Travel Information for Grand Turk Cruise Ship Guests Visit Turks and Caicos Islands

Table Of Content

• Exclusive access to The Beach Club at Bimini
• Bottom Line on Turks and Caicos Cruises
• The Best Turks and Caicos Excursions that Don’t Get You Wet
• Night Eastern / Western CaribbeanDetails
• Public Transit from Grand Turk International Airport to Grand Turk Cruise Center
• History of the Grand Turk Cruise Center

Booking a cruise is the perfect way to explore the islands, including tropical Turks and Caicos. The capital city of one of the most popular tropical vacation destinations around, Grand Turks, on the island of Turks and Caicos is everything you love about vacation. Explore a new world-class cruise terminal packed with shops, restaurants, and entertainment — plus direct access to Puerto Plata’s historic center. Grand Turk, a jewel of an isle that measures just 18 square kilometers (seven square miles), is awesomely rich in natural wonders. Ringed by translucent warm waters teeming with coral and fish, this Turks and Caicos cruise is a bonanza for divers, snorkelers and anglers. Of course you can always simply kick back and just enjoy the view from under a palm tree.

Exclusive access to The Beach Club at Bimini

When booking your cruise vacation, deciding which cruise line to sail with is arguably one of the most important decisions you will make. With so many options and accommodations out there, this can be a difficult choice. On a cruise to Grand Turk, you can explore the oldest excavated European shipwreck — the Molasses Reef Wreck, from 1515. Discovered in West Caicos, it is on display at the Turks and Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town. The museum is inside Guinep House, one of the island's oldest buildings. Other fascinating shipwrecks are on display, including a Spanish vessel.

Bottom Line on Turks and Caicos Cruises

Aside from the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville, the Grand Turk cruise port is home to a handful of other restaurants and food shacks. It is also easy to walk to a couple of other casual eateries along the beach. Margaritaville fronts the expansive swimming pool at the Cruise Center, and Jack’s Shack is located a short walk up the coast on a perfect piece of beach with crystal clear ocean water.

The Best Turks and Caicos Excursions that Don’t Get You Wet

Grand Turk is world-famous for its healthy and beautiful coral reefs that surround the island, stretching almost from the coastline to the 7,000-foot vertical wall just offshore. Crown Princess will be the cruise ship hosting you and 3,000 other guests and 1,200 crew members. There are 10 eat-and-drink options, including a steakhouse, Italian cuisine, grilled food, a buffet, a wine bar and a cafe. Hit up one of their sports courts (basketball, volleyball or tennis).

A Bajari Beach excursion really takes the cake, though, offering an option for private cabanas or lounge chairs, plus most cruise lines’ excursions include at least some food and beverages. The beach is known as a party spot, complete with a DJ, so if that’s your jam, this might be the Turks and Caicos excursion for you. Likewise, seashells tend to not be local, and are of Pacific origin. The beautiful Cruise Center Beach fronts the complex, and is one of the nicest cruise port beaches in the region.

Carnival cruise ship catches fire in Grand Turk - AOL

Carnival cruise ship catches fire in Grand Turk.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:02:23 GMT [source]

Public Transit from Grand Turk International Airport to Grand Turk Cruise Center

Depending on what you choose, you may have to pre-book an activity or a rental vehicle. Humpback whales pass through the Turks and Caicos Islands from January to March each year. Who wouldn’t enjoy a private cabana experience complete with food and drinks? You’ll find Margaritaville in Turks and Caicos on sailings from Galveston on Carnival Miracle and from Manhattan on Carnival Venezia.

Most major cruise lines are members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and have agreed to adopt the Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights. This provides a series of rights to information about the ship and status, the right to disembark in some situations, and the right to refunds in some situations. Before you stop at Grand Turk, we recommend that you see Top Things to Do for Cruise Visitors to Grand Turk and Things to Do in Grand Turk to determine how you’d like to spend your day.

From sightseeing and exploring tropical cities to semi-underwater submarine expeditions and snorkeling, you're sure to find something suitable for you and your party on one of the best Turks and Caicos cruises. Grand Turk, the capital of Turks and Caicos, is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for cruise-ship travelers. Christopher Columbus is believed to have been one of history's earliest travelers to Grand Turk. He was followed by another explorer, John Glenn, a few centuries later, as he splashed down nearby on his first space mission. The reef around Turks and Caicos is famous for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. If getting wet isn’t at the top of your to-do list, there are other ways to explore the water while on a cruise to Turks and Caicos as well.

The Biggest Reason Cruisers Miss Their Cruise Ship in a Foreign Port

Following the rules, processes and procedures of your cruise line will ensure that you are successfully prepared to embark on your vacation to Grand Turk. While this port is lesser known than its Caribbean counterparts, there are a plethora of things to do and explore, ways to get around, and things you need to know before visiting. It is important to take note of these things to make the most of your Turks and Caicos cruise. On Grand Turk, go on a dune-buggy safari, or take a stroll and a swim by horseback. In San Juan, immerse yourself in boricua culture with a Latin traditions show.

This Carnival cruise has 10 eat-and-drink options aboard, including 24-hour room service, a coffee bar, a deli and Guy Fieri's Burger Joint. Check out the comedy club for some laughs, or escape the noise and hormones by going to the adults-only retreat or by heading over to the spa. On this 10-day voyage across the Southern Caribbean, you'll stop at six ports, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This Princess Cruises cruise will hit Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

Additionally, on Grand Turk, you must drive on the left side of the road. Grand Turk is a relatively small island at only 6.5 miles long, so getting around is very simple. Rental vehicles and taxi services are the main modes of transportation and there is no public transportation available. Some highlights include, but are not limited to visiting the lighthouse, Ride Trail, and the North Creek Bird Watching Area. It is important to note that guests signing up for this experience must be in good physical shape, and health.

Turks and Caicos is a collection of over 40 Caribbean islands located south of the Bahamas. Of all the things to do in Grand Turk, wall dives — characterized by vertical descents alongside the edge of coral reefs or other underwater terrain — might be the most dramatic. Grand Turk is home to a 7,000-foot drop a quarter mile from Duke Street beach. The Grand Turk Wall is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Caribbean." Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #grandturk — you may see them right here.

The Grand Turk Cruise center was opened in 2006 at an estimated cost of around $50 million. The complex is operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, and based on their agreement with the Turks and Caicos Government, Carnival keeps 75% of seaport taxes collected. Carnival owns and operates the Cruise Center and offers the majority of cruises to the Grand Turk. Some cruises operate from Western Europe, however, these are typically longer duration and the number of cruises offered is a fraction of standard Miami Caribbean cruises. Unfortunately, almost all of the merchandise available is mass-produced and re-branded items from Asia, or generic jewelry and Caribbean gifts. If you’re not dive certified, but want to try some snorkeling, head to Gibbs Cay.

According to the State Department, the overall crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is relatively low, and crimes typically involve opportunistic petty theft. Exercise a sensible level of caution if walking around at night, and keep valuables in a safe location. The CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations when visiting the Turks and Caicos. If you will be anywhere near caves on an excursion or while exploring, be sure to have an updated Rabies vaccine, as bats can carry the virus. Also be sure to bring insect repellent due to reports of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Chikungunya. Since most visitors to Grand Turk are cruise ship guests, the dining on the island is much smaller, yet still authentic in comparison to its counterparts.