Cruising to Grand Cayman Island

The Cayman Islands - know to some as the Switzerland of the Caribbean because of its many banks for the wealthy of the world - are a group of beautiful islands located in the western Caribbean. If your cruise ship stops at Grand Cayman Island, you are sure to enjoy the beautiful beaches, world renowned diving, and somewhat unique wildlife.

When Columbus came upon these islands in 1503, he named them the Tortugas for the many local sea turtles he saw on his visit, but they were renamed the Caimanas, after the local crocodile-like reptiles. Eventually the islands were ruled from British Jamaica, but when Jamaica voted for independence from Great Britain in 1962, the Cayman Islanders chose to remain under the British crown. There were celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the Cayman Islands just recently in 2003.

While there are some destinations in the Caribbean where you may feel pressured by the local residents to make a purchase, the Cayman Islands are certainly not among them. When your boat docks at Georgetown, the capital, you will find a quaint town with lovely shops and architecture all within walking distance. The famous 'Seven Mile Beach', with its expansive white sands and waterfront resorts, can be reached by taxi (or an energetic walk) from the port. There is also a shuttle which can bring you to more remote beaches on the island, such as Rum Point Beach. Divers from around the world flock to the crystal clear waters surrounding the Cayman islands, and scuba and snorkeling trips can be arranged either as a shore excursion through your cruise ship, or with one of the many dive operators on the island. If you've never been to Grand Cayman Island before, a visit to Stingray City is not to be missed. Boats take you to a shallow sandbar, where you can wade in the water with the stingrays which have been frequenting the area for years. There you can pet, feed, and even hold the stingrays for a great photo op!

Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as http://www.WaltDisneyCruise.net. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!