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Carnival Corps Grand Turk -private island?

agc291

By agc291,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Homosassa

Homosassa

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Gran Turk is a Carnival controlled profit center similar to Half Moon Cay.

 

Before the passenger rip off could begin, Carnival needed to rebuilt ruins (e.g.; the lighthouse and other sites) and put in roads to be able to offer shore excursions.

 

We were on a HAL cruise that stopped there soon after the port opened. The passengers who paid for the shore excursions were very unhappy once back on board. Many were loudly discussing the "rip off" and stating they would not do another Gran Turk excursion.

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otisishere

otisishere

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The Carnival "controlled" area is the duty free shopping area. Get past the "controlled" area and you find a small town island to explore. We usually rent a golf cart or scooter right outside the duty free gates from Nathan and roam around the island. There are wild mules and goats that roam freely, it is a hoot. :eek: We will usually stop somewhere on the beach for cocktails and or lunch and spend a nice day out and about. Not a bad way to spend the day...:D

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golfadj

golfadj

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The Carnival "controlled" area is the duty free shopping area. Get past the "controlled" area and you find a small town island to explore. We usually rent a golf cart or scooter right outside the duty free gates from Nathan and roam around the island. There are wild mules and goats that roam freely, it is a hoot. :eek: We will usually stop somewhere on the beach for cocktails and or lunch and spend a nice day out and about. Not a bad way to spend the day...:D

 

Wow missed all the wildlife. How did i miss the old goat?

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rockbock

rockbock

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It is supposed to have excellent snorkeling.

 

You need to take a boat out for good snorkeling there. It's not like Channanaab Park in Cozumel or all of the beaches in Roatan where you can snorkel right off of the beach. The port is beautiful (pool, beach, shopping, etc.), but the shore snorkeling was terrible.

 

 

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golfadj

golfadj

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You need to take a boat out for good snorkeling there. It's not like Channanaab Park in Cozumel or all of the beaches in Roatan where you can snorkel right off of the beach. The port is beautiful (pool, beach, shopping, etc.), but the shore snorkeling was terrible.

 

 

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We are not snorkelers but like the Margaritaville and the beach so it is a nice stop for us.

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RIGUY40

RIGUY40

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Thank you for sharing! We have never been but will go for the first time this coming May! Now I think we will be looking for a golf cart and taking a pleasant ride! Thank you!

 

We rented a golf cart, was well worth it. We ended up a Jacks Shack. Had a great time. The drinks were strong and reasonable. Enjoy.

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beachbum53

beachbum53

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Margaritaville is where most of the cruisers tend to congregate, to eat, drink, swim, and shop for souvenirs. The island itself is very fascinating. Do yourself a favor and rent a golf cart and go explore the island on your own. Jack's Shack is a popular place to eat and just chill out for a while. There's a really nice beach there for swimming. The conch fritters aren't bad, but they are a little chewy. If you do decide to rent a golf cart, contact Nathan's Golf Cart Rentals (you'll find him on Google). Make sure you take your rental confirmation with you when you leave the ship at Grand Turk. The rentals are limited, so if you don't have your confirmation with you, you may lose out.

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agc291

agc291

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Thank you for all of your great ideas... We have a private horse back riding excursion planned in the morning but will look into some of these options for the rest of the day. We are lucky enough to be in port until 5 pm.

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Pellaz

Pellaz

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It isn't privately owned but Im not aware of any cruiseline outside of the Carnival umbrella that calls there:confused:

 

 

RCCL called there at least once; it was a full-boat music charter (70,000 Tons of Metal). I was surprised since it always seemed like Carnival PLC lines were the exclusive users.

 

Not only is the island not company property, but Cockburn Town ("co-burn town') is the capital of Turks & Caicos. Recently the UK took back control of T&C due to corruption in the local government and placed it under direct Crown control, but within the last year or so T&C got its home-rule back.

 

 

Here's a pic of a non-Carnival-owned wild horse, which are common on Grand Turk:

 

imgp0133.jpg

 

 

That was on shore right at the southern tip of the island where we did our snuba excursion through Carnival -- it was great. (And the land is for sale...there's a nice coral reef right offshore. :) )

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otisishere

otisishere

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Do you remember the cost of renting the golf cart? Do they seat 4? This looks like fun for a family and relaxing. Thank you for the idea.

 

They quoted 100.00, we bartered and settled on 80.00 for approx. 4 hours left of our time in port. I am guessing but the quote is probably for the day. They are gas powered carts and a tad noisy but we had a blast. :D

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