Carnival said today, an engineering survey confirmed that no damage was sustained to the cruise ship pier, which can accommodate up to two ships at one time, while minimal damage occurred to the facility’s retail and restaurant complex.

“We believe we can complete repairs to the cruise centre within a 30-day period and bring cruise ships back to Grand Turk,” said Giora Israel, Carnival’s vice president of strategic planning and port development. “We will be able to provide many of the wonderful, beach, snorkeling and water sports experiences that Grand Turk is famous for, along with the oversized pool and food and shopping opportunities at the cruise center, including the extremely popular Margaritaville restaurant.”

Israel added that returning cruise ships will quickly provide important economic benefits to Grand Turk while the island moves forward with its recovery efforts. In addition to its existing staff on the island, Carnival will bring in a number of additional skilled workers who will be housed and fed by the company. Those individuals will not only repair the cruise centre complex, but also assist in the repair of some of the island’s key attractions.

According to Israel, the Grand Turk Carnival Cruise Centre is the largest private employer on the island, and will be investing millions of dollars in the island’s overall recovery.

Carnival will also be providing financial and logistical assistance to shore excursion operators to enable them to resume their businesses. Cruise passengers and crewmembers will be provided the opportunity to participate in volunteer-oriented excursions for those who wish to assist in the island’s recovery effort.

The Grand Turk Cruise Centre serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which is world-renowned as a diving and snorkeling jewel, featuring magnificent beaches, striking aqua-blue waters, and a variety of fishing and water sports activities.

According to the press release from Carnival, the first cruise ship scheduled to call at Grand Turk will be Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Destiny on October 8, with 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crewmembers.

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise-line user of the Grand Turk facility. Several other cruise lines, both from within the Carnival family of brands, and from other cruise operators, also regularly call at Grand Turk.

Grand Turk Cruise Centre has printed more than 1,000 T-shirts brandishing the phrase “Yes We Can!” as a sign of hope for the cruise centre after surviving Hurricane Ike. All proceeds from the T-shirts sold will go to the Grand Turk recovery efforts.

In the press statement, Carnival said that their recovery efforts are not limited to the port itself, and the company is rebuilding island facilities like roads, signs and public areas, as well as continuing to take care of the port facility’s 42 employees, many of whom lost their homes.

At Carnival Cruise Lines’ headquarters in Miami, donation bins have been set up so employees can contribute relief supplies directly to the cause. In addition, a special Carnival employee United Way campaign whose donations are earmarked specifically to Grand Turk is currently under way.

The return of cruise ships will provide important economic benefits to Grand Turk while the island moves forward with its recovery efforts.