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Grand Turk Casino Question

sc4125

By sc4125,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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sc4125

sc4125

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I was on an 8 day Exotic Eastern cruise on the Breeze back in April and for some reason the ship's casino slots remained open when we were in Grand Turk. I've been on a lot of CCL cruises, but never remember the casino on board being open in any port. I wouldn't have known it was open this time if I hadn't walked through the casino to get the forward elevators to reach the gangway.

 

Does anyone know if this is normal for ships stopping in Grand Turk? I am cruising on the Sunshine in December & will be going to Grand Turk. It's a port I've been to several times & was thinking of staying onboard this time. Just wondering if the slots will be on.

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winddawn

winddawn

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I was on an 8 day Exotic Eastern cruise on the Breeze back in April and for some reason the ship's casino slots remained open when we were in Grand Turk. I've been on a lot of CCL cruises, but never remember the casino on board being open in any port. I wouldn't have known it was open this time if I hadn't walked through the casino to get the forward elevators to reach the gangway.

 

Does anyone know if this is normal for ships stopping in Grand Turk? I am cruising on the Sunshine in December & will be going to Grand Turk. It's a port I've been to several times & was thinking of staying onboard this time. Just wondering if the slots will be on.

Yes, this is normal for Grand Turk. The casino is open while in port because the government there allows it, unlike most other Caribbean ports of call.

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evandbob

evandbob

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Are there land casinos in Grand Turk? I always assumed the ship casino couldn't be open in ports because of land casinos.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

While there is a small casino on Provenciales (Provo), a different island in the T&C, I don't believe there is one on GT.

 

A possible reason for the casino being opened during port days is that Carnival is running casino premier or ultra fare specials. If a ship has those specials rates, the casino has longer hours, including during port time. This is not limited to GT, but includes other isles as well.

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sc4125

sc4125

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So strange that I never noticed this before when in Grand Turk.

 

I use to work onboard the Carnivale, Mardi Gras & Festivale back in the 80's - I worked and managed the Gift Shops - we were obviously never opened in any port - but at that time the Casino was also never opened whether there was a land casino in the port or not.

 

I can imagine that the Casino staff wouldn't be thrilled if Grand Turk was a weekly port. I know I would have been an unhappy camper. But - works great for me as a passenger since I've been to GT several times & would just as soon stay in port this trip.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

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winddawn

winddawn

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So strange that I never noticed this before when in Grand Turk.

 

I use to work onboard the Carnivale, Mardi Gras & Festivale back in the 80's - I worked and managed the Gift Shops - we were obviously never opened in any port - but at that time the Casino was also never opened whether there was a land casino in the port or not.

 

I can imagine that the Casino staff wouldn't be thrilled if Grand Turk was a weekly port. I know I would have been an unhappy camper. But - works great for me as a passenger since I've been to GT several times & would just as soon stay in port this trip.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

You're welcome, Shirley. This is one reason I choose Grand Turk itineraries as often as I can. I enjoy going to the casino that day when it's not crowded and smoky since most people are off the ship.

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sc4125

sc4125

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You're welcome, Shirley. This is one reason I choose Grand Turk itineraries as often as I can. I enjoy going to the casino that day when it's not crowded and smoky since most people are off the ship.

 

Yeah it was great the last time I was there - went ashore for an hour or so for my cousin (who had never been there) to look around - then back onboard and in the casino. It was obviously not crowded until about an hour before we sailed. So many people walked through after getting back onboard and were like "hey, why are they opening before we have sail away?"

 

My sister will be thrilled when I tell her. We both love the casino - but she really, really loves it (lol)!

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winddawn

winddawn

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Are there land casinos in Grand Turk? I always assumed the ship casino couldn't be open in ports because of land casinos.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There used to be a small casino in Grand Turk called Santa Maria, but it has been closed for a long time. It was considered a gaming saloon.

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evandbob

evandbob

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There used to be a small casino in Grand Turk called Santa Maria, but it has been closed for a long time. It was considered a gaming saloon.

 

Probably because the capitol of Turk & Caicos, named Cockburn, is on the isle and only locals live there.

 

The resort hotels servicing tourists like Beaches, Club Med, Grace Bay and Sands etc. are all on Provo where there is at least 1 small casino. If you liked the beach at Grand Turk, you'll love the beach on Provo! Much, much longer and has a coral garden snorkel spot you can swim to from shore.

Edited by evandbob
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Namelocg

Namelocg

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The first time I saw that the casino was open in Grand Turk was this past January on Splendor. The pit boss explained it was due to it being a Premier casino cruise. I was part of the Premier group so I was happy. When I went back to Grand Turk in March the casino was not open because it was not a Premier cruise, so it does not happen every time the ships go to Grand Turk.

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Pellaz

Pellaz

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So strange that I never noticed this before when in Grand Turk.

 

Yeah, I never did either...until our cruise there in October, and I was startled to see the casino open while we were still at dock. I thought I was dreaming. :)

 

I meant to ask about it back when I posted my cruise review but forgot, so I'm glad this thread popped up.

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AdGuyMG

AdGuyMG

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It was also open in Grand Turk on our Glory cruise back in 2014. The dealers at the tables did not look happy about it.

 

Were they surly about the tips they were getting , too?

Edited by AdGuyMG
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evandbob

evandbob

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I probably would feel the same hopefully more people learn about this so they'll have customers.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

 

More people should learn......it is not the Grand Turk port that results in the casino opening, but the fact that it is one of the premier casino cruises that Carnival promotes.

 

If you aren't a part of it, the regular cruiser may not even be aware that they are on a premier or ultra cruise. Three ways to figure it out: Lots of people playing in the casino with premier cruise lanyards around their necks; special drawings, giveaways and games run by the casino staff for premier players; and by asking casino staff.

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sc4125

sc4125

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More people should learn......it is not the Grand Turk port that results in the casino opening, but the fact that it is one of the premier casino cruises that Carnival promotes.

 

If you aren't a part of it, the regular cruiser may not even be aware that they are on a premier or ultra cruise. Three ways to figure it out: Lots of people playing in the casino with premier cruise lanyards around their necks; special drawings, giveaways and games run by the casino staff for premier players; and by asking casino staff.

 

I was actually on the Magic on a casino pack n play rate when they were opened in Grand Turk. It was definitely not a Premier cruise - I've been on Premier cruises & this one did not have the special drawings or any other "Premier" activities - nor was it wall to wall people like the Premiers I've been on.

 

I've been to Grand Turk 3 times and this was the first time I realized the casino was open - but, again it was also the first time I walked through the casino while going to the gangway. So, it may have been opened the other 2 times.

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