HMC - New Excursions!

[allen.crawford]

Here is a press release from HAL today!

Holland America Line announced today
that, as part of the comprehensive Signature of Excellence initiative, guests
now have several new and exciting activities to choose from while visiting the
exclusive, private island paradise of Half Moon Cay. Enhancements include a
horseback riding and swimming excursion, a stingray adventure, a guided
personal watercraft tour and a fun-filled aqua park. These new activities
provide more ways for guests to enjoy themselves while experiencing the warm
sun, white sandy beach and turquoise waters of this Caribbean island retreat.
These new activities augment Half Moon Cay's extensive array of existing
excursions including scuba diving tours to explore the marine life,
catch-and-release deep sea fishing trips in the island's beautiful waters, eco
tours by glass-bottom boat, kayak trips and parasailing.

[doone]

Great, thanks for posting this. I assume these are all up and running now???

[Krazy Kruizers]

Last night I pulled up the excursions for HMC for our January cruises - not all the new excursions were listed.

[super_grover]

I just checked for my Feb cruise and it looked like everything was there. There is no mention of the water park in the excursions page though, dare we think that it will be (gasp!) without charge??

[elmorejj]

Don`t hold your breath on that one, supergrover!!! :cool: :cool:

[allen.crawford]

We received our cruise documents last week for the upcoming December cruise. In the excursion book all of the above noted (in the press release) excursions were listed. So, today's press release seems to confirm that all of the excursions are available.

I am not at home right now, but when I get home I will post the prices listed in the excursions book.

[CaptData]

I just book sting rays for feb 6. Super Grover when in Feb are you going and which ship.

[Arubalisa]

What is the Aqua Park supposed to be like anyway???

[mattR]

Can anyone report back on the Stingrays yet?

[super_grover]

I'm on the zuiderdam on the 19th of february :)
There is also discussion about the excursions over on the thread about needing a place to rate shore excursions....Did that make sence even? It's late here....sigh

[Arubalisa]

What is the Aqua Park supposed to be like anyway???-- Half Moon Lagoon
The new Half Moon Lagoon aqua park, opening November 21, is conveniently located on the shore of Half Moon Cay's main beach and provides island-themed action and adventure in the sun. Guests of all ages can have fun climbing on 21 large water "toys" in the shapes of marine life such as whales, octopi, sharks and dolphins. A pirate ship in the aqua park shoots water from cannons to the delight of children and adults alike. Floating pads offer a relaxing way to enjoy the sun or the cooling "raindrops" from a fountain. A boardwalk leads guests to a large sundeck and the palapa-covered Half Moon Saloon, where, following some refreshments, guests can use a slide to get right back into the water.

Signature of Excellence...New Ways for Guests to Have Fun at Half Moon Cay (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=101537)

[marybeach]

Are there charges for all of these, or are any included with the day at the beach?

[anngie]

Doesn't this suggest that Holland America is appealing to a much younger clientele? A water park is a lot like Disneyworld and I hope that HAL ships don't become like the Disney ships. Some kids are ok on a cruise but I sure don't want to spend a week with hundreds of kids on board.

[mattR]

Any reports on the aqua park yet? Cost? Also Stingrays do you get to keep the snorkel gear for the beach or do you have to turn it back in right after your tour?

[Santa Fe Jim]

According to a flyer I received on the Zaandam last week, most of it is in operation. They listed three activities:

Aqua-Trax Adventure ~1 Hr $59/pp -- "Drive your own personal watercraft on a guided tour in Bone Fish Lagoon exploring the picturesque shoreline, navigate around the natural reef formations, inlets & islands & test your watercraft skills around a buoyed course. NOTE: previous experience required, must bring valid drivers license. One person per watercraft. Bathing suit required. Max weight 375 lbs. Times: 8am, 9am, 10:30am."

Horse-back Riding by Land & Sea ~ 1 1/4 hrs. -- $69/pp -- "Saddle up & enjoy a trail ride to the island's high point for a panoramic view. Back at the coral [sic] enjoy a refreshment while your horse is 'dressed'; then venture down to the beach & experience a horseback ride in the ocean. NOTE: trails winding & steep in places. Wear swimsuit under jeans or long pants. Bring tennis shoes, sunscreen, towel & camera. 45 min. horseback ride. Sandals not permitted. Min. age: 10 Max weight per horse: 250lbs. Times: 8am 9:15am. 11am."

Stingray Adventure ~1 hr -- $39/pp -- "After a briefing at Stingray Cove, enter the enclosure with your guide & snorkel gear for an amazing 20-minute encounter during which you will have the opportunity to touch the ray's silky wings & feed these amazing creatures that make their home on Half Moon Cay. NOTE: changing & restroom facilities on site. All gear including aqua socks provided. Guests cannot stand in enclosure -- rather will become buoyant with vest provided! No age limit - children that cannot swim must be accompanied by an adult. Times: 8am 8:30am 9am. 9:30am. 10:30am. 11am."

And, no I didn't participate or even see the activities -- SFJ

[steelcity5044]

I just booked Horseback ride and swim for January 29th on Zuiderdam. When I tried to book online it waitlisted me but then I called and they were able to book with confrimation. Prices seem reasonable compared to other line excursions and swimming on horseback seemed pretty interesting.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I was ammused that after all this talk the last few days about the new stuff on HMC, I got an e-mail from HAL today talking about all these new things - and they didn't even mention the prices of anything.

[AnneBrand]

I am confused about the new Stingray Excursion

On the Holland America Website it says: After a safety briefing, grab your snorkel equipment and enter the wading area with your guide.

And Santa Fe Jim said that According to a flyer he received on the Zaandam last week, it said Guests cannot stand in enclosure -- rather will become buoyant with vest provided!

Now to most this discrepancy may not seem like a big deal but to me - a person that cannot swim and is somewhat not real comfortable with the water this is a big deal.

Would like to hear from someone that has been to Half Moon Cay and saw the Stingray Excursion what exactly it is like. I want to know if I should cancel this excursion.

Thanks for anyone's input on this!

Anne

[localady]

Anne-

We will be taking the stingray excursion on Dec. 3rd. I will remember you question and try to give you some feedback.:cool:

[AnneBrand]

Thanks so much! I will look forward to hearing your report.
Anne

[SecretIdentity2]

According to what we were told on the Oosterdam, the stingray excursion was added Thursday Nov. 11, with our stop at HMC being Saturday the 13th. Dear Spouse and I signed up for the second to last scheduled time at 2:30 pm, and met at the information booth near the dock. As it turns out, since it was such a new option, we were the only two people on that trip, and it was essentially a private excursion!

They took the two of us out to the lagoon in the big bench truck, back along the beach and to the right. They have a changing building with showers, and a covered deck next to the lagoon. DS had snorkeled before, so they gave him the quick briefing, and let him go in, while they explained a few more simple things to me, about five minutes or so. They provided masks, snorkels, water socks, and the float vest, which you return at the end of your session. From the deck, you walk down a few steps right into a penned off section of the lagoon.

During the briefing, they specifially said we should stay floating, and don't allow people to stand due to coral in the penned area. I would guess the water was 7-9 feet deep (very rough guess), and they told us they had about 20 stingrays, but we saw maybe 2-5 at any one time. After we swam over them and took pictures for awhile, they called us over to the steps, and another diver corralled one so we could pet and feed it. Then we swam a little while longer until the truck came back, then got out and rinsed off and changed at the other building. We had about 20 minutes in the water, I believe. No one had signed up for the 3:00 swim, so the staff rode back on the truck with us.

DS and I thought it was wonderful, although having the entire place to ourselves made it especially nice. We signed up using the on-ship kiosk, and judging by the number of spaces left, it looked like they planned on taking about 20 people per excursion. Santa Fe Jim is correct at it being $39 per person.

I didn't see anything about the horses or waterpark, so can't speak about those, but will try to answer any other questions if I can.

[Tak8]

The Stingray excursion sounds fun. In the changing building, is there a place (locker, maybe) to keep your beach stuff? This is a question I am wondering about this and the horseback. Where do people put cameras, towels, etc. during these excursions.

[localady]

SecretIdentity2-

Thanks for the information! We are off to HMC on 12/3 and have signed up for the tour also. Sounds like alot of fun! Glad to hear you enjoyed it, makes me really look forward to it. Were there other fish in the lagoon as well?:cool:

[SecretIdentity2]

Tak,

Since it was just the two of us, we left our things on the lagoon deck. All I saw in the building were the showers and the changing room, there may be lockers that I didn't see though.

Localady,

We saw a few fairly small fish along with the rays. The pen is netted off from the rest of the lagoon, but we didn't get close enough to the net to see how large a fish it would allow.

[mllewis48]

Looking forward to another return trip to HMC and especially al the changes, but I do have a question as this will be the first tme we have shared the island with another HAL ship. (Osterdam)

What problems does it create if you are the second ship to HMC?

We like to get a clamshell and chill on the beach, soak up the sun, have a few cocktails, etc.?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[CaptData]

With two ships in I would pre-order the clamshell. They go fast. I would also pre-order any ex.

[mattR]

Can you touch the rays while your snorkeling? Or only when you are with the guide?

[SecretIdentity2]

Matt,

The guide said that if you touch the rays, use only the palm of your hand, not your fingers. However, when we were in the water, the rays tended to stay towards the bottom, and I was mostly near the surface. I don't think petting the rays while snorkeling would be a problem, but we really didn't have any opportunity to do so other than with the guide.

[mattR]

how big of an area are you able to snorkel in would it be crowded if the tour was full?

[Brandis]

We were on HMC on Nov. 19 with the Prinsendam and construction was still underway for the aquatic playground, it didn't look like much. Just some climbing construction you might see on every average playground...

Marc

[Roadwork]

According to what we were told on the Oosterdam, the stingray excursion was added Thursday Nov. 11, with our stop at HMC being Saturday the 13th. Dear Spouse and I signed up for the second to last scheduled time at 2:30 pm, and met at the information booth near the dock. As it turns out, since it was such a new option, we were the only two people on that trip, and it was essentially a private excursion!

They took the two of us out to the lagoon in the big bench truck, back along the beach and to the right. They have a changing building with showers, and a covered deck next to the lagoon. DS had snorkeled before, so they gave him the quick briefing, and let him go in, while they explained a few more simple things to me, about five minutes or so. They provided masks, snorkels, water socks, and the float vest, which you return at the end of your session. From the deck, you walk down a few steps right into a penned off section of the lagoon.

During the briefing, they specifially said we should stay floating, and don't allow people to stand due to coral in the penned area. I would guess the water was 7-9 feet deep (very rough guess), and they told us they had about 20 stingrays, but we saw maybe 2-5 at any one time. After we swam over them and took pictures for awhile, they called us over to the steps, and another diver corralled one so we could pet and feed it. Then we swam a little while longer until the truck came back, then got out and rinsed off and changed at the other building. We had about 20 minutes in the water, I believe. No one had signed up for the 3:00 swim, so the staff rode back on the truck with us.

DS and I thought it was wonderful, although having the entire place to ourselves made it especially nice. We signed up using the on-ship kiosk, and judging by the number of spaces left, it looked like they planned on taking about 20 people per excursion. Santa Fe Jim is correct at it being $39 per person.

I didn't see anything about the horses or waterpark, so can't speak about those, but will try to answer any other questions if I can.
$39.00 sounds high for 20 minutes.

[stefhef]

Any reports on the WaveRunners? Can you bring a kid on one with you?
Fun?
Any recent HMC visitors?

Thanks.

[SecretIdentity2]

Matt,

The area felt about the size of a large public swimming pool, although like the depth, I'm a bad judge of that sort of thing. I don't think it would feel enormously crowded with 20 people there, although I don't know how the rays would react to that much activity. Also, the entry/exit stairs might be crowded if everyone was trying to use them at the same time. They're designed for probably about four people across.

$39.00 sounds high for 20 minutes.

Dear Spouse and I had never done anything like this before, so we had no idea what to expect and nothing to compare it to. It wouldn't surprise me if there were places that had more rays, for a longer period of time, at a more reasonable rate. However, stingrays are our favorite thing to see at our local aquarium, and we were not about to pass up a chance to swim with them. We both had a great time, and neither of us feel ripped off. Your mileage may vary.

[doone]

How early should you order these clamshells? We sail March 12th on the Zuiderdam and would like to have a clamshell. Do we need to call ship's services or do we order them on-line?

[the2ofus]

Doone,
You can go to the shore excursion section of the HAL website and reserve now. That way you won't have to worry about them being all reserved and you being left out in the sun.

[Majika]

If your ship is heading to Grand Cayman there is a wonderful sting ray tour there. It involves a boat ride out to a sand bar where the sting rays swim in their natural habitat, not in a swimming pool. The tour lasted well over 1 hour including the boat ride. I believe the price was about $40, but that was 2 years ago. It was the best shore excusion we have ever taken and I would do that again in a heart beat.