6 Best Cruises to Turks and Caicos

By Steve Spears
July 28, 2015

Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos islands, is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for cruise ship travelers. Christopher Columbus is believed to be one of history's earliest travelers to Grand Turk, to be a followed a few centuries later by another explorer, John Glenn, who splashed down nearby on his first space mission. Today Turks and Caicos' diving and snorkeling sites - along with its white sandy beaches - are attracting a whole new generation of travelers. Here are six of our favorite itineraries that visit Grand Turk.

Turks and Caicos Cruises
The Turks & Caicos archipelago consists of two island chains that sit atop two limestone banks separated by the 6,000-foot-deep Turks Island Passage. Six islands rise above the submerged Caicos Bank, including Providenciales and West Caicos. To the east are the islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, in the Turks Islands.Zach Stovall
Turks and Caicos Cruises Princess
Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess This eight-day trip stops at some of the lesser-visited spots in the Eastern Caribbean. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Princess stops in Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Both ships feature family-friendly "Movies Under the Stars" at a big-screen theater set up poolside, while adults seeking some solitude might congregate at the ship's wine bar or sushi joint.Courtesy of Princess Cruises
Turks and Caicos Cruises Oceania
Oceania Cruises' Riviera The ship is a destination in itself. The Riviera offers six open-seating gourmet restaurants (with no surcharge!) and the the only "hands-on cooking school" at sea. Departing from Miami, the Riviera makes its first stop in Grand Turk before sailing on to Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St. Maarten, Tortola, the Dominican Republic and Nassau. Certified scuba divers will be happy to know there's a two-tank dive available as a shore excursion in Grand Turk.Courtesy of Oceania Cruises
Turks and Caicos Cruises Carnival
Carnival Fantasy So many Grand Turk cruises leave out of Florida that we couldn't resist including this unusual itinerary from Carnival. The Fantasy departs from historic Charleston, S.C., for a 7-day trip that includes stops in Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau, where arena-rockers Boston will play a special show onboard. If you're still humming "More Than A Feeling" when the boat returns to Charleston, don't say we didn't warn you.Courtesy of Carnival Cruises
Turks and Caicos Cruises P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises' Britannia Maybe you haven't heard much about P&O Cruises; that's probably because the line caters to British guests. Many of the cruise line's ships sail from its home port of Southampton, but the Britannia - P&O's newest and largest ship - sets sail on a 14-night trip from Barbados and includes stops in Antigua, St. Maarten, Tortola, Grand Turk, St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada. In Grand Turk, we recommend hoping a boat for a quick trip to Gibbs Cay, an uninhabited island where guests can snorkel, enjoy the one of the world's most beautiful beaches and even safely pet a stingray.Courtesy of P&O Cruises
Turks and Caicos Cruise Silversea
Silversea Cruises' Silver Wind Silverseas is an ultra-luxurious but intimate line that includes all-inclusive pricing where all drinks and tips are included. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, the Silver Wind includes stops in Grand Turk, the Dominican Republic, Tortola, St. Barts, St. Maarten before finishing the trip in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The can't-miss excursion in Grand Turk is the "Power Snorkeling" adventure where guests can use an underwater propulsion vehicle to guide themselves over Grand Turk's 7,000-foot drop off.
Turks and Caicos Cruise Eurodam
Holland America's Eurodam Why just show you the main theater of the Eurodam? Because if you're into '80s music, that's where all the action will be on The '80s Cruise in February 2016. The 7-day cruise, which includes a stop in Grand Turk, features performances from 11 bands including Huey Lewis and the News, Richard Marx, Kool & the Gang, Tiffany and more as well as appearances by MTV's original veejays.Courtesy of Holland America

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