Mini TRGot back recently from a trip, don't have time to write a full trip report but will share some details that I think will be helpful.
I want to first thank the forums in general for making this and other trips possible and to thank
@CS91 @KEG @mgoldhammer18 in particular for their Cayman Islands TR.
CovidYou have to submit for a travel authorization, which we received a day after submitting. By check in we were told our infant child also needs one but we were able to do it then and for children it automatically sends the authorization.
We didn't need to wear a mask during our entire trip (not in the airports, airplanes or hotel)
FlightsWe originally booked there with JetBlue from JFK but we came a bit late to the airport and were told we should check in by the self check in, but it didn't work so after going from person to person we were told our flight was closed. We went to speak to a supervisor in the meantime I checked for other flights that day on a different airline since I knew JetBlue doesn't have another flight that day. The only other flight was on Cayman airways and was still decently priced. So DW spoke to the supervisor to get a refund, while I booked those tickets.
The check in agents were extremely nice and didn't care that our luggage was overweight (including one being 10 LB over)
Flight was from terminal 1 which was empty so everything went quick. But all lounges were closed till later. Flight got delayed (officially due to TSA random search) so went to primeclass lounge (which was right there) for 30 minutes.
Their economy seats are spacious. But there is no charging ports so make sure your phones are charged before.
There was no Minyan there now so we didn't want to be there Shabbos but we wanted as much time there, so we flew to Miami on friday on AA (and stayed by family). They were very strict with the luggage even with something being one pound over.
Flight was a little delayed, but BH made it in time for Shabbos (with all our luggage!!!).
(Our flight was full, but for some reason they blocked the middle seat of our row so we had the whole row for our selves!)
HotelStayed at the Kimpton. Rooms were nice, bathroom was very nice.
Room had two pull out fridge drawers which was enough for all our food (there's no minibar in the fridge)
Service and Staff were exceptional, trying to learn your name, see if you need anything etc.
View of the water was great from our window and balcony.
We went to the pool at 8 and it was basically empty till about 10. Beach was also emptyish during that time .
They also have a kiddie waterpark which our 1 year old enjoyed.
Valet parking is free.
Met a Yid that forgot to bring his Tefillin, so had the opportunity to help him for Thursday and Friday and give his wife Shabbos candles. Which was a nice ending to our trip.
Activities Beaches We rented a car and drove around the different beaches. Starfish point was nice with shallow warm water and being able to hold them is really cool. Smith barcedere had an opening with rocks around that everyone was swimming in and then off to the left was another opening with no one there, so we got our privacy. Spotts beach was also pretty nice. But seven mile beach is definitely the nicest but also the most packed. To the right of the Kimpton it seemed pretty empty but also more rocky.
(All the beaches are owned by the queen so none are private and if you drive around you can see different openings to get to the beach).
BlowholesThe blowholes were incredible to see (best to go on a windy day, since the stronger the waves the higher the water will shoot up).
Stingray CityBased on previous TR we booked a boat ride to stingray city with captain marvin and we couldn't have been happier. The staff were extremely helpful and made sure to give us a great time and helped with our baby. They made sure we each had a turn to feed, pet, hold and get a back massage from the stingray and took family pictures. We booked on the day when there would be no cruise ships coming so that it would be the emptiest. You can either email them or Google yourself when that is. We also booked the morning tour since we didn't want to be in the sun and that worked out great since the boat was also not as full. When we were coming back we saw the later boats leaving and the were a lot more full.
Bioluminescence We booked through Captain Marvin's sister company The Sweet Spot (Sea Elements mentioned in KEG's TR said they haven't restarted since Covid). The staff were helpful and nice but didn't speak a fluent English so were not as forthcoming with information and not comparable to the staff from stingray city.
Two boats went at the same time with about 15-20 people in each. We first went to pick someone up from a different port. Then we went to starfish point for a little and sunset (which wasn't the most stunning but was nice). Afterwards they took us to see jellyfish so that you are aware what they will look like when swimming in Bioluminescent Bay. They can't sting you on the palm of your hand so whoever wanted was able to hold them. These are not deadly jellyfish, it stings for about five minutes. One person on our boat got stung later on and looked perfectly fine.
We then went to bio bay. It is extremely cool to move around and the water lights up and is even cooler with snorkel gear (which they provide). The water was warm like a bath tub.
If you have any questions feel free to ask!
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