The Cayman Islands Government is moving forward with the resumption of cruise tourism with the Disney Magic scheduled as the first cruise ship to return to Grand Cayman on March 21st based on the Phase 1 cruise ship schedule released this week in a press release from the Cayman Islands Office of Ministry of Tourism and Transport.
The resumption of the Cayman Islands cruise tourism has been approved to proceed in two-phases, with Phase I anticipated to continue for four weeks. During Phase I (March 21st to April 17th), a total of twenty one ships have been approved to call on Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands Cabinet approval of the return of cruise ships and the associated schedule for Phase I, paved the way for the regulatory amendments specific to the cruise industry, to be drafted. These are expected to be approved next week, well ahead of the arrival of the first cruise call.
“Cruise tourism makes up a significant portion of our tourism industry and the return of cruise passengers will bring welcomed relief to many Caymanians who depend on this industry for their livelihoods,” said Minister Bryan. “Every cruise call that brings passengers to our shores is helping to support Caymanian employees and business owners that have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan
According to the schedule, the Disney Magic will be the one and only ship to call on Grand Cayman on March 21st. Disney Magic is scheduled to depart Miami on at 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on March 19, 2022 with stops in Grand Cayman, and Castaway Cay.
Additionally, the Disney Fantasy’s March 26, 2022 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral is also on the Grand Cayman cruise ship schedule for Phase 1 with a call date of March 29th.
Grand Cayman Cruise Ship Schedule – PHASE I
| Cruise Ship | Date | Passenger (MAX) |
|---|---|---|
| Disney Magic | 21 March 2022 | 2,700 |
| Carnival Paradise | 23 March 2022 | 2,697 |
| Carnival Sunrise | 23 March 2022 | 3,920 |
| Celebrity Apex | 24 March 2022 | 3,385 |
| Carnival Glory | 24 March 2022 | 3,806 |
| Emerald Princess | 25 March 2022 | 3,092 |
| Disney Fantasy | 29 March 2022 | 4,000 |
| MSC Seashore | 29 March 2022 | 4,560 |
| Celebrity Reflection | 30 March 2022 | 3,480 |
| Rotterdam | 31 March 2022 | 2,650 |
| Celebrity Edge | 1 April 2022 | 3,385 |
| Carnival Vista | 6 April 2022 | 4,977 |
| Carnival Paradise | 6 April 2022 | 2,697 |
| Carnival Sunrise | 6 April 2022 | 3,920 |
| Celebrity Apex | 7 April 2022 | 3,385 |
| Carnival Pride | 8 April 2022 | 2,680 |
| MSC Seashore | 12 April 2022 | 4,560 |
| Carnival Pride | 12 April 2022 | 2,680 |
| Carnival Horizon | 13 April 2022 | 5,101 |
| Celebrity Edge | 13 April 2022 | 3,385 |
| Celebrity Equinox | 17 April 2022 | 3,148 |
| TOTAL | 74,208 |
Disney Cruise Line’s next scheduled sailing to visit Grand Cayman comes in late-April aboard the Disney Fantasy, but at this time is outside of the currently published Phase 1 schedule.
The Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan stated that “The reason we are releasing the information as soon as it becomes available is to provide our industry partners and stakeholders with as much time as possible to plan for the return of cruise passengers and prepare their operations accordingly.” Notwithstanding, the Minister noted that once Regulations are finalized, a press conference will be held to provide the public with more detailed information.
On Friday, February 25, 2022, the Cayman Islands Government issued a press release stating the government is looking to welcome back cruise ships as soon as March 21, 2022, pending a formal Cabinet approval.
Has anyone from DCL confirmed this ?
DCL never modified the itinerary to remove Grand Cayman. The post has been updated with a full copy of the press release issued by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism and Transport.