Hurricane changes vacation plans...
 

Hi! Our family was suppost to travel to the Cayman Islands and stay at the Hyatt Regency Grande Cayman in April, but unfortunitly our plans have been altered because of the hurricane. There are two adults in their 40s and two teengers 18 and 16. We have traveled to the Bahamas, St. Lucia and Aruba (Our favorite,) and our looking for some suggestions for destinations and hotels. We love the beach, good food and staff, clean hotel, places for water activities and shopping, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Give Antigua or Barbados a consideration.

Cocabean, we're in a similar situation. Since GC is now iffy at best, I was leaning towards Aruba (you list as your favorite) but have read several negative reviews on this line (airport checkout hassles, too touristy, beaches to crowded, etc.) Anyway, I have kids and 11 & 6 and was wondering if you thought Aruba would be a good choice for us? Also, Why is it your fav?

Pumpy,
I'm actually flying through Aruba in about 3 weeks so can better give a more up-to-date rundown on airport delays. Yes, its recommended by the local airlines (I'm flying through to Bonaire) to give 3-4 hours checkin time for US customs. Due to that we're actually going to stay on Aruba one night each way due to inconsistences with local flights and process, that and I hate 2 connections in one day :) However, having done this before, I really don't like Aruba...very touristy. If you were scheduled for GC then perhaps Bonaire might be a good alternative but try to get there another way other than Aruba, we were kind of stuck with prices and schedules. But you can fly there on Air Jamaica via Montego Bay, or American Eagle from San Juan (mostly long connections for flights from mainland and flights certain days of the week) or American into Curcacao then local flight to Bonaire. Just a thought, enjoy.

I know the Hyatt will be closed in April (at least the inland part of the Hotel), but that is because they are taking the opportunity Ivan gave them to undertake a massive renovation process and will emerge better than ever.

By April though, almost everyone else will be in business, and many of us will be open by December... have you not considered any other properties in Grand Cayman, we would love to see you :)

Tom,
Yes Cayman will and is bouncing back quickly, great place...we plan to be back soon.

We have only spent the day in Curacao while on a cruise but we enjoyed the underwater park and the pastel buildings. People were very friendly. You could look into the Curacao Marriott which has received very good reviews. Reviews online in Fodor's, Trip Advisor, Where2Stay etc.
Also, there is a new Marriott in St. Kitts.

Maureen,
Yes the Marriott Curacao is one of the better Caribbean resorts and very reasonably priced, good suggestion.

There was an article in our newspaper today that said Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (?) were not affected by the hurricane; it was Grand Cayman that sustained all the damage. So maybe one of the Caymans other tha Grand Cayman?

Our family was in the same boat. Booked a trip for hubby and I and our four kids age 17 to 24, to Grand Cayman at the end of April. We've changed our destination to Barbados. Thankfully Air Canada only charged us $25 per ticket for the change. Now...just need to recoup our $1000 deposit from the condo people in Grand Cayman. Is proving interesting.

Forest,
What you may do to better negotiate with the Cayman condo is ask if it can be credited to a future rental. I'm sure they'll bite on that and its less messy. But I'd book it within a year.

Again, to cocabean and Forest, why change islands, Grand Cayman wil be fine in April... just think of another property if the one you chose is not yet available...

As regards getting deposit back, I am certain you will, but some properties are still without phones, and thus credit card machines to run refunds... "soon come" as they say.

If you have any difficulty with getting a refund, check with the tourism association, contact info at www.cita.ky

As regards the other two islands, yes, they sustained only minor damage, so Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are indeed options, especially for divers and those wanting a peaceful vacation (they are quiet places)

If it was just my husband and I going, I would have left it alone, but we are taking our kids and I wanted this to be a trip without any hassles...that's why I picked Grand Cayman in the first place. Secondly, Air Canada wanted us to make a decision very quickly on what we wanted to do, so I went for the change. This was booked using Aeroplan. We had booked the condo using Visa, so we've put in a claim with them, just in case. Apparently you have only one month to make a claim with Visa, so this was our safety blanket. I'm sure the condo folks would come up with the refund...eventually, but we just had to cover our bases.
We will definitely be going to Grand Cayman next beach trip, maybe 2006. Can't wait!

We were just in GC for a wk. in July. We used to go there each yr. until we felt like it was getting too built-up. Now we go to Anguilla with outstanding beaches, restaurants, and people. Anguilla can't be beat and has some outstanding luxury hotels which are a bit less expensive after 4/15.

NM,
All islands are less expensive after 4/15. :)

To Tom on Cayman (Reef): I respect your desire to encourage those who had plans to GC keep them....but lets face it....GC will be a shadow of itself for at least 1 year if not 2. For those of us who get to take one or maybe two vacations to the Caribbean a year....we don't want to spend our hard earned income on an island that has been flattened by a natural disaster. GC is in a much more fortunate position than other, impoverished, island nations due to its banking and financial industries. I feel bad for the residents of the island....but considering the financial condition of the island in comparison to other islands....we'll wait a while before considering GC as a destination for our vacation plans. There are many other islands MORE dependent on our tourist dollars. It is a sad and unfortunate state....don't sugar coat it for business purposes.

CarribeanSoul states: "GC will be a shadow of itself for at least 1 year if not 2"

I hate to be confrontational and want to say this with the utmost of respect: you're simply wrong. I've been there twice since Ivan... how many times have you been there since the hurricane to see for yourself? What improvements have you ignored? What makes you so confident to make such a ridiculously bold and false statement? Please stop spreading fear and misinformation... it benefits no one. The island is quite noticeably improved and work continues to show more each day. I defy anyone to stand on the beach at the Westin and tell me they see any sign of the hurricane... or Aqua Beach for that matter... or the Turtle Farm... or Stingray City... the list goes on and on.

Considering that most places won't even open until after the New Year and that they just recently began accepting tourist....I believe my statement to be VERY accurate. I have read enough and I know enough of what it takes to recover from a Cat 4-5 hurricane that gives a direct hit to a Caribbean island. And I have viewed a thousand pictures of Ivan's damage inflicted on GC. Your post makes me believe that you are a rental property owner on GC and want to hide behind the real facts to save your rental income. All due respect, of course.

I have to agree with CaribbeanSoul. Admittedly I have not been to CI since Ivan. However, I live in the BVI and have met several personnel of law firms/trust companies in the last few weeks who have been transferred here temporarily in the BVI offices of their law firm/trust companies and they speak openly about the utter devastation in the Caymans. From what I understood from a couple of them, up until recently only Georgetown and surrounding areas had electricity returned. Most of the island is still in darkness - to speak nothing about the destruction. I have heard very frank, stark first hand accounts from these people which leads me to beleive that it will be some time before Cayman is what is was pre Ivan. Having the power and basic amenities restored is one thing. But what about the beaches, the massive erosion that no doubt occured, the flora and fauna and the general damage to property etc. Having personally experienced Hurricane Luis in Antigua in 1995 ( a definite cat 4/5), I know firsthand that it is only with time that CI will be restored to its former self - one has to be realistic.

For the first time in 65 days friends on the North Side of Grand Cayman were able to boil water on their stoves! My husband is on the island right now doing battle with the insurance company. Our 10 unit building will probably have to be torn down and rebuilt.

It is an unfortunate situation when a government gives precedence to one of its main industries while overlooking the needs and misfortunes of its own residents. As they continue to beat the drum, "come back to Grand Cayman, everything is fine", and residents are just now getting power and water. This well-heeled island should have ample resources in its coffers to take care of its own first, before catering to their tourism industry partners.

Caribbeansoul,

You accuse others of having an agenda, but what is yours ?

What gives you the right to say "government gives precedence to one of its main industries while overlooking the needs and misfortunes of its own residents".... plus "This well-heeled island should have ample resources in its coffers to take care of its own first, before catering to their tourism industry partners"

Re your first statement, what on earth makes you think that helping our people whilst getting business back up and running are two goals that are mutually exclusive ?

Re your second, I am one of those tourism industry partners, I am a Caymananian and am working flat out to re-open my resort, which employs a large number of staff who need paying employment (and I am paying them throughout until the resort re-opens). The Cayman government has allocated no resources to me, neither have I asked them to. The policy has been simple, to let business get on with business by clearing red tape, while applying available resources to those who need it most.

Given all we have been through, I am totally fed up with people who do not know Cayman and have not visited since Ivan pontificating about what we should do and what we have done.

Have you ever considered that we might actually be telling the truth ? Things ARE improving very rapidly, and a leading catastrophe consultant I met who has worked in the aftermath of every major Caribbean Hurricane in the last twenty years...says that Cayman was hit the worst, but is recovering by far the fastest.

Why don't you come down here and see for yourself..... sorry, end of soapbox rant, after all, this is supposed to be a tourism bulletin board :)

Hi
We loved Curacao...family of four with "kids" 21 and 24. The Marriott was great. We toured Breezes and it looked old and rundown. The Marriott was brand new, great pool area, beach is a little windy but nice. Plan to rent a car, there's a ton of amazing beaches to explore and consistently excellent restaurants. Decent size town with some shopping. Not known for snorkeling though...

Tom: Sorry....I know you guys are all working very hard to restore your businesses to pre-Ivan state. Good luck to you and all the others. As we only have the resources and time to take one trip to the Caribbean each year....we'll have to pass on your offer to come down to GC. We'd rather spend our hard earned time and money on an island that hasn't suffered recent devastation. But that is just us...and we aren't loyal Grand Cayman visitors, hence the 'tude.

This website (post Ivan) might give people an idea of what Grand Cayman is like right now. It has numerous post Ivan pictures that I thought others would appreciate. http://www.ivan.ky/

I have to agree with some of the statements about not visiting GC. My wife and I had a trip planned for our second visit to GC. We were going in April 05. We had access to Marriott reward points for a cheap stay. Marriotts website has been delaying the opening of their hotel from Nov. now to March 15th. Sorry, March 15th is a little to close for comfort. I would agree that the Island will not be the same for quite some time. No, I havent visited but everything I read and pictures I see only confirm my thoughts. I am sure the beaches are great but I plan on visiting other places besides the beach.
We have picked a new destination and I cant tell you how much relief I feel knowing we are not rolling the dice with one of our only 2 vacation weeks a year. I would love to see everything up and moving by April but seriously doubt it. Maybe we will visit in 06.
Best of luck.

To be honest, I experienced hurricane Luis in 1995 in Anguilla. The only way they came out of it quickly was by accepting the reality that many of their hotels were damaged. Best to be upfront with visitors and let them make the decision if they still want to come. Many hotels had to slashed rates quickly and give incentive packages to get tourist back within a year. I wish Cayman Islands a speedy recovery. I have friends there and it seems that they will be up and running by the spring.