Grand Turk Cruise Center?

I am traveling on the Eurodam in March to Grand Turk. I see that the beach (Grand Turk Cruise Center) is within walking distance of the ship and has beach chairs available. Can anyone use these or do you have to pay? Holland offers an excusion, "Govener's Beach & Snokel" listed for $29, but why book that if I have my own snokle gear and can use the beach chairs for free? What is the benefit?

Also is the pool open to anyone or do you have to pay? I would appreciate any input on this port.

Thanks,

MollyBax;)

you have to pay and it is, imo, a giant rip off when you can see the public pool from the pool deck on your ship and wave to the suckers who paid for the same sunshine you are getting for free.

imo, the whole port of grand turk is a waste of time.

I am traveling on the Eurodam in March to Grand Turk. I see that the beach (Grand Turk Cruise Center) is within walking distance of the ship and has beach chairs available. Can anyone use these or do you have to pay? Holland offers an excusion, "Govener's Beach & Snokel" listed for $29, but why book that if I have my own snokle gear and can use the beach chairs for free? What is the benefit?

 

Also is the pool open to anyone or do you have to pay? I would appreciate any input on this port.

 

Thanks,

MollyBax;)

Not sure about the pool, but the chaise lounges are "complimentary" according to the Cruise Terminal site. We used a few of them for a couple of hours on the beach near the pier.

http://www.grandturkcc.com/PortInformation.aspx

Not sure which pool you are talking about, but the pool and chairs at Margaritaville iare free to use. It is huge, there is a swim up bar, a DJ, and of course the restaurant is right there.

There are also cabanas, air conditioned, around the pool. We were there a few weeks back and none were in use, I think maybe because most ships schedule such a short stop there.

As stated, there are tons of free loungers both the the left, or right of the pier.

We swam right there at the cruise center beach - it's lovely, but others have said on these boards that if you really want to go to Governor's beach, you can walk (under a mile) or get a cab - no need to take the ship's excursion.

Save your money for a Margarita! We loved this port - treat it as a beach day.

Thanks All, for the information. All we are looking for is a beach and water, I don't think we should waste our money if it is right there within our reach.

THANKS!!:)

I brought my own snorkel gear at Costco and took it on my trip last Feb. (Wow it's been almost a year!).

I really enjoyed snorkeling at Grand Turk. The chairs were free and the snorkeling was right off the beach. There's a big drop not far off the beach which is why the ship can dock so close. i would just hold onto the rope which cordons off the swimming area and watch the fish swim by!

you have to pay and it is, imo, a giant rip off when you can see the public pool from the pool deck on your ship and wave to the suckers who paid for the same sunshine you are getting for free.

 

imo, the whole port of grand turk is a waste of time.

I actually have been to grand turk three times and it is one of my favorite ports. Very relaxing - the beach and the pool are right there, free of charge. There aren't many shops - if that is what you're looking for. The people who live on the island were wonderful and it was the most relaxing of ports. My kids took a tour on one of the stops and the other times we just hung out at the pool. Don't know if the flowrider is still open, but my kids enjoyed that also. Whats not to like about relaxing for a few hours. I'd rather have a stop at Grand Turk than Nassau.

We used the chaise lounges and pool at no charge. Drinks were awful and overpriced IMO but how can one go to Margaritteville and not have one margarita. Got that out of my system :D and when we return on Eurodam, we will use the pool and chairs but not the bar. :) We'll have whatever drinks we want on the ship.

No charge for the beach either.

I love it. We get a lounge chair and veg with a book. It really doesn't get any better. We're not ones to patronize Margaritaville. Too much of a conglomorate for us, big biz and all that. Ick. Just quietly reading a book, that's us.:)

Don't waste your time and money at Governors Beach.

The cruise center beach is gorgeous and within walking distance of the ship.

I had a great time at Margaritaville in November. The pool is beautiful and the service was great. Yes, the drinks are overpriced but, so what? It's vacation. The drinks onboard the ship are overpriced and that didn't stop me from enjoying them there, either!

I agree so what if drinks were overpriced........ IF they're good.

Ours were awful. :rolleyes: I think I resent wasting the sugar calories on a crummy umbrella drink than the price. :) I limit myself to just a few of those fun drinks and want them to be good....... Like on the ship.

:D We went to the bar at aft pool and Bartender Bong made me a great mojito and then I was a happy cruiser.

Continue walking along beach and you will find beatiful isolated beaches with free snorkeling. I brought my own equipment on a HAL cruise and beat their group to many good spots along beach.

Thanks everyone, you have confirm my thoughts. This is the first cruise I have been on in a long time. I plan to bring my own snorkle gear, and as you say the drinks are over priced everywhere so whats the difference.

We plan to go on the champagne cruise and snokel in St. Thomas to St. John, and the Bacardi tour in Puerto Rico. Any reviews on these excusions welcome.

THANKS AGAIN!!

MollyBax

We were there last Christmas and enjoyed a couple of hours at Margaritaville - there is no cover charge or charge to use the lounge chairs. Of course we ordered drinks (A bit overpriced, but "specialty drinks" are a bit pricey everywhere.) We tipped the guy well and he did not hound us to keep buying drinks. The music was great, and the chairs were very comfortable.

We then spent a couple of hours lying on the beach under the trees (other side of the pier from the swimming beach). No charge for the chairs there either and we did not buy drinks. It was very relaxing, and not crowded at all (everyone seemed to be on the "swimming beach" side).

Here's Grand Turk in Nov. '08. A beautiful day and very nice beach. Sit back and relax...

We used the chaise lounges and pool at no charge. Drinks were awful and overpriced IMO but how can one go to Margaritteville and not have one margarita. Got that out of my system :D and when we return on Eurodam, we will use the pool and chairs but not the bar. :) We'll have whatever drinks we want on the ship.

 

No charge for the beach either.

 

It's easy for those of us that live close to the border.:p

I thought beer was expensive on the ship until I got the bill at Margaritaville!:eek:

it's like the private islands but w/duty free shopping and a pool. If you want a good drink, go to the bar and tell the bartender how strong you want it. Most people like the unbrellas more than the rum. So far no one has answered the question as to the price of drinks other than saying expensive. What was the cost of a bloody mary? Rum punch? rum and coke?

it's like the private islands but w/duty free shopping and a pool. If you want a good drink, go to the bar and tell the bartender how strong you want it. Most people like the unbrellas more than the rum. So far no one has answered the question as to the price of drinks other than saying expensive. What was the cost of a bloody mary? Rum punch? rum and coke?

I can't speak to regular cocktails like that, but I was drinking pretty strong "Woman to Blame" margaritas - I cannot say exactly, but they were in the $6 range, pretty standard. The ones we got at the bar were definately stronger than the one the waitress brought at lunch.

NOTE - the 15% tip is added on, even at the bar.

I would guess simple rum and coke would be cheaper, and there ARE premium margaritas on the menu for 10 - 12 bucks. I am not a tequila connisour (sp) so it would be wasted on me.

Yes the loungers on the beach were free,

I also brought my own snorkeling gear, was debating about doing the

tour operated snorkeling, but didnt want to abandon dw too long, ended up just doing it right off the beach and it was great, amazing amount of fish and rays right along the pier it was wonderful and and a very delightful experience. they dont want to to swim under the pier however. But no need to cause there was fish everywhere, very large ones also 3- 4 ft long some of them.

Also took a nice walk to the conch graveyard, which was a nice little walk along the beach. stayed away from margaritaville which was fine by me,

was a great relaxing day.

We loved our day in Grand Turk on our recent Eurodam cruise. From our prior research, we determined there was not much we were interested in seeing on the island, and planned a beach day. As the only ship in port , there were plenty of free beach chairs, with lots of shade if one desired. Beautiful beach. Being frequent visitors to the Caribbean, we were long ago accustomed to "sticker shock" regarding the price for food and drink. As Jimmy Buffet fans, it was worth it to us to enjoy drinks and lunch at Margaritaville - and some great music while doing so. Margaritas were $8, a shared nacho platter (enough for lunch for two) was $14. Less than our nightly donation to the casino!! and we didn't have to hike back to the ship to get it. The pool was huge, and as the beach, not crowded, with plenty of chairs. We much preferred this over Half Moon Cay!!

Also, no tenders!!

http://www.grandturkcc.com/IslandInformation/Map-CruiseCenter.aspx

That has been previously offered by KJ, and you can also buy Cuban Cigars at the duty free shop at the local airport.

We did the bone fishing excursion which was fun.

Also Molly, stop by Don Q for a free rum drink while in Puerto Rico. It is across from Pier 2, where the fun segway excursion is offered locally.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=22384743&highlight=#post22384743

Smooth Sailings