Grand Cayman for the first time, any info on Marriott Beach Resort

[gajeep94yj]

b/c of the swine flu we canceled our trip to Cozumel that was leaving Wednesday and changed it to the Cayman islands leaving the next Thursday.

so now I have 1 week to learn everything I can about Grand Cayman to make the most out of it. We are staying at Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort at WEST BAY ROAD SMB according to their site.

so give me the run down. We are bringing our 7 month old with us so unless we find some reputable baby sitters we will be either taking turns diving or only one us will go. Anyone heard of babysitting there?

What dive ops should we use? Where should we go? Where should we eat? (not fast food but not too expensive either)

Anyone familure with the area we are staying in? can I get a run down on it too? what are the "must do" things in that area (remember 7 month old).

TIA,
Seth

 

[master_diver_UJ]

Hey Seth:

My non-diving wife and I are heading to the Marriott on SMB this coming Sunday. We'll be there for a week. This will be our third time to Grand Cayman; first time as a diver for me. I've yet to choose a dive operator yet, but I've received several recommendations - you can search the threads and make your own decision. I'm shooting for three days of two tank dives, and will be looking for a small operation. My normal dive buddy isn't going on this trip, so this will be my first time diving alone. I've not visited any of the dive sites yet, so anything will be great. I've snorkled stingray city, and that is a must. You can scuba there - I think it's only like 40 feet max - so you'll be able to stay down for a while.

It's a clean island, and most everything you need will be within walking distance up and down the main strip on SMB. No need to rent a car, unless you want to explore the island. Very safe, and virtually no unemployment. No Starbucks :-(.

Almost every american fast food restarant is there; albiet 2 or 3 times more expensive than state side. Everything is expensive there - no real deals. Just relax, live like a rock star, and plan on spending a decent amount lot of money.

This will be the second time we've stayed at the Marriott at SMB. On a scale of 1 - 10, it's a solid 8. It's an older property, been renovated a few times, it's clean, and the staff is great. The pool is really small, but you'll literally be 50' - 60' from the ocean.

Enjoy, and maybe we'll run into you and your family.

Enjoy,

John

 

[gajeep94yj]

we will be there May 14th - 18th.

thanks for the info. that is one thing I really like about Coz. not only is the diving world class but the island is just awesome.

this will be a first for us and we are really looking forward to it!

 

[master_diver_UJ]

Oh, ok - I'll be there May 3rd - 10th. You'll like Grand Cayman. The only bad thing is when 2 or 4 cruise ships dump their passengers for the day. Downtown becomes a zoo, and the beaches fill up with cruise ship passengers looking to soak up the sun for the day. The islanders really tense up when 4,000 - 6,000 people disembark for the day. The island is totally different on days when there are no cruise ships in port.

We've been to Cozumel a few times as well. Nice place, and great drift diving. Easy to get an hour out of an 80 there; My sac rate drops nicely when I'm just drifting - I love it !. I think you and your family made the right decision - with all the swine flu nonsense - to change up your destination...

Now, I just hope that the rain in the forecast never happens - or falls when we're sleeping !

Enjoy !

John

 

[Nesher]

Oh, ok - I'll be there May 3rd - 10th. You'll like Grand Cayman. The only bad thing is when 2 or 4 cruise ships dump their passengers for the day. Downtown becomes a zoo, and the beaches fill up with cruise ship passengers looking to soak up the sun for the day. The islanders really tense up when 4,000 - 6,000 people disembark for the day. The island is totally different on days when there are no cruise ships in port.

So true!!!

I normally use Indigo Divers. This time I'm using both Indigo and Neptune Divers.

My family and I will be there Jun 09. Let me know what you find out about child care services. We're taking the children this time around.

 

[diversteve]

Anyone heard of babysitting there?

Guest Services
Babysitting
Concierge desk
Housekeeping service daily
Laundry on-site
Local restaurant dinner delivery
Newspaper delivered to room
Newspaper in lobby
Room service, 6:00 AM-12:00 AM
Safe deposit boxes, front desk

Seems like with a baby a couple of the services provided by the Marriott may prove useful...

Other childcare links: http://www.caymanislands.ky/vacatio...eyword=child care&Seed=302&Page=1&toggle=list

You can scuba there - I think it's only like 40 feet max - so you'll be able to stay down for a while.

Actually you'd be buried 25 feet in the sand at 40', SRC is "The most fun you can have diving in 15 feet of water" They call the dive at 45mins. or when the squid used to feed them is all gone. The rays leave then and there's just a few small patchy coral areas - it's mostly a sand bottom. There was a big resident green moray there but I read recently someone killed him - or he died.

Most diveops will pick you up free at the Marriott and shuttle you to their boats. Some to try would be Neptune's Divers, Ambassador Divers, Wall to Wall. Some to avoid - unless you like big boats and lots of divers - would be Red Sail and Don Fosters. Fosters is in Georgetown and has the cruise ship traffic - they're too far away from the Marriott anyhow.

Don't overlook the shorediving either, just north of SMB is Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point, in South Georgetown is Sunset House. I think Turtle Reef is one of the better, shallow dives in the area. Mid-afternoon go south, there may be a school of Tarpon hanging in a shallow cave. Watch for bigger stuff also, some of the bigger fish use it as a shortcut, we saw a bunch of Eagle Rays go streaking overhead. If you have the option to pick boat dive sites, Big Tunnels, Trinity Caverns, Orange Canyon are good in that area. Viz in that area often is around 100' or more, the water is crystal clear usually.

There's also Eden Rock but as it's 100 yds. from the cruise dock in GT, it's been pretty beat up over the decades. Worth a dive late afternoon when the cruisers are gone. btw, Georgetown just about closes up when they do.

Things to do with your kid: the Butterfly Farm. Possibly some parts of Boatswains Beach, part of it is the old Turtle Farm - not sure how much is left as they were building it last time we were there. SMB is a beautiful strip of white sandy beach, in most areas that continues offshore.

Spend some time on Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman Travel and Tourism Site, it will answer a lot of your questions.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

The Marriot Beach Resort is near the southern end of Seven Mile Beach. The beach is much narrower there than in other areas of SMB. The property is right on West Bay Road which is the main drag along Seven Mile Beach.

There is a variety of fast food (Pizza Hut, Quiznos, A La Kebab) within easy walking distance. For better budget foods try some fo the local fare at places like Myrtles (about a quarter mile walk south in the Queens Court shopping center) or just ask the staff where they go for local food (curried chicken, steamed fish, ox tail, Cayman-style beef, etc...) at reasonable prices. Tourist-oriented restaurants typically cost much more.

Andy's Car Rental and Marshall's Rent a Car both have locations in the immediate area. Rent a car for a day and make the trip to Rum Point for the ideal spot for the baby to play in the sand. There is plently of shade and lots of lounge chairs for your use. Drinks are quite expensive there, so be forewarned! Be sure to drive on the left.

Grand Cayman is picking up some of the cruise ships that won't be stopping in Mexico. Expect a busy week. If you don't see ships one morning then it is a good opportunity to go into George Town for shopping.

 

[chibracdiver]

Check the cayman island port web page, the name escapes me at the time, but just google it. This site will give you a calendar with daily cruise ship activity. We always check this and plan on visiting G'town on the days when there are no boats scheduled in port. Most of the restaurants on the water in G'town are not that outrageously priced, but it is Cayman. The snorkeling at the beach is really improved dramatically in the last 18 months. Lots of stuff to see between the Marriott and Royal Palms. Jump in and head north and you do not have to go that far off shore. Enjoy.

 

[master_diver_UJ]

Lol - I read the 40 foot depth on some website - lol

 

[diversteve]

Check the cayman island port web page,

had it bookmarked: PORT AUTHORITY OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS