Affordable Travel

If you are planning to take a cruise, either as a tourist or for a summer job which will allow you to make money while you see the world and enjoy many of the benefits that tourists do, you can first read about what to expect by picking up one of a number of good publications dedicated to the cruise ship industry. There are magazines with articles about the cruise industry (like the glossy publication “Porthole”) and you can sometimes find relevant articles and info in other travel magazines like “Travel and Leisure”. In addition, there are many websites dedicated to informing people about what to expect on a cruise. These will often critique various cruise ship companies and describe the pros and cons of travel on each one, as well as give detailed information about the work conditions, wages, and other aspects of life on cruise ship as an employee.

Essentially, traveling on a cruise ship involves living in a floating hotel - there are budget versions and super luxurious versions - and many have amenities including swimming pools, bars, disco clubs, restaurants, gambling casinos, movie theatres, and Internet cafes. You can expect to spend extra money on the ship for things like beer and food, and you can also expect to stop in many ports along the way, where you will have a chance to spend anywhere from a few hours to a few days, sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs.

The Cayman Islands attract about 1.3 million tourists per year, and you could be in that staggering number, thanks to the attraction of economic stability, low crime and an easy-going beach party atmosphere. The warmest season is the rainy season of May-October, when temperatures climb and rain contributes to rather uncomfortable levels of humidity. Thundershowers are often heavy and brief during these months, and cause occasional flooding. Hurricanes sometimes lash the islands, and right now the islands are recovering from hurricanes that struck in the past few years.
International cruise lines operating from destinations including North North America, Mexico and Europe service Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Mid-week is the busiest time to travel by ship. Cayman Airways is the national airline and has service to Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac from destinations that include Miami, Tampa, and Orlando Florida; Houston, Texas; La Ceiba, Honduras; and Kingston, Jamaica. Several USA carriers offer service to Grand Cayman from cities including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. British Airways offers a few flights each week from London Gatwick to Grand Cayman. Air Jamaica flies to the Cayman Islands from Kingston and Montego Bay.
Miami is about an hour away by air, whereas flights from London to Grand Cayman take about 10 hours. Grand Cayman Owen Roberts International Airport and Cayman Brac Gerard Smith Airport are both international. Taxi, hotel shuttle, and car rental services are available. There is a departure tax of CI $10 or US $12.50 for all travelers over the age of 12.