Sunday, August 11, 2013

Turks And Caicos Grand Turk Cruise Center Guide

By Andrea Davidson


Grand Turk Cruise Center or GTCC is where cruise ships are berthed when they stop by at the Turks and Caicos Islands. The archipelago's capital is the Island of Grand Turk, ideally situated just 30 miles north of the Bahamas and 575 miles from the Florida coast. Most ships that dock at GTCC have a Caribbean itinerary and are packed with passengers who board from Miami and other U. S. Ports on the east coast.

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.

The best place for food and drinks is the world's largest Margaritaville, also located within GTCC. It has a restaurant and bar that fills people with an infectious holiday atmosphere. There's also a retail store that sells all kinds of Jimmy Buffett merchandise.

The best place on the island for maxing out credit cards is the GTCC shopping complex. It has 10,000 square feet of retail space set aside just for duty-free goods. There are many other shops for apparel, jewelry and other high-end designer branded items. It also has restaurants, along with gift and souvenir shops peddling local trinkets, handicrafts and art works.

Governor's Beach is probably the most famous attraction on this island. An air-conditioned shuttle will take people to the sugar white sands of the beach and then back to GTCC. Most people end up snoozing on the complimentary beach chairs, soaking in the sun and getting a tan. Snorkeling to explore the coral reefs in the magical underwater world below the sparkling turquoise surface is also a popular activity. The snorkeling gear and training on how to use it are provided.

Visitors seeking a nice and quiet spot can head for South Beach between the pier and cruise center. There's so much to see and do in the Grand Turk Cruise Center that it's hard to give it up and explore the rest of the island. A short boat ride is needed to reach Gibb's Cay with its wonderful soft white sand and gentle stingrays. Many tourists take a tour of the historic colonial architecture in Cockburn Town.




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