Grand Turk Cruise Center Reports Record Year in 2010

09 February 2011 5:43am

The Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC), which opened five years ago, had a record year in 2010 with 248 calls from 40 cruise ships from 14 cruise brands. For the year, GTCC hosted a record 622,720 passengers, a 19 percent increase over the previous year and a 113 percent increase over 2006, the center’s first year of operation.

GTCC continues to evolve with more retail outlets and attractions. New stores in the 45,000-square-foot shopping district include Colombian Emeralds, Effy Jewelers, Diamonds International and Silver Sun. These retailers joined existing merchants including Dufry, Milano Diamond Gallery, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Piranha Joes, Dizzy Donkey, Del Sol, Rasta Pasta, Royal Jewels, Indigo Pearls, Goldsmith and The Trading Post, as well as a variety of local craft stands and souvenir kiosks.

GTCC has also joined forces with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in developing a new attraction that commemorates NASA’s Mercury space program and the historic 1962 splashdown of the Friendship 7 capsule off the coast of Grand Turk. Opened late last month, Splashdown Grand Turk is a 3,500-square-foot attraction that celebrates the relationship of the American spaceflight mission and its importance to Grand Turk.

In addition to these new features, GTCC enhanced the 1.25 acres of beach on the south side of the facility. The area now features upgraded beach furniture, coconut palms and other landscaping, and a new Turquoise Beach Bar serving drinks and light refreshments. A “cool zone” with various misting machines is scheduled to open soon. Carnival Corp. & plc operates the facility. Covering more than 14 acres, the Grand Turk Cruise Center can accommodate up to 7,000 passengers per day and features a private beach, swimming pool, and an expansive recreation area that includes a FlowRider surfing adventure and the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville-themed bar and restaurant.