Non-public locations play an essential position in cruise line itineraries, and the Grand Turk cruise port is among the most sought-after Japanese Caribbean cruise stops.
Because it approaches its twentieth anniversary, it continues to draw greater than one million cruisers yearly. However what units this vacation spot aside and makes it so interesting to cruise passengers? Let’s dive in.
Grand Turk Cruise Port Historical past
In-built 2006 by Carnival Company, the $50 million cruise middle is positioned on the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Abroad Territory, that means they’re below the jurisdiction of the UK.
The Grand Turk Cruise Middle encompasses 14 acres and incorporates a two-berth pier, port complicated, bars, a pool, retail, a shore tour hub, on-site sights, and beautiful white-sand seashores.
| Grand Turk Cruise Port: Simply The Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | 200 NM south of Nassau, Bahamas |
| Cruise Berths | 2 |
| Terminal Proprietor | Carnival Company, established 2006 |
| Common Temps | 85 Fahrenheit and 29 Celsius |
| Identified for | Seaside day and diving the Grand Turk Wall |
| Foreign money | US Greenback |
The seashores are only a quick stroll from the cruise middle, permitting guests to swim, sunbathe, and loosen up within the heat Caribbean solar.
A variety of water sports activities and actions, similar to diving, parasailing, and floating impediment programs, can be found proper off the ship. The island provides many choices for visitors to take an organized tour or discover independently.
A current addition is a seashore on the fitting aspect of the cruise pier when strolling off the ship. This seashore provides extra shade and bushes than the principle seashore, together with a bar, a seashore store, and services.
Cruise Traces That Go to Grand Turk
The Grand Turk Cruise Middle is a well-liked vacation spot for a number of main cruise traces, together with Carnival Cruise Line, which owns and operates the port. Carnival Cruise Line has an extended historical past with Grand Turk, with the primary ship docking on the port in 2006.
Since then, Carnival Cruise Line has introduced hundreds of thousands of passengers to the Grand Turk, making it some of the in style non-public cruising locations.
A number of cruise traces go to the Grand Turk Cruise Middle:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Holland America Line
- Princess Cruises
- Marella Cruises
- Royal Caribbean (at instances when Labadee is closed to cruise ships)
Carnival Cruise Line operates a number of ships that recurrently go to the Grand Turk Cruise Middle, together with the Carnival Venezia, Carnival Dawn, Carnival Horizon, Enchanted Princess, Carnival Freedom, ms Rotterdam, and Carnival Celebration.
PRO TIP: Take a look at the Grand Turk port schedule to see what number of ships are in port with you.
Location of the Grand Turk cruise port
Grand Turk Cruise Middle is located on the island’s western aspect, only a quick distance from the capital metropolis of Cockburn City, house to about 5,000 residents. Because of this when a Carnival mega ship docks at Grand Turk, it simply doubles the island’s inhabitants.
The pier can accommodate as much as two mega-ships at a time, making it a well-liked vacation spot for cruise traces leaving from the East Coast. The pier was not too long ago expanded to accommodate Carnival’s largest ships, together with the 180,000-ton, 5,200-passenger Excel class.
Moreover, the terminal is definitely accessible for guests with disabilities, with ramps and different lodging obtainable to make sure equal entry for all. Some locals can help if a visitor has mobility points and can’t stroll down the lengthy pier.
(NOTE: It’s customary to supply a number of {dollars} gratuity for help because the cruise line doesn’t make use of these people.)
Grand Turk Port Sights and Services
One of many foremost sights on the middle is Margaritaville. This in style restaurant and bar supply a full of life environment with music, drinks, and meals.
One standout for Grand Turk’s Margaritaville is a swim-up bar the place visitors can take pleasure in a cool, refreshing beverage with out leaving the pool. Cabanas can be found for many who need to loosen up in a extra non-public setting.
The pool space at Margaritaville can generally be inappropriate for kids resulting from alcohol and language, so be cautious.
Two public restrooms within the cruise port space are attended by janitorial workers who work laborious to maintain the services clear and tidy.
Along with the pool at Margaritaville, there are two seashores at Grand Turk, the principle seashore off to the left aspect of the pier and a not too long ago added second seashore on the fitting aspect of the pier with shade bushes on the foremost seashore, beachside bar, ice cream, and retail store.
For the adventurous, the FlowRider is a must-try. This simulated browsing expertise fits all ranges, from learners to consultants. This is identical expertise discovered on Royal Caribbean ships however is much less dependable than its shipboard counterpart as it’s only generally operational.
There are additionally loungers for visitors to loosen up and absorb the nice and cozy Caribbean.
Be aware of sand fleas on the seashore early within the morning and towards the tip of the day; they didn’t appear as prevalent within the day’s warmth.
Governor’s Seaside is a little bit previous the port, however it’s not accessible until you allow the port complicated, as there’s a cargo dock with no trespassing signage between the 2 seashores. When you attain Jack’s Shack, you possibly can solely get a little bit additional.
Poolside cabanas can be found for many who need to loosen up in a extra non-public setting. The cabanas can go quick relying on what number of ships are in port (keep in mind, two ships can dock there, including as much as a mixed 10,000 guests a day.
As of late 2023, the cabanas are $399 for six hours and don’t include meals or drinks, making the value steep. Cabana renters gained’t should go with out nourishment as a devoted server from Margaritaville is assigned to ship meals or drinks from the restaurant.
Starbucks at Grand Turk
For individuals who want their caffeine repair – even within the Caribbean – there’s an on-site Starbucks simply outdoors the duty-free store the place visitors debark the ship – it’s laborious to overlook because it’s an enormous pink constructing albeit a little bit pricier than a typical U.S.-based Starbucks, the Grand Turk model provides varied drinks. A big latte prices $8.
Word that the Grand Turk Starbucks doesn’t settle for the Starbucks app for fee – it’s strictly money or bank card. The bank card machine is hit and miss, so having money as a backup wouldn’t harm.
Outdoors of the Grand Turk Port Space
Grand Turk is an attractive and scenic vacation spot with heaps to do outdoors of the port space, however keep in mind that when you find yourself off Carnival’s property, you aren’t below the attention of port safety.
Whereas Grand Turk is mostly as protected as every other vacationer vacation spot, it’s all the time finest to make use of widespread sense when touring. As soon as visitors are previous the gates, distributors can strategy them and attempt to supply them all the things from trinkets to boat rides.
One caveat – seashore chairs can be found for hire outdoors the cruise port property. Many visitors suppose that’s a part of the package deal, however charges are related to umbrellas or different providers, so be forewarned.
Professional Tip: When leaving the Grand Turk Cruise Middle, all the time be aware of your environment. If you happen to encounter wild donkeys, keep away from petting them as they’re wild and will kick, inflicting damage.
Greatest Issues to Do at Grand Turk
Along with the seashore, the Grand Turk Cruise Middle provides guests the chance to discover the island with organized excursions onboard the ship.
Some in style excursions are:
- Island Golf Cart Tour
- Diving Tour
- Jeep Excursions
- Dune Buggy Journey
- Reef Snorkel
- Duck Boat Journey
The island has varied historic websites and sights, together with the Grand Turk Lighthouse, a go to to the salt mines, and the Turks and Caicos Nationwide Museum.
Shore excursions can be found by means of third-party distributors; nonetheless, as a result of there isn’t loads of competitors on Grand Turk, costs for impartial tour operators firms and the cruise line are likely to align with each other. We observed our golf cart tour was the identical value reserving it by means of the cruise line or by means of a third-party vendor.
Diving the Grand Turk Wall
The Grand Turk Wall, also referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Caribbean, is an enormous underwater cliff that drops off 7,000 toes simply off the coast of Grand Turk within the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is among the deepest partitions on this planet and is house to a various vary of marine life, together with sharks, rays, turtles, and colourful fish.
The Grand Turk Wall is a well-liked vacation spot for cruise shore excursions as a result of it provides a singular and thrilling alternative to expertise the underwater world.
Snorkeling and diving excursions can be found, and guests can stand up near the wall and see the unimaginable marine life that calls it house.
In some situations, a cruise-organized tour will be inexpensive than Carnival’s Stingray tour, which prices $89 per particular person – roughly $10 cheaper than these from impartial tour operators.
The Turks and Caicos Nationwide Museum, positioned close to the Grand Turk Cruise Middle, provides guests an opportunity to be taught concerning the islands’ historical past. The museum has a set of artifacts that inform the story of the islands’ historical past, together with displays on the Lucayan Indians, the salt business, and the wreck of the Molasses Reef.
A spotlight is a duplicate of a conventional Caicos sloop used for fishing and transportation within the 18th and nineteenth centuries.
Like most Caribbean locations, Grand Turk Cruise Middle provides quite a lot of retail shops. Keep in mind, the island has nothing distinctive – consider spots like Diamonds Worldwide, Effy, and many others.
Most retail outlets are restricted to the cruise port because the island just isn’t developed for tourism apart from the occasional grocery retailer, electronics store, or bar.
One of many middle’s hottest outlets is the Ron Jon Surf Store, which provides surf gear, beachwear, brand objects, and equipment. Guests can discover all the things they want for a day on the seashore, together with swimwear, towels, and sunscreen.
Cruisers crusing out of Port Canaveral is likely to be tempted to select up a Ron Jon shirt in Grand Turk after which go to the Ron Jon Surf Store in Cocoa Seaside, positioned minutes from the Port Canaveral cruise terminal, to get one.
Margaritaville has a small reward store with T-shirts, towels, magnets, and different trinkets with stand-alone kiosks and stands providing souvenirs and different objects.
Eating Choices
Grand Turk does supply its share of eating places, however visitors who plan on consuming one thing ashore – whether or not it’s a full, sit-down meal or only a snack – can count on an expensive eating expertise.
Typically talking, island delicacies tends to be expensive due to the logistics of getting meals from the mainland to the island as meals and drinks arrive on cargo ships.
Listed below are a number of notable locations to eat:
Jack’s Shack in Grand Turk
Only a quick stroll from the cruise port, Jack’s Shack is a favourite amongst guests. It provides a calming beachfront setting the place diners can take pleasure in tasty Caribbean and American dishes with their toes within the sand.
Their jerk hen and contemporary seafood choices are notably in style. A jerk hen combo and cocktail will set visitors again about $30.
For individuals who don’t need to make the 10-minute stroll to Jack’s Shack, a taxi experience prices about $7 every approach. Word that the stroll just isn’t accessible for folks with mobility points.
Margaritaville at Grand Turk Cruise Port
Positioned steps from the Grand Turk Cruise Middle, Margaritaville is handy for cruise passengers. This chain restaurant provides a well-recognized menu with varied burgers, salads, and its well-known (and expensive) margaritas. It’s a enjoyable, laid-back place to take pleasure in a meal, with a big pool, swim-up bar, a DJ, and a lounging space for visitors to loosen up.
One can’t-miss is their signature margaritas. Simply carry your pockets, because the “frozen concoctions that allow you to hold on” begin at $18.
Beached Whale
A reasonably new addition to the Grand Turk cruise port is the Beached Whale Bar and Grill. This provides Caribbean eats and drinks, with open-air views and servers that may are likely to you within the shade or on the seashore. Having eaten at totally different venues inside the cruise, that is by far your best option. Nice meals with Margaritaville costs (this can be a subsidiary of Margaritaville)!
Native Eats in Grand Turk
Company who’re up for a brief taxi experience or a stroll, venturing into downtown Grand Turk opens up extra eating choices with eateries that serve up conventional Turks and Caicos delicacies, permitting you to pattern dishes like conch fritters, peas n’ rice, and different island specialties.
Grand Turk is Rooted in Historical past and House
Grand Turk Cruise Middle just isn’t solely a well-liked vacationer vacation spot but additionally has historic significance courting again to the pre-Columbian period and has performed a big position within the historical past of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
One of the notable occasions in Grand Turk’s historical past was the touchdown of astronaut John Glenn in 1962. Glenn grew to become the primary American to orbit the Earth, and he made historical past when his area capsule splashed down proper outdoors Grand Turk.
As we speak, guests can go to the touchdown website and see the reproduction capsule and monument commemorating this historic occasion. Grand Turk has additionally performed a job within the historical past of navigation.
Other than serving as an essential cease for ships touring between Europe and the Americas, Grand Turk was used as a base by the US Navy throughout World Warfare II. As we speak, guests can discover the island’s historic lighthouse and think about maps and different navigational instruments utilized by sailors prior to now.
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