Just back from Half Moon Cay - tips!

[Martycai]

Hey folks, we had a blast on Carnival Liberty. Our first day was at Half Moon Cay. We took our own snorkel gear and a small collapsible cooler of cokes which our room steward iced down for us the night before. We were so excited, we were probably awake by 7am. So we got up, ate a nice breakfast and made our way down and wound up on the first or second tender. No waiting that way, so I'd totally recommend getting up a little early. Hey, take a nap on the beach later, otherwise you'll be sleeping in line for a tender and you won't get on land until lunchtime.

 

As our cruise director said about HMC the night before, "Early bird gets the worm!"

 

Anyway, once on land we took the obligatory photo, walked around and made our way down the beach. We've been to RCI's Coco Cay, and let me just say that HMC is like a luxurious island paradise by comparison. It's just way more beautiful, more shade, more foliage, nicer facilities, prettier beach. [but what Coco Cay lacks on land, they make up for snorkeling - more on that later].

 

We made our way down to some hammocks between cabanas 9 and 10. Again, get there early and you get hammocks in the shade. Get there late and you get a beach chair in the blazing sun. your choice!

 

We took some pool noodles and inflatable body rafts/floats. Each was a dollar from the dollar store back home and went in easily in the suitcases. We were in the water relaxing with the beach to ourselves for a good 45 minutes before people started really getting there. I'd say that was from about 8:45am-9:30am.

 

Then we decided to look for some nice snorkeling. There was NO plant life or coral on the main beach. It was really like a giant pool. So if you just like playing in the water, floating and swimming, you're going to be in heaven. We like to snorkel, though. So...we walked. And then we walked some more. We made our way past all the cabanas, past the horseback riding area, all the way to a sign that says something like "Dangerous to proceed past this point." It was probably a good mile, but totally worth it. And yes, we did later proceed about 30 yards past the "danger" sign to get a couple nice pictures from the rocks.

 

Then we put on our snorkel gear, and just about 30-40 yards off shore was quite a lot of natural coral reef, plenty of fish, still a wonderful clear view of the ship and the whole beach. If the ship tenders at one tip of the crescent moon-shaped beach, we had walked to the other tip. And it was so worth it. We literally had the place to ourselves. The whole day only two other couples walked out that far. I had swiped some corn flakes from the breakfast line, and took the unopened plastic bags of corn flakes in the water with us. Once at the coral, I opened up the bags and let a little out at a time and watched the fish swarm! We have some amazing pictures.

 

[This is where Coco Cay with RCI is better, because they have a huge swimming area with lots of coral, sunken planes and an old Spanish ship with canon. More fish and wild stingrays and turtles. The island there is lame, but the snorkeling is awesome. Plus they do jet skis at Coco, and I didn't see that at HMC. But HMC was simply paradise, and we ultimately found some coral and fish, and had an amazing time.]

 

By the time we were done snorkeling and ready for lunch, it was probably about 1pm. We made our way back to the huge pavilion for the BBQ feast. Had plenty to eat, and then relaxed in our hammocks, napped, and just enjoyed a wonderful start to our vacation. We made our way back to the ship starting about 3:30pm...this was our only mistake. By then it was a pretty long line to get on a tender. Waited a good 45 minutes in the blazing sun. Luckily we had used the fresh water shower to get the salt off, and we had a mini cooler of cold drinks. Next time I'd shoot for a 3pm departure to avoid the crowd. I think the last tender was at 4:30pm.

[kimcruiser]

Did you catch a glimpse of the Oasis? Also when you were at the place for food were there flies landing on the food? Thank you for this review and the pictures.

[texancruzer]

Thanks for the review. We are headed there next month and to be honest I wasnt looking forward to it much. We live on the beach in S. Texas and while I enjoy a beautiful one..... I like DOING stuff on them or in the water around them. Good to hear there is SOME snorkeling and we will go looking for it now we know it is there. Doesnt appear to be stupendous tho...... but will enjoy anyway. Thanks again.

[Martycai]

Did you catch a glimpse of the Oasis? Also when you were at the place for food were there flies landing on the food? Thank you for this review and the pictures.

 

I'm not sure what "the Oasis" is...but that doesn't mean we didn't glimpse it. Any outdoor buffet will attract flies. However, there were plenty of fans and some smoke from the huge grills that kept bugs at bay. Plus the many picnic shelters were surrounded by lush foliage, and I didn't see flies until we left our plates to go get seconds. They were there when we came back...and so were some wild chickens.

[Martycai]

Thanks for the review. We are headed there next month and to be honest I wasnt looking forward to it much. We live on the beach in S. Texas and while I enjoy a beautiful one..... I like DOING stuff on them or in the water around them. Good to hear there is SOME snorkeling and we will go looking for it now we know it is there. Doesnt appear to be stupendous tho...... but will enjoy anyway. Thanks again.

 

Here are a couple more pics.

 

I think in hindsight this was one of our favorite days on the whole cruise. Yes, we had snorkeling that was better later on in our cruise, but this was a great start and COMPLETELY relaxing. Every other port you have to go through the terminal and keep up with your belongings in a strange town. But not so on the private island. It's carefree strolling along the beach, you know? You'll love it!

[cb at sea]

Oasis hasn't sailed yet...

[texancruzer]

Here are a couple more pics.

 

I think in hindsight this was one of our favorite days on the whole cruise. Yes, we had snorkeling that was better later on in our cruise, but this was a great start and COMPLETELY relaxing. Every other port you have to go through the terminal and keep up with your belongings in a strange town. But not so on the private island. It's carefree strolling along the beach, you know? You'll love it!

 

 

Thanks for the additional pics. This will be our last port stop.....not our first. So, will probably need the day to relax anyway.

 

As a side note: dh and I are both divers and have snorkeled and dove in many locales that have been really really amazingly good ! So I guess we are a bit spoiled. But that is a good thing really :o

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been to HMC many times -- HAL -- really love that place.

 

Glad that you enjoyed it as well.

[VermeulT]

Martycai.... Thanks so much for your info/ advice.

[K&RCurt]

Did you catch a glimpse of the Oasis? Also when you were at the place for food were there flies landing on the food? Thank you for this review and the pictures.

 

 

We were in the Oasis on 10/30 off of the Eurodam. It was AMAZING!

 

I am trying to attach some photos. If they don't work you can email me at kacman6 at yahoo dot com and I will be happy to forward them to you and answer any Oasis questions you may have.

 

Oh, and cb_at_sea - kimcruiser is referring to the "Grand Oasis Cabana" on HMC, not the RCCI gargantuan ship.

[beachsideincaribe]

would anyone recommend a cabana or clamshell? Do you reserve the clamshells and do you need to pay for the chaises?

 

Thank you so much for all the tips- especially when to get off and on the ship.....good to know!

[K&RCurt]

would anyone recommend a cabana or clamshell? Do you reserve the clamshells and do you need to pay for the chaises?

 

Thank you so much for all the tips- especially when to get off and on the ship.....good to know!

 

 

It all depends on what your expectations are and also whay line you are sailing when you visit HMC.

 

If you MUST have shade, some amount of privacy then get a cabana.

 

If you are OK with sitting out on the beach, but would like some shade too get a clamshell. remember to bring something you can use to prop up the back to get a bit of breeze.

 

The lounge chairs are available to anyone and you can move them around.

 

If you are sailing on HAL you can (and really should if you want to be assured of getting one) pre-reserve a cabana or clamshell via the shore excursion booking system. IIRC clamshells are $15.00 and Cabanas are $299.00 and the Oasis Cabana is $1200.00. Those prices are for HAL, Carnival pricing may be different.

 

If you are sailing on Carnival you need to make your reservation once you get on board your ship.

[mermaid72]

K&RCurt:

Is that a typo that an "Oasis Cabana" is $1200?

Surely not, as our entire cruise, per person, cost just a little over $1200 on HAL! LOL!

This is to rent a cabana on one day for a few hours? Maybe you meant $120.

And what is a clamshell? Sounds like something to keep out of the sun on the beach? A good idea in the tropical sun.

Thanks!

[K&RCurt]

K&RCurt:

Is that a typo that an "Oasis Cabana" is $1200?

Surely not, as our entire cruise, per person, cost just a little over $1200 on HAL! LOL!

This is to rent a cabana on one day for a few hours? Maybe you meant $120.

And what is a clamshell? Sounds like something to keep out of the sun on the beach? A good idea in the tropical sun.

Thanks!

 

No $1,200.00 is the correct figure. This is for up to 12 people with a private chef, private bartender, two private stewards, full open bar, priority tendering, butler escort to HMC. The Oasis has a large dinning table, several tall "bar type" tables, a bar, an 8 person Hot Tub, cushioned louge chairs, hammocks a private slide and stairs to the water. There are two private bathrooms and a private indoor shower. You are provided with extensive snacks and the use of a Bose sound dock system. With the 12 people who got together each person paid $100.00.

 

The "regular" cabanas for up to 4 people are $299.00.

 

A clamshell is basically like 1/2 of a tent that two lounge chairs fit under. Exactly as you said they are a good way to keep out of the sun. Clamshell rentals are $15.00.

[Cobra1365]

Carnival pricing on the individual cabanas is $225.

[mermaid72]

WOW------Thanks for the clarification, it sounds like paradise!

We can't afford that cabana, maybe a clamshell. We do have a excursion planned on St. Thomas. We are going out on a sailboat for the day to St. John. Our excursion money is exhausted already!

[Cobra1365]

You may be just as well off without the clamshell...there are plenty of palm trees to take refuge under. If you do get a clamshell, like previously mentioned, make sure you have something you can prop it up with so you have a breeze blowing. Enjoy!