beshears Posted October 12, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 12, 2016 There are 8 of us that plan to be in Turks next March. We are on a "tight" budget. Is there anything we can see/do that doesn't cost much, or is almost free, or free? Everyone is depending upon me to come up with "ideas," that is why I am asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuyahoga11 Posted October 12, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Beach and pool is free Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustybuttons123 Posted October 12, 2016 #3 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Which island? Providenciales or Grand Turk? And what are your interests? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wampuscat7 Posted October 12, 2016 #4 Share Posted October 12, 2016 If you're going to Grand Turk, the ship pulls right up to a beach. Beach is free. Pool at Margaritaville is also free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted October 13, 2016 #5 Share Posted October 13, 2016 You're in luck at Grand Turk! :D As others have said ... The beach and chairs are at no cost in the port terminal area. The huge pool and chairs at Margaritaville are also at no charge. There will be a charge for any drinks/food you order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted October 13, 2016 #6 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Which island? Providenciales or Grand Turk? And what are your interests? FYI, Cruise ships don't go to Providenciales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted October 13, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thank you ALL for your responses. This will really help. I know everyone loves the pool/beach, so that will really help. Are there any vendors that sell the native products, and if so, do they bargain or anything like that? I know some ports do, not that we would be trying to get the product free. Anything to see that would be a MUST there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellaz Posted October 18, 2016 #8 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Thank you ALL for your responses. This will really help. I know everyone loves the pool/beach, so that will really help. If you have anyone going who likes snorkeling, you can also snorkel right off the beach by Margaritaville. I was there last Thursday and was surprised at how good the snorkeling was, out by the line that you're not supposed to go past (but we did, a little. :) ) There are two anchors and a cannon submerged out there (15-20 feet deep) to encourage coral growth, and there were more fish there than there were last year. Next to there it drops to 40 feet deep. Are there any vendors that sell the native products, and if so, do they bargain or anything like that? I know some ports do, not that we would be trying to get the product free. There are a limited number of vendors at the port area, which also translates into less bargaining and higher prices. Unlike, say, Nassau, where vendors are [too] plentiful and pricing competition is fierce, a $20 souvenir t-shirt at Grand Turk will probably stay $20.....whereas at Nassau a souvenir tee can be had for $4 or $5. But you can always try to talk them down. Anything to see that would be a MUST there? Hard to say. The island is only 8 miles long with a population of about 4,500. You can take an inexpensive taxi to the capital city of Coburn Town (that's how it's pronounced, not spelled), or up to Grand Turk Lighthouse at the far northern tip of the island. It's kinda pretty. Within walking distance there is an informational display to the right of the cruise pier about John Glenn's capsule recovery, which took place at Grand Turk. You can also walk the beach to the left past Margaritaville and hang out at Jack's Shack, which is co-owned by an American ex-pat and his dog, Topher, who is probably the most famous canine in the Caribbean. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted October 18, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Good info to know. Thanks for ALL the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvz2cruz Posted December 8, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 8, 2016 You are right at the ship so if on a tight budget it is easy to get on for lunch and go back out to beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted December 26, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted December 26, 2016 That is good to know, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coondog99 Posted January 7, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 7, 2017 The Conch beach is down to the right about 5 minutes after you get off the ship. Just past, the second smaller dock you will see hundreds of shells on the beach. Worth the walk. Farther down is the southernmost tip of the island. Also near that is the NASA exhibit that is very interesting The Margaritaville pool is free as is the beach. There is a rental hut close to the pier that rents various items as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coondog99 Posted January 7, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Picture attached that shows the approximate location to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie05 Posted January 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I would save souvenir purchases for more touristy stop. You can always buy a tshirt onboard often that lists all your ports. Last day they usually have 2 for $20/25 The Margarita pool is really nice. We didn't buy any drinks and went back to the ship to eat. It's. A nice relaxing port without a lot of vendors. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kctwinmommy Posted January 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 11, 2017 If you have anyone going who likes snorkeling, you can also snorkel right off the beach by Margaritaville. I was there last Thursday and was surprised at how good the snorkeling was, out by the line that you're not supposed to go past (but we did, a little. :) ) There are two anchors and a cannon submerged out there (15-20 feet deep) to encourage coral growth, and there were more fish there than there were last year. Next to there it drops to 40 feet deep. Yep! My husband, son and friends went snorkeling there like 3-4 times throughout the day. They love the snorkeling there because it's nice, clear, and just easy to do. If you want, you can see about renting one of the Margaritaville cabanas, then you have a nice, secure place for everyone to hang and meet up throughout the day. It's technically for 4 people, but we had 7, since again, people in our group were coming and going all day. Just the other wife and myself pretty much hung there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthomaniac Posted January 14, 2017 #16 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Good snorkeling right off the pier. As you face the port with the ship at your back, go to the right. it is a rocky area and you will see lots of fish, sea urchins, etc. we saw a massive ray when we were there in November of 2015. there are local items for sale in the terminal area. as you come out of the dufree shop, take a left around the corner and there are local vendors with handmade soaps, locally sourced sea salt (what the island was historically used for) and other craft items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted January 16, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Yes, my sons will be glad to know about the snorkeling there at T & C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yags Posted January 16, 2017 #18 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I would like to check out some of the close beaches to the Ship on You Tube. Do they have names that anyone remembers? Thanks if you can. We will be on the Crown Princess on its March 25th cruise maybe the same one as our thread starter. The pool sounds Great at Margaritaville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthomaniac Posted January 16, 2017 #19 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I would like to check out some of the close beaches to the Ship on You Tube. Do they have names that anyone remembers? Thanks if you can. We will be on the Crown Princess on its March 25th cruise maybe the same one as our thread starter. The pool sounds Great at Margaritaville. Governor's beach, Margaritaville beach, white sands beach Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eemrald Posted January 19, 2017 #20 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Great tips here. If we snorkel in the areas around the ship where can we rent snorkel gear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanWeGoYet? Posted January 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Turks & Caicos National Museum - $5 admission for cruise ship passengers. It's small but sweet, well worth it. There are taxis waiting right outside the cruise center, the island is small & the fare is cheap. There was a little school boy who gave the spiel as we first entered the museum - something a little different than the usual drinking / beach activity. And you should have plenty of time for that too on your port day. Kids under 12 are free, according the website, if accompanied by an adult. https://www.tcmuseum.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTRMom Posted January 22, 2017 #22 Share Posted January 22, 2017 This is one of my favorite ports now. We are going back in March and I can't wait. The beach is directly off the ship and you can get great pictures with the boat right behind you. They even have the Carnival photographers going around and taking pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyZ Posted February 7, 2017 #23 Share Posted February 7, 2017 There are 8 of us that plan to be in Turks next March. We are on a "tight" budget. Is there anything we can see/do that doesn't cost much, or is almost free, or free? Everyone is depending upon me to come up with "ideas," that is why I am asking. Tight budget? Stay as far away from Margheritaville as possible. Beach and loungers are free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted February 9, 2017 #24 Share Posted February 9, 2017 There are 8 of us that plan to be in Turks next March. We are on a "tight" budget. Is there anything we can see/do that doesn't cost much, or is almost free, or free? Everyone is depending upon me to come up with "ideas," that is why I am asking. This is probably one of the (potential) cheapest beaches you will visit in any port. Everything you could possibly want "free" is there from the beach to the pool, to exploring the conch graveyard, seeing the dedication area/statues for John Glenn and so on. Here's a link to my pictures from our first time there last year (we went a second time as well and rented a golf cart and explored the island and beaches), but it will give you an idea of the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted February 9, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Mitsugirly, thank you for those pictures to check out. Can't hardly wait until the 18th of next month. Actually I am retiring after almost 19 years on the job the 24th of this month. This will be the first time I won't have to worry about going BACK to work as soon as I get off my cruise. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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