1st stop,Grand Turks, you have 6 hours, pros and cons, do's and don'ts?

Thanks in advance.

Family of 4, mom, dad, 16 and 13 year-old.

Traveling 6 other families ranging from 7-70, however, we made it clear that they can join us or do as they wish.

Once again, thanks...………...

It is totally dependent on your family. We have always just played in the beach or at Margaritaville next to it. We like Grand Turk as a really low key day.

Our first time there we got off and spent about 1 hour in the water right off the dock. There were tons of fish so we enjoyed some simple snorkeling. Then we made our way to Margaritaville and spent the day lounging and swimming and watching the flo rider. My husband and daughter took a stroll over to Jacks shack to see Topher and to buy some jerk chicken. My son and I met up with them and we had a fun time!!

If you've never been there, do a Carnival operated excursion (or locally operated tour) and get away from the crowded main area. There are some nice beaches, a quaint little town, a lighthouse. Not a ton of things to see, but a few. Everything is pretty spread out (other than the main cruise ship run area) and not practical to see on foot. If you want to save money and don't mind the crowd, there is a beach and pool right in front of where the ship anchors and a Margaretville (if you are a partier). There is also a small NASA exhibit in that area concerning the Mercury space capsule that splashed down nearby.

First off, this thread is likely going to get moved soon to Ports Of Call.

As for Grand Turk, we’ve been there so many times that it’s one of those ports that we consider to just stay on the ship.

The beach is nice and all with free loungers, and Margheritaville is hip but we like days at sea so this allows us to create an additional day at sea

Nice beach just off to the left once you leave the pier. Spent the whole day swimming and snorkeling. Sat on the sand, didn't need to hire lounge chairs and it was an enjoyable day.

It's kind of like a sea day with a lot more elbow room. Love it.

Grand Turk (no s) is a great place. Get away from the 9879889 people at Margaritaville and the beach at the port and go enjoy the place. Despite the previous comment you do NOT need a Carnival excursion to see the island and get away from the madness. Get a golf cart for $90 and ride around, go to the lighthouse, enjoy a day at the beach at Governor's Beach, spend the day at Jack's Shack eating/drinking and playing with Topher, check out the little "shops (I use that term lightly) in Cockburn Town, grab some food at John's in Cockburn Town, it's a great place and not crowded at all.

First off, this thread is likely going to get moved soon to Ports Of Call.

 

As for Grand Turk, we’ve been there so many times that it’s one of those ports that we consider to just stay on the ship.

 

The beach is nice and all with free loungers, and Margheritaville is hip but we like days at sea so this allows us to create an additional day at sea

Hope it doesn't get moved because when one post in the Ports of Call you tend to not get as many relies as here...…….

Thanks for the tips

Save your excursion money for other ports of call. Grand Turk has a fabulous free HUGE swimming pool right at the end of the pier, and also a free beach at the pier (with free loungers). And with your large group, some members might be casino players, and Grand Turk is one of very few ports where the ship's casino is open while the ship is docked (and is less smoky because most passengers are off the ship).

Have a great cruise with your large group!

Very nice pool at margaritaville and if you get there early can get nice loungers in the shade.

We typically stay there for a few hours and stroll down the beach to Jack's Shack and back to the ship

We love grabbing a chair on the beach and just chilling. When we get tired of the beach- or hot- we hit Margaritaville for a drink and a t-shirt, then head back to the boat. Jack's Shack is neat too, it's a little further to walk down the beach, but more secluded there.

I've never done an excursion in Grand Turk. To me, it's just a relaxing day off the boat. Our other ports on our sailing are St. Thomas and San Juan, so I'm saving the excursions for those.

Some of the best snorkeling and scuba in the Caribbean. It's offshore so one must do an excursion but well worth it if one likes this sort of thing.

Google White Sands Excursions, Capt. Donovan. They are on the beach just to the left under the tent.

The best snorkeling in the world ! Do all the stops...:cool:

The lounge chairs at the Margaritaville pool are free, however, they want you to buy their booze and food which is expensive, in my opinion.

Most of the chairs on the beach are free. There is a security person on the beach who will advise you which color chairs are complimentary. There are private vendors who sell their own chairs that are a different color and usually closer to the water. Also, we were witness to two incidences in April when the private vendors also charged for the chairs that are free. We saw two groups of cruisers loudly fighting with these vendors and asking for their money back so be wary of these vendors who are charging for the free loungers.

We love grabbing a chair on the beach and just chilling. When we get tired of the beach- or hot- we hit Margaritaville for a drink and a t-shirt, then head back to the boat. Jack's Shack is neat too, it's a little further to walk down the beach, but more secluded there.

 

I've never done an excursion in Grand Turk. To me, it's just a relaxing day off the boat. Our other ports on our sailing are St. Thomas and San Juan, so I'm saving the excursions for those.

Does Jack's provide free beach chairs and umbrellas?

Easy to go to the beach there or to the pool at Margaritaville at no additional charge except for food and drinks ordered. :)

We head left from the ship to Jack's Shack. Chairs are free, there is a charge for umbrellas, but I don't remember what it was. There are fewer rocks in the water down there & it's fun to play with the golden doodles, Topher & Calypso. They also have a grill - we always have jerk chicken & fries and enjoy an adult beverage.

Save your excursion money for other ports of call. Grand Turk has a fabulous free HUGE swimming pool right at the end of the pier, and also a free beach at the pier (with free loungers). And with your large group, some members might be casino players, and Grand Turk is one of very few ports where the ship's casino is open while the ship is docked (and is less smoky because most passengers are off the ship).

 

Have a great cruise with your large group!

Hmmmmm... I did not realize the casino stayed open. Anyone know what other ports this is true for?

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The lounge chairs at the Margaritaville pool are free, however, they want you to buy their booze and food which is expensive, in my opinion.

 

Say no thank you a few times to the waiters at Margaritaville and they will leave you alone

Do a Segway tour!

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When I'm on an adults trip, I always meet my main King at Margaritaville for the best snow in the Caribbean. March to the peruvian music down to Jacks shack and drink beers. Walk back as the beach starts to clear out. Swim for a bit. Try to always be one of the last people back on the ship at the end.

When I'm with the kids, we usually just hang out at Margaritaville the entire time. It's got everything they want. I don't swim in the pool so me and my oldest boy usually go to the ocean periodically and look at the cool fish.

We were just there. There were two ships at the same time (7-2). The cruise terminal beach/margaritaville was packed and the beach right there isn’t that great. The beach gets better the further down you go. Even Jack’s Shack was crowded. We rented chairs and umbrella from a lady at the beach in front of those pink dilapidated cottages. Beach/water there is great.

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We were just there. There were two ships at the same time (7-2). The cruise terminal beach/margaritaville was packed and the beach right there isn’t that great. The beach gets better the further down you go. Even Jack’s Shack was crowded. We rented chairs and umbrella from a lady at the beach in front of those pink dilapidated cottages. Beach/water there is great.

 

 

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Do you mean the little dilapidated souvenir shops that the locals sell from? I've noticed how nice (and un-crowded) the beach is there. I didn't know you could rent chairs and umbrellas there though. Cool. We're visiting GT again in a few months. I might have to check this out. I ha...um, dislike the area where the ship docks, Margaretville and all that.

How far of a walk is Jacks Shack? Do you walk on the beach or a paved sidewalk? Thanks

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