purplekisses

We are looking at a summer cruise which stops in Grand Turk/Caicos. We aren't beach folks...it's okay for a while but we tend to last only a couple of hours. We are wondering about shops, etc. I've read about Margaritaville, Jacks and the Flowrider but what else is at the port? Are there any shops or stores? We probably will want to grab a taxi or use the tram to get a tour of the island. Any suggestions on one over the other? Thanks much!

My family has done the Island Tram tour twice and enjoyed it both times. They do stop for shopping "downtown" before heading to the lighthouse.

We did self disembark and shuttled with MJS with a 9am pick up. We breezed through customs due to getting off the ship early. We did 11:50 flight out of FLL and had to wait 30 minutes to check our luggage with Southwest. Then it was 45 minute waiting in line to get through security, but they would ask every so often if people had early flight times and take them to the front of the security line. We still had plenty of time to hang out at our gate watching the clock. I think hubby had time to completely charge his iphone which was on it last bit of juice. (they have outlets at the gate). There was another family on the shuttle with and earlier flight time and they made it as well, even after the short stop to drop some people off in Fort Lauderdale.

Cap Hooks is at the White Sands Resort, just past the cruise ship beach loungers. We did a tram tour that left from there and had lunch when we go back. I have a fish basket that was really good, hubby and son had burgers, it was about $30 with tip for lunch and sodas. They thought they were good. They also have free Wi-Fi. We facebooked pics of the beach to friends back home while waiting for our lunch.

On Dec 14, 2013 we had flights from FLL we shuttled from Miami to FLL with MJS along with another family. Our flight was at 11:50am theirs was 10:55am. We all got to airport with time to spare, we actually had to wait 30 minutes before Southwest would allow us to check in. The line for security was very long, but people with earlier flight time got closer to their flight security would pull these people still waiting in line and take them to the front so they could check in. The line was very long, but everyone made their flights. I saw the other family in line in front of us and they made it though without the security escort. Just keep in mind we go off the ship with ease, and left POM about 9am on the shuttle.

Sailing out of Charleston, without FTTF, what are chancing of getting a decent cabana?

The sooner you board the sooner you can pick your cabana. We are platinum and I went directly to the shore excursion desk upon boarding. We arrived at the terminal before they started boarding, but when I got to the desk, there were already several that were taken. We got #8 and it was a great location, but 9 and 10 were already gone.

In Dec we were in a cabin on the Empress deck right across from the laundry room. We never had any issues with noise or anything else. There was a definite plus, teenage son back from beach excursion at multiple port with sand on his flip flops. I made him rinse them off in the large sink in the laundry room before coming in the cabin :D. We did get a bottle of champagne for John Heald, but we don't drink so I passed it off to two guys doing laundry. I wouldn't of known they were there if I hadn't looked.

We were there week of Dec 9, 2013. I have booked about 6 weeks before our cruise. We would love to do a helicopter tour in Grand Turk when we come back in Sept but with 2 adults and 3 kids we are looking at other options. Hopefully next time it is just me and my hubby we will finally get a chance.

I had the same problem, we have 5 on our upcoming cruise. Me, hubby, son (16), grandson (4) and niece (12). Didn't want to put kids in their own room. I did find The Casablanca on the Ocean in North Miami, that will do a rollaway, with iffy reviews. I did book here originally at a good rate, $198 for two nights-no breakfast and they charge for parking. I changed our reservation to Dania Beach area at the Sleep Inn for $153 for two nights, with free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking. Its not on the beach but a short drive and we will have a rental car for our 2 days before our cruise.

We booked a few weeks earlier and were cancelled the day of the tour. We found out about the cancellation after arriving in Grand Turk due by cell phone after several vendors told us they were having mechanical issue with the helicopter. I check my cell messages after that. I don't like to turn my cell phone on when on the ship due to the high cost. We did the tram tour to the lighthouse instead and I took the money for the helicopter tour and went to the spa on the ship instead.

You can always rent a clam shell to provide shade.

My family and I had lunch at the White Sands Resort. The have a beach bar/restaurant just past the cruise center. If you walk down the beach it just past the loungers for the cruise center. The hubby and son had burgers, but I had fresh battered fish and fries. They had a fairly good size menu and free Wi-Fi. We sat at a table and had lunch while my son swam until lunch was done, 15 minutes or so. It was good and the price was right. Don't know if they had conch, can't remember, but the fish was really good.

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but NCL is going to Mazatlan now. Looking forward to it next spring.

 

I was on the Splendor itinerary right after the PV robbery and was scared about an overreaction. While people on board certainly talked about it (with some even not getting of in port), we had a wonderful time in Puerto Vallarta.

My family sailed a few weeks after the robbery and enjoys over $700 OBC and had a great time at the PV zoo and shopping. We really miss doing this itinerary right after school gets out for my kids, but alas not happening now.:(

In December we had an 11:50 flight coming from Port of Miami to FLL. We booked MJS shuttle and they were great, we disembarked at 8:00am and had not problems. We got to the airport at 9:15am. There was another family on the shuttle with an 11am flight and they also made it. The TSA lines were very long, but they let the TSA agents know what time their flight was and the agents would bring people to the front that had earlier flights.

We have done the tram tour twice, once pre booked and once when our other tour fell through. They leave from the White Sands Resort, which is just past the Port beach area, you can walk there in less than 5 minutes. We saw the guys booking walk ups at the end of the pier. They also have guys up and done the beach booking. The tour leaves around 10am.

Yes please!! I'd like to know that also. I'll be there in...............7 days. :)

There is a bar at the White Sands resort you can hang out at and they have free wifi. We did a tour with Island Trams and they pick up from this bar/restaurant. When we go back we had lunch which was good and used the wifi. It is just outside the cruise port beach.

White Sands resort has free Wifi. We did a tram tour in Dec 2013 with Island Trams, which leaves from White Sands, came back and had lunch are the bar and facebooked while we waited. It is next door to Margaretville and all the beach loungers that the cruise ship has set up on the beach. The food was really good, too

Given that most head back about 1 1/2 hours before they have to be on board, Playa Mia would start clearing out around 3-4pm. That would give us about 2-3 hours of a more quiet atmosphere. That works for us. Thanks.

Yesterday I looked and searched through many of the post, and could not find what I need. We are going to be in Cozumel form 1pm-10pm ship time, which is 12pm-9pm Cozumel time. We are looking at going to one of the beach club type places, we previously have been to both Paradise Beach and Chanknaab (sp?), didn't care for PB but did enjoy ourselves at Chanknaab. We are looking at Playa Mia and they are open until 6pm. according to my internet surfing. Any ways with a late arrival and 4 ships in port total with other ships leaving between 5 and 6, what time do the crowds start leaving the beach clubs? I would think around 3is most people would be packing up and getting back to the port.

We are not die hard get every minute for our money types, at the most we generally spend 3 to 4 hours at a beach type place.

Have you got their contact details?

 

 

 

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The phone number is 1-800-619-7992. I had to put down a 5% deposit which was like $16. He also told me no port no pay and they would refund the $16 deposit. I have a 9 am flight time. When I called the girl I talked had a hard time understanding what I was saying, so she had me speak to the pilot directly. He was great. They are based in Albaquer. New Mexico.

Last year we dropped off at MIA with Alamo and took their free shuttle to the cruise port. We are doing the same next month. We fly into FLL staying two day in Miami and dropping car off at MIA and shuttling to cruise port. It was fast and easy.

I spoke with the pilot today. I reserved a flight for 3 of us on 12/11/13. They have 4 different flight plans that range in price from $50 and up. We book $105 tour which cover the entire island. Normally I would not book an excursion for this price and duration, but my husband loves helicopters. This tour I booked flies from the cruise port around the island past the lighthouse. After I figure we will hang on the beach at White Sands.

Carnival has a jet ski excursion. It is listed on the excursion page of their website.

Between Jacks and MV is Local Village (a bit rustic, but Albert's a great host) and there's a new casino with beach access between LV and MV. Turn right out of the Dufry shop and head toward the excursion boat pier and you'll find loungers without the party hearty crowd, Some good spots down that way (past the whale sculpture) to enjoy a good smoke without people taking offense (no bar service though).

The Local Village is currently close and waiting reopening by the new owners. You can take a tram tour of the island that leaves from this location.

Cruising in oct, it looks like there is a water park. Does anyone know if this is included and is there a height requirement?

 

 

 

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The water park is more of a playground with sprinkles, not like Wet and Wild.

http://www.7blueseas.com/cruiselines/hollandamerica/veendam/images/im_veendam_603.jpg

Waiting for more, especially the second cruise. We will be on the Victory in Dec doing the 2nd half of you trip.