From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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Background about The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman:

Ritz-Carlton is an upscale group of properties that traces its history back a century, to hotelier Cesar Ritz who "put on the Ritz" in London and Paris; many changes followed-- including ownership by Marriott-- but the emphasis on the deluxe remains.

Ritz was known as "the king of hoteliers, and hotelier to kings" but these days he'd have to add "and their kids": Ritz Carlton hotels welcome families, and offer Ritz Kids and other kids programs.

This particular property -- the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman-- was preparing to open in November 2004 when, in mid-September, Hurricane Ivan blew away those plans.

Opening a year later, the new resort has 365 rooms and suites on 144 acres on Seven Mile Beach. Location is just 10 minutes from the Grand Cayman island's airport; and flight time from Miami is just one hour.

Features of the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman:

As one would expect, the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman has a high-end spa, golf, and restaurants; tennis is another focal point. Grown-ups may also like the proximity to duty-free shopping in George Town.

Kids may be more excited about some other aspects of the resort's location:

• ten minutes by boat to Stingray City snorkeling site, where stingrays can be fed in three feet of water
• two miles from Boatswain's Beach which has 16,000 sea turtles, from babies to 600-pounders

Other outings available include:

• snorkeling, diving, sportfishing
• parasailing
• Atlantis Submarine cruise (a fun outing for kids-- read more)
• horseback riding on the beach
• island jeep tours
• Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

Meanwhile, right at the resort is the "Ambassadors of the Environment" kids program created by Jean-Michel Cousteau, (son of famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, and President of the Ocean Futures Society.)

Kids Program: Ambassadors of the Environment

Each day in the Ambassadors program will focus on a different aspect of Grand Cayman.

Kids will learn about, or take eco-excursions to, different areas of the Grand Cayman environment: coral reefs; mangroves; wetlands; woodlands and wildlife. Kids will also explore "Caymanian Life & Traditions".

Activities take place in a traditional Cayman "heritage house" and -- next to it-- a 3,000 sq. ft. high-tech Ambassadors Lab. Kids will find a simulated reef, interactive mural, video microscopes, digital cameras, computers etc.

Good old-fashioned arts and crafts are part of the picture too.

Younger kids will have their own Ambassadors activities and their own wading pool.

Find out more about the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman:

• at the Ritz-Carlton site
• Ambassadors of the Environment kids program
• read visitors comments at TripAdvisor.com
• Check prices