Cruising to Grand Turk

It is really only been in the last decade that Grand Turk has come on the radar screen for people going on cruise vacations. The capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk has always been overshadowed by its upmarket sister island Providenciales as a tourist destination. However, following a $60 million investment by Carnival Corporation to create a cruise center there, Grand Turk is no longer in the backseat.

The cruise center complex is more than a pier and a terminal building. Rather, it is 18 acres of resort. Right next to the cruise ship pier is a beautiful white sand beach lapped by crystal clear waters. Beyond the coconut palms that shade the beach is a large salt water swimming pool, a Flow-rider surfing simulator and the world's largest Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville. Around the central plaza are shops bearing internationally-known names. Furthermore, the entire complex has been done in an architectural style that pays tribute to the traditional architecture of the island. Thus, not only is there a lot to do, but the complex is eye-pleasing as well.

Cruisers looking for a beach resort experience need never leave the cruise complex. However, the rest of this small island is not without interest. As a newcomer to the Caribbean cruise world, Grand Turk still has something of the traditional atmosphere of a Caribbean island. Its only real town is still dominated by low-rise colonial buildings. You can easily cross the street without being run down by tour buses and there is an absence of souvenir shops and fast food restaurants. Outside of Cockburn Town, you can still find undeveloped areas and secluded beaches.

There are signs that this may be changing. There is a tourist-oriented shopping plaza under construction in Cockburn Town for example. Such changes should be good for the local economy and will give visitors more to see and enjoy during their stay in Grand Turk. But by definition, such changes mean that the old lifestyle will disappear or at least altered. That is the way of progress. However, at least for the moment, you can still experience it in Grand Turk.

Beyondship's profile of Grand Turk begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---grand-turk.html The cruise port complex is shown at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-grand-turk-cruise-port.html The island's other attractions are presented at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-grand-turk-attractions.html