Grand Turk, the capital of Turks and Caicos, is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for cruise-ship travelers. Christopher Columbus is believed to have been one of history’s earliest travelers to Grand Turk. He was followed by another explorer, John Glenn, a few centuries later, as he splashed down nearby on his first space mission.
Today, Turks and Caicos’ diving and snorkeling sites — along with its white-sand beaches — are attracting a whole new generation of travelers. Cruises to Turks and Caicos will have you set foot on a plethora of other nearby Caribbean islands, so venturing here gives you a chance to explore places like San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Antigua, among others.
Here are five of our favorite upcoming itineraries that include opportunities to cruise to Grand Turk.
Southern Caribbean Voyager – Princess Cruises
On this 10-day voyage across the Southern Caribbean, you’ll stop at six ports, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This Princess Cruises cruise will hit Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
Crown Princess will be the cruise ship hosting you and 3,000 other guests and 1,200 crew members. There are 10 eat-and-drink options, including a steakhouse, Italian cuisine, grilled food, a buffet, a wine bar and a cafe. Trying to stay active? Hit up one of their sports courts (basketball, volleyball or tennis). Tap into your creative side by visiting the photography studio or the art gallery, or spend a little extra at an auction or one of the onboard stores.
Furthermore, across each of the seven ports, including Fort Lauderdale, you’ll have 157 excursions available, with the most (29) being on St. Thomas. From sightseeing and exploring tropical cities to semi-underwater submarine expeditions and snorkeling, you’re sure to find something suitable for you and your party on one of the best Turks and Caicos cruises.
Eastern Caribbean from Miami – Carnival
Carnival Sensation is prepared to take you and your group to three different ports on this five-day roundtrip beginning in Miami, Florida. You’ll hit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Princess Cays, Bahamas; and Nassau, Bahamas, before returning to the Sunshine State.
This Carnival cruise has 10 eat-and-drink options aboard, including 24-hour room service, a coffee bar, a deli and Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint. Check out the comedy club for some laughs, or escape the noise and hormones by going to the adults-only retreat or by heading over to the spa. Live-music entertainment and a casino are ready for you, too.
At each port, you’ll have the option to embark on a variety of excursions. Go on a clear-bottom kayaking adventure to admire the marine line just below you, or go snorkeling for a personal approach. ATV adventures aren’t out of the question, as you ride through the islands and explore in an energetic, fast-paced way.
Caribbean – P&O Cruises
For 14 nights, travel the Caribbean aboard Azura on this voyage that’ll embark from and return to Bridgetown, Barbados, and stop at eight other ports: St. Vincent; St. Kitts; St. Maarten; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Grenada.
This P&O Cruises adventure includes a full multiple restaurant options, a coffee bar, pools, a spa, a gym, dance classes, a sports deck (for basketball, tennis, golf and shuffleboard, among others) and an art gallery.
If you want to escape the confines of Azura, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to at one of the ports’ many excursions. Go [natural] sightseeing, as you stand in awe at the waterfalls on St. Vincent. Take a railway journey in St. Kitts, or wander through the trees’ canopies on an open-air gondola through the rainforest of St. Lucia. Prefer the waters? Grand Turk offers a chance to sail away on a catamaran and to go snorkeling.
Fort Lauderdale to Bridgetown – Silversea Cruises
Take a one-way trip to Bridgetown, Barbados, on this seven-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Along the way, your voyage will take you to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Kitts and Les Saintes, Guadeloupe.
Aboard Silver Whisper, you’ll join a modest crowd of under 400 passengers with a crew of 302 on this Silverseas Cruises voyage. Onboard, there are four restaurants, the Zagara Beauty Spa and the Zagara Beauty Salon, a card room for tournaments that also doubles as a conference room, a bar, a library, a casino and a fitness center, among other amenities.
When on land, you’ll have access to 45 shore excursions across all ports. On Grand Turk, take to the waters on a catamaran, go snorkeling, and explore beaches. You can also go horseback riding/swimming or segway through Grand Turk. On Puerto Rico, you have a chance to take a culinary walking tour through the rich, cultural city of San Juan, the island’s capital. Go clear-bottom ocean kayaking on Les Saintes, and take a jeep tour on Barbados.
Eastern Caribbean/Western Caribbean – Holland America Line
This 14-day adventure starts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, returns there midway through the voyage and ultimately will conclude in the Sunshine State, as you hit eight other ports on this Holland America Line cruise: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Florida.
You’ll venture on Veendam with 1,300 other passengers. Onboard, take advantage of the Microsoft Studio to compile memorable photo galleries and videos from your once-in-a-lifetime trip. Treat yourself at the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, or stave off the seemingly inevitable poundage at the fitness center. There’s also onboard stores for shopping, a casino and seven eat-and-drink options, including 24-hour room service, Italian cuisine and New York-style pizza.
Shore excursions are sure to keep you busy. On Grand Turk, go on a dune-buggy safari, or take a stroll and a swim by horseback. In San Juan, immerse yourself in boricua culture with a Latin traditions show. Don’t forget to take a driving tour through El Yunque, the island’s national forest. It’d be a shame if you missed out on bioluminescent kayaking, too. When in Cozumel, take a tour through Mayan ruins, and ease your nerves with a tequila tasting and tour afterward.
