Turks Cabanas?

[icecreammama]

I've read a couple of threads concerning cabanas by a pool in Grand Turk. Has anyone ever rented them? What is the cost? Any pictures? Thanks

[Mbouck1]

I don't recall any cabana's at the pool in Grand Turk. Unless they put them in after we were there last year. They do however have a lot of lounge chairs and umbrellas. The pool is quite large with a bar at one end of the pool. A lot of shops around the pool area also. I however would not bother venturing out of that area because there is nothing else. They have to do a lot of rebuilding of the area besides building condo's otherwise I think you will see cruiselines stop using Grand Turk as a port.

[trvlcrzy]

Here is a pic that DH took as we walked the short pier back to the Zuiderdam in April 2007. I believe if you click on the thumbnail, you will be able to see the 'clamshells' (similar to Princess Cays). No information on cost, however. We took the hop on/hop off Iguana bus tour to see the Lighthouse Park and Her Majesty's Prison.

[Mbouck1]

Although that is a nice picture. That is a picture of the beach. The pool is just up the walkway. It is also a freshwater pool.

[icecreammama]

Just looked on the Princess Website under shore excursions and it says poolside cabana (up to 4 people) $99. This cannot be the clamshells. Has anyone ever seen these cabanas or been in them. They must be quite new and I want to know if it was worth renting them. Thanks

[Scooter-n-GB]

Check out this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=732878

[djhsolara]

I think that the cabanas were recently added. We do not remember them when we were there in October 2006 but they were there in December 2007. I believe they are a "Margaritaville" thing that they allow the cruiselines to put for use on their websites.

 

We have been told that Grand Turk is a "new" stop and the cruise terminal area is new within the past few years. On our last stop there we did the On-Off bus tour of the island. It was a nice way to see parts of the island at your own pace...and it really didn't take up much of the day at all.

 

 

I could be way off course here, but in my opinion I'm wondering if Carnival Corp isn't the one who is dumping money into Grand Turk to build the cruise terminal and use it as a second "private island" type stop. I could be wrong here, but it seems like it is basically Carnival Corp sailings (Carnival, HAL, Princess, etc) that stop at GT. I think this is their way of providing another type of a rather private island (GT is not that overly-populated) with a little bit of commercialism (Margaritaville, etc) on it.

[Mbouck1]

I believe you are right. Carnival has spent (last I heard) about 4.5 million dollars on building the pier and the making of Margaritaville. I sure the Jimmy Buffet corp. has put up plenty of money also to have Margaritaville there also seeing how there is only 2 or 3 others in different ports.

[icecreammama]

Thank you everyone, especially for the pictures. I booked the cabana. Looks great. It will be nice to have a place to put our things and either go to the pool or beach. Also nice to have "room service" for lunch and drinks. They look brand new and pretty and for $99, I think it's worth it.

[BigGuy25]

If you go to the "Turks" port threads you will see a post that someone left with many pics of the cabanas.

[RubberCityRebel]

I believe you are right. Carnival has spent (last I heard) about 4.5 million dollars on building the pier and the making of Margaritaville. I sure the Jimmy Buffet corp. has put up plenty of money also to have Margaritaville there also seeing how there is only 2 or 3 others in different ports.

 

If only... Carnival spent $50 million to build what you see at Grand Turk.

See this article from Newsday http://www.newsday.com/travel/ny-ki4890374sep17,0,6287659.story

 

Very interesting article...

 

P.S. Your can bet Carnival plans on making their $50 million back and then some!