Things to Do in The Whitsundays & Hamilton Island

Named after Russian author Maxim Gorky, Gorky Park is Moscow’s most famous park, covering 300 acres along the Moskva River near the center of the city. Opened in 1928, it was the first park of its kind in Russia and served as a model for other parks throughout the country. During Soviet times, it was a center of activity for Moscow residents, featuring roller-coasters, a Ferris wheel and other western-style carnival rides, as well as more formal gardens and woodlands.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the park fell into disrepair, but has been completely reconstructed in recent years. Old amusement park rides have been cleared away to make room for a more eco-friendly recreational area. Today, the park features contemporary art displays, new cafes and an open air cinema. Lounge chairs and pillow-shaped bean bags welcome those looking for a little relaxation and free wi-fi is available throughout. Visitors can participate in activities such as aerobics, yoga or salsa dancing classes. In the winter months, a 15,000 square-meter ice rink opens with separate areas for children, dancing, hockey and ice skating.

The Grand Bazaar, or Kapali Carsi, is the mother of all markets, a treasure trove of gifts, souvenirs, essentials and fripperies. Heading into the cavernous bazaar from the daylight, it takes a minute for your eyes to adjust to this Arabian Nights visual feast of glimmering Turkish lights, brightly colored rugs and flickering candles.

Crammed into more than 60 domed alleys or streets, around 5,000 stallholders hold court in the labyrinthine covered market, parts of which date back to Byzantine days.

Calligraphy, carpets, beaded bracelets, gold and silver jewelry, curly-toed slippers, multicolored lanterns, flower-bedecked ceramics and belly-dancing outfits are just the tip of the iceberg in this shoppers’ cornucopia.

The pedestrian-friendly Grafton Street stems off of the western end of Trinity College and runs down to the main entrance of St. Stephen's Green. Acting as a direct link between these famous landmarks, Grafton Street is a main thoroughfare but is also a popular destination in itself. Both locals and visitors to Dublin come to Grafton Street to peek in the high-end shops and grab a bite at one of the eateries. At the end of the street, across from the entrance to the park, there's also St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, which adds to the wide selection of stores down at street level.

 Those meandering the broad boulevard will find entertainment along their way as well. The fact that most of Grafton Street is closed to cars makes it a prime location for street performers to set up their acts. In good weather, these buskers, as they're called, station themselves at various points along the path to perform for passersby and try to impress them with their talents. Go ahead and throw them a few coins if you like what you see and hear!

Located on Grand Turk, this is the island’s most celebrated beach. Popular amongst beachgoers, divers, and snorkelers alike, Governor’s Beach has the white sands visitors to the Turks and Caicos have come to expect, but it also has something else up its sleeve that makes it one of the peak attractions in all of the Caribbean.

Just offshore of Governor’s Beach lies the famous Wall, where the third largest coral reef structure in the world makes a sharp drop into 6000+ feet of blue Atlantic water. Divers and snorkelers alike come here to enjoy some of the best underwater diving in the world. A full spectrum of coral, fish, and larger creatures fill the waterways. Special sightings include hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and the migratory North Atlantic humpback whales.

Those that choose not to enjoy the underwater world will appreciate Governor’s Beach’s pine trees for some shade. Picnic benches and accommodations are also to be found here, as is the Columbus Landfall National Park – a park dedicated to the original landfall of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Explore the incredible underwater world of Grand Cayman without ever getting wet aboard the Seaworld Observatory. This specially designed boat was built for Atlantis Submarines to offer passengers an up-close look at the reefs and shipwrecks around the island. 

One look at Grand Cayman Island and you can see why it’s among the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. Its pristine white sand beaches, picturesque ocean side villages, and plethora of sports and activities, Grand Cayman may well be the archetype of what all of those Caribbean cruise stereotypes are based off.

How to Get to Georgetown

Grand Cayman harbor has a tender wharf, and ships must remain at sea for the duration of their stop. Passengers must board smaller ships to shuttle them to the island and back. However, once on land you will find yourself immediately in the heart of Georgetown’s shopping area.

One Day on Grand Cayman

Despite being small, Grand Cayman is a bustling cruise hub that hosts almost two million visitors a year. Grand Cayman is especially known for its lush underwater ecosystems. Try the semi-submarine and fish feeding show or the Atlantis Submarine Excursion to take it all in from the safety of an Atlantis underwater vehicle. Or, get up close and personal with some rays in a one-tank dive during the Stingray City Dive.

Visitors looking to keep their heads above water can wander through the beautiful Queen Elizabeth II botanical garden, or get their retail therapy on at the mall in Governor’s Square featuring designer and luxury goods.

Port Information

Many major cruise lines dock at Bridgeport, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, and Norwegian. The Caymen Islands are a British territory, so the locals should all speak English fluently. The official currency is the Cayman Island Dollar, but American dollars are accepted almost everywhere. There are over 500 ATM’s around the island, so access to cash should never be far.

On the island of Providenciales, Grace Bay Beach is the Turks’ sandy gem, voted best beach by beach-lovers the world over.

The white sand here is stunning, offset by gently lapping turquoise waters. Taking advantage of those sunset and ocean views, it’s here that you’ll find the majority of Providenciales’ upmarket resorts.

Restaurants, dive outfits and other facilities are also based at Grace Bay, but the vibe remains relaxed rather than busy, and empty stretches of beach can easily be found.

Close offshore, the fringing coral reef sets divers’ hearts fluttering with iridescent tropical fish and flapping rays. It’s ideal for beginner snorkelers, with great visibility and little sea vegetation to spoil the pristine underwater view.