Anthomaniac

GO TO THE WALL! really, it is the third largest reef in the world, and it drops a staggering 7,000 feet! (Hence, the name)

Looooove my cabana!

Hi All

 

We are finally getting to go to HMC in March (I hope), after 2 cancellations due to hurricanes. We have booked the aquatrax excursion and I am wondering how far the walk is from the tender drop off? I'm a little worried because the excursion starts at 9 am and it seems like it will be a healthy walk to get there. Any info would be appreciated. Plus, anyone who has done this--what was it like? Was it fun or do they limit how much you can do? If we have a 9 am excursion, do we get a priority tender?

 

Thx

ML

Yes, you get priority tendering with a booked excursion. They also have safari style trucks to shuttle people who have excursions and cabanas/villas to where they need to go. To the left after you pass through the gate is the excursion desk, just ask for the shuttle. :)

Sounds like you got on the commuter trolley, there are several that use the same stops.

Named because the cap resembles a fez that the turks used to wear :)

Yup grand turk is truly a "Desert Island" there is even a native cactus called the "Turk's Cap"

Thanks! I am shamelessly stealing your route and claiming all the credit when we go there in November! 😋😋😋

Unless their island policy has changed in the past two years, there are no "private beaches" on the island. all beaches are public, and can be accessed and used by anyone. this makes it possible to find absolutely empty stretches of pure white sand, good god I love Grand Turk...is it November yet???

tricks to not get lost -

hang a sign or dry erase sheet or some kind of marker on your door, helps avoid those awkward trying-to-get-into-the-wrong-room moments

grab the little ship map at guest services when you arrive, and take it with you until you feel comfortable - its a very small little booklet

study the deck plan ahead of time, they are on the carnival website, as well as a few other sites. make sure you are looking at the most current deck plan, as several ships have had renovation in the past few years

don't be afraid to ask the employees for help, they live on the ship for a large portion of the year and could probably get from the Lido Deck to the MDR to the Spa to the Comedy Club with their eyes closed

memorize which way you turn to get to the stairs/elevator when you leave your room

if needed, on embarkation day, use your deck plan map and walk off the public areas of the ship (the decks that are completely passenger cabins you can skip, unless you really need to see the WHOLE ship)

as a last resort, you could always try to hire a Sherpa to lead you where you need to go :D

hope this helps!

yup, I usually wear mens board shorts as well...protects my cadaver white skin on my butt and thighs from the lobster burn!

our first cruise it took me about a day to get used to the Destiny, but one of our group it took till day 3 or 4...YMMV

If you feel that you absolutely MUST have that extra hour, drop your bags off early, get in line first for the lido lunch buffet, skip the long lines at guest services (because you waited until the last minute), or whatever else this affords you, then GO FOR IT!

actually I didn't wait until the last minute, it was the middle of the cruise and there were about ten people in line. the passenger at the front of the line was still waiting when the two of us in the priority line were done and on our way.

I wear a one piece under the rash guard, after I lose a bit more weight I might try the bikini top...

We got it for our cruises to HMC, to get into our room right away, and for the priority tendering. An extra hour on HMC is totally worth it.

It was also nice to bypass the massive line at the desk the few times I needed something.

We got it for our cruises to HMC, to get into our room right away, and for the priority tendering. An extra hour on HMC is totally worth it.

Love love love HMC! We splurge for the cabana, and get priority tendering with FTF, and spend the day in one of the most beautiful spots we've ever seen

We always put up a dry erase board/sheet. Friends can leave us messages, we can put up funny quotes, and it helps us find our door.

You can make your own by laminating a sheet of paper, decorated or plain.

 

The problem with this Holiday Inn and this area is there was no where to eat breakfast unless you wanted to take a cab or eat a very overpriced breakfast in the hotel. Nothing at Bayside Market opens until 10. So we ended up walking back down to CVS the next morning and buying some cereal and milk.

 

There is a very delicious French bistro only a few blocks away, we have eaten there for breakfast the past two times we have stayed downtown (once at the holiday inn, once at the intercontinental). I would highly recommend it next time you are staying downtown. I know there are a few others in the area too, sorry you guys missed out.

200 loooooong days 😭😭😭😭😭😭

We've used SAS twice as well, and have had great service from them.

Not exactly your question, but I can recommend SAS transport. We've used them twice to get from FLL to Biscayne, right next to the port.

Ok I got some pics of the new cabanas last wednesday...should be able to post them later today...

too much hassle for me, even if we didnt fly to port...

Just came back onboard after a perfect day on HMC.

 

They are building 5 new cabanas. 2 story ones. In between the existing ones.

 

They are just pulling up the anchor. Gotta go for sailaway.

do you have pictures?

try SAS they were great for us in May...