Cruise News Daily Newsfile
October 8, 2008

Grand Turk Cruise Center Reopens

Carnival Destiny was the first ship to call at the Grand Turk Cruise Center following Hurricane Ike. Passengers were greeted by 1,500 lounge chairs on the center's beach. The hurricane struck the island on September 6 & 7 (2008), but Carnival was able to open their cruise port just a month later on October 8 in a fully-restored mode to assist in the island's economic recovery. The Cruise Center and the associated businesses are responsible for 80% of the nongovernment jobs on Grand Turk. 
Carnival's VP of Strategic Planning, Giora Israel (right), was responsible for overseeing the facility's repair. He is shown this morning with Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick who came to the Cruise Center to welcome Carnival Destiny. Because of the economic importance of the operation to the island, Carnival did not wait for local resources to be available to repair the facility, and instead brought in builders, necessary supplies, and even temporary housing and food for them to get things ready for cruise ships to call again as soon as possible.
Passengers from Carnival Destiny disembarked this morning to find the center's huge pool open, Margaritaville serving drinks and snacks, and all of the adjacent shops open for business. All have electricity and air conditioning. For those who want to leave the cruise center, many of the shore excursions are also operating. 

Cruise News Daily Home
CND Newsfile Index

90315