New Grand Turk Cruise Center Welcomes First Ship

Jason · February 28, 2006

GRAND TURK, British West Indies, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As she gently glided into port, Holland America Line's newest cruise ship, the 1,848 passenger Noordam, today made history when she arrived at the Caribbean's newest port facility -- the Grand Turk Cruise Center, British West Indies -- on her inaugural call.

After departing from New York City on Wednesday, the Noordam made a direct sailing for Grand Turk, marking today's official opening of the new state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar facility.

The arrival of Grand Turk's first cruise ship went very smoothly, to the full satisfaction of the cruise line's management, port operators, and hundreds of cruise passengers.

"I'm proud and honored to be a part of history with today's inaugural call at this world-class pier and port facility. Grand Turk offers pristine beaches and magnificent waters and it will be a great destination for cruise ship guests," said Noordam Captain John Scott.

The new Grand Turk Cruise Center features a state-of-the-art pier that can accommodate two large Super Post Panamax vessels and a 13-acre complex that serves as a gateway to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands.

With its expansive recreation area, including an 800-foot white-sand beach, a swimming pool, cabanas, an array of retail shops and the Caribbean's largest "Margaritaville"-themed bar and restaurant, owned by music superstar Jimmy Buffet, opportunities abound for cruise guests to discover the Caribbean's newest destination.

Cruise ship passengers can select from nearly two dozen shore excursions, everything from a unique "Hop On, Hop Off" tour visiting famous island attractions to horseback riding, kayaking, and snuba.

In addition to becoming one of the finest cruise ports in the Caribbean, Grand Turk has a glorious past as one of the world's leading producers of salt. In more recent years, Grand Turk has been used as a base for the U.S. Navy and NASA, and served as the landing spot for Senator John Glenn's splash down following his orbit of the Earth as part of the Mercury space launch.

"We are proud to establish this association with Carnival Corporation and are deeply grateful that Carnival decided to make this large investment on our island. We look forward to a very successful relationship with Carnival," said the Honorable Floyd Hall, Grand Turk's deputy chief minister of finance. "Our arms are open to passengers from all cruise lines and visitors who will be coming to our shores in the months and years ahead. The Noordam's arrival earlier today represents an exciting new chapter for our island and we are just delighted with reaction from cruise passengers."

By March, the Grand Turk Cruise Center will welcome an additional vessel when Carnival Cruise Lines' Sensation begins bi-weekly port calls to the island. Later, in June, the new Crown Princess of Princess Cruises, another Carnival Corporation brand, will visit the island as part of its Caribbean cruise schedule. Costa Cruises, a fourth Carnival brand, will include Grand Turk on its itineraries beginning in the fall.

Other cruise lines visiting Grand Turk this year include Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Radisson Seven Seas.

The new Grand Turk Cruise Center was developed and is operated by Carnival Corporation & plc .