instant but I would have to convince my husband to tear himself away from TCI as that has become our favorite vacationing spot. Not saying it's cheap by any means, but it's nice that you don't lose 20% on the dollar right off the bat.

We really did love the Stingray City tour - that was aces and would do it again in an instant.</b>

Christie: Hopefully you'll firm up your JA plans soon and be able to experience Booby Cay. I know it is very high on your list.

Hi CS,

Hope you and all the loved ones are happy and healthy :-) !

You must be in somewhat of countdown mode for your trip to Silver Sands.

If I recall correctly, May is the month ? And it's also a time of celebration for a BIG birthday for you ?

Would you remind me of the villa name ? After a few more BIG birthdays, you will understand the need for reminders :-) !

I've spent some time at Villa Kelso which overlooks Silver Sands, and I think you've chosen wisely.

I have the name of a fisherman who might be able to get a fresh catch for you, and he could esily be persuaded to bring his guitar for a special evening celebration :-)I could also provide the names of wonderful Jamaican women who would care for your children, IF you want a night out.

Hugs all around :-)

Marion

Brett,
Yes..I do need to firm up the plans!I am waiting to find out when my 2 oldest sons (Taylor &amp; Carey)are going to NH for a month this Summer.Then the rest of the planning begins!:)

Marion,
Hope that you had a wonderful trip!If I remember right,weren't you just in Jamaica for around a month?

Christie

Hello Marion and thanks for the nice thoughts! All the pickneys are doing well! The twins are 7 months and are starting to crawl. Good times! B is taking swimming lessons....a prerequisite to him going to JA. He's doing well for a toddler!

We actually switched our plans from SS. As lovely as it looks and all the positive reviews, we couldn't tear ourselves from Negril. It was 20 years ago I first traveled to Negril. We are going back to Coco La Palm, where they treat us as if we were royalty. We love the location and there are many places within walking distance for us. The beach is number 1 in my book.

And yes, Marion....it is my 40th birthday celebration. I have been waiting for a little trip report on your most recent JA vacation. The photos of Kelso look fabulous. We thought SS would be a bit tame and too low key for us. When you love a place (Negril) as much as we do, I thought we'd be wishing we were there the whole time while at SS. My wife was most happy with the decision. ~When that bug bites you, you live with the sting~

CS,

Your change in plans is making me smile from ear to ear ;-) !

Although I'm sure you would have enjoyed Silver Sands, your heart is in Negril. I can only begin to imagine how your many friends in Negril will greet you and the family....another wide smile!

As far as a TR for Great bay/Treasure Beach, I'm afraid I would bore all the regular readers here. For me it's going home to 'family' . I live in the community and enjoy the benefits of all the love and spirit that renews me (and gets me out of the frozen tundra !) It's peaceful, and the flowers and the birds make each day a joy. Add to that a sunset that rivals those in Negril, some wonderful run punch and my beloved books, adds up to paradise for me.

My days of shopping and seeing all the sights are less important. Talk to me about that philosophy after a few more BIG birthdays ;-)

You're right, when the bug bites, it's usually a gentle sting :-) that draws us back. Thank goodness for different bugs and diffrent destinations for all of us ! Just trying to get back to the original topic !Take care...

Marion

We loved Grand Cayman. Easy to get around, great off shore snorkeling. It's not &quot;adventure travel&quot; but anywhere you go you are a tourist, and GC delivers what it says it will. Stayed at TNI in Bodden Town.

I love the Caymans. i especially love Smith's Cove.
Enjoy the Caymans

Hey Cayman Sue:

Do you ever go anywhere other than the Caymans?

I sure do! We are off for our second trip to Ireland in a few weeks. We try to do one trip to Europe each year. Also have been to Japan, Taiwan, Mexico (many times), Belize (one of my new favorites!), and all 50 states.
Cayman is pretty easy for me since I have had a family-owned place to stay since 1975. Just got back from a long weekend there (for a funeral). DH is still there. Can't convince him to go to any other Caribbean island, though.

HEY SUE!!!

The reason we didn't go to Grand Cayman this year was because our favorite place to stay (yours) was booked when we could go &lt;wink wink&gt;

We will be back next year. This year we head to Turks and Caicos again.

I'm with you though, there is no place like the Northside for us. Quieter pace, people even more friendly, and well...it is wonderful to walk out your back door, and find yourself on the beach with the reef just feet from the shore you stand on.

I hope you and your DH have an amazing Ireland trip (we will be heading there probably in the fall).

Grand Cayman, will always be first in our hearts. We will absolutely be back.
~Karen