Clamshell or Private Cabana?

[Conniepo]

We are looking at the shore excursions on Half Moon Cay and we are trying to decide whether to go with the clamshell for $14 or the cabana for $299. I need protection from too much sun (due to medication I am taking).

Besides the obvious price difference, is there any advantage to either one? We have never been to HMC and are looking forward to it.

Connie and hubby

[Mary Ellen]

Well, the cabanas have a ceiling, walls, floor, a/c, fans, mister, comfy chairs and loungers, table, food, sodas/water, refrigerators......

The clamshells have some shade, basic loungers and sand...

[suse]

Sometimes, you can save a whole lot of money by sitting under a tree. As, in Palm.

[jtl513]

Sometimes, you can save a whole lot of money by sitting under a tree. As, in Palm.The trees along the beach on HMC aren't palms (I'd say they're some form of fir/pine) and don't give a very dark shade. It's more like sitting under mosquito netting. And you have to be there early to get one of the good spots. And the sun moves a little as the day wears on, so your shade may go away. :(
click to enlarge

http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/75/75/1/3/4/2568103040099632937vKjLVz_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2568103040099632937vKjLVz)
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/75/75/4/57/77/2875457770099632937AyeCBj_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2875457770099632937AyeCBj)

[Mary Ellen]

I know I sure don't remember any palm trees at HMC. :rolleyes:

[Mr. Oregon]

There were a few trees between the cabanas further along the beach- probably from cabana 10 on, but nothing down by the bar or main beach area.

If you need shade get one of the higher number cabanas down the beach - we were in 12 last time and the trees gave shade both for the loungers and the enclosed area.

[allentownahoy]

If money is no object and you want to be pampered get a cabana but for protection from the sun a clamshell works just fine. I also can't be in the sun and have used clam shells on HMC as well as in Grand Turk.

There may be a slight chance that at some angles of the sun for an hour or 2 t your feet may be exposed but I just toss a towel or t-shirt over them.

[mamaofami]

I've always used the clam shell for protection from the sun. The only problem is that it can get very hot under there. You need to prop the back up to allow the air to get in. There are no trees at HMC that provide protection.

[sportsmum]

We had a cabana on the Princess private island. Best money we spent on that trip. The day went faster than any other. We had our own space for lounge chairs, somewhere to put our things inside, they brought us lunch and we were away from the crowds too.

The clamshells there, and I would suppose on all the private islands, were jammed side by side- just like the lounge chairs. It was so very nice to have the extra room and space. We couldn't believe it was time to head back to the ship, we did nothing but relax all day and it went by faster than Christmas!

[INSIDERS CABIN]

When we have our family along, the private cabana is delightful to use as headquarters. But when it is just the two of us, a clamshell suffices for a shady spot....and we don't sit very long at all because there are activities, walking on the beach, food and my favorite thing-floating around in the water!

[jtl513]

... they brought us lunch and ... That doesn't happen on HMC unles you pay extra for the Butler service.
The clamshells there, and I would suppose on all the private islands, were jammed side by side- just like the lounge chairs.They're movable! :)

[kyriecat]

That doesn't happen on HMC unles you pay extra for the Butler service.
They're movable! :)In April our "cabana boy" stopped by around noon to ask if he could bring us anything to eat. We had the basic cabana package not the butler service. We didn't know what we wanted so went to the food area and got our own items. The people in the next cabana did take him up on his offer. Maybe that's not normal service.

[1like2look]

In November 2008 I booked a cabana on HMC for my husband, parents, and me. (Hubby and I burn easily.) We all thought it was worth every penny. The shade, snacks and bottled water, lounge chairs, freshwater shower, snorkel gear, plus the added privacy greatly enhanced our enjoyment of the beautiful beach. I would do it again in an instant, even for just the two of us.

If you decide to book a cabana, do it as early as possible because quantities are limited! :D

[Conniepo]

I just got back from our 4th of July week-end and checked to see if anyone answered my query re the cabana/clamshell issue. Thanks so much for all the info! I will take all your great comments into consideration and discuss with my hubby. I think we'll go for the cabana! :D

Someone mentioned selecting a higher number but all I see are colors (peach, pink, blue, etc.) No mention of cabana numbers. Is this a new system? :confused:

Connie

[catl331]

Someone mentioned selecting a higher number but all I see are colors (peach, pink, blue, etc.) No mention of cabana numbers. Is this a new system? :confused:Not really. HAL only identifies them by colors, but #1 is the gray one nearest the tender dock, and #15 is the "mauve" one all the way down at the end.
See post #5 on this thread:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=10094678

[catl331]

Better yet, click here, then click on picture to enlarge it:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg

[eldercruser]

This year we booked a cabana when there were four of us and the cost was $250 and thought to be a nice perk. In 2010 the cost has increased to $299. Since there will be just the two of us we will pass.

I also note that although there is already a large roll call for our Noordam cruise, as of yesterday ony one cabana has been booked!

[off2ctheworld]

In December we had the orange cabana. We burn easily. It was wonderful and worth every penny. Just sitting in shade, fan moving the air, pop in the cooler, mats, snorkle gear, chips n dip, all perfect. BBQ area is close. What a life.

[Conniepo]

Better yet, click here, then click on picture to enlarge it:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg


THANKS for this photo! .... really helps a lot. :D

Connie

[catl331]

THANKS for this photo! .... really helps a lot. :D

ConnieJust a warning about some discrepancies about the colors shown in that pic and the names that HAL uses. HAL says one is Sky Blue, and the pic says one is Lt Blue, which is a pretty trivial difference.

HALs site lists them alphabetically, and uses the words Taupe and Violet for two of them. The pic shows #11 as Lt Purple and #15 as Mauve.

There is nothing in the pic that I would call Taupe, which is a dark grayish-brown! Maybe #15 has been repainted since that pic? :confused: So if you want to book #11 or #15 maybe you should call and talk to someone rather than just choosing on-line from the color list! :)

[Nic's Mom and Pop]

Just a warning about some discrepancies about the colors shown in that pic and the names that HAL uses. HAL says one is Sky Blue, and the pic says one is Lt Blue, which is a pretty trivial difference.

HALs site lists them alphabetically, and uses the words Taupe and Violet for two of them. The pic shows #11 as Lt Purple and #15 as Mauve.

There is nothing in the pic that I would call Taupe, which is a dark grayish-brown! Maybe #15 has been repainted since that pic? :confused: So if you want to book #11 or #15 maybe you should call and talk to someone rather than just choosing on-line from the color list! :)

Mauve in the picture is Violet with HAL.

Carol

[Typhoon1]

Spending money on the cabana is one thing you won't regret.

[jtl513]

Mauve in the picture is Violet with HAL.

CarolThen #11 Lt Purple in the pic is HAL's Taupe???

[Pam in CA]

I booked the "eggshell" for our cruise in April but in the photo, it looks like it has direct sun and no shade. Is that right?

[Conniepo]

I'm the OP .... just want all of you to know .... drum roll .....

We decided to book a cabana! We booked Yellow (#12). :)

It looks like it has shade trees and is not too close to the food area so there shouldn't be a lot of traffic going back and forth.

Our cruise isn't until January 10th but I'm looking forward to HMC (never been there).

Connie and Joe

[jtl513]

I booked the "eggshell" for our cruise in April but in the photo, it looks like it has direct sun and no shade. Is that right?Most get very little shade from the scrawny trees in the afternoon. In the morning they all get fair shade. :)

click to enlarge
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/55/555/5/94/2/2544594020099632937Gygikx_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2544594020099632937Gygikx)

[jtl513]

I should have said most get fair shade in the morning, because I think there's few trees near the first few cabanas.