Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Visiting Georgetown, Grand Cayman today located in the Caribbean sea on the MSC Seashore. Grand Caymen is the largest most western of the three Cayman Islands. The island is about 76 square miles and 22 miles long. It is home to over 50,000 residents.
It is a hot day. Cruise ships cannot get into the island to dock at the pier. They must anchor and use Grand Cayman’s tenders to transport their passengers to the island and back to the ship. The ships cannot use their own tenders to transport their passengers. Because we are Gold in the MSC voyagers club, we get priority tender transportation. The tickets were left in our room last night. We can just go anytime to get a tender. Others have to get a numbered ticket from guest services with a specified time. Thus was a nice little perk. We are Gold because MSC honors our Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status.
Here’s our morning announcements for tender calling by numbers in multiple languages. Announcements are lengthy.
The port area is very empty. Cayman Islands opened to a small amount of cruise ships with limited passengers on March 21, 2022 as phase 1. Phase 2 started April 18, 2022 where the number of passengers has been lifted. All passengers 12 and over must be vacinnated. The port was closed to cruise ships for two years. We walked a long way and found a lot of closed stores, empty streets, and beautiful harbour views. Covid seems to have hit here hard.
Talked a while with a dog walker and she said she used to be a daycare worker. Due to covid her daycare closed up and she lost her job. She is now walking dogs. She said people love their dogs and they want them walked while they are at work. The Disney Fantasy pulled in today also.
The MSC Seashore is huge. You never even feel her move when the water is a little rough even. This is the smoothiest riding ship I have been on. Here are some pictures from around the ship.
It is so amazing that I keep hearing from people who I personally have worked with, cruised with, or lived near me that are at the same location as us. My ex neighbors were in Jamaica yesterday, a work friend is in Cayman today, and a friend from cruising was in Coco Cay when we were there. The tender trip to and from the island takes about three to four minutes. On the ride back to the ship we were accompanied by two Cayman Islands Custom and Border Control officers. We have seen it before where they come on board and have lunch. Wonder if that is why they are here.
Nice to be back on the ship. It is feels like being home.
We signed up for covid testing on Friday. MSC will do it for $25.00 each. People really have slacked off and don’t seem to be washing their hands before entering the marketplace buffet. How soon we forget covid.
I love the art work on the ship. This is how I envision myself. Yes it’s a joke, but it is a lovely picture.
And then the great nightly towel animals.
To view the complete daily diary click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/
To view more information on the MSC Seashore, click here: https://deestimes.com/seashore/
Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials. 1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags. Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw
2) This large toiletry bag is the best. Steve has the black and I have the pink. We both absolutely love them. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture
