What to do in Grand Turk?

[julie aka social director]

We will be visiting this port for the first time on our Carnival Triumph cruise during the first week of August. I have read from a recent CruisCritic newsletter about this island. I am aware that there is a large pool outside Jimmy Buffet's Margartiville which is near the cruise terminal. Is this true and can we get seating in order to enjoy the pool and Margartiville?

 

It also mentioned renting a car or jeep. It says the best beaches are Governor's and Pillory. Would it be worth renting a car or jeep(there are 11 of us) to tour these beaches or would we be just as well happy staying at the pool and Buffett's? We are party people and pool goers. Just not sure it we should see more of the island (seeing this is our first time there) or just enjoy the port itself?:confused:

[renata102]

I am bummed out about Margaritaville and their affliate chains. They are all over America (one is very near my house in Jersey). I always said I hate to visit something I can get at home. I live near NYC. I always see tourist going to Applebees in Manahatten. Try something local in Grand Turk.... I am going to an awesome place with their own chef and beach access.

[bruce-r]

I am aware that there is a large pool outside Jimmy Buffet's Margartiville which is near the cruise terminal. Is this true and can we get seating in order to enjoy the pool and Margartiville?

Yes it is true.

 

These Photos tell a better story about it.

 

We are party people and pool goers. Just not sure it we should see more of the island (seeing this is our first time there) or just enjoy the port itself?:confused:

My guess would be that you'd find enough to entertain yourselves if you just stayed at the cruise center.

 

Before Carnival Corp. built the pier on Grand Turk, the only reason people went to that island for a vacation was to go scuba diving. The diving there is excellent.

[julie aka social director]

I am bummed out about Margaritaville and their affliate chains. They are all over America (one is very near my house in Jersey). I always said I hate to visit something I can get at home. I live near NYC. I always see tourist going to Applebees in Manahatten. Try something local in Grand Turk.... I am going to an awesome place with their own chef and beach access.

 

Do you already have a name and place of one? Thanks for your input.:)

[julie aka social director]

Hey Bruce-r! Thanks for your pictures. Looks like a nice place.

[jpg1747]

I'll be there in November on the Triumph. I've booked the snorkel/stingray tour at Gibbs Cay Beach. I'm also going to eat lunch at one of the local restaurants - the Water's Edge has been recommended. I don't want anything to do with Margaritaville. I avoid places like that at home; I certainly wouldn't go there on vacation.

[bruce-r]

Do you already have a name and place of one? Thanks for your input.:)

 

There is also a beach front bar just a little further down the beach from Margaritaville. You could easily walk there.

 

I'm also of the opinion that I'd prefer to avoid a bar/restaurant that was part of a chain, but in this case, I'd make an exception because of the nice pool.

[RedHotCoffee]

Ok,

 

I see the good and bad things to do there. If I get off the ship and want to see what the island is like, what should I do?

 

I'm not looking to lay on the beach or scuba diving.

 

If I jump in a taxi and ask him to show me around....what is there to see?

[Brumar]

Pillory Beach is quite nice and good restaurant there..

there is time to go to Pillory and then come back to Margaritaville afterwards before returning to ship. Went last year for first time and cab driver took us to Pillory.no more than 7 people on beach and you can get food and beverage there. We will probably do same nnext time we go.

[Tweety1961]

We just returned from our Triumph cruise. Our group of 16 loved just hanging at Margaritaville and using the pool. The kids loved it because you don't really get to swim on the ships and they loved the refreshing water, not salt water pool. The DJ had some fun games going on and stuff. We didn't really go to the beach area as the kids said it had quite a bit of seaweed. We got some great pictues of us in the pool with the ship in the background. Drinks were expensive, but we had fun! I guess it really depends on what you are looking for and how active or relaxed you want to be. I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you do.

[seaisme]

try Grand Turk Inn for the day...they have day cruise packages. Quiet. nice beach. EXCELLENT lunch provided. (and tell Sandy we said "hi"). You will not be disappointed. They have restored a beautiful inn, and the patio area is so relaxing and charming...I could have spent the entire day there! (but we enjoyed the beach across from the inn...all to ourselves...on floats provided by the inn!).

 

Or, when you walk off the pier, head RIGHT down the beach. You will see all kinds of shells. don't stop right away. Keep walking and you will eventually come to a wonderful beach covered in shells. Enjoy!

[renata102]

Pillory is now Bohio resort.

 

That is where I will be going!

[RobertGT]

Some good info

thanxs

[sweetdardar]

I saw that you said that the Grand Turk Inn had a day pass. Did you have to book ahead of time? How much was it? Was there bathroom/changing facilities. You also stated that it included lunch but is there drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic available? Thank you for your time, Darlene

[barbemm]

I am bummed out about Margaritaville and their affliate chains. They are all over America (one is very near my house in Jersey). I always said I hate to visit something I can get at home. I live near NYC. I always see tourist going to Applebees in Manahatten. Try something local in Grand Turk.... I am going to an awesome place with their own chef and beach access.

 

 

Don't confuse Margaritaville with a cheeseburger in paradise restaurant.They are totally different...I live in NJ too and as far as I know we only have Cheeseburger in Paradise Restaurants..if I am missing out on a Margaritaville in NJ, please tell me what town it's in and I will be there. We always go to Margartitaville in Jamaica and a few of the other islands...always have a wonderful time and really enjoy the pools.

Barb

[Brumar]

You can do one of the beaches and also enjoy Margaritaville..We liked Pillory Beach

[AmyVK]

Barbemm: I see that you've been on the Carnival Triumph 5 times already. You must enjoy it! How was it? My b/f and I are going on the same ship in January of next year (2008) with another couple and are curious. Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Amy :)

[barbemm]

Barbemm: I see that you've been on the Carnival Triumph 5 times already. You must enjoy it! How was it? My b/f and I are going on the same ship in January of next year (2008) with another couple and are curious. Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Amy :)

 

Hi Amy,

Yes I have been on the Triumph a few times, lol. I love the Triumph class. Before the Triumph I enjoyed the Victory, but the Triumph has always has the most friendly crew. They have always been outstanding. The ship has a great layout and easy to navigate. The shows have always been the best of the fleet. Twice when we sailed on her we were lucky enough to have John Heald as our cruise director. He is the best cd in Carnivals fleet and their senior director. I love sailing with John so much, I would pick my cruises around his schedule. Unfortunately for me, he is not the CD on the newer ships that are sailing in Europe. So we decided we'd go back on the Triumph, not only is the ship really nice, but the new Itinerary really sparked our attention. We have done the basic eastern and western so many times, we were really getting bored. This new Itinerary looks fantastic.

 

One of my favorite things about the Triumph class (as opposed to the Spirit class) is the area on Deck 3 where the lounge chairs are. It's so nice, to relax there, have the sound of the sea, and the breeze while lying in the shade and doing some reading or just taking a nap. It's my favorite place on the ship, besides the casino, lol.

 

I know you will love your cruise. Have a wonderful time. If you have any specific questions about the ship, please feel free to email me at

barbemm@aol.com.

Barb

[UxbridgeCruiser]

There is also a beach front bar just a little further down the beach from Margaritaville. You could easily walk there.

 

I'm also of the opinion that I'd prefer to avoid a bar/restaurant that was part of a chain, but in this case, I'd make an exception because of the nice pool.

 

 

It's called Jack's Shack. I was there last week. Great place to go. Margaritaville is overpriced and overcrowded. If your looking for an uncrowded beach and cheap beers, this is the place to go. Beers were 4 bucks for Corona, Red Stripe etc. The only downside is they don't offer food. Just walk left off the pier past Margaritville onto the beach and keep walking north towards the other piers, you can't miss it.

[AmyVK]

barbemm: Thank you for providing the information you did. That makes us even more excited to have some reassurance that we will definitely have a great time! I will definitely email you if I have any further questions. Thank you very much for all of your help. :D

 

cgm61:I don't really care what class it is, as long as we have a good time all around. If you were just clarifying, no worries.

[cjm61]

Hi Amy,

 

Just clarifying. As you can see, I'm such a Carnival Kid... :-)

[barbemm]

Here's a link to help clear it up for you, just in case you need more information.

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/International/l_Eng/fb_eng.htm

[barbemm]

Destiny & Triumph Class

 

Length: 893 Feet

Guests: 2758

Tons: 101,509

Carnival Triumph - 1999 (Triumph class)

Carnival Victory - 2000 (Triumph class)

Carnival Destiny - 1996 (Destiny class)

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/shipscarnival.php

[floridafunlady]

we will be a group of nine at grand turk in january. 3 of group 18-29 4 of group 55 - 60 and 2 of group young 80's any suggestions that would make everyone happy.

[Host Caroline]

This pissing contest on what the class of ship is & if John is or is not interesting is wasting space on a thread about what to do in Grand Turk. What a waste of everyone's time.

 

Agree 100% .. if you want to debate/clarify or otherwise discuss or correct someone's opinion of or classification of the various Carnival ships... there's a board dedicated to Carnival Cruise Lines.. The debate that 'was' on here had absolutely NOTHING:rolleyes: :confused: to do with the OP's question... I will leave this thread open for now but if no one has any constructive comments re Grand Turk... how 'bout just putting it on "IGNORE".

As an aside we were there on honeymoon and did Carnival's dune buggy excursion and loved it... don't usually do ship tours but this was fab and the couple with us agreed. And we like Margaritavaille but then we have a Margaritaville deck soon to become a Margaritaville game room when we move into our new, deckless house...