Response to MSC Cruises commitment

By CPR Cayman

The announcement of another cruise line's commitment does not answer outstanding fundamental questions about the proposed cruise berthing facility. From the very limited information the Government has disclosed it appears that the commitment from the cruise lines is only to bring passengers, which is essentially no different from the current status quo. Will there be any monies paid upfront and what are the terms of the agreements? What is the Government's anticipated annual target commitment from the cruise lines for passengers per year to make the financing agreement viable? Is it 2.5million - 3.3million per year? As the age old adage goes, the devil is in the details, however the Government continues to be unwilling to discuss the details and terms of the contract and financing model with the public. Without this critical information, we are still in the dark about how much this will actually cost the Cayman Islands and what risks we are exposing ourselves to.

The petition for the people's initiated referendum on the proposed cruise berthing facility has now surpassed 96% of the constitutional requirement. With only 200 signatures to go, CPR Cayman will be joined by MLAs the Hon Chris Saunders and Hon Alva Suckoo this Sunday afternoon to bring the petition to the residents of Bodden Town. Additionally on Friday evening there will be a petition signing in West Bay at the Hell Service Station from 4 to 7pm and on Saturday afternoon volunteers will take the petition door 2 door in North Side. Volunteers will also be out once again with MLA Hon Kenneth Bryan taking the petition to his George Town Central constituents on Thursday from 5 to 7pm in the Crew Road and Palm Dale area.

The public are invited to a Town Hall meeting on Thursday May 30th at the George Town Town Hall from 6 to 8pm for important updates on the people's initiated referendum.