C
cruisingator
Guest
Associated Press
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos - Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed to
build a new cruise ship terminal, making it the first time big
passenger liners will stop in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the chief
minister said Wednesday.
The small British Caribbean territory of 20,000 residents just east of
the Bahamas is among the world's top dive destinations. The $35
million cruise ship port would be on the main island of Grand Turk,
Chief Minister Michael Misick said.
Construction is set to begin in April and the terminal is scheduled to
be ready to receive ships by late 2005.
"(It) would be the most significant event that has ever taken place on
that island," Misick said.
The chief minister added the presence of cruise ships would
substantially boost economic development in Grand Turk and that the
territory could compete with the Bahamas as a "new, exotic and
distinctly different Caribbean cruise ship destination."
Miami-based Carnival Corporation's vice president Giora Israel has
confirmed the project.
The terminal will be able to accommodate super-sized cruise ships,
some of which are more than 1,000 feet long and can carry more than
3,500 passengers, officials said.
Previously, tourists could arrive only by air or small ferry to the
islands.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos - Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed to
build a new cruise ship terminal, making it the first time big
passenger liners will stop in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the chief
minister said Wednesday.
The small British Caribbean territory of 20,000 residents just east of
the Bahamas is among the world's top dive destinations. The $35
million cruise ship port would be on the main island of Grand Turk,
Chief Minister Michael Misick said.
Construction is set to begin in April and the terminal is scheduled to
be ready to receive ships by late 2005.
"(It) would be the most significant event that has ever taken place on
that island," Misick said.
The chief minister added the presence of cruise ships would
substantially boost economic development in Grand Turk and that the
territory could compete with the Bahamas as a "new, exotic and
distinctly different Caribbean cruise ship destination."
Miami-based Carnival Corporation's vice president Giora Israel has
confirmed the project.
The terminal will be able to accommodate super-sized cruise ships,
some of which are more than 1,000 feet long and can carry more than
3,500 passengers, officials said.
Previously, tourists could arrive only by air or small ferry to the
islands.