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Port Schedule

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06/03/2024 01:46 PM

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Grand Turk Port Schedule

Grand turk cruise center schedule is subject to changes and modifications. for any questions on ships and time changes, please contact your cruise line directly..

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Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Port schedule.

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

Carnival Sunrise 3.730 passengers 04 Jun 2024 - 11:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 05 Jun 2024 - 09:00
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 06 Jun 2024 - 07:00
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 08 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Celebration 6.338 passengers 11 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 11 Jun 2024 - 11:30
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 11:00
Carnival Venezia 5.145 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 07:00
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 07:00
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Sunrise 3.730 passengers 18 Jun 2024 - 11:00
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 20 Jun 2024 - 07:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 20 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 21 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Magic 4.428 passengers 21 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Venezia 5.145 passengers 22 Jun 2024 - 07:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 25 Jun 2024 - 11:30
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Pride 2.549 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 08:00
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 11:00
Carnival Sunrise 3.730 passengers 04 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 05 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 06 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 08 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Celebration 6.338 passengers 11 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 11 Jun 2024 - 18:00
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 18:00
Carnival Venezia 5.145 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 15:30
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Sunrise 3.730 passengers 18 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Mardi Gras 6.338 passengers 20 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 20 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 21 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Carnival Magic 4.428 passengers 21 Jun 2024 - 16:00
Carnival Venezia 5.145 passengers 22 Jun 2024 - 15:30
Carnival Freedom 3.581 passengers 25 Jun 2024 - 18:00
Carnival Pride 2.549 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 14:30
Norwegian Sky 2.405 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 17:00
Carnival Vista 4.716 passengers 26 Jun 2024 - 18:00

Independent Quest: Maps and Guides for Travelers ™

Grand Turk Cruise Center Terminal Port Guide and Review (2023)

Panoramic photo of beach by the terminal in Grand Turk cruise port

Port overview for cruises to Grand Turk. Where cruise ships dock, things to do, how to explore on your own and with shore excursions.

By: Editor-in-Chief | Updated: May 30, 2023

The pier where cruise ships dock in Grand Turk is next to a stunning beach, inviting passengers to spend the day basking in the sun, swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying water activities.

Grand Turk is a small island (7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide). Inevitably there are only a few excursions to explore farther inland and just a few activities to enjoy.

Photo of Beach by Cruise Center, Grand Turk

Pier by the Beach, Grand Turk

Photo © IQCruising.com

Amongst top attractions, we have a few adrenaline-pumping favorites such as the 4x4 safari tour, the Dune Buggy drive, a Horseback Ride N' Swim, and the Catamaran sailing. For those who like cultural things, the excursions touring Historic Homes, the Old Town, and the Museum are the most interesting.

Where ships dock and the cruise center

Unlike most Caribbean ports (where cruise ships dock close to a principal town), you will only find the Grand Turk Cruise Center at the end of the pier. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a large open-air cruise terminal dotted with excursion booths offering most of the possible tours and activities in Grand Turk. Most of these shore excursions can be booked online or onboard your cruise ship.

Tour Booth, Grand Turk

On the left side (north) of the Cruise Center, the traveler will find a very large Margaritaville bar, restaurant, with a huge pool and its signature retail shop - the Trading Post. Next to Margaritaville, you will find the Flow Rider surfing attraction that is exclusively offered as a shore excursion through the cruise lines. It is also on the North side that the most popular beach in Grand Turk is located - palm tree lined, with beach chairs on the white sugar powdered sand by the crystal clear turquoise water.

Cruise Center Beach, Grand Turk

This is where the overwhelming majority of cruise travelers go to and it can get a bit crowded when there are two mega-ships in port (never more than two ships can dock at Grand Turk). The beach is free and so are the beach chairs, but if you would prefer a Clam shell shade, floats, or snorkeling gear you can rent these at the Beach Rental Hut located on the beach. Naturally, at this beach, you can also get all the pampering expected in a Caribbean beach - massages, drinks, food, and all sort of vendors roam the beach.

If you prefer a more quite spot to enjoy the stunning sea in Grand Turk, there is a nice stretch of sand to the right side (south) of the Pier - known as South Beach - with less vendor hassle but also with free chairs. Close by, there is a Massage Cabana and at the southern tip, there is a Beach Volleyball Area. And, last but not least, the Editor's favorite spot in Grand Turk to enjoy a quick bite - the Beached Whale Bar & Grill .

NASA Splashdown, Grand Turk

Also on the south side of the Cruise Center, you will find a rarely mentioned historical exhibit commemorating the NASA Mercury space program and the historic 1962 Splashdown of the Friendship 7 capsule off the coast of Grand Turk. Besides interesting storyboards, the exhibit features replicas of an Atlas rocket, the Friendship 7 capsule and a three-dimensional replica of astronaut John Glenn in spacesuit.

Shopping in Grand Turk

The open area of the Terminal is surrounded by the inevitably ubiquitous shops to be found in all Caribbean: Dufry, Colombian Emeralds, Effy Jewelers, Diamonds International, Piranha Joe, Silver Emporium, Del Sol or Tanzanite International. But also by a few local souvenir shops and craft market.

Image with Map of Cruise Center in Grand Turk

Cruise Center Map

Photo Courtesy of Grand Turk Cruise Center

Grand Turk's Top Attractions

With so many facilities with such easy access, most cruisers do not venture much farther than the Cruise Center. However, either because you have been in Grand Turk before or just because you have an explorer's soul, this small island has a couple of sites to explore. The oldest town in the island - Cockburn Town - and the Salt Museum close by are offered on tours and the Lighthouse is a famous landmark. The pristine beaches are a must if you wish to experience how an idyllic deserted island feel like.

Even if you just enjoy the beach - and the ones by the Cruise Center are stunning enough - there a few other beaches that any cruise traveler should explore. One of the most popular is Governor's Beach , just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) north of the Cruise Center, and considered by many as the best on the island. It is located close by the historical Governor’s mansion, Waterloo, hence the name.

This pristine beach with shallow water is lined by a thick Casuarina tree grove, ideal for shade and families but not for snorkeling. Although close to the pier, there isn't a walking path along the beach and the road is not well signed.

Taxi Dispatch, Grand Turk

IQCruising recommends a taxi to get there - $5.00 per person each way. At the Cruise Center, you will be offered a snorkel and swim package including transportation to and from the Governor’s Beach for $29.99 per person - this also includes snorkel gear (not of great use at this beach).

Shore Excursions or On Your Own

Unless you want to do something special that can only be done on an excursion - like Deep Sea Fishing, a Stingray Encounter on Gibbs Cay, Whale Watching Tours (seasonal) or a Glass-bottom Kayak tour - there are attractions that are perfectly feasible on your own. In fact, if you wish to explore Cockburn Town - the quaint capital of Turks and Caicos - and its attractions (the National Museum , Her Majesty’s Prison or the St Mary's Anglican Church ) a taxi ride costs around $5.00 per person each way. Even a trip by taxi to the Grand Turk Lighthouse , on the northern tip of the island, is affordable - $10 per person each way. The cruise traveler will find a taxi stand with metered fares by the east exit of the Cruise Center.

Grand Turk and the 2017 Hurricane Season

Although Grand Turk was hit by both hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the cruise pier wasn't affected and the terminal area has been revamped. Fact: Carnival's Ecstasy was the first cruise ship returning to Grand Turk on November 1, 2018.

► Explore: Top Reviews - Caribbean Ports Discover all Caribbean Port Reviews - Cozumel, St. Martin, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Antigua, Nassau and St. Thomas in Depth Learn More ►

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The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, tour or excursions of Grand Turk. If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know.

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Cruise to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Grand turk shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in grand turk.

Off the Wall Diving

Grand Turk is a small Island separated by more than 20 miles from the rest of Turks and Caicos.

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."

Get Wrecked

A shipwreck abandoned on Governors beach on Grand Turk

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.

Soak in the Rays

The locals of Gibbs Cay are eager to meet you — they also happen to be stingrays. The harmless rays dwell off this small, seven-acre island, also known as Stingray City. A short boat ride gets you to one of the most enjoyable things to do in Grand Turk. You can snorkel and get acquainted with these sweet creatures.

Closeup of a takeaway container filled with cracked conch, a tasty local seafood dish

LOCAL CUISINE

On a cruise to Grand Turk, you'll discover that these islands are best known for conch (pronounced conk). Visitors will find this shellfish in all forms — curried, fried, stewed or in a salad — and at nearly every island eatery. Try the conch fritters at Jack's Shack Beach Bar & Grill for a mouthwatering bite.

The historic Duke Street in Cockburn Town on Grand Turk island

Upon arrival on your cruise to Grand Turk, pick up souvenirs near the pier or venture into Cockburn Town, where you'll find authentic wares at the Turks and Caicos National Museum gift shop, including local artisan handcrafts such as woven hats from the Middle Caicos Co-op.

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19 Best Things to Do in Grand Turk on a Cruise [Port Guide]

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If you’re visiting Grand Turk on a cruise, you’re in luck. Grand Turk is a favorite Caribbean cruise port for many cruise travelers!

With soft white sand and exquisitely clear blue water, the islands that makeup Turks and Caicos (which include Grand Turk) are known for phenomenal snorkeling and scuba diving.

In this post, I’ll share the best things to do in Grand Turk on a cruise, including shore excursions as well as inexpensive or free activities. You’ll also learn everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Turk cruise port for the day and get answers to commonly asked questions.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Grand Turk Cruise Ports

The two-berth dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the primary port for cruise ships. The Cruise Center was designed by Carnival Cruise Lines in 2006 to be a full-service destination. When you dock here, you are steps away from a gorgeous public beach, a free swimming pool, and numerous restaurants, bars, and excellent duty-free shopping.

Many passengers will enjoy their entire port day at Grand Turk within the Cruise Center.

What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Grand Turk Cruise Port

Upon exiting your ship, you are steps away from the beach. On the left side of the pier, the first section of blue chairs is free to use. There are plenty of palm trees, however if you plan to spend the day at the Cruise Center beach, you’ll want to get there early.

There are many shops, restaurants, and bars located within the Cruise Center boundaries, including the largest Margaritaville in the world.

The official currency in Grand Turk is the U.S. Dollar (USD).

English is the official language of Grand Turk island.

Grand Turk island is located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).

High temperatures in the Turks and Caicos Islands hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The hottest months are July, August, and September when the average high temperature is 89 degrees F and the lows are 80 degrees F.

The water temperature near Grand Turk island ranges anywhere from 3-6 degrees lower than the high temperature on land.

Getting Around Grand Turk

This small island is mostly known for white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you decide to leave the Cruise Center, there are a few different ways to explore this little island.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is easily walkable on foot and wheel chair accessible. If you decide to explore beyond the center, it is not recommended that you explore Grand Turk island on foot. The lack of sidewalks and spotty signage makes the island difficult (and dangerous) to walk.

Public Transit

There is no public transportation available on Grand Turk island.

Taxi cabs are one of the primary modes of transportation here. There are taxi cab stands as you exit the Cruise Center terminal.

Golf carts are an easy way and fun way to get around Grand Turk Island. Venture outside of the Cruise Center gates for the most golf cart rental options.

Electric Bikes (EBikes)

There are a few eBike rental companies right outside of the Cruise Center terminal. Because the island of Grand Turk is so small, an eBike is an ideal way to enjoy the sunshine and fresh ocean air as you see the sights.

Rentals include a bike lock, helmets, and a map for easy navigation. Just beware of wild donkeys!

Car Rentals

Many streets on the island are one-way and parking can be limited, so renting a car may not be your best option for getting around.

However, there are cars for rent, including Jeeps. Look for rental options near the taxi stands as you exit the Cruise Center.

Best Grand Turk Shore Excursions

Grand Turk is the largest of the Turks Islands that make up Turks and Caicos. The island is small, measuring only 6.9 square miles, however it has both historic and natural wonders that cruise passengers will enjoy exploring.

Here are some of the main attractions you can find when you port in Grand Turk.

1. Go Shopping in the Grand Turk Cruise Center

The Cruise Center has an astounding 45,000 square feet of shopping including Diamonds International, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Tanzanite International, and Colombian Emeralds. There are also locally crafted souvenirs and gifts available to purchase as well as 10,000 square feet of duty-free shopping .

If you love to shop-until-you-drop, the Cruise Center is a convenient location with many unique offerings. All stores at the Grand Turk Cruise Center accept credit cards.

2. Relax by the Pool

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is home to one of the largest swimming pools in the Caribbean. There is no charge to use the swimming pool and loungers, but it is “first come-first serve” and a popular attraction for cruisers.

There are private air-conditioned pool cabanas available to rent through your cruise line. However, there are no towels provided, so be sure to bring your own from the ship.

3. Spend some time in Margaritaville

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is home to the Caribbean’s largest Jimmy Buffett ’s Margaritaville restaurant, bar, and retail shop.

Cruisers could easily spend the whole day in Margaritaville enjoying the laid-back, Caribbean vibes. Be sure to try the nachos, burgers, jerk salmon and conch fritters, and swim up to the bar for a signature Margarita.

Related: 50 Best Jimmy Buffett Quotes – The Ultimate Collection

4. Catch a Wave on the Grand Turk FlowRider

In the Cruise Center, near Margaritaville, you’ll find a self-contained water attraction called the FlowRider. High-pressure water jets shoot a thin layer of water moving over a cushioned surface creating an artificial wave perfect for surfing, bodyboarding, or kneeboarding.

You can schedule this hour-long, shared excursion through your cruise line, and don’t forget to purchase pictures of your epic wave. If you’re cruising with teenagers , this could be a fun port activity!

5. Enjoy a Catamaran Excursion

Starting from the Cruise Center, you’ll board a catamaran and set sail for a dreamy deserted beach.

Enjoy the smooth sailing catamarans are known for, as well as stops for snorkeling along the way. After spending time relaxing on the beach, you’ll sail back to the Cruise Center and enjoy a complimentary beverage.

6. Have an Off-Road ATV Adventure

If you’re looking for a non-water excursion on Grand Turk, you can see another side of the island on an ATV tour.

Most ATV excursions leave from right outside of the Cruise Center. You’ll be outfitted with a helmet and goggles and your own four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle.

ATV excursions last around an hour and a half. Your guide will take you past local attractions including the Ridge Trail, Grand Turk lighthouse, and the North Creek Bird watching area.

7. Try Conch Fritters at Jack’s Shack

Located about 500 yards up the beach from the Cruise Center, this restaurant is a favorite of both locals and tourists. Besides a gorgeous setting right on the beach, Jack’s Shack is famous for their conch fritters, jerk chicken and rum punch.

If you purchase something at Jack’s you can use their free wi-fi. They also have beach chairs and umbrellas available to rent if you want to relax on this beach.

8. Whale Watch at the Grand Turk Lighthouse

Built in the 1850s to help ships navigate the shallow reefs at the northern end of the island, this historic building is the only lighthouse on Grand Turk island.

The lighthouse is included in many tour itineraries. However, if you want to go on your own it is an easy 20-minute taxi ride, golf cart or bicycle ride to get there. In February and March, this is also a popular spot for whale watching.

9. Swim with Stingrays in Gibbs Cay

Gibbs Cay is a tiny, uninhabited island on the eastern side of Grand Turk. It has some of the most beautiful beaches and the best diving sites the Turks and Caicos islands have to offer.

Located a 1-mile boat ride away from Grand Turk island, the best way to visit stingrays in Gibbs Cay is through a tour. They will provide information and instructions to ensure your safety.

Many tours include additional stops to snorkel and some have a unique opportunity to dive for conch and feast on fresh conch salad. You won’t want to miss out on the stunning beaches and chance to interact with marine life at Gibbs Cay.

10. Relax at the Governor’s Beach

Most cruisers use a Grand Turk port day as a beach day, and there are plenty of picture-perfect beaches to choose from on this Island. If you want to venture from the more crowded beach at the Cruise Center, Governor’s Beach is a short distance away.

Your best option is to grab a quick taxi which should cost around $4 per person each way. Governor’s Beach is perfect for sunbathing or swimming, however, the absence of reef in this area means this isn’t the beach for snorkeling or scuba diving. There are usually vendors selling cold drinks and souvenirs here.

11. Try Power Snorkeling

If you want the magic of snorkeling with a little more speed and adventure, power snorkeling is an exciting excursion available in Grand Turk.

The power snorkel is a lightweight, underwater propulsion device that helps you to cover greater distances, get past rougher currents, and view more underwater creatures.

Power snorkel excursions depart out of the cruise center and include transportation to and from a snorkeling beach on Grand Turk, and all of the equipment you’ll need for this unique snorkeling adventure.

12. Learn About Local History at the Caicos National Museum

If you want to learn more about the intriguing history of the Turks & Caicos Islands, you might want to visit the national museum located on Grand Turk.

Located in the lovely Guinep House, built during the colonial era, the museum is small in size, yet full of fascinating exhibits. It is a great place to learn about the splashdown of John Glenn’s Mercury spacecraft to the south of Grand Turk, the Lucayan Indians indigenous to the islands, the salt trade, and the oldest shipwreck in the northern hemisphere dating back to the 1500s and located in the waters off Grand Turk.

The museum is about a 12-minute taxi ride north of the Cruise Center. Plan on about an hour and a half for your visit.

13. Enjoy solitude at Pillory beach

This idyllic beach is worth a visit if you want to get away from the cruise ship crowds. Pillory is less than a 15-minute taxi ride from the Cruise Center. There used to be a resort here (Bohio Dive Resort), that is currently being renovated.

The bottom can be rocky, so bring your water shoes .

Related: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

14. Snorkel or Dive at the Grand Turk Wall

Grand Turk island is the site of the world’s third-largest coral reef structure. Located approximately 1km offshore of the west side of the island, the Grand Turk Wall offers snorkelers and scuba divers the chance to see colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, barracuda, reef and hammerhead sharks, rays, and more.

To visit this natural phenomenon, you’ll need to join a dive boat tour. There are several cruise excursions that offer tools for snorkeling and diving at “the wall.”

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15. Visit Historic Cockburn Town

Cockburn Town is the oldest permanent settlement in Turks and Caicos. A visit to this town offers a peek into the island’s history with attractions like Her Majesty’s Prison, the old Victoria Library, and the vibrant green post office

You can spend time enjoying the colonial-style buildings along historic Duke Street and visiting local shops. If you want to visit historic Cockburn, it is located about a 10-minute taxi or golf cart ride from the Cruise Center.

16. Snorkel at Cockburn Town Beach

The white sand and calm, crystal-clear waters at Cockburn Town Beach are perfect for snorkeling. This beach is located near the historical town, and several tours combine sightseeing in Cockburn Town and snorkeling at the beach, the perfect combination of history and relaxation.

If you don’t want to do a sightseeing tour, you can catch a cab straight to Cockburn Town Beach, about a 10-minute ride from the Cruise Center.

Related: 10 Things to Never Do in Cruise Ports

17. Peek into Prison history at Her Majesty’s Prison (H.M. Prison)

This waterfront prison complex was built in the 1830s and was operational as Grand Turk’s only prison until 1994.

Take a self-guided tour through the prison, which housed both men and women and as many as 60 prisoners. Learn about the day-to-day life of inmates as well as the mass escapes during the Great Hurricane of 1866.

18. Horseback Ride on the Beach

If you like horses, Grand Turk offers horseback tours that include an exciting ride on the beach. After a historical guided tour through Cockburn Town, you can choose to ride your horses straight into the ocean for a cooldown you’ll both enjoy.

Be sure to wear long pants that can get wet, and cover up with a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.

19. See Humpback Whales Up Close on a Boat Tour

Between January and April, Humpback whales migrate close to Grand Turk island as they move to the warm Caribbean waters to mate and give birth.

You can book a whale watching boat tour, departing near the Cruise Center, or head up to the Grand Turk Lighthouse for a chance to view these majestic creatures during migration season.

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Grand Turk Cruise Port Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit grand turk .

The weather is great year-round, however, the best time to visit Grand Turk island is between December and April. Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June through November. During hurricane season, visitor numbers tend to be lower and some smaller businesses may close temporarily.

How far away is downtown from the Grand Turk cruise port?

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is steps away from the cruise ship ports. There is plenty to do within the Cruise Center including a pristine beach, a swimming pool, bars, restaurants, and duty-free shopping.

If you want to head to nearby Cockburn Town, a 10-minute taxi or golf cart ride will get you to this historical city.

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Final Thoughts On Things to Do in Grand Turk Cruise Port

Grand Turk is known for its soft, white sand beaches and clear blue waters. Many cruise passengers make Grand Turk a beach and pool day for good reason. This location has a number of easily accessible beach options, including a beach as you step off the cruise ship.

Have you been to Grand Turk yet? What was your favorite part of this small island?

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Free/Cheap Things to Do in Grand Turk on a Cruise + Tips, & What to Know

Sitting roughly 600 miles southeast of Miami and about 350 miles northwest of Puerto Rico, Grand Turk enjoys a spot that’s a world away and nestled in some of the most beautiful water on the planet.

The island itself is small — only about six miles long and two miles wide. And sitting near the southern tip is the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

This port area features everything that a cruise passenger could want to enjoy the day, from a pool to a beautiful beach to easy access to the rest of the island. And it’s all there for passengers alone to enjoy, literally in the shadow of the cruise ship in some cases.

For what to expect on visiting Grand Turk, keep reading.

Grand Turk Port Features & What to Expect

The first thing that you’ll notice when you visit the Grand Turk port is that your ship is close to the beach… as in real close. The dock sits out only about 400 feet from shore, meaning the ship towers over the port area.

Walk down the dock and you’ll enter the port area through a duty-free store. Exit the store, and you’ll enter the main plaza of the port area.

Like most cruise ports in the Caribbean, Grand Turk features a dedicated port area that’s enclosed and offers a number of amenities to cruise passengers.

In the center area surrounding the plaza are a number of shops, selling everything from t-shirts to an actual Starbucks location. If you’re wanting a souvenir to remember your trip, you’re sure to find something here.

Head to the right and you’ll pass through some shops before getting to an outdoor restaurant/bar (Beach Whale) and a more “beachy” area where you can relax. There’s also a large sculpture of a whale that makes a fun photo.

If you instead head to the left as you enter the port, you’ll wind through the buildings until you reach Margaritaville Grand Turk. This spot features the famous restaurant, but also a massive pool with thumping music in a party atmosphere. Near this spot at the back of the port is also where you’ll find the port exit to grab a taxi to explore the rest of Grand Turk.

No matter which direction you head, you’ll always be within a few steps of the beach that runs the entire length of the cruise port. Frankly, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see. The sand is a soft, white powder with electric blue water. And the ship overlooks the entire area making for a one-of-a-kind scene. Just know that some areas of the water have a rockier bottom (more details in the tips section below).

Free or Cheap Things to Do in Grand Turk

To be honest, given the small size of Grand Turk there isn’t a ton of variety of things to do like you might find elsewhere. Still, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a day in port without spending a lot of money.

Hit the Beach

Without a doubt the biggest draw at Grand Turk is the beach that sits right at the cruise ship. It’s beautiful, wide, and runs a nice distance so there is a spot for everyone and it’s free. However, its popularity can mean it gets crowded, especially close to the ship.

The area north of the pier (to the left as you enter) features a sandier bottom that’s more forgiving on your feet. The area south of the pier sees smaller crowds, but you’ll also want some water shoes if you venture out into the water. There are also rentals available for everything from snorkel gear to clamshell chairs to give you a little shade.

One other alternative? There are excursions offered to other beaches from the cruise line. You can also catch a cab to other beaches around the island, which will be less crowded.

Hit the Pool

If the beach is the biggest draw at Grand Turk, then the pool in the port area is a close second. Here, there is a massive pool that circles around, complete with loungers. It’s right next to Margaritaville, so you can sit and relax (even hangout at the swim-up bar) and get food and drinks served. There are also rentals available for things like umbrellas and cabanas.

Just know that here the atmosphere is lively with music pumping. If you’re thinking of a quiet, relaxing time by the pool, that’s not really the case.

Hit the Water

If you’re looking to get out of the port area, one of the popular things to do is to get out on the water. During our stop, there were excursions available that took passengers out on catamarans for snorkeling tours, often with drinks afterward while on the boat. This part of the world has some of the most beautiful water anywhere, so getting out and enjoying it is well worth the cost of the excursion.

Hit the Town

Want to go explore on your own? It’s easy enough to do with an inexpensive cab ride. The city on Grand Turk is called Cockburn Town and if you want a feel for the “real” Grand Turk, it’s a neat place to visit, albeit a bit spread out. A good spot to start your visit is the Turks & Caicos National Museum .

As for cab rides, the price is set based on zones. The cruise port is in Zone A, and downtown is in Zone B. The trip costs $5 per person one way. It’s only $9 per person to go the entire length of the island.

Get Your Starbucks Fill

If you just can’t live without your Starbucks, then Grand Turk is the spot for you. While many cruise ships offer Starbucks beverages on board, finding them in port is usually another story. But the port area features a full-fledged Starbucks (painted a very noticeable pink). The next closest location? That’s in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, about 200 miles away.

Take a Turn on the Flowrider

One unique feature of Royal Caribbean cruise ships is the Flowrider — a never-ending “wave” that you can surf or boogie board. At the Grand Turk port there is a land-based Flowrider that you can ride for a fee (sorry, it’s not free!). It’s right next to the pool on the north end of the port area. If you have kids or teens, it’s definitely something they’ll want to check out.

Get a Picture With John Glenn

One of the claims to fame for this area was that it was the spot where astronaut John Glenn splashed down after orbiting the earth. That’s why on the port’s southern side you’ll see an area with some information about the NASA program, a model rocket, a sculpture of the capsule splashing down, and a statue of John Glenn in his spacesuit that you can get a picture with.

Tips & Things to Know About Visiting

If you’re visiting Grand Turk, there are some tips and things to know that can make your trip even better. We mentioned some of these above, but in case you missed them, we’ve included them here as well.

Go Down in the Morning for Your Picture of the Ship

By far the most unique thing about Grand Turk is that the ship is unbelievably close to shore. It means there’s a great photo opportunity of the ship right at the beach (also docked at a perfect angle). But one suggestion is to get your photos around mid-morning. Not only will the beach crowds be thinner, but the morning sun will be shining right on the ship, making the colors pop.

The Best Beach is North of the Dock

The beach is phenomenal at Grand Turk and the biggest draw for the majority of passengers. You’ll see people up and down the shore, but if you want the best spot then we’d suggest heading north of the dock (to the left as you face the shore from the ship). This area is sandy from the beach out into the water. The bottom is rockier on the southern side of the pier.

The Beach Is Quieter to the South

While the water to the south side of the pier is rockier, the beach itself is just as nice with lots of sand. And for those wanting a little more space and not as many people, this area is ideal. Head as far down the path as you can go and you’ll find a large group of loungers (near the whale sculpture) with hardly any other people — even on busy days in port.

Taxi Rates Are Set

If you plan to head into town, then a cab is easy. There’s a taxi stand at the port exit and you’ll see the set rates explained. The island is broken into four zones (A, B, C, and D). The cruise port is in Zone A. The rate from the cruise port to the other zones is set at:

Zone A: $4 per person
Zone B: $5 per person
Zone C: $8 per person
Zone D: $9 per person

Beach Rentals Are Available

To the north side of the pier, you’ll see a stand for beach rentals. While loungers are first-come, first-served, anything else that you need can be rented. This includes snorkel gear, foam mats, clamshell loungers that offer shade, and you can also buy sunscreen and water. Need other items like a cold drink or a snack? There’s a small convenience store right next to the beach rental booth.

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The Grand Turk Cruise Center , with direct beachfront access, is a first-class facility nestled among nearly 14 acres of landscaped grounds. The cruise center's location and the island's geography offer vessels a safe approach and berthing year-round The short walk from the berthed ships to the cruise center (approximately 390 feet) allows guests ease of embarking and debarking at their leisure. The facility is owned and operated by Carnival Corp.

Visitors to the cruise center have the opportunity to peruse through a 45,000 sq. ft. shopping center which includes a 10,000 sq. ft. Dufry duty-free shop, and 35,000 sq. ft. of high-end jewelry stores, an array of unique and world-renowned apparel and t-shirt stores, locally crafted souvenirs and gifts, and food and beverage facilities.

Covering more than 14 acres, the Grand Turk Cruise Center can accommodate up to 7,000 passengers per day and features a private beach, swimming pool, and an expansive recreation area that includes a FlowRider® surfing adventure and the Caribbean's largest "Margaritaville"-themed bar and restaurant.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Grand Turk Turks and Caicos

Sightseeing:

Grand Turk Island is part of the Turks & Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory comprised of 40 islands and cays (pronounced keyes). This beach paradise has been blessed with crystal-clear, turquoise waters and smooth powder white beaches. Seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide, Grand Turk has served as the seat of government for the territory and the British Governor since 1766. The island is renowned for its inspiring and colorful British-Bermudian colonial architecture yet exudes its own quaint Caribbean charm. Located approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami, and 30 miles south of the Bahamas, Grand Turk enjoys a very comfortable climate year round due to a constant trade wind and averages 350 days of sunshine per year. Approximately 3,700 people call Grand Turk home. The Island is seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide.

Grand Turk offers some of the Caribbean's most fascinating dive and snorkel sites and beaches. The island also offers a variety of other water and land-based excursions including trips to nearby islands and cays, some of which are inhabited by stingrays and the endangered Turks & Caicos rock iguana. The shallow banks surrounding the Turks islands are also a winter calving ground for humpback whales. Horseback ride and swim, horse and buggy trips, and world class sport fishing are also available.

On land, the island offers unique points of interest including a historic lighthouse and natural salt basins that are home to a variety of wading birds. The historic downtown area of Cockburn Town features many homes built in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries; the national museum, an old prison, Columbus' alleged landing site and many pristine beaches including Governor's Beach.

New: The FlowRider , open to all passengers coming off ships at this increasingly popular Atlantic Cruise Port, is a surf simulator that forms a "wave" by shooting a steady stream of water over a cushioned surface, creating a layer of agua that can be glided across ("surfed" on). You can either lie prone, a la boogie boarding (anyone can do it) or stand up in the traditional surfing style (if you have the balance).

Splashdown Grand Turk is a 3,500-square-foot attraction that celebrates the unique relationship of the American spaceflight mission and its importance to Grand Turk's history with interactive exhibits and authentic spacecraft replicas.

Turks & Caicos National Museum. The Museum is housed in the beautiful Guinep House, an 1800’s grand home along Front Street. The second floor balcony overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and is a prime place for whale watching during February and March!

Tours Excursions Transportation:

For excursions click here

Please keep in mind that if more than one cruise ship is docked here, things can get very hectic.

A taxi across the island is about 10 USD.

If you want to rent a golf cart, do so at least 2 months before you cruise starts. It's a fun way to discover the island.

There's no public transport on Grand Turk.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here .

Nearby Places:

Grand Turk Lighthouse . The only lighthouse in the country, this beautiful (albeit not very large) structure is the main historical attraction on Grand Turk. Don’t miss out on the scenic coastal path that leads along the cliffs north of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, access is not allowed inside.

Shopping and Food

There is a duty-free mall right at the cruise-ship center, where you’ll find the usual array of upscale shops, including Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, the largest Margaritaville in the world, and Piranha Joe’s. There are also shops in Cockburn Town.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency and there are several banks with ATMs on the island.

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Communication:

The island's first language is English although you'll hear certain phrases that vary from English and unique proverbs and terms which lend a distinctly Turks & Caicos flavor to the spoken word.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

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Clear ocean water and white sand at Governor's Beach

Grand Turk Cruise Visitor Guide Top Things to Do

Mother and baby donkey grazing on Grand Turk

Quite a few different activities are offered through the cruise lines, yet choosing what to do may be difficult for those unfamiliar with Grand Turk.

Vacation rental villas in Cockburn Town on Grand Turk

We believe that the majority of visitors would most enjoy spending their brief stop on Grand Turk in one of the following ways.

Explore Grand Turk on Your Own

Renting scooters, a golf cart or a car and exploring Grand Turk on your own is our recommendation for those who want to get the most out of their brief stay.

Grand Turk is a small island and doesn’t have any crime-ridden areas (unlike nearly every other Caribbean cruise destination), so simply explore. Navigation is a breeze, and it’s almost impossible to get lost.

You’ll be able to visit all of the main sights, including the Turks and Caicos National Museum , the Grand Turk Lighthouse , the local shops, and a number of Grand Turk beaches .

Simply look at our list of attractions and beaches , print maps (your rental may include a map as well), reserve your rental and explore!

Visit Gibbs Cay

A large southern brown stingray in shallow water in the Turks and Caicos

Gibbs Cay is a small island off the east coast of Grand Turk. The cay is quite scenic with a beautiful beach and sea oat covered bluffs, but the main attraction is the friendly southern brown stingrays that swim up to meet any visiting boats. These stingrays interact with people and offer an opportunity to experience large wild sea animals close up.

A stop at a nearby reef for snorkeling is usually included and is recommended. The reefs around Gibbs Cay are far superior to what can be easily accessed from the shore on Grand Turk. Sights include plenty of colorful reef fish, sea fans, corals, turtles, and maybe even a small shark!

White sea salt crystal in the Hawkes Nest Salina on Grand Turk

Although a great place to visit, be aware that this tiny island can get quite busy when cruise ships are in. A visit to Gibbs Cay will typically occupy most or all of your available time on Grand Turk.

Enjoy the Beaches

The beach, ocean and horizon at Governor's Beach on Grand Turk

Grand Turk has some great beaches, and relaxing on the white sand may be the perfect idea of a great day for some. There are four exquisite beaches to discover, and many smaller coasts. Of the four top beaches, two are within walking distance of the Cruise Center: Cruise Center Beach which fronts the cruise center, and Governor's Beach .

The Cruise Center Beach is of course the easiest to access and is quite nice, yet crowds can be overwhelming. Consider walking north up the beach a bit to get some more space to yourself.

A bit wilder, Boaby Rock Point Beach is found south half a mile (.8 km) down the beach from the Cruise Center. Here it’s rocky in places and has a bit more seagrass than the Cruise Center Beach, but you’ll encounter far fewer people and beachcombing and snorkeling is much better.

Although a bit further away, Governor’s Beach is the best beach on the island and doesn’t have the crowds that the Cruise Center Beach has. Found less than a mile north up the coast of the Cruise Center, it’s unfortunately not possible to walk to this location up the coast from the Cruise Center as the main port for Grand Turk blocks a small section of the beach. Some may consider walking the one mile (1.6 km) each way journey along the road, but be aware that there are no sidewalks and few directional signs.

Cockburn Town Beach has several very nice sections, with the added benefit of being close to the sights, shops and restaurants of old Cockburn Town.

Pillory Beach is a little harder to find than Grand Turk’s more popular beaches, yet this sheltered coast offers calm water and some small snorkeling reefs.

An organized beach transport package is offered through the Cruise Center to Governor’s Beach. The “Governor’s Beach and Snorkeling” package includes bus transport, a bottle of water, and the use of (well-used) snorkeling gear. There really isn’t any decent snorkeling at Governor’s Beach, and you’ll be able to rent a car or scooter for about the same cost, which will allow you to do other things as well.

For those that have the minimum necessary qualifications (PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver, or equivalent), diving can be a great way to spend the day. Grand Turk offers excellent wall diving, with vibrant corals, sponges and sea creatures.

As to be expected, cruise line packages may result in crowded dive boats. Depending on your ship’s schedule, you may also have time to do something else on Grand Turk in addition to a two-tank dive.

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Best Things to Do in Grand Turk: Complete Guide

If you’re wondering what to do in Grand Turk, we have the answers! Nearly one million cruise passengers arrive at the Grand Turk Cruise Center every year, and it’s no wonder why.

Grand Turk Cruise Port is mainly visited by Carnival Cruise Line ships, so you’ll find Princess, Holland America but even Celebrity ships are there, too. A day at Grand Turk can be part of Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.

Best Things to Do In Grand Turk

In This Post...

Grand Turk is one of those laid-back islands where wild donkeys and horses roam along the beach and in town.

Tropical beaches, a rich history, and all sorts of activities for cruisers are only a few reasons why cruisers Grand Turk.

Since your cruise ship is stopping in Grand Turk for only a day, you better make the most of it!

Continue reading to discover the ten best things to do in Grand Turk and what makes this place so unique.

A Little History of Grand Turk

Grand Turk, an island in the Turks and Caicos, is a British Overseas Territory located in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean, between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

Grand Turk is only one of many islands in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. It’s been the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1766.

Grand Turk cruise port is the only one in the Turks and Caicos. The island is home to Cockburn Town, the capital city and government center of Turks and Caicos.

Grand Turk is a very small island with less than 5,000 residents. It’s common to see slow-moving donkeys and wild horses roam just about everywhere.

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Grand Turk Guide and Info

Where is Grand Turk? Grand Turk is only 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. Located at the southern end of the Turks and Caicos Islands between the Bahamas and Hispaniola Island (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), about 575 miles southeast of Miami.
What is Grand Turk famous for? The world’s best coral cliff wall dive. Possibly the first landfall for Christopher Columbus on his journey to find the New World. Plus, John Glenn held his first press conference in Grand Turk a couple of days after his space capsule splashed down offshore.
Currency: The US dollar is the official currency of the Turks & Caicos.
Language: English is the official language, but you’ll also hear Creole and Spanish.
Time Zone: Grand Turk is on Eastern Standard Time, the same as Miami or New York. Daylight Savings kicks in from March to November.
What’s the weather? Sunny and warm almost year-round. Except for the end of the hurricane season, September and October, there’s not much rain. Summer temps can quickly get into the 90s, while winter months are a balmy 80 degrees on average.
Best time to cruise to Grand Turk: Almost any season is beautiful in Grand Turk. If you’re an avid diver, it is best to avoid the late summer/fall hurricane season.
What travel documents do I need? A current US passport is the recommended document, but it is not required if your cruise begins and ends in the United States. If you are traveling without a US passport, you will need to present two official government-issued IDs.
Please check with the US Department of State for the proper travel requirements. Non-US citizens should check with their embassy for appropriate documents.
How do I get from the Grand Turk cruise port to town? Cockburn Town is located three miles from the port. You can walk there, but you won’t find any sidewalks along the way, and the weather can get scorching. The best suggestion is to take a shore excursion or hire a taxi.
Best way to get around: There is a car rental office at the Cruise Center, but driving is on the left as a British territory. Bike tours, as well as motor coach tours, are offered.
What’s suitable for kids? The Cruise Center has family-friendly kid activities, from playing on the beach to the only land-based Flow Rider ($). There aren’t any zip-lines or bungee jumps (yet!), but there is a swim with the stingrays’ tour and kayaking and for older kids.
Outer Space History: Brush up on your NASA and space exploration history before you walk over to the John Glenn Exhibit, “Splashdown Grand Turk,” near the Cruise Center. Just offshore is the place where John Glenn, the first American to orbit the world, and his space capsule, Friendship 7 splashed down in 1962.

Money, Money, Money

At the Cruise Center: Visitors can use traveler’s checks and major credit cards at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Cash for shopping : is king when it comes to handicraft markets, so if you’re looking for locally made souvenirs in and around Cockburn Town, bring some green.
ATM machines: There is an ATM near the Cruise Center.
Credit cards: Most restaurants and stores will take credit cards and Traveler’s Checks if you’re heading into town.
Tipping: It’s polite to tip 15% at restaurants. Some restaurants add an automatic 10% service fee to the bill, so know what you’re paying. Tipping your taxi driver for good service is standard procedure.

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Grand Turk?

There is only one place to dock on all of Grand Turk. Your cruise ship will dock at the popular Grand Turk cruise port complex, easily visible as you approach the island.

The dock is located at the southern end of Grand Turk, just to help you get your bearings.

This port is technically a pier, located south of Cockburn Town and next to a stunning beach spanning nearly 780,000 square feet. You’ll see locales and tourists sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing as you walk off the ship.

Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center consists of 18 acres of shopping, beaches and endless recreational activities located right where your ship docks.

With only a few hours to spend in Grand Turk, you could easily spend a relaxing day at the enormous Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Or you can choose from a variety of shore excursions, many of which will take you on a full tour of Grand Turk.

What to Do in Grand Turk

Relax at the grand turk cruise center .

The Cruise Center Complex is just one of the best things you can do in Grand Turk. This complex is a large open-air area with tons of excursion booths, gift shops, and restaurants.

One of the largest Margaritaville restaurants in the Caribbean is right next door, featuring a swim-up bar and free loungers for your use.

One of the main attractions at the Cruise Center Complex is an immense lagoon-like swimming pool. This pool also features a FlowRider, where people can test their surfing skills on artificial waves.

The center also has a John Glenn Splashdown memorial to commemorate his mission and landing site. A picturesque humpback whale is also nearby to celebrate the year-round sea life found at Grand Turk.

Don’t forget to hit up all of the boutique stores to shop for souvenirs and gifts for you and your loved ones. There’s a rental car service is at the center complex, but be sure to make reservations before your visit.

If you didn’t reserve your shore excursions ahead of time, there are tons of vendor booths within the complex for you to choose your tour. Planning excursions can be overwhelming, so try to research before visiting.

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Visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse

If you’re going to Grand Turk for a day, you have to visit the lighthouse. This lighthouse, completed in 1852, is the only lighthouse in all Turks and Caicos Islands. Although this is no longer an active lighthouse, for only $3 per person, it’s a perfect spot for tourists and locales to spend the day and catch some sights.

The grounds around the white, french-style lighthouse are stunning. You can admire the old light-keepers house and a scenic coastal path that leads along the top of the marine limestone cliffs of the coastline. You may even see some donkeys on the grounds!

Although you cannot bike or walk to the lighthouse, you can use a rental car, taxi, or ATV. Be sure to check any island tours you’ve reserved, as the lighthouse may be part of the excursion.

Stop By the Turks and Caicos National Museum

The Turks and Caicos National Museum offers tours year-round, a perfect spot for the history buff. Located in the capital, Cockburn Town, the museum opened in 1991.

Enjoy an array of exhibits, including the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck excavated in the western hemisphere. You’ll also see an exhibit dedicated to the first inhabitants of Grand Turk, the Tainos. You’ll see how they lived and what they contributed to the island to make it what it is today.

See the Salt Salinas

Grand Turk was only one of three islands in the Turks and Caicos that produced salt. Turks and Caicos had one of the world’s first and largest salt industries.

Ultimately, production declined on the island; however, you can still see what used to be magnificent salt flats. Take a ride into Cockburn Town and view the dividing lines and salt ruins from the shore. You can also take an ATV trip to a more underdeveloped area called Hawkes Nest Salina. There you’ll see tons of natural white crystal sea salt.

Spend a Day at the Beach

When you get to Grand Turk, the first beach you’ll see is Cruise Center Beach, right at the pier. However, there are many other beaches where you can spend the day!

Governor’s Beach

On the west side of the island between the cruise port and Cockburn Town is Governor’s Beach. Most guests agree that this beach is the best beach on Grand Turk because of its beautiful landscape and shallow waters, perfect for swimming.

Cockburn Town Beach

This beach is home to many surrounding restaurants, hotels, and shopping. Cockburn beach spans far and sections into smaller beaches due to seawalls. Mainly, the waters are calm, but when the tide is high, you may catch some waves.

Pillory Beach

Pillory Beach is one of the quieter beaches located north of Cockburn Town. Away from the crowds at the other beaches, this is a place to come if you’re seeking solitude or somewhere quiet to read a book. If Christopher Columbus did first land at Grand Turk, this would have been the beach where he arrived.

Splash in the Water!

If you find yourself in Grand Turk for the day, take advantage of all of the water excursions available! If you’re a diver, you’ll want to go diving in Grand Turk. Plenty of charters are available.

You can rent kayaks, stand-up paddles, and boats for a day out on the water. Looking for an adrenaline rush? You can rent jet skis and go kiteboarding.

Don’t forget about trying a whale watching tour as well. Note: whales are only in these waters from January through late March – early April. Thank you to Salt Cay Divers for the whale watching information.

Try a Land Tour

Besides seeing the island from the water, there are plenty of tours to see the island from land. Explore the capital on a segway tour with guided audio. There are also open-air trucks available to cruise around and learn about the town.

You can also rent ATVs to explore the more underdeveloped eastern side of the island, where many roads are unpaved, including Hawkes Nest Salina. Horseback riding is also a lot of fun to do along the shore of the beautiful beaches.

Head Over to Gibbs Cay

Gibbs Cay is a small island about a mile off of Grand Turk. This island is a short trip away and accessible by jet ski or boat.

Gibbs Cay may have the best snorkeling in all of Grand Turk, unlike some shore beaches. Here you might see plenty of colorful reef fish, sea fans, corals, turtles, stingrays, and maybe even a small shark!

With snorkel and flippers, you can make your way out about 300’ to the edge of a coral reef or just wade into the water and watch for the throng of graceful stingrays as they come in for a scheduled feeding.

Beautiful 7-acre island only 1 mile off the coast of Grand Turk. All cruise lines offer shore excursions.

If a slow horseback ride along a white sandy beach is on your to-do list, Grand Turk might just be the perfect place to try it. Available as a ship’s shore excursion, it’s necessary to sign up at the beginning of your cruise to avoid a sold-out disappointment.

Why not try this next time you're in Grand Turk? Horseback ride on land and in the ocean.

After a short van ride to the stable, guests are given a safety briefing before mounting their steed. First is a short ride through some scrub brush and pathways.

Then you’ll reach another stable where you’ll don a life preserver and your horse will be refitted with a water-suitable saddle. Then off you and your group will go, into the ocean.

A few minutes in one direction and the leader gives the signal for the horses to head for home. Almost in unison, the horses turn in the ocean and set their sights on a quick return trip to their home.

Hold on, because the herd really wants to get moving. It’s a wonderful experience, both in the water and on land.

Where to Dine in Grand Turk

Grand Turk has some of the best and freshest seafood you could imagine with plenty of restaurants.

Jack’s Shack is one of the most popular restaurants on the island because of its proximity to the cruise center port and its authentic Jamaican dishes.

While in Grand Turk, you need to taste all the local flavors it has to offer. The most common seafood on the island is Conch. Considered a delicacy, Conch is served both raw and cooked.

One of the most popular Conch dishes for tourists is Conch fritters. Breaded, spiced, and fried, this dish is usually paired with an equally delicious dipping sauce.

Lionfish and Snapper are also popular seafood choices on the island along with Mahi Mahi and Lobster.

The local spices of Grand Turk have a kick, so don’t be surprised if you get some heat with your dinner! Plantain chips and jerk chicken are popular selections accompanied with peas and rice.

Here are a few places to grab lunch, a cold brew and maybe stay for the entire afternoon!

It is easy to find Jacks Shack in Grand Turk. Stand on the cruise dock and look north. Thats it at then end of the beach.

Jack’s Shack has become the afternoon escape from the hub-bub and tackiness of Margaritaville at the Cruise Center. Located just a short walk from the cruise dock, Jack’s Shack is only 540 yards north of the Cruise Center.

Chef Leroy cooks up a mean jerk chicken on the grill, plus local conch dishes and fried fish. You can even print out a coupon from their website to get a free shot of locally-produced rum.

If a quieter luncheon is more your taste, hop into a taxi to the Osprey Beach Hotel and the Bird Cage Restaurant. There you’ll find poolside dining with a bird’s-eye view of the ocean. Free wifi, too.

Of course there’s good ol’ Margaritaville back at the Cruise Center. Great for those less adventurous or prefer to stay close to the cruise port.

It’s basically the same menu at all of Jimmy Buffet’s restaurants, but if you plan to go back and forth to the ship all day, it’s convenient.

INSIDER TIP:

If you plan to use WiFi at Margaritaville, you should know that it’s very slow. However, I found that fastest connection is near the router on the second level. Just bring your lunch upstairs.

Where to Shop in Grand Turk

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a great stop when you arrive or right before you leave because it is right at your ship’s dock. Expect to see a big crowd since it’s one of the most popular areas on the island for shopping. Before you leave Grand Turk, you have to walk away with a gift or souvenir.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center will have jewelry, t-shirts, alcohol, and more. You’ll also be able to stop at the only Starbucks in all of Turks and Caicos for a one-of-a-kind Starbucks Grand Turk souvenir mug.

You can also find a lot of gifts on Front Street in Cockburn Town. There are a few permanent shops, but when tourism is at its high point, you’ll see many vendors pop up a tent to sell their handmade items.

If you’d like something very authentic to Grand Turk, try heading to the National Museum Gift Shop. Here you’ll find books, postcards, and gifts related to the island. The Grand Turk retail outlet also hosts many items from local artisans, including handmade baskets, sailboats, and more.

Shells are also a popular souvenir from the island. However, there are specific rules that tourists need to follow. For example, non-locales are only allowed to leave with no more than three conch shells. Be sure to follow the rules and protocols to help protect the natural ecosystem and island of Grand Turk.

Wrapping Up Your Visit to Grand Turk

With beautiful weather nearly year-round (the exception of course being the unpredictable height of hurricane season-August and September), cruise passengers have come to love their brief visit to this modest, little island.

Grand Turk is an incredible island with tons of activities and places to explore. You’ll taste the local flavors, relax on some of the best beaches, see extraordinary sea life, learn the fascinating history and culture of the island, and much more.

Whether you choose to hang out, eat and shop at the cruise center, venture into town or purchase a shore excursion, a port call in Grand Turk is sure to be a fun and memorable experience.

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Shrimp and grits goes uptown at the king and prince resort, 44 comments.

Duly noted and corrected. Thank you for reading the article and taking the time to leave your comment. Much appreciated!

John Glen was the first American to orbit the earth, not the first person. Russian Yuri Gagarin was the first person to orbit the earth.

Hi Tayah, Unfortunately, I don’t have the answers to your questions. I would suggest your doing some research online to see what beaches you would like to visit. Also, check your cruise line’s shore excursions – they’ll usually include if there are lockers available to stow your belongings.

Thank you for your comment and have a wonderful time! Sherry

hello I was just wondering if id be able to go jetskiing on the island and where id be leaving my personal belongings,and will they be safe because everything I need to get back on the cruise ship will be in my bag?

Hi David, While Grand Turk is small, you will need a taxi or a tour to see the island. From the cruise dock, you can have a very nice day but to get into town or around, it’s not really walkable. I hope this helps. Thank you for your question. Sherry

Is Grand Turk small enough to visit via a walking tour or do recommend another way other than the cruise ship excurisions?

Hi Mechelle,

Sorry I can’t help with golf cart rental recommendations. Maybe you can contact the visitor’s bureau in Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos) and they can point you in the right direction. Have a great time! Sherry

Looking for golf cart rental recommendations in Grand Turk, close to the cruise port.

Hi Traci, I think you should start here and help your friend get the proper marriage license. http://turksandcaicostourism.com/weddings/marriage-license-requirements-turks-and-caicos/ From there, you can view the island’s list of wedding planners who will help you put together the port day wedding. Sounds exciting to me! Sherry

A group of us are traveling to Grand Turk on the Carnival Sunshine, docking there for a day. We are looking for a place to put on a wedding. Looking for steel drum music and a beautiful, yet simple, wedding ceremony. I’d appreciate a local contact there to help me arrange a beautiful wedding on a beach! We are looking for something not “tourist-y”. We did something similar 2 years ago for another couple on Isla Roatan in Honduras. It was simple and beautiful. Flower pots set up for an aisle, our Broker is ordained and will do the ceremony. What we wanted from the island natives is a cake, a musical option, flowers for the Bride, and a photographer. A contact for a planner would be great!

Sounds like you have a nice cruise planned. Yes, there are other activities to do beside those offered through the cruise lines. Please visit http://turksandcaicostourism.com/grand-turk/ and click on Things to Do. There are links to companies that offer things to do that you’d book on your own. Chukka Tours offers things to do there, too. Https:www.chukka.com If you want something a little more cultural there’s the Turks and Caicos Museum. They also have activities. https://www.tcmuseum.org/

Have a wonderful time! Sherry

Hi, I will be traveling to Grand turk via Carnival Vista the end of this month with 3 teenagers. I’ve heard alot about the beaches near the port. I would like to know if there are any activities for a fee available like jetskiing or speedboat at the nearby beaches instead of doing an excursions. Thanks in advance, Denise

Hi Linda, Unfortunately, the Turks and Caicos National Museum is permanently closed, due to severe hurricane damage last year. However, they are happy to report that their gift shop is open! The distance from the Cruise Center to the museum (gift shop) is about 1/2 mile. If anyone in your group likes to ride horses, I’ve done that with the ship’s shore excursion and it was a lot of fun. Sherry

Hi Sherry, I usually book my excursions through my ship ,however while in Grand Turks we would like to go to the National Museum. Can you tell me approximately how long that taxi ride would be. we will be in port from 8am – 4pm. I want to calculate an appropriate amount of time . Thank you

Hi Darryl, Thanks for reading and your comment. There are several companies that offer shore excursions and to the best of my knowledge, they all provide a fairly similar experience to that of the cruise line…many times with a smaller group. While going with the cruise line’s shore excursions does ensure a level of confidence, many if not all of the alternative shore tour companies guarantee you will get back in time for your ship’s departure. Here are a few of the shore excursion companies that I have paid for and used: Shore Excursions Group, Viator, Shore Tours. There is also CruisingExcursions.com but I have not tried them.

Sometimes, word of mouth or going online to a particular port’s page may give you ideas, too.

With your wide range of ages, families may want a more kid-oriented shore excursion while millennials may go for the adrenaline-inducing experiences. Your oldest in the group may want more overview tours aboard a motor coach. I hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful family reunion cruise! Sherry

Hi we will be having a family reunion cruise, on Carnival Magic December 2019. We have people from age 14 – 93 years of age. What private company would recommend for a tour of the island? Or any other recommendations?

Grand Turk is so much fun. I’d check with Cunard’s shore excursion options – it should include the horseback riding tour. While Grand Turk is up and running post-hurricanes, I don’t know 100% for sure that the stables are all repaired. I will check into it.

Thank you for your email.

Your site has given me food for thought. How can I book the horse riding on the beach. This would be fantastic. We arrive with Cunard on Sat 20th Jan and would love this as an activity to do. Are you able to send me contacts to achieve this please. Many thanks Jo

In Grand Turk, your ship will dock at the beach so there’s really not too much more to do than walk over to it. In Aruba, my favorite beach is Baby Beach, around the other side of the island. You might though, need to make arrangements to be picked up by the taxi or use an Uber or Lyft app if that’s possible.

Thanks for your email and have a wonderful trip!

Best beaches for shoreline snorkeling in Grand Turk,Aruba and domican republic we will be on Vista 12/1617. We r avid cruisers and always enjoy jumping in a cab and finding the best beach. Any suggestions??

We had a great snorkel experience there. I am not sure what will be left of the island after Irma.

Hi Gira, Lucky you! I really enjoyed Carnival Sunshine a year or so ago. Grand Turk is lovely. I’ve done horseback riding there and it was wonderful. I think 6 is the minimum age so your 8-yr old would qualify. Other things I like in Grand Turk is the history and town tour. But…the bus ride on the way to the riding stable is a mini town tour in itself so you almost get both. Try to leave a little time to wander the cruise center too or cool off in the pool at the end of the day. Margaritaville is fun…but crowded. Upstairs is less busy if you and your kids want a snack later. When you read the shore excursion reviews on Carnival’s site, be sure to check the age range for the reviewer. That’s a good clue to the demographic you’ll find on the tour. Horseback riding attracts all age groups.

Have a wonderful time! Feel free to send a note back after your cruise to let me know what excursion you chose.

Thanks! Sherry

Hi Sherry, We are taking a cruise with Carnival Sunshine on Aug 20th. Grand Turks is one of the ports we will be stopping at from 7am to 4pm . I have my 14 yrs old daughter and 8 yr old son with me and we are cruising for the 1st time. I would love to get your suggestions on how we can spend our time there. I like the horse back riding excursion as none of us have done that before. Would you suggest to book that through the cruise or once we get to the port? Anything else that would be great for us to try?

Hi Ana, Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! My recommendation would be to contact the hotels on Grand Turk as inquire if any can arrange a vow renewal ceremony. Your cruise line might also be able to arrange someone on the island…but it might be more expensive. Turks and Caicos tourism has a list of event planners and maybe someone there can point you in the best direction for Grand Turk.

Have a wonderful ceremony and celebration! Thanks for your comment. Sherry

Hi my husband and I are planning our first cruise for our 15 year Anniversary next year….per the cruise line we are looking into on our date 8/23/18 it looks like the ship will port on the island…we would like to do a Small ceremony to renew our vows on the beach…any recommendations?.

Thank you in advance for your prompt response

Hi Buffie, Good question. If you’re thinking of renting a vehicle, please note that cars drive on the left. Maybe you live in the UK so that’s not an issue. But if you’re willing, there are several car rentals companies just outside the port. Also Grand Turk has wild ponies and donkeys that can appear out of nowhere. I’ve always taken a shore excursion on Grand Turk or just hung out at the Cruise Center or walked down to Jack’s Shack. There are a lot of historical and interesting points and places on this small island that you might otherwise miss without a tour guide. Whatever you decide to do, be safe and enjoy the island. Sherry

We are docking with a group. Someone had suggested renting jeeps or something and just driving around the island and exploring, any suggestions?

Hi Chelsey, Thanks for your question. If you simply want a day at the beach, it’s walkable to get there. When you dock in Grand Turk, just look to the left of the Cruise Center. There’s a huge stretch of beach (it’s in the photo in the article). Grab your gear and head on over! As far as other beaches around the island, Governor’s Beach is gorgeous but requires either a taxi, golf cart or car rental to get there. But really, if you just walk a little bit further away from the Cruise Center complex, you’ll find the crowds beach continually thin out. Only about one-third of a mile north (to the left) of the Cruise Center is Jack’s Shack, a landmark stop for drinks and nibbles. Keep walking north and the beach widens and there are less visitors. Have a wonderful cruise and thanks for your email. Sherry

I hear the beaches are beautiful at Grand Turk. My family and I are cruising there in January. I noticed our cruise line doesn’t offer exclusive beach excursions and we really just want to spend the day at the beach. Any recommendations?

If you haven’t been snorkeling before, I wouldn’t recommend it as your first try. The water here is saltier than anywhere I’ve ever snorkeled. Take lots of water if you do try it. I was sick in about 10 minutes, and I’ve snorkeled on all the other islands with no trouble. The second time we went we did the two person kayak tour. Wasn’t a lot to see but it was a lot of fun.

Hi Kim, I totally agree! It’s a great place to spend the day. Thanks for your comment. Sherry

I love love love grand turk!!! its so laid back and relaxed!!! my favorite place to go on a cruise to!!

Hi Tracie, Yes, there are local places to shop and eat. You’re best bet is to do some research on Cockburn Town and check out the reviews. Go to: https://visittci.com – Have fun!

is there any local foods or markets/

Hi Cyndi, Thank you for your email. As I don’t know what cruise you will take, I’d suggest reading through your cruise line’s list of shore excursions and see what’s offered that would be child-friendly (yes beach days are perfect!) Also, check with the onboard child care directors…I’ll bet they have some excellent suggestions, too. Have a wonderful cruise with your granddaughter! Sherry

Need some suggestions for something to do with our 4 year old granddaughter that we are taking on a cruise in a month. Any ideas?

Great beach???

Thank you Cyndi

Hi Sue, So nice to hear from you! I was just thinking about you and Tom the other day as I was looking for our “jump” photos from Belogradchik Fortress. I still think you must have been a high school cheer leader! Please email me about your cruise in March so maybe we can meet up before you leave. sherry at cruisemaven dot com. Cheers back and hope all is going well. Sherry

Hi Sherry! So nice to see your blog! I certainly trust your advice and will be making note of your ideas for our stop here on our cruise in March! We’re trying out HAL for the first time on their new ship!

Hope you’re doing well! We’d sure love to meet up with you again sometime!

Cheers, Your cruise mates from your sea-to-sea river cruise, Sue & Tom

Grand turk is a beautiful island not much to do on the island other than touring or goin to acouple of restaurants if theyre open would not recomend more than a 2 night stay on this island after the cruiseship leaves it becomes a ghost town

Hi and thanks for your comment. Grand Turk does look like a fun to stay! Yes, there are about 5 hotels/inns on the island, so if you flew in then you could stay in Grand Turk. Sherry

Can you do a vacation here. Or is this just a day adventure…sound so exciting!

Hi Lindsay, Thanks for your kind words and excellent suggestions. I never seem to get far enough out to explore the lighthouse, but it will be on my to-do list next time. Great idea about the golf carts, too. I need to revisit asap! Thanks again.

I completely agree, lots to see in Grand Turk besides just the pool! But what about the lighthouse and the conch shell beach? Also think renting golf carts is so much more fun than taking a taxi! Just my two cents! Love your blog though! Someday we hope to be as traveled as you! 🙂

Comments are closed.

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Updated on October 17, 2023 by Sherry Laskin

Woman talking(l+r), Royal Caribbean cruise(c)

Wayleebird/Shutterstock @professormelissa/Tiktok (Licensed)

‘He’s facing a minimum of 12 years’: Expert reveals the one thing to never take on a cruise after Royal Caribbean incident at Grand Turk

"it’s not 'one little mistake.'".

Nina Hernandez

Posted on May 29, 2024 Updated on May 29, 2024, 8:30 am CDT

A travel expert reveals the one thing to never take on a cruise after a Royal Caribbean incident at Grand Turk.

TikTok user Professor Melissa (@professormelissa) is an educator and cruise enthusiast based in Cincinnati. In a video posted earlier in the week, Melissa warns her audience about what to “NEVER” bring on a cruise—if you don’t want to face the risk of arrest. The video has amassed more than 371,000 views as of Wednesday morning.

“Here’s the one thing to make sure you never bring on a cruise, because it can literally land you in jail,” Melissa says to start the video. She says a Virginia man on a Royal Caribbean cruise was recently detained while on a stop in Turks and Caicos after local authorities found ammunition rounds in his luggage.

“It was a bachelor party trip with a stop at Grand Turk in the Turk and Caicos, but Turks and Caicos has really strict rules,” she says. “Unfortunately, this cruiser had a couple of rounds in his backpack. Made it through airport security, no problem. Made it through cruise terminal security, no problem. Had a nice day in Grand Turk, no problem.”

There was a problem when the man, 31-year-old Tyler Wenrich , tried to get back on the ship at the end of the day. “Goes to get back on the ship, whereupon local authorities at that security checkpoint found the things in his bag and immediately detained him,” Melissa says. “He’s now facing a minimum 12-year sentence for one little mistake.”

She continues, “And he’s not alone. There’s been a disturbing trend of Americans getting arrested in Turks and Caicos for similar offenses. And yes they are offenses, but the penalties are significant and they are harsh.”

@professormelissa Taking a cruise soon to Grand Turk. Be careful with this! Do you think this is too harsh? #Cruise #cruiseship #cruisetok #cruiselife #cruiser #travel #traveltiktok #cruisewithme #cruisetips #cruisetipsandtricks #cruisehacks #vacation #cruiseships #cruisecontent #cruisingcontent #cruisevacation #cruiselover #cruiseblogger #firsttimecruiser #cruisequestions #cruisefacts #goingonacruise #crusingtok #cruiseessentials #traveler #royalcaribbean #carnivalcruiseline #choosefun #virginvoyages #norwegiancruise #hollandcruise #hollandamericaline #disneycruiseline #msccruise #princesscruises #carnivalcruise ♬ Die A Little Bit – Remix – Tinashe & ZHU

Turks and Caicos has strict gun control laws in place

According to CNN , Weinrich is just one of five Americans arrested while visiting the island as a result of new gun control laws that prohibit firearms, ammunition, and other weapons. All of the travelers said the luggage was not intentionally packed and instead brought into the country by mistake. Weinrich was reportedly sentenced Tuesday to time served after pleading guilty and agreeing to pay a fine. He is the second of the group to be on his way home.

According to ABC News, one can face at least 12 years in prison for traveling to to Turks and Caicos with ammunition.

Melissa says there are precautions you can take to ensure you stay on the right side of local laws when you’re traveling by cruise ship. “Important lesson here: When you’re traveling to other countries, make sure you’re following their laws. Especially if you port at Grand Turk, which is a very popular cruise destination. Check your bags. Don’t use bags you take to the range. And just be extra careful here,” she says.

Viewers weigh in

In the comments section, users weighed in with their opinions on the situation. Not everyone agreed with Melissa’s assertion that it was “one little mistake.”

One user said, “It’s not ‘one little mistake’. there’s no reason to travel on vacation to other countries with ammo.”

A second user said, “what an american-centric problem. Turks and Caicos are a sovereign Nation and have their own laws, you as a visitor have to follow their laws.”

A third user said, “Maybe check luggage before packing it. Seems like common sense.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Professor Melissa and Royal Caribbean via email for comment.

The internet is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here to get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Nina Hernandez is a writer, journalist, music critic, and culture commentator based in Austin, Texas.

Grand Turk to open, or not?

By Caribe87 , September 20, 2021 in Grand Turk

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We're in the same position as you (except the 3 day sailing is 12/13). I contacted our TA about this earlier today and she's still doing some digging. I'll let you know wat she finds out.

bluesman0711

Also scheduled to stop here December 1st and December 10th.

Just read a post from Jack's Shack admin that says closed until at least January, hope that isn't true.

crewsweeper

Seems they keep extending the ban on cruise ships. Currently the entire Turks Caicos has only 2 active cases of COVID as of 9/20/21 and all islands are open for tourists. If you meet all the requirements--vaccine, tests, travel insurance, you can go just about anywhere. Why the cruise ship ban continues doesn't make a lot of sense. But it does continue.

12 hours ago, crewsweeper said: Seems they keep extending the ban on cruise ships. Currently the entire Turks Caicos has only 2 active cases of COVID as of 9/20/21 and all islands are open for tourists. If you meet all the requirements--vaccine, tests, travel insurance, you can go just about anywhere. Why the cruise ship ban continues doesn't make a lot of sense. But it does continue.

The current situation really punishes Grand Turk, but it benefits Providenciales, the "big" island, with more resorts and tourism. It really doesn't make sense.

I applaud their concern for safety, especially since Grand Turk isn't really medically equipped for a major outbreak, but I wonder at times how a lot of the island can survive this.

Darn I wish I found this thread earlier. I book and paid for this cruise in full today. Now I wondering if I made a mistake.

I am booked for a Regal Princess visit at the end of January and final payment is due October 30. If anybody sees that the cruise center is opening, please post it.

2 weeks later...

Turks and Caicos Weekly news has an article with a headline of " Cruise Industry to restart in December to March ‘High Season’ -Premier assures "-not sure if it was ok to post the link but its easy to find. Sounds promising but maybe not soon enough for my Dec 1 stop that still hasn't been rescheduled.

We sail 12/26. Fingers crossed!

I just got an email from our TA that we're not going to Grand Turk on our sailing any more, but Amber Cove instead. "Please be advised that due to a temporary limit allowing only one cruise ship per day in Grand Turk, Regal Princess will no longer call to Grand Turk on Saturday, December 11, 2021, and will instead call to Amber Cove from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same date."

9 hours ago, dogdoc2002 said: I just got an email from our TA that we're not going to Grand Turk on our sailing any more, but Amber Cove instead. "Please be advised that due to a temporary limit allowing only one cruise ship per day in Grand Turk, Regal Princess will no longer call to Grand Turk on Saturday, December 11, 2021, and will instead call to Amber Cove from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same date."

It looks like Emerald Princess was scheduled to be there on the same day. She is on a 10 day Panama Canal cruise.

On 10/1/2021 at 12:22 PM, Daniel A said: I am booked for a Regal Princess visit at the end of January and final payment is due October 30. If anybody sees that the cruise center is opening, please post it. Thanks.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26042-grand-turk-cruise-center-set-to-reopen-and-expand.html?fbclid=IwAR1aG4ht1jpzerMPz4XpNLofQ6o6p-7yA12pJtXiaY5L8YA6ep5RHWkldeU

On 10/13/2021 at 1:59 PM, lucyjlou said: We sail 12/26. Fingers crossed!

If you are sailing on Carnival Freedom, that is the only ship scheduled for Grand Turk on December 29. So it looks promising. 🙂 🤞

On 10/17/2021 at 9:23 AM, Daniel A said: If you are sailing on Carnival Freedom, that is the only ship scheduled for Grand Turk on December 29. So it looks promising. 🙂 🤞

We are 12/28 on horizon. Looks like the enchanted princess is also scheduled. Ugh. We only have 2 ports now and one is amber cove already

1 hour ago, lucyjlou said: We are 12/28 on horizon. Looks like the enchanted princess is also scheduled. Ugh. We only have 2 ports now and one is amber cove already

Since Enchanted doesn't already have a call at Amber Cove scheduled and you do, it would make sense for Carnival to substitute Emerald's call to Amber Cove, but when did sense ever come into these decisions??

3 weeks later...

cruzrbachoua

On 10/18/2021 at 10:06 AM, lucyjlou said: We are 12/28 on horizon. Looks like the enchanted princess is also scheduled. Ugh. We only have 2 ports now and one is amber cove already

On 10/17/2021 at 6:23 AM, Daniel A said: If you are sailing on Carnival Freedom, that is the only ship scheduled for Grand Turk on December 29. So it looks promising. 🙂 🤞

where are you guys finding the schedules? I am trying to find it and all the places I have don't show anything for Grand Turk

1 hour ago, cruzrbachoua said: where are you guys finding the schedules? I am trying to find it and all the places I have don't show anything for Grand Turk

If you click on a day it will tell you which vessels are scheduled to call. First ship is scheduled for 04 December.

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-grand-turk-turks-and-caicos.html

7 minutes ago, NengEuis said: If you click on a day it will tell you which vessels are scheduled to call. First ship is scheduled for 04 December. https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-grand-turk-turks-and-caicos.html

Great thanks I didn't have that site. Looks like we are the only ship on our day.

We sail there on January 12th and there are three ships scheduled that day. We are the last to get in so I am assuming we will probably be bumped. I wonder where ?????

Grand Turk reopening December 7th so our cruise (Emerald Princess) will go there 12/14/21.

1st ship in is Carnival's Mardi Gras on 12/7.

https://www.cruisehive.com/grand-turk-prepares-as-carnival-cruise-ships-to-return-in-december/60282

I imagine things will continue to change especially with the mystery of travel bans and variants looming around the corner, but the Mardi Gras is due to call on 12/9. The 12/6 call of the Norwegian Gem has been replaced with a Sea Day for those passengers.

December 7: HAL Nieuw Amsterdam (First ship as of now)

December 8: HAL Nieuw Statendam

December 9: CCL Mardi Gras

Keeping an eye on this port. We really want to visit here in January 2022!

According to the port schedule, nothing is arriving until December 13 - the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam. HAL is still showing the December 13 call at Grand Turk on their website.

Port Schedule (grandturkcc.com)

54 minutes ago, Daniel A said: According to the port schedule, nothing is arriving until December 13 - the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam. HAL is still showing the December 13 call at Grand Turk on their website. Port Schedule (grandturkcc.com)

Co-worker on that cruise. Will see if he gets to dock there.

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Carnival Cruise Lines

Grand Turk Casino Question

By sc4125 , November 30, 2016 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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This was also the case on my Victory cruise last year. Only port I know of where the ships casino stayed open. Still unsure why, but maybe because Carnival built the port?, not sure.

DCCruiser1013

It was also open in Grand Turk on our Glory cruise back in 2014. The dealers at the tables did not look happy about it.

I was on an 8 day Exotic Eastern cruise on the Breeze back in April and for some reason the ship's casino slots remained open when we were in Grand Turk. I've been on a lot of CCL cruises, but never remember the casino on board being open in any port. I wouldn't have known it was open this time if I hadn't walked through the casino to get the forward elevators to reach the gangway. Does anyone know if this is normal for ships stopping in Grand Turk? I am cruising on the Sunshine in December & will be going to Grand Turk. It's a port I've been to several times & was thinking of staying onboard this time. Just wondering if the slots will be on.

Yes, this is normal for Grand Turk. The casino is open while in port because the government there allows it, unlike most other Caribbean ports of call.

Are there land casinos in Grand Turk? I always assumed the ship casino couldn't be open in ports because of land casinos.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Are there land casinos in Grand Turk? I always assumed the ship casino couldn't be open in ports because of land casinos. Sent from my iPad using Forums

While there is a small casino on Provenciales (Provo), a different island in the T&C, I don't believe there is one on GT.

A possible reason for the casino being opened during port days is that Carnival is running casino premier or ultra fare specials. If a ship has those specials rates, the casino has longer hours, including during port time. This is not limited to GT, but includes other isles as well.

So strange that I never noticed this before when in Grand Turk.

I use to work onboard the Carnivale, Mardi Gras & Festivale back in the 80's - I worked and managed the Gift Shops - we were obviously never opened in any port - but at that time the Casino was also never opened whether there was a land casino in the port or not.

I can imagine that the Casino staff wouldn't be thrilled if Grand Turk was a weekly port. I know I would have been an unhappy camper. But - works great for me as a passenger since I've been to GT several times & would just as soon stay in port this trip.

Thanks for all the replies.

So strange that I never noticed this before when in Grand Turk. I use to work onboard the Carnivale, Mardi Gras & Festivale back in the 80's - I worked and managed the Gift Shops - we were obviously never opened in any port - but at that time the Casino was also never opened whether there was a land casino in the port or not. I can imagine that the Casino staff wouldn't be thrilled if Grand Turk was a weekly port. I know I would have been an unhappy camper. But - works great for me as a passenger since I've been to GT several times & would just as soon stay in port this trip. Thanks for all the replies.

You're welcome, Shirley. This is one reason I choose Grand Turk itineraries as often as I can. I enjoy going to the casino that day when it's not crowded and smoky since most people are off the ship.

Yeah it was great the last time I was there - went ashore for an hour or so for my cousin (who had never been there) to look around - then back onboard and in the casino. It was obviously not crowded until about an hour before we sailed. So many people walked through after getting back onboard and were like "hey, why are they opening before we have sail away?"

My sister will be thrilled when I tell her. We both love the casino - but she really, really loves it (lol)!

There used to be a small casino in Grand Turk called Santa Maria, but it has been closed for a long time. It was considered a gaming saloon.

Probably because the capitol of Turk & Caicos, named Cockburn, is on the isle and only locals live there.

The resort hotels servicing tourists like Beaches, Club Med, Grace Bay and Sands etc. are all on Provo where there is at least 1 small casino. If you liked the beach at Grand Turk, you'll love the beach on Provo! Much, much longer and has a coral garden snorkel spot you can swim to from shore.

The first time I saw that the casino was open in Grand Turk was this past January on Splendor. The pit boss explained it was due to it being a Premier casino cruise. I was part of the Premier group so I was happy. When I went back to Grand Turk in March the casino was not open because it was not a Premier cruise, so it does not happen every time the ships go to Grand Turk.

Yeah, I never did either...until our cruise there in October, and I was startled to see the casino open while we were still at dock. I thought I was dreaming. :)

I meant to ask about it back when I posted my cruise review but forgot, so I'm glad this thread popped up.

SweetPea0517

Oh boy, I hope my DH never finds this out[emoji23]

Were they surly about the tips they were getting , too?

cricketskids

Sc4125 are you going on the New Year's Eve cruise on the sunshine?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

There were no tips coming in because there were no players. I think that was their problem.

I probably would feel the same hopefully more people learn about this so they'll have customers.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I probably would feel the same hopefully more people learn about this so they'll have customers. Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

More people should learn......it is not the Grand Turk port that results in the casino opening, but the fact that it is one of the premier casino cruises that Carnival promotes.

If you aren't a part of it, the regular cruiser may not even be aware that they are on a premier or ultra cruise. Three ways to figure it out: Lots of people playing in the casino with premier cruise lanyards around their necks; special drawings, giveaways and games run by the casino staff for premier players; and by asking casino staff.

More people should learn......it is not the Grand Turk port that results in the casino opening, but the fact that it is one of the premier casino cruises that Carnival promotes. If you aren't a part of it, the regular cruiser may not even be aware that they are on a premier or ultra cruise. Three ways to figure it out: Lots of people playing in the casino with premier cruise lanyards around their necks; special drawings, giveaways and games run by the casino staff for premier players; and by asking casino staff.

I was actually on the Magic on a casino pack n play rate when they were opened in Grand Turk. It was definitely not a Premier cruise - I've been on Premier cruises & this one did not have the special drawings or any other "Premier" activities - nor was it wall to wall people like the Premiers I've been on.

I've been to Grand Turk 3 times and this was the first time I realized the casino was open - but, again it was also the first time I walked through the casino while going to the gangway. So, it may have been opened the other 2 times.

Sc4125 are you going on the New Year's Eve cruise on the sunshine? Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Actually I'm going on the cruise before - we return to Port Canaveral on New Year's Eve.

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Family Watches Cruise Sail Off Without Them After Social Media Post Costs Them $15k Vacation

A Kentucky woman declared that she would never sail with Carnival Cruise again after her family’s vacation was unexpectedly canceled just two days before the holiday.

Tiffany Banks shared the saga on social media and revealed how her cruise holiday with her husband and children turned upside down.

The family was meant to travel aboard the Carnival Celebration ship and had paid in full for their trip. After a year’s worth of planning, about $15,000 exited their pockets for the off-ship excursions and their stay in the ship’s largest room—the Excel Presidential Suite.

Tiffany Banks stirred up a storm on TikTok as she revealed how her family’s cruise vacation was mysteriously turned upside down

Image credits: Pixabay

Image credits: Ryan Wallace

The plan was to catch a flight to Florida and set sail from Miami. However, it was only the day before their flight when the nurse practitioner discovered that their cruise trip had been mysteriously canceled.

In a series of TikTok videos, the scorned customer revealed that she received an email about their off-ship excursion and their stay at the Excel Presidential Suite being canceled.

The mother-of-four found out just about 48 hours before the trip that somebody somewhere somehow had their ship booking canceled

Image credits: thathippiedoc

“I have to laugh, or I’m just going to sit down and cry and just absolutely lose my mind,” she said in a TikTok video posted on May 12.

“We have nearly $15,000 tied up in for this vacation including excursions. The room itself was I think $12,000 or $13,000, and then we’ve got a few grand tied up in excursions, and actually with almost $2,000 for flights,” she noted.

Following the fiasco, the cruise company made a disappointing offer to provide two of the cheapest rooms available on the ship

Tiffany thought it might be a system glitch and tried telling the cruise line that she never canceled the trip. But she received an unhelpful response from Carnival about the Excel Presidential Suite already being booked by another customer.

Further disappointment came when the cruise company offered the family two interior rooms, which were the cheapest ones available on the ship.

“It’s not fair,” the frustrated customer said at the port as she laid eyes on the ship they were meant to sail in

The company also refused to offer their money back, stating their policy said no refunds could be made within 15 days of the ship setting sail.

“Eff you carnival — Go to hell!!!” the mom wrote on TikTok.

She said she went into “a full-blown panic” after finding out her reservation was canceled. Her kids were also in tears as they had been looking forward to the trip for about a year.

The Kentucky woman was outraged that the cruise company refused to give them their money back because of their strict refund policies

Tiffany decided to fly with her family to Miami anyway and attempt to salvage their holiday. But the disappointed customer had to helplessly watch the ship she was meant to travel on leave without them.

After checking into an Airbnb, the family tried to enjoy their time in the Sunshine State. The mother continued sharing updates during her stay about her conversations with a Carnival representative.

The family was forced to stay in an Airbnb and tried to make the most of their time in the Sunshine State

In one of the videos she posted, the frustrated woman shared a message with her haters, who were pointing fingers at her and claiming she was making things up or not sharing the full story.

“I’m an open book. I talk too much. I give out too much information — that’s just me naturally,” she said.

Eventually, when the cruise line got to the bottom of how their trip was canceled without their knowledge, a representative allegedly told Tiffany that she was the “victim of a form of identity theft .”

When Carnival Cruise finally found out what happened to Tiffany’s booking, they informed the mother that scammers used the booking information to cancel her trip using the information she shared online herself

Prior to the holiday fiasco, the mother and her husband had posted an update about their upcoming cruise vacation on Facebook and unassumingly shared their booking reference number, which should not have been disclosed.

On the same day they posted their Facebook update, someone created a fake online Carnival account with the booking number linked to their profile. Then, about 48 hours before the ship was meant to leave the port, the alleged impersonator canceled the entire cabin booking that Tiffany had made for herself and her family.

The cruise company said they would provide future cruise credit amounting to $10,404 if she was willing to state on social media that the company had positively resolved their issue

Details about the person behind the alleged identity theft remain unclear. But the luxury cruise brand said the IP address linked with the cancellation originated from British Columbia.

Although this proved that the TikToker was telling the truth all along about never having canceled the trip, she still did not get a satisfactory response from Carnival. The company promised to provide future cruise credit amounting to $10,404 if she was willing to state on social media that the company had positively resolved their issue.

“They apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer…” the mother said about the luxury cruise brand’s offer

“Well they still aren’t willing to make this right .. they apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer…” she wrote in the caption of one of her videos. “I want an apology from them trying to make it look like i was lying or hiding something or even worse – that there were security issues…”

“@carnival you owe me a public apology, and my money!” she added.

The mother felt let down and believed the high sea hospitality expert should change their policy. She also could not believe how easy it was for someone to carry out the fraudulent action and take over her booking.

Tiffany vowed to never travel with Carnival again after the disheartening experience

“We’re not sailing with Carnival ever again,” she stated.

Carnival Cruise Line acknowledged the incident in a statement to LADbible and said customers should not be posting personal information about their travel plans online.

“While we are not going to comment on any specific guest complaint or incident, it is never a good idea to post personal information about your travel plans, including a confirmation number for a booking, which could allow a bad actor or identify thief to use that information in inappropriate or even illegal ways,” they told the outlet.

Several people pinned the holiday drama on the woman for posting the information she should not have shared in the first place

Family Watches Cruise Sail Off Without Them After Social Media Post Costs Them $15k Vacation

Cruise News

7 MSC Cruise Ships Will Homeport in the US for Winter 2025-2026

Andrea Santillan

June 3, 2024

MSC Cruises just announced that its winter 2025 to 2026 season includes a record number of ships and home ports sailing from the United States.

MSC is expanding its US presence with seven ships homeporting from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City, and Galveston. MSC Grandiosa will join MSC Seashore at Port Canaveral, while MSC Seascape will begin cruising from Galveston in November 2025.

Most sailings feature stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise operator’s private destination in the Bahamas.

Check out which cruises you can enjoy from your favorite US port:

Miami Itineraries

MSC’s newest flagship vessel, MSC World America , offers alternating 7-night trips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean trips will call on Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras. Meanwhile, Western Caribbean trips will include visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, and the Dominican Republic.
MSC Seaside will depart Nassau on 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries to the Western and Eastern Caribbean.
MSC Divina will embark on 7-, 10-, and 11-night Caribbean journeys. Longer journeys include visits to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Port Canaveral Itineraries

Marking the cruise line’s first US deployment of a Meraviglia-class ship, MSC Grandiosa will take guests on 7-night Caribbean trips. Eastern routes include stops at Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Nassau, The Bahamas. Western itineraries will explore Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Nassau, The Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands.
MSC Seashore offers shorter 3- and 4-night voyages to Nassau.

New York City Itineraries

You can also explore the Bahamas and Florida onboard MSC Meraviglia . Seven-night cruises will call on Nassau, The Bahamas, and Port Canaveral, Florida.

Galveston Itineraries

Homeporting in the country for the first time, MSC Seascape will treat vacationers to 7-night Western Caribbean adventures. Stops include Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras.

MSC is increasing its local capacity with a fourth cruise terminal in Galveston and bringing MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral.

The cruise line’s winter season will nearly double the number of its cruise vessels in the US from four ships during the summer 2025 cruising season to seven.

Understanding Cruise Price Drops After Your Final Payment

Summer Cruise Prices Drop in Alaska and Caribbean Due to Overcapacity

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Port Schedule
For any questions on ships and time changes, please contact your cruise line directly.
Grand Turk Cruise Center
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a 13-acre (5.2 hectare) complex and cruise port on the southern end of Grand Turk. This site serves as the launch point for cruise ship shore excursions, and offers onsite gift and jewelry shops, restaurants, and a spa, as well as the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean (which features a swim-up bar). As many as three ocean liners are welcomed here each day.
Grand Turk Cruise Port and Terminal Information
Find Grand Turk cruise port's terminal information, amenities, what's nearby and other embarkation and disembarkation information with Cruise Critic.
Carnival Cruise Ships Start Returning to Grand Turk
The first Carnival-owned cruise ships begin returning to the Grand Turk Cruise Center for the first time since suspensions started in 2020.
Grand Turk · Turks and Caicos · Port Schedule
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship's estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship's next port-of-call.
Grand Turk Cruise Ship Travel Information
All cruises to Turks and Caicos arrive at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Get a list of the cruise operators, which operate from both the American and European ports.
Grand Turk Cruise Port Guide: Review (2023)
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a large open-air cruise terminal dotted with excursion booths offering most of the possible tours and activities in Grand Turk. Most of these shore excursions can be booked online or onboard your cruise ship.
Cruise to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Discover all you need to cruise to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. Visit royalcaribbean.com to get information on Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos cruises, including things to do, dining, ports of call, cruise ships, shore excursions, offers, and more.
Grand Turk Cruise Port is Back Open
The Grand Turk Cruise Center officially reopened yesterday with a visit from the Carnival Ecstasy, part of the ship's seven-day voyage from Charleston.
Grand Turk Cruise Port: Pier, Facilities and What's Nearby
Does your upcoming cruise visit the Turks and Caicos Islands? You'll want to know all about the Grand Turk Cruise Port. This guide has you covered!
19 Best Things to Do in Grand Turk on a Cruise [Port Guide]
The two-berth dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the primary port for cruise ships. The Cruise Center was designed by Carnival Cruise Lines in 2006 to be a full-service destination. When you dock here, you are steps away from a gorgeous public beach, a free swimming pool, and numerous restaurants, bars, and excellent duty-free shopping.
Free/Cheap Things to Do in Grand Turk on a Cruise
Like most cruise ports in the Caribbean, Grand Turk features a dedicated port area that's enclosed and offers a number of amenities to cruise passengers.
Grand Turk Cruise Ship Schedule
Grand Turk cruise ship schedule available by year, month or day. Helping cruise passengers and shore excursion organisers find the number and identities of cruise ships docked in Grand Turk on any given day.
Grand Turk Turks and Caicos Cruise Port
The Grand Turk Cruise Center, with direct beachfront access, is a first-class facility nestled among nearly 14 acres of landscaped grounds. The cruise center's location and the island's geography offer vessels a safe approach and berthing year-round The short walk from the berthed ships to the cruise center (approximately 390 feet) allows ...
Grand Turk Cruise Visitor Guide Top Things to Do
Plan your cruise ship visit to Grand Turk. See our recommended sights, activities and attractions.
Cruises to Grand Turk
Get the latest deals for Grand Turk cruises on Cruise Critic. Find and plan your next cruise to Grand Turk with cabin price comparison, variety of departure ports and dates to choose from.
Best Things to Do in Grand Turk in One Day
The Cruise Center Complex is just one of the best things you can do in Grand Turk. This complex is a large open-air area with tons of excursion booths, gift shops, and restaurants. One of the largest Margaritaville restaurants in the Caribbean is right next door, featuring a swim-up bar and free loungers for your use.
Grand Turk to open, or not?
Seems they keep extending the ban on cruise ships. Currently the entire Turks Caicos has only 2 active cases of COVID as of 9/20/21 and all islands are open for tourists. If you meet all the requirements--vaccine, tests, travel insurance, you can go just about anywhere. Why the cruise ship ban continues doesn't make a lot of sense. But it does continue.
5 Things You Should Know BEFORE Your Cruise To Grand Turk ...
5 Things You Should Know BEFORE Your Cruise To Grand Turk! | Port Guide Tips! In today's video, I'll break down my Top 5 things that you should know before your next cruise to Grand Turk.
Grand Turk- Open ??
We are on the January 19th Sailing of Norwegian Gem that is scheduled to visit Grand Turk and was curious as to whether it is open for visitors or not- never been ther and was looking forward to seeing the island. Any info s appreciated. Thank you
What's One Thing You Should Not Take on Cruise to Grand Turk?
A travel expert reveals the one thing to never take on a cruise after a Royal Caribbean incident at Grand Turk. TikTok user Professor Melissa (@professormelissa) is an educator and cruise ...
Cruise Passenger Receives 26-Year Sentence After Wife ...
A man has finally been convicted of a cruise ship murder which happened seven years ago. Daniel Belling was sentenced to 26 years in prison by an Italian court for murdering his wife in 2017 ...
Carnival Cruise Line Proud to Return to Baltimore
Carnival Pride also offers the occasional Panama Canal cruise, with the next one departing on January 12, 2025 with calls to Half Moon Cay, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, and Grand Turk.
MSC Eyes World's Largest Cruise Ship to Beat Out Royal Caribbean
It highlights the construction capacity constraints at European shipyards after major multi-ship orders by rival cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Grand Turk to open, or not?
Currently the entire Turks Caicos has only 2 active cases of COVID as of 9/20/21 and all islands are open for tourists. If you meet all the requirements--vaccine, tests, travel insurance, you can go just about anywhere. Why the cruise ship ban continues doesn't make a lot of sense. But it does continue.
Grand Turk Casino Question
I was on an 8 day Exotic Eastern cruise on the Breeze back in April and for some reason the ship's casino slots remained open when we were in Grand Turk. I've been on a lot of CCL cruises, but never remember the casino on board being open in any port. I wouldn't have known it was open this time i...
Second U.S. tourist fined, released for ammo violation in Turks ...
Wenrich is an emergency medical technician and a 911 operator who sailed on a cruise ship to Grand Turk.
Cruise Sails Without Family After Their $15k Package Is Lost Due ...
The frustrated mother said Carnival Cruise had "apologized and then spit in [her] face with another bogus offer…" The post Cruise Sails Without Family After Their $15k Package Is Lost Due To ...
7 MSC Cruise Ships Will Homeport in the US for Winter 2025-2026
The president of the cruise line, Rubén A. Rodríguez, summed up the season, saying, "The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the US to date, with seven ships sailing from ...

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Best Grand Turk Shore Excursions

1. Go Shopping in the Grand Turk Cruise Center

2. Relax by the Pool

3. Spend some time in Margaritaville

4. Catch a Wave on the Grand Turk FlowRider

5. Enjoy a Catamaran Excursion

6. Have an Off-Road ATV Adventure

7. Try Conch Fritters at Jack’s Shack

8. Whale Watch at the Grand Turk Lighthouse

9. Swim with Stingrays in Gibbs Cay

10. Relax at the Governor’s Beach

11. Try Power Snorkeling

12. Learn About Local History at the Caicos National Museum

13. Enjoy solitude at Pillory beach

14. Snorkel or Dive at the Grand Turk Wall

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15. Visit Historic Cockburn Town

16. Snorkel at Cockburn Town Beach

17. Peek into Prison history at Her Majesty’s Prison (H.M. Prison)

18. Horseback Ride on the Beach

19. See Humpback Whales Up Close on a Boat Tour

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