HMC - Private Oasis (Large Cabana)

[jaybeedee]

Has anyone been to the private oasis (large cabana)? We are thinking of renting it on a future cruise. I was wondering what it was like, how it compares to a rental of a regular cabana, and was it worth it?

 

Here are the details from Carnival's website:

Enjoy your day on Half Moon Cay with family and friends in your own Private Oasis, a 1,620 square foot grand cabana.

Perched on a point, partially over water, with a walkway into the crystal clear turquoise water, this grand cabana offers 1,620 square feet and includes a large covered deck and comfortable sun deck with an eight-person hot tub.

Features include a barbecue area, full wet bar and refrigerator, indoor teak dining table seating six people, outdoor teak lounges and bar stools accommodating 12, massage table, iPod music system, multi-colored Bahamian tapestries, men’s and women’s changing rooms, indoor and outdoor showers with heated fresh water, 100-foot walkway with misting stations and privacy gate.

Your package includes the services of a butler, personal chef, bartender, cabana Steward, and lifeguard along with the following:

Whole fresh fruits, Chips & Salsa

Beverage package . . . BBQ Lunch Buffet . . .

NOTE: The base rate is applicable for up to 10 guests.

[Cruise To Relax]

We have not been there but have it rented for our November cruise on Holland America. There are 6 of us and maybe a few more. It sounds nice and we like the location.

[GaryWT]

There is another post near this with a picture of it. The cost is something like $1200 which was too much for us. We we were there a large group had it, they each pitched in $25-50 and rented it for the day.

[sweetair]

i will reprint my review from dec 07...

 

Just got off the westerdam 12/9-12/15 2007 and our little group rented the grand oasis cabana.

There was a note in my room on arrival stating i needed to go to shore excursion and give them info. At shore excursion they need all shoe sizes for flippers and how many need snorkel gear as well.(you can have your group call in the flipper sizes individually) We got a priority tender ticket and the excursion ticket.

It was $1200 for up to 12 people and any additional people are $100 each.

We wanted the earliest tender and were told that our personal butler would pick all of us up at my room at 9AM. This however was not the earliest The earliest tender was about 8:15 am. We figured that the cabana would not be ready or equipped before 9. IF you are early birds..just tell them you would get off early on your own.

 

Got off the tender and a short walk (not on the beach) we were there...walked up a wooden path to our oasis!!

 

there was a huge thatched roof that covered a table for 8 and 2 side tables . When we arrived there were tostito chips with salsa and guacamole dips on the table.

There was a hammock, a 2person lounge chair and massage table.

The bar was fully stocked and complete with bartender (9am-1:45pm) at the rear of the hut. There were 2 bathrooms and 1 full shower. There was a storage cabinet for all our stuff. Plenty of towels are provided. They had all the snorkel gear and floaties outside.

Outside the hut had 4 very padded lounge chairs, 4 adirondak chairs, an 8 person hot tub and a private water slide. (we had to stop parents/kids from using this...we wanted to be kid-free all day)

 

We did have the ipod..but NO lifeguard or misting stations as stated

 

We had a choice of what time to eat lunch and we chose noon. The chef came as scheduled. First we had salads and fruit (the fresh pineapple was a WOW) Then we had many lunch choices...steak,mahimahi, burgers,ribs,chicken and hot dogs. Brownies,cookies and pound cake were also on the table.

 

The sand on this island was the MOST powdery i have EVER experienced in all my cruises Felt like talcum powder! The water is a calm bay.

 

My only real complaint was that the day went way too quickly.

 

Be aware that there are 3 people to tip that day...the amount is up to you.

 

If you want to feel like you own an island...are away from the maddening crowd and get pampered...This is the place!!!

Any questions..just ask

*sweet*

[Cruise To Relax]

Thanks for the review. We have it for our November 7 cruise on Noordham and are really looking forward to enjoying the day. It looks like the day will be very laid back and enjoyable. Great review.

[sweetair]

have a fantastic time there.

>>>>if you guys want mojitos...you need to request fresh mint prior to leaving the ship...it was really tough getting it once we were already on the island ;)

and i really do think you should try and get an earlier tender on your own than the 1 offered..You will gain about 1 extra hour on this tropical paradise.

 

oh im so jealous!!!

*sweet*

[Cruise To Relax]

Sweet,

 

Thanks for the info. We plan to try and leave early but we have a youngster with us (2 yrs old) so not sure if our son and daughter will have her up and ready to go by 8:15 or so. But it sure looks like fun. Thanks.

[mafig]

Sweetair (and anyone else who knows)

 

I have read a review on the HAL board where there seems to be an ongoing problem with trespassers trying to use the Oasis.

 

Just how big a problem was this for you?

 

When you stated you wanted the slide just for those of you (who paid) for its use, did you find HAL enforced your wishes, or was it left up to you?

[sweetair]

i am sorry to hear that there were people trying to trespass...we really didnt have any problems.. a couple of people with kids "thought" the slide was part of the childrens water park. We explained that it was not and we let them use it the 1 time and that we paid $1200 to be private MOST understood.

 

We asked the butler to keep an eye out for interlopers and stop them from using the slide. He did as requested and there were no problems.

 

We did invite a few to stop by for a cold drink and check out our oasis. That was not a problem either.

 

Signage would help a lot There is nothing stated by the slide..There is a private sign on the walkway.

 

Have a memorably chillaxing day :D

 

*sweet*

[mafig]

Thanks, Sweet. That makes me feel better. I was on the verge of cancelling.

[2menUK]

Thank you for the wonderful review. We have reserved this Oasis for the Eurodam January 3rd Cruise. Currently there are only 6 of us. You mention that there are 3 people we should tip that day. Can you please say who you should tip?

 

Cheers

Phillip

i will reprint my review from dec 07...

 

Just got off the westerdam 12/9-12/15 2007 and our little group rented the grand oasis cabana.

There was a note in my room on arrival stating i needed to go to shore excursion and give them info. At shore excursion they need all shoe sizes for flippers and how many need snorkel gear as well.(you can have your group call in the flipper sizes individually) We got a priority tender ticket and the excursion ticket.

It was $1200 for up to 12 people and any additional people are $100 each.

We wanted the earliest tender and were told that our personal butler would pick all of us up at my room at 9AM. This however was not the earliest The earliest tender was about 8:15 am. We figured that the cabana would not be ready or equipped before 9. IF you are early birds..just tell them you would get off early on your own.

 

Got off the tender and a short walk (not on the beach) we were there...walked up a wooden path to our oasis!!

 

there was a huge thatched roof that covered a table for 8 and 2 side tables . When we arrived there were tostito chips with salsa and guacamole dips on the table.

There was a hammock, a 2person lounge chair and massage table.

The bar was fully stocked and complete with bartender (9am-1:45pm) at the rear of the hut. There were 2 bathrooms and 1 full shower. There was a storage cabinet for all our stuff. Plenty of towels are provided. They had all the snorkel gear and floaties outside.

Outside the hut had 4 very padded lounge chairs, 4 adirondak chairs, an 8 person hot tub and a private water slide. (we had to stop parents/kids from using this...we wanted to be kid-free all day)

 

We did have the ipod..but NO lifeguard or misting stations as stated

 

We had a choice of what time to eat lunch and we chose noon. The chef came as scheduled. First we had salads and fruit (the fresh pineapple was a WOW) Then we had many lunch choices...steak,mahimahi, burgers,ribs,chicken and hot dogs. Brownies,cookies and pound cake were also on the table.

 

The sand on this island was the MOST powdery i have EVER experienced in all my cruises Felt like talcum powder! The water is a calm bay.

 

My only real complaint was that the day went way too quickly.

 

Be aware that there are 3 people to tip that day...the amount is up to you.

 

If you want to feel like you own an island...are away from the maddening crowd and get pampered...This is the place!!!

Any questions..just ask

*sweet*

[sweetair]

Phillip,

you will have a butler,personal chef and bartender

The butler escorts you from the ship and stays all day attending to anything you might need.

the bartender arrives about 9:00am if i recall and stays until about 1:45PM.

The chef arrives at a time YOU guys decide (we chose Noon which may seem early but was perfect) He stays about 1 1/2 hours.

 

Hint: before the bartender leaves...ask him to leave extra water bottles and whatever is left you can bring back and use on the ship.

 

have a great time..please write a review for future users

juice it up...

*sweet*

[Carolinamamasita]

Is this something you have to wait to reserve

or can you reserve this ahead ?

 

thanks

[sweetair]

On HAL you can pre-reserve it

From my understanding on Carnival: its first come first served ON THE SHIP

[Carolinamamasita]

On HAL you can pre-reserve it

From my understanding on Carnival: its first come first served ON THE SHIP

 

that is a bummer :(

sounds like it would be ideal

[Cruise To Relax]

We just returned from the Southern Carribean and it was superb. We hade the Private Oasis (also called Grand Cabana) on Half Moon Cay. It was really great and the family enjoyed it. There was only one ship at HMC last Sunday (November 16) so it was not crowded. Anyway, the private oasis was very enjoyable. We had up to 6 HA folks helping us. They really wanted to make sure we had a great time. The facility is great with all the items listed available. The dining table for 6 is nice and the lunch was super. With so many "helpers" around, you almost did not have to do anything except ask for something. We had all the standard drinks and they even fixed a few that were new to them. The facility has a hammock, a 2 person lounger, bar, dining table, and tables and bar chairs along with the 2 bath rooms and one shower on the main level. One level down and outside is the hot tub (enjoyed by all)and loungers for about 3-4 people (sun worshipers). One level down is also the massage table in a private covered area overlooking the lagoon but with shutters that can be closed. On this level, there is a slide with running water that goes into the water. Then you walk down a slight incline and there are steps that go right into the water.

 

We did have several curious folks who wanted to come over and use the facility but the HA folks asked them to leave. The food was not exactly as advertised but it was great. We did not get any chips and salsa until later. We did have hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, baked beans, chicken, and corn on the cob. There was a great fruit salad for desert. We also had some fresh fruit when we got there. I think they normally cook the lunch there but we had some wind and rain so believe they cooked it elsewhere. Even though we did not get everything that was advertised, we did not ask for anything because it was such a great place. I am sure if we wanted something, they would have gotten it.

 

Was it worth the money? For our family, it was. Our kids and their families will talk about this unique experience for a long time. I doubt we will every have the opportunity to do it again. But if you can do it, I think you might like it. While there is no air conditioner, we had a wonderful breeze all day and it was quite comfortable.

 

If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them.

[pmoniz]

Cruise To Relax - Thank you for the updated information! We're seriously hoping to book this on our next cruise in May 09. We're cruising Carnival so I guess it's something we're going to have to run to the Excursion Desk ASAP if we decide to go for it! Sounds like a blast!

[rcrx]

Has anyone been to the private oasis (large cabana)? We are thinking of renting it on a future cruise. I was wondering what it was like, how it compares to a rental of a regular cabana, and was it worth it?

 

Here are the details from Carnival's website:

Enjoy your day on Half Moon Cay with family and friends in your own Private Oasis, a 1,620 square foot grand cabana.

Perched on a point, partially over water, with a walkway into the crystal clear turquoise water, this grand cabana offers 1,620 square feet and includes a large covered deck and comfortable sun deck with an eight-person hot tub.

Features include a barbecue area, full wet bar and refrigerator, indoor teak dining table seating six people, outdoor teak lounges and bar stools accommodating 12, massage table, iPod music system, multi-colored Bahamian tapestries, men’s and women’s changing rooms, indoor and outdoor showers with heated fresh water, 100-foot walkway with misting stations and privacy gate.

Your package includes the services of a butler, personal chef, bartender, cabana Steward, and lifeguard along with the following:

Whole fresh fruits, Chips & Salsa

Beverage package . . . BBQ Lunch Buffet . . .

NOTE: The base rate is applicable for up to 10 guests.

 

 

We were actually the 1st group to ever use this cabanna on our friends honeymoon cruise back in May of 07. I can tell you for a fact no one will ever rock that cabanna like we did. It was an awesome deal. We were on a Carnival ship and it had to be booked once you were on board. As far as tipping goes.. there were 12 of us I think and we each pitched in 20 bucks. The Carnival workers even hung out with us and took a dip.

The food was good. There was no sign to keep people out so we had to shoo away people several times.

BTW--- we drank the bar dry.. they had to go get more booze and we knocked that out to. I think we paid a 1000 but it may have been 1200. They probably raised the price after us since we drank them dry. They also let the bar open longer for us due to tender issues..

Hope this helps