Emerald Princess-April 25 to May 1st-Eastern Caribbean

[ifuwill]

This was our 3rd Princess cruise/ship and despite the weather forecasts for thunder storms and showers each day, the only day it actually rained significantly was in the late afternoon at Princess Cays. You could see the black skies and subsequent storm rolling in. The tender trip back to the ship was like a roller coaster ride. On disembarkation, one second you would be stepping up onto the ship's platform and a split second later you would be stepping down a couple of feet. Some passengers were laughing while others were obviously very distressed and crying.

All other aspects of this cruise were enjoyable except that we were all dissappointed with the Grand Turk experience. Who ever heard of having to enter and exit a beach through a large retail outlet? And this coupled with the fact that all the passengers from the "Carnival Glory" having previously docked, took up all if not most of the seating on the good preferred portion of the beach. Consequently, the nine of us were directed to the alternate beach to the right of the store. This beach is fine if you just wanted to lie in a chair. However, if you wanted to go in the water...GOOD LUCK!!! It was like walking along a poorly poured cement patio with unexpected pot holes and small black spiny sea urchins lying in every crevice. There was no clear access point to the water as there was on the other side. The cruise director "Tim" promised plenty of seating for everyone on the morning Wake program. True, but not in preferential areas.

Oh... if you attempted to try to walk along the beach under the overpass to the nicer beach, forget it. The security guards on the bridge overhead would tell you to stop as it was prohibited for some reason.

[Rob & Beckys mom]

I agree that Grand Turk is not the best for going in the water, but having been to the "good" side...it's not much better. Large rocks everywhere & the only good part is that the water is so clear you can see them before you step on them. We just stay on the ship having experienced this island.

 

Jan

[Debbierpof]

I agree that Grand Turk is not the best for going in the water, but having been to the "good" side...it's not much better. Large rocks everywhere & the only good part is that the water is so clear you can see them before you step on them. We just stay on the ship having experienced this island.

 

Jan

 

 

Did Grand Turk and loved it! But we did not stay anywhere near the cruise center/pier. We took a cab to the other side of the island and went to Bohio Resort (Pillory Beach). It was absolutely stunning! The resort was lovely and they did not charge for using the facilities. We ate lunch and had drinks (awesome conch fritters). My FIL & MIL sat in the shade (they had a hammock). There was great snorkeling and the beach was sandy throughout. It is one of our favorite ports in the Caribbean. But, again, we steered clear of the tourist trap at the pier.

[Toto2Kansas]

We visited Grand Turk last time where the Carnival ship arrived in the AM long before our ship did. It was terrible. There wasn't a seat to be had anywhere, and we were one of the first off the ship on our way to the beach. This is not a large enough port to have more than one ship at a time there. Princess Cays could handle two ships better than Grand Turk. IMHO!

 

Edited, I just checked and rechecked the Grand Turk port schedule and thankfully, when we visit there this month, Grand Turk has us (the Emerald princess) as the only scheduled ship for that day. Thankfully!