cayman islands cruise
Seven Mile Beach.
News

First Cruise Ship to Return to Grand Cayman

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 26, 2021

The Cayman Islands is set to relaunch its cruise industry next month, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The destination has approved the Holland America Nieuw Statendam cruise ship to call on Grand Cayman on Dec. 28, 2021. 

It will mark the first time a cruise ship has called on Grand Cayman since the onset of the pandemic. 

The ship is coming to Grand Cayman after an agreement with Holland American to comply with several conditions, including the requirement that Grand Cayman must be the ship’s first port of call. 

Passenger capacity will be limited to 1,600 people, about 60 percent capacity. 

Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam.

And all guests and crew must be fully vaccinated, along with having taken and received a negative PCR or antigen test within two days of their embarkation. 

“The health and safety of our people and visitors to our shores continues to be a priority in our phased reopening plan. Currently, over 1,000 Caymanians are displaced due to the closure of our cruise ports, and as we safely reopen our borders, the cruise sector will be a key part of the tourism industry’s recovery,” said Cayman Islands Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan. “This single cruise ship call presents an opportunity for us to find the safest way to welcome back our cruise visitors while we can continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.”

The Cayman Islands this week reopened its tourism industry to fully vaccinated travelers. 

“This has been an ongoing conversation with the cruise industry about what conditions are required to make this a safe experience for everyone involved and how to make that feasible,” Bryan said. “We thank Holland America for being an excellent partner and leading the way for this new era of cruise travel in the Cayman Islands for the foreseeable future. My people can be assured that my approach and negotiation strategy is for quality first.”

— CJ

Popular Posts all-inclusive montego bay resort by marriott

Marriott Just Opened Its New All-Inclusive Resort in Montego Bay 

Marriott has continued its rapid expansion into the Caribbean all-inclusive space with the debut of its newest adults-only resort in Montego Bay: the new Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort.  The 352-room resort is part of […]


Yes, You Can Stay at an All-Inclusive Resort in St Thomas, USVI

the beach at the bolongo bay resort

The Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas may be the most popular all-inclusive resort you’ve never heard of. It’s not that the resort itself isn’t well-known: this family-run and managed, beach resort has been in business since 1974. But […]


The 15 Best Spa Resorts in the Caribbean

como parrot cay

Resort spas have become almost as common as fitness centers on amenity lists, but while it’s simple enough to carve out some space for a few treatment rooms, there are some spas that offer a true “experience” to go along […]


Related Posts the waters of eagle beach in aruba

Caribbean Photo of the Week: The Blue of Eagle Beach in Aruba

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Pam Whittle, who sent in this lovely shot of the blue waters of Eagle Beach in Aruba. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com with […]


"At Its Roots, Jamaica Is Soul, Rhythm and Culture Come to Life"

jamaica new way to fly

“At its roots, Jamaica is soul, rhythm and culture come to life.” – Cedella Marley Assouline’s series of travel books manages to capture the indescribable, inarticulable, essential qualities of a place, distilling a destination’s romance and wonder into a story […]


This Saint Lucia Resort Just Joined Relais & Chateaux

cap maison luxury resort with green hills in background

Saint Lucia’s Cap Maison has always been the island’s premier culinary destination, with an all-encompassing focus on gastronomy, from Chef Craig Jones’ culinary masterpieces to the endlessly lovely walk-in wine cellar. Now, the resort is upping its game, becoming the […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You