BeachLoverr

We saw whales in Grand Turk on a snorkeling excursion in 2012 with Grand Turk Diving - just dumb luck though...

I agree with the comments on this thread about La Romana, DR - it was dicey there. We never take Carnival excursions but we did there.

I just got back from my cruise that included a stop in Grand Turk. The two things I wanted to do were see the Conch Shell Graveyard, and visit Jack's Shack. We found the Conch Shell Graveyard (which was not what I expected? Maybe too many people have taken Conch shells home), but we walked and walked and walked and never found Jack's Shack? Cruising again in February, and would like to find it this time!! Any directions from anyone? Thanks!

Do you feel like the Conch Shell Graveyard but was worth the walk?

Can you tell me how long it took you to walk there?

Hope you're able to find Jack's when you go back. We had a great time there - my husband dreams about the jerk chicken and it's been 4 years since we've been there :)

Make sure you check out their website before you go - you can print a coupon for a free rum shot!

We snorkelled with Grand Turk Diving in 2012 and were really impressed - had a great time. We even ended up doing a little bit of whale watching :)

Can you confirm for me that the buses do not run on a Sunday?

I'm wondering what else won't be open on a Sunday?

I'd also love your opinion on local food... what are your feelings on The Nutmeg and Coconut Beach?

Thanks in advance for the info Island Star :)

Two hour tour with drop off at coki beach for 4 hours then pick back to port was $150. We had 4 adults and 2 kids

Thank you!

Hi there! We used Dean last year and are going to be using him again this year. Very clean air conditioned van, very personable gentleman. This is his email address:

dean_chinnery1@msn.com

 

He also has a website: http://www.deanstaxi.com

 

He was right there waiting for us at the agreed upon time. We did exactly what you have in mind, a short tour and drop off/ pick up at a beach.

 

We made all arrangements with him prior and did not run into any issues. Just tell him exactly what you want and for how many people to get a quote.

We were only 4 in our group and he did all this for us only, no other passengers where picked up.

 

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!!

Hi there! Do you happen to remember how much Dean charged for this?

Which beach did you choose and how long did you stay?

Once you get back into Oranjestad, there will most likely be a traffic backup getting back inside the cruise terminal. IF that were to happen you could always get out of the taxi and walk the rest of the way. We are talking about walking a few blocks.

 

Is it possible the tour operator does not want your business? Do they think you will have trouble finding a taxi? What resort does Octopus leave from in front of?

 

I can't figure why he wouldn't want the business... he said getting a taxi should be no problem. His website says that the trip departs from the pier between Holiday Inn and Playa Linda. He's definitely not wordy in his email replies. He has good reviews on Trip Advisor. I mainly chose him because the other sunset cruises I can find don't end until 7pm and I feel like that is really cutting it close!

It should be easily doable. You can catch a taxi outside the lobby of any Palm Beach hotel. If there is not one there right that second, a bellman will gladly call one for you.

I was asking because the tour operator told me he didn't think we would have enough time... any idea why? I've read a lot about how bad traffic can be. Do you think that might be an issue?

I'm looking at booking a sunset sail with the Octopus in January. Their trip is from 4:30-6:30pm from Palm Beach. The ship leaves at 8pm - so if memory serves, we need to be back on board by 7:30pm.

Do we have enough time to get back to port in time? We plan to take the bus down earlier in the day - but would we be better off taking a taxi back? Would we be able to find one easily?

Thanks in advance!

Hi! I just spoke to Carnival this week regarding this. I'm on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in January 2014 and booking my own excursions as well.

3 of the 4 ports we are visiting are an hour ahead of Florida time. I was told that the ship will stay on "ship's time" - meaning Florida time.

Just to be sure I checked my old "Fun Times" - you know, the inserts they put under your door every morning when you're on board - from my cruise in 2012. On that cruise, all of the ports were also an hour ahead. Every morning we were in port, the Fun Times had a bolded reminder on the front page to "remember to stick to ship time."

Hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise :)