Caribbean Travel Dreams Blog

The Grand Turk Cruise Center officially opened last week with a reception attended by government officials from the Turk & Caicos Islands and representatives from Carnival Corp. & PLC, the operator of the $42 million center.  

Although the Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed its first ship on February 25, 2006 when Holland America's Noordam made it's inaugural call at the facility, the official opening marks the completion of construction. 

Coinciding with the official opening is the launch of a new FM radio station, GT Cruise FM, which offers a mix of Caribbean tunes, as well as news and information on Grand Turk Island and the cruise center. Deputy Chief Minister Floyd Hall said, since the first call 11 weeks ago, the Grand Turk Cruise Center has hosted 15 ships from five cruise lines which collectively brought more than 25,000 passengers and 11,000 crew members to Grand Turk.  The Grand  Turk Cruise Center features a state-of-the-art pier that can accommodate two 100,000-ton-plus vessels and a 13-acre complex that includes an expansive recreation area with an 800-foot white-sand beach, a swimming pool, cabanas, retail shops and the Caribbean's largest "Margaritaville"-themed bar and restaurant, owned by Jimmy Buffet. Nearly two dozen shore excursions -- including horseback riding, kayaking, scuba diving, and a "Hop On, Hop Off" bus tour -- are also available. This year, the Grand Turk Cruise Center will host more than 130 cruise ship calls, including Carnival Cruise Lines' Elation, Princess Cruises' Crown Princess and Costa Cruises' Costa Magica. Other cruise lines visiting Grand Turk this year include Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Hapag Lloyd and Fred Olsen. For more information on Grand Turk Cruise Center, visit www.grandturkcc.com.

To book your next cruise vacation and visit this beautiful port, contact Pattie Mitchell, ACC of Travel Dreams - www.traveldreams.us
E-mail: traveldreams10@yahoo.com