Review of Half Moon Cay (cabana video & pics etc)

[ksmcali]

Thanks for such a great review. I've read alot about the cabana's on here, as I have been considering booking the Fascination with Half Moon Cay. I know we definitely want to do Atlantis in Nassua, but couldn't decide if I wanted to do Key West or Half Moon Cay. Your review has clenched it for me. Me and my husband are also in our 30's and will be traveling with DD who will be 3 yo at the time. I think the Cabana will offer a relaxing place for us, with activities alternatives (i.e. water mats, snorkles) and a great place for DD to nap instead of having to go back to the ship. Also, from your review, I think we'll prefer somewhere between #8 - #10 based on what's available when we get there. Thanks again for a great review!

[mr. cruiser]

Outstanding review, we were just there in Jan. and are planning on going back next Jan. We are taking some first timers with us so I sent them the link to your video. Thanks:)

[SuperCoolOne]

We were there as well, in fact on one of the pics by the play area we are standing there.

 

We didn't get any tender tickets. We were up and out the door by 9:15-9:30 and on a tender as soon as we walked to the line and on HMC no later than 10am.

 

We left around 3:30-4 and had maybe a 10 minute wait at that point.

[carly chloe]

Where do they hand out tickets?

[Typhoon1]

They were handing them out in the Main Theater.

 

Most recently, there have been reports of some cruises using tender tickets and others have not.

 

HAL appears to have stopped using them.

 

IMO there is no longer a need for tickets with the large tenders, as they can accommodate around 200. In the past, when they had to use the small lifeboat type tenders it was necessary, as you would have a large number of people trying to crowd onto a small boat.

 

If they are using them on your cruise, you'll be notified the day before when to pick up tickets.

 

If I were a betting man, which I am not, you probably won't be using tickets.

 

The problem Carnival has is the size of their ships. 3,000 people trying to board a tender at the same time can be problematic.

[lilylight]

Best review I've seen! Can't wait to get there in August~

Thanks!

 

just a quick question for anyone that has been to HMC....

we don't have an excursion booked but would like to be on the island fairly early. What time would be a good time to try to leave the boat. I've read horror stories of very long lines and some people not getting on the island until 1:30PM....how do we avoid this?

and 1 more question: is there shade or do we need to rent a clam shell. We will have our 6 and 3 yo daughters and don't want them in the direct sun all day.

thanks for you help in advance

 

Getting on the tender was easy as can be for us. We ate breakfast on lido deck and when we were ready we just took the elevator downstairs. There was already a tender there loading with no wait whatsoever. Not sure if the time we left had anything to do with it (around 10-30-1045) but it was painless.

There was plenty of shade, there are trees that are right in line with the cabanas that go all the way down the beach esp the further down you walk. When we were there it seemed most people were trying to work on their tans so there was no shortage of space near trees. They also had clamshells right near the trees if you wanted the extra shade. You could do a cabana as well for shade and a little more ability to cool off with the AC and misting fan.

 

Lililight...What a great review....Thanks for the photos and video.... We'll be there in a few days so your review came just in time.

 

I've read that there is little or no shade, and since my DH and I can't sit in the sun like we see others do, I wasn't sure if we were even going to getting off the ship. From your video and photos, I see that it won't be a problem. We might even consider renting a cabana, (thanks to your review) although I'm not sure if I want to spend the $299 that Holland America is charging.

If you can swing it I'd definitely say go for the cabana. I'm not a beachy person myself but we were able to spend the whole day there with no problem b/c we could dip in and out the cabana when the sun becmae too much.

[lilylight]

Thanks for such a great review. I've read alot about the cabana's on here, as I have been considering booking the Fascination with Half Moon Cay. I know we definitely want to do Atlantis in Nassua, but couldn't decide if I wanted to do Key West or Half Moon Cay. Your review has clenched it for me. Me and my husband are also in our 30's and will be traveling with DD who will be 3 yo at the time. I think the Cabana will offer a relaxing place for us, with activities alternatives (i.e. water mats, snorkles) and a great place for DD to nap instead of having to go back to the ship. Also, from your review, I think we'll prefer somewhere between #8 - #10 based on what's available when we get there. Thanks again for a great review!

My husband (then boyfriend) and I did Key West on our first cruise and I would definitely recommend an itinerary with HMC over Key West anyday.

I loved having the cabana with the baby, by the late afternoon he fell asleep and napped on one of the lounge chairs and it was great. I think otherwise we would have had to go back to the ship much earlier. Also with a young child you tend to bring a lot more stuff with you so it was nice to have a place to unload everything rather than have to dig through bags in the sand whenever we wanted something. It was just great, I can't recommend a cabana enough.

 

Outstanding review, we were just there in Jan. and are planning on going back next Jan. We are taking some first timers with us so I sent them the link to your video. Thanks:)

Thanks!

 

We were there as well, in fact on one of the pics by the play area we are standing there.

 

We didn't get any tender tickets. We were up and out the door by 9:15-9:30 and on a tender as soon as we walked to the line and on HMC no later than 10am.

 

We left around 3:30-4 and had maybe a 10 minute wait at that point.

Too funny! When I posted the review I was wondering if anyone on cruise critic would happen to be in my pictures (hope you don't mind). My husband and son are also in the pic, if you look closely my husband is the bald guy leaning over the baby right in front of the water slide.

We didnt' get tickets or hear about them anywhere either. Getting a tender was simple for us too.

[lilylight]

They were handing them out in the Main Theater.

 

Most recently, there have been reports of some cruises using tender tickets and others have not.

 

HAL appears to have stopped using them.

 

IMO there is no longer a need for tickets with the large tenders, as they can accommodate around 200. In the past, when they had to use the small lifeboat type tenders it was necessary, as you would have a large number of people trying to crowd onto a small boat.

 

If they are using them on your cruise, you'll be notified the day before when to pick up tickets.

 

If I were a betting man, which I am not, you probably won't be using tickets.

 

The problem Carnival has is the size of their ships. 3,000 people trying to board a tender at the same time can be problematic.

Yeah, we didnt get tickets either or hear anything about them. Maybe b/c Fascination is one of their smaller boats? not sure.

I agree that they probably wouldnt need them much. From what I noticed the tenders were back and forth all day and it always seemd that when one was pulled up to the ship the other one was right there waiting to pull up as soon as the first had left.

[seguincruiser]

Outstanding review, we were just there in Jan. and are planning on going back next Jan. We are taking some first timers with us so I sent them the link to your video. Thanks:)

 

We're on the same cruise this Jan. I'll see you at the desk on the 24th for cabanna rentals.;) Its just DH and I so if you need extra room let us know over at the roll call thread and maybe we can arange something.

[mr. cruiser]

We're on the same cruise this Jan. I'll see you at the desk on the 24th for cabanna rentals.;) Its just DH and I so if you need extra room let us know over at the roll call thread and maybe we can arange something.

On our last cruise I was the first in line, even before the desk opened. So yes you will most likely see me in line:D

[Sandpiper10]

on a previous thread a month or so ago, someone had mentioned sciorpions at Half Moon Cay. Any more word on these and if any more have been spotted? :(

[Typhoon1]

on a previous thread a month or so ago, someone had mentioned sciorpions at Half Moon Cay. Any more word on these and if any more have been spotted? :(

 

On our numerous visits to HMC over the years, we have never seen any such creatures.

 

It is a tropical island, anything is possible.

[Cuizer2]

Great review. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

[cv322]

They were handing them out in the Main Theater.

 

Most recently, there have been reports of some cruises using tender tickets and others have not.

 

HAL appears to have stopped using them.

 

IMO there is no longer a need for tickets with the large tenders, as they can accommodate around 200. In the past, when they had to use the small lifeboat type tenders it was necessary, as you would have a large number of people trying to crowd onto a small boat.

 

If they are using them on your cruise, you'll be notified the day before when to pick up tickets.

 

If I were a betting man, which I am not, you probably won't be using tickets.

 

The problem Carnival has is the size of their ships. 3,000 people trying to board a tender at the same time can be problematic.

 

I just got off the Carnival Miracle & we were at HMC last Sunday...(it's fabulous!) and we rented the Private Oasis. We were told to meet at one of the smaller lounges, as were the renters of cabanas #1-#15, and the shore excursion guy just escorted us all to the first tender. No tickets.

 

Thanks very much for this wonderful review with pics lilylight!

[hill6]

I just got off the Carnival Miracle & we were at HMC last Sunday...(it's fabulous!) and we rented the Private Oasis. We were told to meet at one of the smaller lounges, as were the renters of cabanas #1-#15, and the shore excursion guy just escorted us all to the first tender. No tickets.

 

Thanks very much for this wonderful review with pics lilylight!

 

 

 

I would love to hear what you have to say about the Oasis. I am part of a group and we have the Oasis rented for our upcoming cruise. Also any pictures would be wonderful to see also if you have any.

 

Thank you.

[Typhoon1]

I just got off the Carnival Miracle & we were at HMC last Sunday...(it's fabulous!) and we rented the Private Oasis. We were told to meet at one of the smaller lounges, as were the renters of cabanas #1-#15, and the shore excursion guy just escorted us all to the first tender. No tickets.

 

Another example of the inconsistencies in the tendering process.

 

The best advice at this point is expect the unexpected.

[pcvtmom]

Wow! Thanks for all the great information. My family will be on HMC in mid-July, and I can hardly wait. Our summer cruise on the Fantasy will be our 15th, but somehow we've NEVER been to HMC. It sounds perfect, (and you've definitely convinced me to get a cabana...)

[Kidsx5]

Great pics :) I was on HMC on April 19th as well. What a gorgeous island!

[luvtravel38]

its good to know that you only pay $199 not $199 per person.

[Typhoon1]

its good to know that you only pay $199 not $199 per person.

 

The correct price on Carnival is $225.00 per cabana, for up to four people.

[Shelleywood]

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! The pictures are gorgeous and the video is great. It's so nice to have so much great information that you provided. We are leaving on the Fascination May 29 and were wanting to rent a cabana. This makes choosing the right one so much easier! Glad you had such a great time! Thanks again! :D

[jojoacq]

Lilylight, you are AWESOME! What a great description and review and pictures of HMC! We will be there next week and I am so happy to have found this information! Thank you for taking the time to post this for us all!

[cv322]

I would love to hear what you have to say about the Oasis. I am part of a group and we have the Oasis rented for our upcoming cruise. Also any pictures would be wonderful to see also if you have any.

 

Thank you.

 

Attached are a few pics. It was the best day ever! And worth every cent. The bar was stocked with bloody mary's, yellowbirds, rum punch, bahama mama's, red & white wine, and a couple of different beers.

 

When we arrived the crew was already there: 2 chefs, a bartender, a hostess and an extra guy who brought drinks to you if you were in the hot tub or outside lounge area.

 

On the bar, waiting for us was fruit, cookies, brownies, chips & salsa, veggies & dips. At lunch the chef cooked: burgers (only well-done darn it :mad:), hot dogs, chicken & tilapia. There was also potato salad & regular salad.

 

They supplied the towels, you don't have to bring any. The only hiccup in the perfect day was that we mistakenly assumed a masseuse was part of the package, but she is not. If you want massage you have to make arrangements with the spa BEFORE you get to HMC, cost $89/pp. We would have done that if we had known, but we didn't. :(. They were offering massages up the beach, but they wouldn't send someone to the Private Oasis because it would have left them "short" at their massage station up the beach.

 

Have a great time at HMC!

 

 

 

 

 

[Litewait]

I so want to do this! I don't have any takers on the roll call yet though.. Still have 3 months so maybe some new people will join the roll call that would like to do it. There are 5 in my party so we only need 7 more!:(

[pacarolinagirl]

Great reviews & pics of HMC. I can't wait to get there & I have a very long wait. :( :) :D :D :D Thanks for all the info!