The first thing you will notice when you pull into port at Cayman Islands is how flat the island is. The second thing is how vibrant the economy is, with new buildings being constructed in support of the local banking business. After taking this in, you will be eager to get off the ship and onto the island for a memorable shore excursion.
Stingray City has been a favorite for decades. Located near interconnected sand bars from Morgan Harbor to Rum Point, you will find an amazing congregation of stingrays. Legend has it that the stingrays began congregating there decades ago when fisherman (no not Pirates) used to clean fish along the shallow sand bars and feed the rays the leftovers. However this natural odyssey first occurred, seeing it first hand is nothing short of memorable.
There are several ways for cruisers to experience Stingray City.
With superb water clarity for visibility, a bevy of welcoming stingrays and fish, and shallow water, snorkeling trips top the list of ways to see the rays. You can take a short transfer to the Cayman Island Yacht Club and board the Allura catamaran. From there, it’s just a short cruise to the North Sound. You will have stingrays eating out of your hand!
For the slightly more aquatic minded, you can also see Stingray City is as a SCUBA diver.
If you are a bit water timid – and want some time left over for other sites you can choose a glass bottom boat. In North Sound there are two, named the Stingray Explorer Observatories. A diver will get into the water and feed the rays squid while you get an educational narration about the area and the rays. You will still have time leftover to tour Hell and the Cayman Turtle Farm, or go shopping and still get back to the ship in time for dinner.
The number of cruise ships that stop there reveals Cayman Islands popularity. In November 2009 alone cruise stops in Cayman Islands include the AIDAvita; Carnival’s Conquest, Destiny, Freedom Inspiration Legend Liberty and Valor; Princess’s Crown Princess and Sea Princess; Crystal’s Serenity, Infinity and Symphony; Disney Magic; Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment Of The Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas; Celebrity Equinox; MSC Poesia; Norwegian Dawn; Pullmantur Pacific Dream; and last but not least Vision Star, a Greek cruise vessel operated by Mediterranean Classic Cruises.
Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfreni/ / CC BY 2.0
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