After all Caribbean ports started welcoming cruise ships last year it seems that the Cayman Islands are finally ready to restart cruise tourism. In a press release, the Cayman Islands Government announced that following careful consideration of recommendations will facilitate the safe return of cruise tourism. Cruise liners are expected to return to the Cayman Islands s March, 31 2022, pending formal Cabinet approval.

After a 2-year hiatus, the return of cruise ships to the Cayman Islands, especially to the popular cruise destination George Town, Grand Cayman, will be a move welcomed by many stakeholders in the cruise sector and represents a recovery of the Cayman Islands tourism industry.

Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism’s said the resumption of cruise tourism will follow a phased approach similar to the policy adopted for the reintroduction of stayover air arrivals. Phase 1 will be for a period of four weeks, to allow sufficient time for health and safety protocols to be evaluated

Phase 1 of Cayman Islands resumption of cruise ship arrivals

• - Estimated to continue for a period of four weeks, to allow sufficient time for safety protocols to be evaluated and to identify what, if any, adjustments might need to be made.
• - Cruise passenger arrivals will be limited to 40% of previous passenger volumes. This equates to a maximum of 75,000 passengers during this period.
• - The Cayman Islands Government will select which cruise calls will be permitted, to increase the layers of public protection.
• - No COVID-positive passengers, crew or their close contacts will be permitted to disembark the cruise ship in Grand Cayman, whether they are symptomatic or not.

Following the successful completion of Phase 1, the 40% capacity limit will be removed.