WestJet Manager, Public Relations Robert Palmer and Paul Minich country manager for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism in Canada celebrate WestJet's first flight to Grand Cayman at YYZ.
A colourful signpost at Grand Cayman's Rum Point.
The pool area at the Westin Casuarina on Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach.
Sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Farm, a must-see attraction on Grand Cayman.
Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush greets the WestJet crew on the inaugural flight to Grand Cayman.
Every flight should be like this.
WestJet guests on the airline’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Grand Cayman were greeted at the airport with a breakfast of Tim Horton’s coffee and goodies and each was handed a sandwich as they boarded the plane. The pampering continued on board with mimosas and a liberal dose of low-cost humour. Among the passengers on the full flight were close to 20 travel agents on hand to experience the highlights of the island and the hotel properties featured by WestJet Vacations.
Four hours later, on arrival at Owen Roberts International, a high-powered group of Caymanian politicians and tourism officials welcomed the flight, an indication of the importance of 10,000 new seasonal seats to an island with just over 50,000 residents.
Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and said his nation could not have found a better partner than WestJet for additional traffic from Canada. “WestJet is known for innovation, professionalism and an outstanding corporate culture. Like the Cayman Islands, they are positive and passionate about everything they do.”
WestJet Vacations is offering four Cayman properties for its first season. Two are higher-end EP resorts – the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort and the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa Grand Cayman – while the other two are lower cost properties – Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach and Sunshine Suites Resort – both of which have earned excellent reviews on TripAdvisor for the value they offer.
The Cayman Islands has a reputation as a higher-end destination and it lives up to the billing in many ways. The standard of living is very high for the Caribbean and the infrastructure is to North American standards. Because the vast majority of accommodations are not all-inclusive – and thanks to the affluence of many island residents – the restaurant scene is like no other in the Caribbean. There are 150 restaurants, with a disproportionate number of them offering a very high level of cuisine and service. Prices are actually quite reasonable considering the artistry of the island’s chefs.
But the FAM trip also proved that Grand Cayman has much to offer to families and travellers on a modest budget. At Comfort Suites breakfast is included daily, and both that property and Sunshine Suites offer kitchenettes and full kitchens for those who wish to prepare some of their own meals. Rental condos and villas can also offer excellent value. There are many reasonably priced casual dining restaurants, and the quality of food and presentation is excellent for the price.
For travellers who reject the compound-style accommodations on some Caribbean islands, Grand Cayman offers a pleasant alternative. With the bulk of restaurants and bars located along the sprawling Seven Mile Beach, walking is a viable option. There is a complete absence of aggressive beach vendors, and it feels safe to walk the streets and beach day or night. The population – roughly split in half between native Caymanians and expats – is incredibly diverse and unfailingly polite and friendly.
For a small island, Grand Cayman offers plenty of attractions to keep visitors busy for a week or more. There are excellent dive sites, the world-renowned Stingray City, Atlantis Submarine rides and popular excursions to sister islands Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. On Grand Cayman itself, the Boatswain’s Beach Adventure Park & Turtle farm is well worth a visit, as is a stop at the Cayman Motor Museum, home to a private collection of prestigious automobiles, including the original Batmobile. A trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the rustic Rum Point, where visitors can spend a day on the beach sipping the location’s signature Mudslides.
Downtown Georgetown is a popular cruise port, with the requisite duty-free shopping outlets and Margaritaville-style bars. More interesting is a massively ambitious new development called Camana Bay, an urban oasis featuring brand-name shopping, restaurants and nightclubs, cinemas and more. Georgetown is also home to the Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park, the world’s largest outdoor concrete skate park – an ideal destination for families with tough-to-please teenaged children. Skateboard camps are held there summer and winter.
