Cayman Islands: Cruise ships will not be returning in 2021

Premier Alden McLaughlin says that it is unclear that cruise ships will be returning to the Cayman Islands this year due to the continuing pandemic.

Speaking during a press interview on Thursday, McLaughlin said that while he is optimistic that the nation’s vaccine program could mean a resumption of some travel and tourism beginning in March, he has managed out cruise tourism for the time being.

“Cruise is currently not on our radar at all at this stage. We would have to be quite satisfied that the world was in a very different place in terms of safety-related to COVID-19 before we should not even think of having the cruise ships come here. Honestly, I don’t see cruise tourism resuming on any time soon sort .”

“The cruise ship business is really not within our closest contemplation at this stage.”

During the press conference, the Premier urged Caymanians to play their part and get the COVID-19 vaccine to allow “Cayman to resume an even greater sense of normalcy” by the end of March.

Health Minister Dwayne Seymour expressed his views, noting that almost over 16 million people around the world have also received the vaccine. Describing it as a life-saving operation, he asked everyone to come forward as soon as their class allowed in the phased rollout.

Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee ordered the rollout of the vaccine programme, which is staged by the levels of risk and possible exposure specific associations have. But he, too, urged everyone to take the shot as soon as they can.

He reported that allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine have been very reasonable and that most people can handle it. People with severe conditions to the parts of the vaccine should check with their physicians.