George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands and the main port of call for cruise ships visiting Grand Cayman. The waterfront is dominated by banking and duty-free shopping — this is one of the world's largest offshore financial centres — but the compact town centre has some character beyond the commerce. The Cayman Islands National Museum, housed in a 19th-century building on Harbour Drive, offers a good overview of the islands' maritime and natural history. Just up the road, the ruins of Fort George and the curiously famous Ugland House (registered address of more than 40,000 corporations) round out the half-day in town.
On cruise ship days the streets can be overwhelmingly crowded. If you are staying on the island, save George Town for a ship-free morning and spend the rest of your time on Seven Mile Beach or diving the shore reefs at Eden Rock.