Live / Solo from the Carnival Legend - December 5-12, 2021

[brilliantseas]

Tendering over to Half Moon Cay around 11:15 was a breeze. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

You enter the island in a small shopping village. There are two Half Moon Cay gift shops, selling the typical t-shirts, shot glasses, and picture frames, as well as an outdoor market with about 10 stalls that sell Bahamian goods such as straw hats and bags, carvings, and sundresses. 

 

In addition, there is a bar and a musician playing near the fountain. Restrooms are immediately to your right once you pass under the entry arch, and the information booth that sells shore excursions is off to the left. 

 

The watersports rental counters and bars only accept Sail & Sign cards as payment. I didn't inquire as to whether or not the gift shops accepted cash/credit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cruisin4aBruisin73]

2 hours ago, brilliantseas said:

 

100% agree! People don't understand "why" when they ask why I'm going on ANOTHER CRUISE!? 

 

This is why. 

 

 

yep, that too. 

[brilliantseas]

Upon arrival, I decided to do a bit of accidental exploring before heading to the beach, or rather I followed the signs from the shopping area to the beach barbecue, which took me down a long path through the center of the island. There is also a "tram" / transport truck that runs through the center of the island for those who prefer not to walk. 

 

The church provides a perfect view of the ship in the background. I'm not sure if this is available for weddings, but it would make an excellent destination wedding venue for diehard cruisers. 

 

Volleyball Courts

 

 

Go straight for the tram road or left at the fork to continue on to the beach barbecue. 

 

 

The vegetation gets quite dense. The shade would be appreciated if visiting at a warmer time of year. It was 80 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny this afternoon. 

 

 

Beach Barbecue

 

[brilliantseas]

The Beach Barbecue is about on par with what I recall seeing on other private islands. Burgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, fresh fruit, cookies, and brownies. There are four identical serving stations and a crew member stationed at each passing out disposable face masks if you happen to forget yours at the beach.

 

The lines appeared to be moving quickly, but the selections did not appeal to me and I did not partake in the offerings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

There are several picnic shelters nearby, providing much-needed shade while you enjoy your lunch. 

 

[brilliantseas]

I found Kat from Alchemy Bar working at the Captain Morgan Pirate Ship Bar this afternoon. Most of the staff on the island are crew from the ship, although there are a few local Bahamians running the tenders, the cabanas, and the shops.

 

The bars on the island are run by the ship and feature similar, abit slightly more limited menu. The prices are also higher on the island, in addition to local tax being added. 

 

There are also roaming bar waiters on the beach if you prefer to grab a drink while enjoying the water. Sail & Sign only, no cash. 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

I found a nice lounger between villas 3 and 4 on an uncrowded section of beach. With only one ship and 1,800 passengers at Half Moon Cay, everyone had plenty of room to spread out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

My alltime FAVORITE port stop!

[brilliantseas]

8 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

What are they charging at pixels for the 8x10 photos? I forgot to make note of it and we are planning our photo budget for February. TIA!

 

The 8" x 10" formal portraits are $22.99, the 6" x 9" fun portraits are $17.99, and the 5" x 7" fun shots (pool, beach, etc.) are $11.99. 

[brilliantseas]

When I say it wasn't crowded, this is what I mean. These photos were taken a little after 1:00 PM, with a 3:15 all-aboard time. 

 

The ocean water temperature today was around 79 degrees, which was perfect!

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Half Moon Cay even has a small spray park for the little ones. With so few children onboard, I did not see anyone using it today. 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a map of Half Moon Cay

 

[brilliantseas]

Our tender leaving Half Moon Cay also happened to be the boat that they use for glass bottom boat excursions. 

 

This is the lower we'll with the glass panels. Clear blue water, but not much to see on our way back to the ship. I did, however, see multiple schools of fish swim past while swimming at the beach. 

 

[brilliantseas]

Departing Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

The last tender arriving with crew, coolers, towels, and everything else left over after a day on the island. 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Late lunch from Blue Iguana Cantina while preparing to sail away from Half Moon Cay. 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

 

 

[brilliantseas]

 

I'm glad the new ships are using compressed natural gas. We certainly weren't burning "port fuel" leaving HMC this afternoon. Bunker oil is anything but clean-burning. Just look at the ash and soot on the loungers or even the bottom of your shoes after walking in the Serenity Deck and you'll understand why this is such an important change for the future of cruising. 

 

 

Sailing away from Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

 

Tonight's sunset from my balcony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Not much of a crowd for the 6:30 family friendly Punchliner show featuring Jason Andors, but he was funny and probably crossed the line into PG-13+ territory with some of his jokes. 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

I had planned on doing dinner after the comedy show, but the YTD check-in was showing a 20-30 minute wait on the app, so I decided to see the early show of Playlist Productions: Studio VIP (70s theme) before dinner. This was better attended than the other Playlist Productions shows that I've been to, likely because I attended the early show. 

 

This has been my least favorite of the three Playlist Productions shows thus far. Maybe it is because the show was intended to have audience participation elements and has been modified due to COVID restrictions, or maybe it is because there are no set changes or costume changes, just 35 minutes of singing and dancing a mix of "hits and misses" from the 70s? 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Tonight's Dinner Menu (Day 5 / Half Moon Cay)

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Wild Rice, Gruyere, and Country Chicken Soup

 

 

Flat Bread

 

 

Shrimp Creole

 

 

No dessert this evening despite Henry and Henry from the Philippines (yes, they are both Henry, and they both work the same section, and they are fantastic) trying to talk me into a "liquid dessert" of an espresso martini or a Frangelico shot.