Selling multigenerational family vacations is as easy as finding a destination that offers family-friendly accommodation, dining, and attractions. The Cayman Islands has recently added even more to its already well-known offerings for families. All this is in addition to its non-stop flights to major U.S. cities via American Airlines, Cayman Airways, Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines—another key to making family clients happy.
Where to Stay
The Cayman Islands has a wide choice of accommodations, from top resorts and hotels to private condominiums and villas offering more space for larger multigen groups.
New and opening just in time for the holidays, The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa along Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is taking reservations for stays starting in December 2016. The property will feature 266 guest rooms and suites. The resort’s three beachfront bungalows house six separate suites, many with kitchens, ideal for multigen families traveling together. In addition to the beach, the kids will love swimming in an oceanview pool and movies under the stars, and what parent wouldn’t be happy with complimentary dining for children under five in the main or beach restaurants.
Other family-friendly properties on Grand Cayman include Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, The Cayman Club luxury condominiums, The Caribbean Club boutique all-suite and villa hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Where to Dine
Suggest multigenerational family clients try something different during their time on Grand Cayman with private dining in The Brasserie Garden. The family style dinner menu with the emphasis on fresh ingredients is made for groups of 16 to 32 and takes place in the restaurant’s on-site organic garden. Cayman Cabana is the place to be on Thursday nights for a “farm to fork, sea to spoon, family style dinner party”. The Taste of George Town Tour is three hours of food tasting paired with a cultural walking tour off the beaten path. New dining choices for families to try include Smokies BBQ Smoke House and The Brooklyn Pizza + Pasta.
What to Do
Active families can explore the East End of Grand Cayman with a number of guided bike tours to see sites like The Lighthouse, The Blowholes, Wreck of the Ten Sails and more. The Cayman Crystal Caves, which opened in early 2016, are underground caves in a lush tropical forest in Old Man Bay, Grand Cayman. Families can take guided nature tours of the cave system or opt for a bike tour with ECO Rides’ Cayman Cave Trek. Families can put their active energy in the water with the new “Swimmin’, Chillin’ & Grillin’ via Red Sail Sports” catamaran tour along Seven Mile Beach with stops along the way for snorkeling, swimming, and sliding down the new onboard water slide plus a late barbecue lunch. Encourage family team spirit with a visit to Locked Inn Cayman, where six participants have 45 minutes to escape from a locked themed room using clues to unlock the door.
Iconic attractions not to be missed for families include a ride high above with Cayman Islands Helicopters, or a ride on the waters with an adventure aboard The Jolly Roger, a pirate ship replica. More fun on the water includes Atlantis Submarines to see below the sea. Every age will shriek in delight swimming with dozens of friendly Southern rays coupled with snorkeling in Stingray City.
Plan During Events
Book multigenerational family travel from Nov. 10 to 20, 2016 so the group can enjoy Cayman Islands’ National Festival, the annual Pirates Week. Highlights of the festivities include invasions of pirate ships and “Heritage Days” with fireworks displays, costume competitions, live music, street performances, games, local foods, and a Children's Fun Fair Day.
Visit the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism website for more on family-friendly activities, including a suggested itinerary.