Couples Booking Cabanas???

[sail7seas]

Curious if many of us who have booked cabanas for our visits to HMC are families or groups or do many couples book a cabana just for the two of them?

 

Are they hoping to meet others aboard the ship with whom they would share the cabana or do they want it just for their private use?

[gagirl789]

We are waitlisted for a cabanna on the Z in Dec. It is just Dh and I that are going on the trip. We would try to find someone to share it with. I think that would be more enjoyable. We always seem to meet great people on cruises.

[Ziggy7]

We shared it with another couple we met the first week, we had it alone the next week cause we didnt meet anyone soon enough the second week :)

[Lynzchat]

We booked a cabana, I can't remember the color, but there are only 2 of us. I didn't realize that there would be so many sodas and so much food. I guess if we meet another couple, and they want to split it, we may opt to do so, but we never thought about it.

 

WHat do other couples do?

[777steve]

My partner Philip and I had the Pink Cabana in January and honestly had no idea about the "4" business at the time. We just assumed it would be us all the time and that was the norm. As it turns out there was the form requesting our choice of drinks, etc., for up to four (at that time this was all handled rather directly with the Neptune folks given that there was no such thing as advance booking) which was kind of a surprise to us. That's when we learned the services (read: drink and nibbles set up) were for an included party of four. But since we didn't know anyone (having just boarded) we said "just bring whatever you want" . It turns out that by the time we got to HMC we did have a nice couple we met onboard spend most of the day with us and since it was set up for 4 we had the goods on hand to be reasonably gracious hosts.:)

 

What's funny to me now is that we also did not know that there was any reason to expect cabin attendants to do anything other than check to make sure all was well with the functional aspects of the cabana. When they offered to grab us some lunch from the BBQ, we thought they were just really kind people (which they were). We booked the cabana based solely on the idea of having "our own" little plot of real estate already established and having some sodas and such easily accessible. All the rest (snorkel, mats, cabana attendant services, etc.) were a big surprise.

 

Anyway, in December we are sailing on Westerdam and have Pink reserved for us and another couple, Purple for another set of couples and we are requesting an additional for a third set. However, based on Candy's thread about the handling of cabanas and this whole business of everything on the cabana bookings showing "waitlisted" (which was occuring before the storms), I'm having some concerns that I will address with the Travel Agent and Ship's Services next week.

 

Anyway ... the short answer (as if I'm capable of that) is: yes, we did and would again book the cabana for the two of us but would be equally delighted to meet someone on board and invite them to take advantage of the extra set ups for two more.

 

Cheers all!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Years ago when there were only 4 cabanas and they were reasonable in price, DH and I rented one just for ourselves. Since we travel alone, we do not feel they are worth the money for just the 2 of us.

[watchdiva]

My DH and I also booked a cabana for the two of us for our upcoming cruise. I love the sun/beach but he burns easily and I wanted us to have a "shady" spot that he could relax in. The "extras" (drinks, nibbles, etc) are a bonus to the shade. Since everything will be for 4, if we're lucky enough to connect with another couple (or single) on board, we'd gladly share!

[cgladin]

DH & I just booked a cabana for our upcoming cruise at the end of January. About 1/2 of the cabanas were already taken when I booked yesterday. I would guess that they will be gone before the ship sails.

I think that if you want the cabana to yourselves, then book it. Only you can determine if the cost is worth the money for just two.

[tommy]

On our roll call thread there were people arranging to split cabanas.Unfortunatly the hurricanesleft the cabanas unusable for our sailings. TOM

[sail7seas]

Thanks for all your responses. Gives a good perspective IMO

[jima53]

We originally wanted to book a cabana for our first HAL cruise on the Zaandam until we started looking at postings about visits being cut short. Our stop was for less than 4 1/2 hours if you got off the boat first and arrived last. Seems HAL would be more honest about this time frame as they seem to regularly use the phrase the captain needs the time to travel back to Canaveral. We would gladly pay the price for a longer time and would probably offer it's use to another couple we might meet along the way. Fantastic cruise anyway, looking for the next one.

 

Jim

[Roadwork]

I may get ripped to pieces on this one, but I think the cabanas are a wast of good money. I think the price is outrageous.

I never had a problem finding shade, and we both enjoy the bar on Half Moon. We get to meet a lot of nice people their.

 

Those willing to pay the price, well, it is your vacation,your money,and if that is what you enjoy go for it. It is just not for us.

[viennacruiser]

My DH and I have the pink booked for our cruise in March 05 and if we met some friends to share with great, :D right now I have a roll call with no responses so I guess we will be alone on the ship:( .

[Ziggy7]

I may get ripped to pieces on this one, but I think the cabanas are a wast of good money. I think the price is outrageous.

I never had a problem finding shade, and we both enjoy the bar on Half Moon. We get to meet a lot of nice people their.

 

Those willing to pay the price, well, it is your vacation,your money,and if that is what you enjoy go for it. It is just not for us.

Not going to "rip you to pieces" but just want to ask you to consider this. We dont drink (you may spend 50.00 on drinks), we usually pay 50 - 70 dollars each for snorkeling excursions, so for a few dollars more we get 12 sodas snacks, snorkeling gear for 4, Floating mats for 4, a fresh water shower to rinse off after snorkeling and laying on our floating mats, a/c with a ceilling fan, a place to keep valuables safely, shade for dh. On HMC its paradise to us, so we can justify the cost (although I think its high as well and would not be paying more for them) and it was fun treating our new found friends to join us :) so for 4 its really a steal! :)

[watchdiva]

That's what makes each of us different, don't you think? The things that may seem "silly" or a waste of money to someone else, may be just the opposite to others (DH and I). We enjoy little luxuries on our vacations since we are both in super-high stress jobs and work hard all year - nothing like treating yourself to (in this case) a cabana, massage, etc., when on vacation!

[SHayesShip]

I think the price is very high. However, with that said, I am treating my Mom to a birthday cruise and am in the process of booking a cabana for our use on an April/05 cruise.

I have been to HMC and disagree that there is a lot of places with shade. I burn so easily even with good sunscreen that I can only stay on the island a couple of hours. With the cabana this will help immensely.

As of now it will be for 2 ppl unless we meet someone that we want to share it with.

 

Steve Hayes

[twoatsea]

"worth the money" is in the eye of the beholder's wallet. however, on our 11/6 cruise, by the time we got to the island, we had such a short time to enjoy before it was time to leave. We spent longer in other ports where the ship had to pay port charges! we were very surprised, especially since hmc is discussed so highly on this board. are there cruises that actually give a whole day to enjoy? if not, how is there any time for sitting in a cabana & not missing the water time (standing, swimming, snokeling, floating....), walking the beach, exploring the public areas, eating, etc.? plus isn't it a disappointment to be the furthest back from the water & above the sand rather than sitting in a lounge chair next to that beautiful water with your feet in that wonderful sand?

[sail7seas]

You didn't mention which ship you were on or if your stop at HMC was on your last day aboard. If it was your final day, it is possible (probable) you had to leave the island earlier than anyone would have liked because the Captain needed that number of hours in order to arrive back in Florida on time. HMC is south of Nassau and takes a bit of cruising time.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Here I am nursing this horrendous cold, but I simply have to post on all these HMC threads!

 

We travelled with another couple and booked the Turquoise Cabana on Saturday 11/13. DH and our friends all said it was the high point of the cruise. Split between us it was only about $110 which is far less than many tours for far less time. We spent about 5 hours there, but could have stayed another hour or gotten there a bit earlier if we chose to.

 

As Ziggy said, all snorkel gear, mats, etc., are included. We must have been cheated on drinks since they said we only got 6 sodas and then had to pay. But I think we had some bottled water. The food the Cabana Boys brought to our cabin was unbelievable! Obviously you could have gotten this yourself but no one would dare. We had 4 hamburgers, 4 hot dogs, mounds of ribs and chicken as well as steaks and corn. And a plate of cookies and brownies that was embarrassing. I've never seen such a feast.

 

I do think the Butler service would be overkill and totally unnecessary and these guys were there for us even more than was necessary.

 

All in all, I would say thank heaven that many think they're a waste of money and I really ought to shut up about how awesome they are because there are simply not enough to go around.

 

Simply a day of heaven ... even with a cold:)

[sail7seas]

I'm soooo happy you enjoyed your day at HMC so much. It is a slice of Paradise, isn't it?

 

 

Take care of yourself and nurse that cold. Hope you feel better soon.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm soooo happy you enjoyed your day at HMC so much. It is a slice of Paradise, isn't it?

 

 

Take care of yourself and nurse that cold. Hope you feel better soon.

Yes, Sail, it absolutely is:) . Hard to believe it was only yesterday........

[CPRayVA]

We decided to reserve a cabana because of the snorkle equipment and mats. We are traveling with our neighbors and both of the men do not enjoy lying on the beach. Based on everything that you get for the money, I think it is well worth it. Our stop at Half Moon Cay is our first port, so we will be there from 11 - 6, do we get priority tenders based on the fact that we have reserved a cabana?

[HeatherInFlorida]

We decided to reserve a cabana because of the snorkle equipment and mats. We are traveling with our neighbors and both of the men do not enjoy lying on the beach. Based on everything that you get for the money, I think it is well worth it. Our stop at Half Moon Cay is our first port, so we will be there from 11 - 6, do we get priority tenders based on the fact that we have reserved a cabana?

Yes, you do. But all this really gives you is the elimination of having to pick up tender tickets. When we arrived at the tender line I I showed my "priority tender ticket" and was told if we wanted we could go to the front, but believe me you wouldn't want to do that. Still, it was nice not to have to get the tender tickets.

 

Also, once on HMC no one went out of their way to help us to our cabana. More on that at a later date.

 

Of course, you can get snorkel gear and mats without a cabana, but I highly recommend the cabana. Worth every single cent and I'm not a high maintenance kind of gal. The men loved it more than we did! Depending on how many ships are there, the beach is mobbed. We had two ... ourselves and the Rotterdam. The last time we were there it was only the Maasdam which was really special. This was way too many people for the little beach.

 

However, with the cabana we didn't even notice the crowding.

[Disnyfan83]

I noticed someone replied that they already had a cabana booked for an early April sailing. The Holland website says you can book at sixty days. Am I misunderstanding? We sail on the Westerdam March 27.When should I book? Is it better to book online or call? Also, there will be 11 of us- are some cabanas closer together than others? Two cabanas should do it, don't you think? We have ages from eight to eighty three - some are VERY active and others just want to sit in the shade. This is our first HAL cruise and I have become the cruise director for the family (did I mention that they are my in-laws?:rolleyes: ) and needless to say, I want everything to go off without a hitch!:p

[Ziggy7]

Yes, you do. But all this really gives you is the elimination of having to pick up tender tickets. When we arrived at the tender line I showed my "priority tender ticket" and was told (we were escorted to the front of the line, we didnt know it was an option, they pulled all priorty tender pax first to board the first tender) if we wanted we could go to the front, but believe me you wouldn't want to do that. Still, it was nice not to have to get the tender tickets.

 

Also, once on HMC no one went out of their way to help us to our cabana. More on that at a later date. hahaha that only comes with the butler service :) We asked at shore excursions and they told us where to go but that is all :)

 

Of course, you can get snorkel gear and mats without a cabana, but I highly recommend the cabana. Worth every single cent and I'm not a high maintenance kind of gal. The men loved it more than we did! Depending on how many ships are there, the beach is mobbed. We had two ... ourselves and the Rotterdam. The last time we were there it was only the Maasdam which was really special. This was way too many people for the little beach.

 

However, with the cabana we didn't even notice the crowding.

also we were there the first week from 9 am to 3:30pm (it was our last day of cruise), the second week was just 2 days later and were were there from 8am - 4 pm :)