joseph123

Was just there a few days ago. Beach and foliage all in great shape. Much more quiet and secluded than Sapphire Beach. Here’s a pic.

 

 

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Just wondering if there will be free WIFI access when visiting the Margaritaville on Grand Turk and if not, how about cell phone access? Thanks much!

I am considering a visit to Secret Harbour in a few weeks, having been there in the past can you comment on the condition of the beach and foliage? I have not been able to find any recent photos or videos.

All it seems I read comments on other than Margaritaville is Jack's Shack. Is this small little place the only other option for a place to eat or drink on the entire island? I am trying hard to understand what else there is to see and do there. Are there any shops, restaurants, etc at all in the town?

You are very welcome.

 

I see you sailed Home Lines in 1987.

 

My first cruise was on the Homeric in 1967 with my parents.

 

Keith

 

Ahh, yes... the good old days of cruising!

I don't know. I have been to many Caribbean islands but this one does not seem all that appealing to me. Should have researched this cruise stop further before booking. Thanks for posting all of these pics, they really give a good overview of what there is to see and do there.

Thanks much, sounds like you pretty much outlined everything the island has to offer. Not sure what I was expecting, but I see why they needed to develop a more commercialized attraction like Margaritaville. Any recommendation for the best beach to visit away from the commercialized area but accessible for a day trip?

Does anyone have any recent Sapphire Beach post-hurricane photos or videos that they can share? Just looking for updates on how the resort and beaches are recovering. Looks like many of the cruise passengers are choosing to visit here or Magen's Bay.

Anyone have any recent updates on Secret Harbour or pics that they can share? I understand that they are working hard on restoring the entire island and things are improving each day. I plan to visit in mid-Feb so just looking to keep updated on the beach and resort conditions.

Any suggestions on things of interest to do for a one day cruise stop? From photos I can find, Grand Turk seems kind of barren and remote except for the commercialized Margaritaville area at the cruise ship port. Most of the resorts seem spread out on the other islands of the Turks and Caicos. I guess my question would be should I just resign myself to a beach day at Margaritaville or is there anything of interest to so on the island or any resorts that would be easily accessible and worth a visit. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Can anyone confirm what internet packages are currently available on the Koningsdam? The information here seems a bit unclear as to whether the packages are consistent aboard all ships.

Just wondering if anyone can comment on their ability to their access the web via their cell phones through US carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc? I have read that they are actively working on getting all services up and running but hoping to get an update from recent visitors.

Thanks for the reply. Was there any entertainment around the other pool to create an island or resort vibe such as a steal drum band, or do most just hang out to read and eat? Can't put my finger on it, but the vibe around the pools just seems much more contemplative or laid back. People just hanging out eating, drinking and reading. Not that I think that would be such a bad thing, just much different than any of the other caribbean cruises I have taken. I will soon find out since I will be sailing on the Koningsdam in Feb.

Haven't seen much posted on this so thought I would add a thread. In looking at all of the photos and videos available it seems as if there are far less lounge chairs available around the main and aft pools of the Koningsdam compared to other ships I have sailed. There seems to be no shortage of tables and other types of seating, just the traditional lounge chairs the usually surround the pools and used for sunning. With more and more passengers on larger ships there always seems to be a shortage, so just wondering if there is a more pronounced problem on this ship? In reading the reviews that state there is usually an older clientele on HAL ships, could it be that less people tend to want to hang out poolside, thus there might not be a need for as many lounge chairs? Also seems to be a lack of outdoor poolside live entertainment which might contribute to a less resort like poolside experience.

We found the entire seaview deck mostly unusable due to the large smoking area. You could smell it as soon as the doors opened to the outside. The non smoking side felt very tight and cluttered with more of the furniture placed there. It was usually quite crowded. Not a very pleasant place to be whatever side of the ship one is on.

 

 

What a shame. From the photos it does seem very tight and quite a bit of tables and seating crowded in under the covered area. Does not seem like a lot of lounge chairs for sunning around either pool in comparison to all of the other ships I have been on, seems like more of an emphasis on tables and chairs vs lounge chairs for a ship of this size. Hope there will not be a problem finding one around the aft pool and that it is not too smokey and unusable. I would much prefer to hang out at the aft pool overlooking the wake vs the one which is non-smoking.

When you enter the Lido deck on the starboard side there is comfortable furniture immediately on your left. In front of the Seaview bar there are tables and chairs. All of that area is non-smoking. The smoking section begins at the end of the bar. There are tables, chairs and comfortable couches and chairs in the smoking area as well.

Helen

So no smoking at the bar, but the area towards the back with the nice furniture similar to the port side photo shown, will allow smoking? My cabin is directly below this area on the starboard side, now I am wondering if any smoke will filter down. I specifically chose to be on that side thinking smoking would be allowed on the other side. Sorry to sound like a smoking snob, but after having smoked for 25 years and finally being able to kick the habit some time ago, I really prefer and need to be away from any smoking now. After researching this quite thoroughly before booking, I am quite surprised that they would just change it like this out of the blue.

A little confused? What Bar on the Deck above Seaview Bar allows Smoking? The Bar on the Deck above that’s in the middle by NYDeli is Smoke-Free. Also, on all the Ships we’ve been on they no longer allow Smoking at the Seaview Bar itself (just at the tables).

It is the Sun deck bar on the open deck directly above the Seaview bar. Sorry to hear they changed this. I just watched a video that was taken evidently when the smoking was allowed on the port side and it looked as if every table on that side had ash trays on them and people smoking. The other side appeared much nicer with all of the comfortable furniture, I hoped they changed the furniture so that it is not all on the smoking side. Looks like there will be no smoke free outdoor aft bars :( .

Just wondering if indeed the smoking section has been moved from the port to the starboard side on the Koningsdam? The official doc that HAL puts out defining their policy states that it is on the port side, which is the opposite side of the bar. I am hoping that it is still on the port side and the bar will not be filled with smokers, especially since the bar on the deck above allows smoking. That would mean no outdoor smoke free bars in the rear of the ship?

Just wondering if anyone can report on the condition of the beach and foliage at Secret Harbor. I am considering a beach day there or at Sapphire in mid-Feb and am hoping someone might be able to post some pics or provide a review. Photos pre-hurricane look really nice. Looks like the resort there will not reopen until sometime next year and is still without power.

Sapphire looks pretty bad, others are saying that the damage is not so much but this clearly shows much damage and defoliation. Just wondering what beach would be the best to visit in early Feb, Megan's Bay or Sapphire? Any recommendations as to which will be in better shape by then?

I am scheduled to dock in St Thomas on the Koningsdam on Feb 22, 2018 and am wondering if the ship will dock in Havensight or Crown Bay. Does anyone know? Can't seem to find information on Google. Also, planning on visiting either Sapphire Beach or Magen's Bay and trying to determine which would be most convenient via taxi from wherever the ship docks.

So you are allowed to bring bottles on HAL but not Carnival? Are they not owned by the same company? I would think they would have similar policies.

Wow, that is surprising! I would think they would want to place some controls on this to protect their potential revenues. Are you allowed to bring it into the dining rooms or is it just for consumption in staterooms?

I presume the internet quality and pricing would the same on the Koningsdam? Since that is their newest, most state of the art ship, I would think the technology would have been updated to whatever is the latest and greatest. I will not be pleased if I have to pay for this expensive service for my upcoming cruise on the Koningsdam and it is as unreliable and slow as others report here. Do they not offer compensation or discounts if the service does not work?

I understand the policy for bringing wine onboard and incurring a corkage fee for anymore than 2 bottles brought onboard at embarkation, however I am just wondering what the policy is relative to soft drinks. Would I be able to bring a few bottles onboard in my carry on or would they be confiscated at check in?