Ships don’t actually dock in Grand Cayman. They tender. Not like the dating app. Basically, you have to step off your big ship onto a small boat in order to get to dry land. Apparently, some of the cruise lines have started calling it something other than tendering. But that’s what it will always be to me since I was already in a committed relationship and cruising before dating apps were invented.
When knew when we stopped in the bay that it was going to be a crowded day in port. There were already three ships in port and one trailing closely behind us trying to snag our close parking spot.
Again, we had no excursion planned so we had a leisurely wake-up and then we went to the main dining room for breakfast. The breakfast menu is completely different than the brunch menu. We have mixed feelings about breakfast. Sometimes we really like it…sometimes it takes way too long. But this morning was a nice change from the buffet and we weren’t in a hurry.
The cruise director, Matt, advised everyone in the Fun Ashore, Fun Aboard talk to get off before 9:30 or after 10:00 because the line for tenders would be crazy between that time. We opted for after 10:00. The line looked long, but once a new tender pulled up we were able to get on pretty quickly.
Generally, tendering is a negative. You look at your schedule in advance to see how many tender ports there are. If you have ambitious plans in a port, you are disappointed when you find out you will have to tender. It doubles the time you will be standing in line. You have to wait in line to get on the tender, you often have to wait in line to get a seat, then you wait again to get off the tender. Often ports have lines when you are docking, however, those lines move consistently. The lines to get on a tinder to and from the port require waiting for one to show up and waiting for them to unload. So any time you see a port that requires tending, expect to wait in extra lines.
But if you have no plans and nice weather it can actually be fun. You get a free ride on a small boat and you can get some nice view of your port and your ship.
We had absolutely no plans in Grand Cayman other than snagging a little WiFi, so we just wondered around for a few minutes, stopped it for a snack and a drink, checked our phones, took some pirate photos and then wondered back to the tender line.
Grand Cayman is home to the Seven Mile Beach (which is actually 6 ½ miles long) and is supposed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We probably should have booked an excursion out there with Carnival because left to ourselves we apparently were too overcome with laziness to find our way there. It is very possible to get there on your own. It is not a very long taxi ride.
You can also take a bus. Or apparently you can walk. Our dinner companions (a young couple on their honeymoon), took the bus out to the beach and then somehow ended up walking back. Along the road.
Please note if you take the bus you need to have small bills and you must have Cayman Dollars (or at least expect to get change in Cayman Dollars). Their currency is not US dollars, though they will happily take them. We have never had a problem with any cruise port accepting US dollars, but places in port will very rarely give you change in US dollars. Change is usually in what-ever the local currency is, so make sure you bring plenty of ones and fives any time you go to shore. This also includes when you take excursions because you never know who you might need to tip!
We got back on the tender after our snack and headed straight to a guy’s burger because we knew there would be a short line – and there was!
After that it was time to lounge by the pool until it was time to get ready for dinner! After dinner, it was time for a show and then balcony!
