Friday, August 9, 2013

Turks And Caicos Grand Turk Cruise Center Guide

By Andrea Davidson


Cruise ships visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands can be found berthed at GTCC aka the Grand Turk Cruise Center. The capital of the archipelago is Grand Turk, perfectly located a bare 30 miles further ahead of the Bahamas, and just a few hundred miles off Florida's coast. Many of the ships that disgorge hundreds of passengers at GTCC are out on Caribbean cruises after picking up passengers at Miami and other U. S. East coast seaports.

The first thing passengers disembarking from a ship will see is the 3,000-foot long pier, with the welcome center and recreational facilities further ahead. Thankfully, only a short walk of less than 400 feet is required to reach the facility after getting off the ship. No need to worry about the weather, because it's sunny and pleasantly warm 350 days in a year.

At most ports of call for cruise ships, including those in the Caribbean, tourists have to exit the terminal and seek out the usual attractions. It has to be a quick visit to cover everything from duty-free shops to beaches, bars, restaurants and historical sites before it's time for the ship to move on to the next island. GTCC, however, is a wee bit different because it combines the port with resort-style facilities all in the same place.

GTCC offers everything tourists need, including a beach, swimming pool with air-conditioned cabanas, a shopping complex with duty-free goods, huge restaurants and more. They even have the FlowRider, a water park with artificial waves that surfers can ride. The kicker is that access to most facilities is free for visitors since it is part of the shore excursion organized by the cruise company.

GTCC also has the biggest Margaritaville in the world. It's not just a restaurant, because there's a lot more to it. The themed restaurant and bar offer a happy holiday vibe, and the retail store has all kinds of goods including Jimmy Buffett merchandise.

In fact, shopaholics will be delighted to see the 45,000-square-foot shopping center packed to the rafters with all kinds of shops. There's a huge duty-free shop, along with other shops offering everything from high-end jewelry to designer-branded apparel and more restaurants. It also has gift and souvenir shops offering local handicrafts and art work.

Outside GTCC, the most popular attraction on Grand Turk is Governor's Beach. A shuttle picks up guests at GTCC and takes them to the beach, and then back to the center. Most people spend a few hours soaking in the sun and snoozing on the free beach chairs. Don't forget to explore the wondrous world and coral reefs beneath the turquoise water's sparkling surface. Snorkeling gear and training are provided, if needed.

South Beach on the way from the pier to the center is a nice place for people who want to spend some quiet down time on the beach. There's a lot more on the island awaiting discovery, assuming passengers are able to tear themselves from the varied pleasures of the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Gibb's Cay, offering soft white sands and tame stingrays, is just a quick boat ride away. Cockburn Town with its splendid old colonial homes is another must-visit attraction.




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