The Grand Turk Cruise Center officially reopened November 1 following damage the destination sustained during Hurricane Maria, with a visit from Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Ecstasy, part of the ship’s seven-day voyage from Charleston. The festivities included a shipboard reception with the Carnival Ecstasy’s officers, executives from Carnival Corporation and port and government officials.
During the Carnival Ecstasy’s day-long stop in Grand Turk, guests enjoyed the port’s wide range of amenities, including unique shopping and dining experiences and an on-site pool, as well as a variety of shore excursion experiences. The island is also home to Splashdown Grand Turk, a unique exhibit commemorating the National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s Mercury space program and the historic 1962 splashdown of the Friendship 7 capsule off the coast of Grand Turk.
The visit from the Carnival Ecstasy is the first of dozens of calls going forward at Grand Turk, a $60 million facility opened by Carnival Corporation in 2006.
The 20-acre complex has direct access to an 800-foot-long beach, swimming pool and FlowRider attraction, which offers body boarding and stand-up board surfing.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to Grand Turk, which is known for diving and snorkeling, as well as beaches and a variety of watersports activities. Adventures like ziplining and all-terrain vehicle excursions are also available.
Hurricane Maria passed Turks and Caicos in late September. While many hotels escaped damage, some, such as the Club Med Turkoise, remain closed, with an expected reopening January 31, 2018, with some yet-to-be-named property enhancements. Beaches Turks and Caicos Village & Spa, which had previously been forced to close until December 14 by Hurricane Irma, reported that it is still on track for that opening date.
Related Stories
Caribbean - Open for Business: Turks and Caicos
Puerto Rico Aims to Bring Back Tourists by Christmas
Hotels Reopen in Dominica Following Hurricane Maria
Royal Caribbean’s Michael Bayley Talks Hurricanes, Agents and More