Caymans Islands dips toes in gay cruise market once more

After the debacle of a 'gay cruise' to the Cayman Islands having been refused permission to dock at the last moment in 1998, a cruise ship with about 3,200 gay passengers abroad is scheduled to arrive in the islands next Tuesday (31st January) with officials at the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Port Authority (speaking under condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the gay cruise) saying:

"The Government has no policy of discrimination and will not practice discrimination against anyone,” a spokesperson said. "All law-abiding visitors are welcome and will be treated in the same manner despite sex, race, religion and culture. We don’t question people’s sexual relationship, we’re only concerned if they don’t comply with our laws and way of life."

I do hope all parties involved know what they are doing. My hope is that the people of the Cayman Islands have taken on board the fact that gay tourists want what most other tourists want - a happy holiday with good memories - and if they are not assured of a decent reception they will avoid spending their holiday money on people who despise them, as happened with a cruise to the Bahamas in July 2004. I wish all 3,840 passengers a happy holiday and hope that this won't be a 'holiday to remember' for all the wrong reasons ...