The Grand Turk Cruise Center officially reopened yesterday with a visit from the Carnival Ecstasy, part of the ship’s seven-day voyage from Charleston.   The festivities included a shipboard reception with the Carnival Ecstasy’s officers, executives from Carnival Corporation and port and government officials.

During the Carnival Ecstasy’s day-long stop in Grand Turk, guests enjoyed the port’s wide range of amenities, including unique shopping and dining experiences and an on-site pool, as well as a variety of shore excursion experiences.   The island is also home to Splashdown Grand Turk, a unique exhibit commemorating the National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s Mercury space program and the historic 1962 splashdown of the Friendship 7 capsule off the coast of Grand Turk.

The visit from the Carnival Ecstasy is the first of dozens of calls going forward at Grand Turk, a $60 million facility opened by Carnival Corporation in 2006.

The 20-acre complex features direct access to an 800-foot-long beach, swimming pool and FlowRider attraction, which offers body boarding and stand-up board surfing.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which is world-renowned as a diving and snorkeling jewel, and also features magnificent beaches, striking aqua-blue waters, and a variety of watersports activities.  Exciting adventures like ziplining and all-terrain vehicle excursions are also available.