Half Moon Cay

[JellyBean07]

Can anyone tell me if the barbecue at Half Moon Cay is free since this island is HAL's private island?

[taxmantoo]

Yes it is. Enjoy!

[GCurry]

Can anyone tell me if the barbecue at Half Moon Cay is free since this island is HAL's private island?
Yes, it's done by the ships cooks, there's no charge.
Although calling what they serve BBQ is a stretch, as there's no actual barbecuing done there, it's grilled burgers hot dogs etc..
They make their money off the special beach drinks and shops there, as well as excursions, cabanas and anything else they can charge for.

[Crusing Bob]

there is a lot of variety including steak sandwiches, if you like and I do.

[DFD1]

Yes. The crew go ashore early and take all the food for lunch. It is prepared under a large permanent pavillion. Lots of cooking smoke, but a workable layout with picnic tables under smaller pavillions close-by.

There are also several bars around. Use your ship card for those. There is also a small, not very exciting, straw market. Purchases there are for cash.

It is a remarkable beautiful place. Hope you enjoy it.

[JellyBean07]

To GCurry

I visited your website which is quite detailed to say the least! Pray tell, what are the baggies, duct tape and bungee cords used for?

[GCurry]

To GCurry
I visited your website which is quite detailed to say the least! Pray tell, what are the baggies, duct tape and bungee cords used for?
The bungees were used to hold the balcony doors open at night for the sea breeze which is VERBOTEN any more as it effects the a/c system. The zip locks are for keeping things dry on beach/water sport days, money ship and credit cards copy of passport and things like that. I carry a water safe, but a good zip lock works as well.
I don't recall exactly about the duct tape something about holding shower curtains back for light or some such, anyway, it never hurts to have some duct tape along, person snoring, putting your suitcase back together, a little bondage, you know the usual stuff on a cruise!...:D

We found that list some years back, but most of it still applies.

[Mollynme]

Has anyone been to HMC when there were 2 ships there? The barbecue with just one ship is pretty crowded. How is it handled when the population doubles?
I ask because the Westerdam and Zuiderdam are both scheduled to be there at the same time on 2/22. :eek:

[Essiesmom]

I was there with Oosterdam and Noordam, and it didn't seem any more of a problem than when I was there on Carnival Elation or Celebration or Fascination...The first ship to arrive uses the large island tenders, and the second ship uses it's own tenders. EM

[GCurry]

Yes. The crew go ashore early and take all the food for lunch. It is prepared under a large permanent pavillion. Lots of cooking smoke, but a workable layout with picnic tables under smaller pavillions close-by.
There are also several bars around. Use your ship card for those. There is also a small, not very exciting, straw market. Purchases there are for cash. It is a remarkable beautiful place. Hope you enjoy it.
I reread my post and I did sound somewhat negative and didn't mean to, it is beautiful and a great place to see some exotic birds as you are dining.
I, of course, Barbeque year round, (State Law) so I think that was my hot button, as Grilled Island Cook Out might be a better discription for what they do. As I recall, they did offer some Jerk Chicken which is done throughout the Caribe.

[Boytjie]

I reread my post and I did sound somewhat negative and didn't mean to, it is beautiful and a great place to see some exotic birds as you are dining.
I, of course, Barbeque year round, (State Law) so I think that was my hot button, as Grilled Island Cook Out might be a better discription for what they do. As I recall, they did offer some Jerk Chicken which is done throughout the Caribe.


Well, everything isn't Texan or Southern and different places have different kinds of barbeque. ;)

[GCurry]

Well, everything isn't Texan or Southern and different places have different kinds of barbeque. ;)
I long ago recognized that fact Peter and have grown to enjoy and appreciate cultural differences through enlightened understanding and judicious applications of tolerance and sympathy.:D

All seriousness aside, Jerk Chicken can be a very interesting dish as it is grilled, usually marinated with papaya and/or covered in Jerk spices, some of which are Habanera Pepper which can set you free. HAL's version is pretty light on the heat as you would expect, but you might find some good examples on the other islands. I'll be on Half Moon next month thanks to the Noordam.

[Boytjie]

I'll be on Half Moon next month thanks to the Noordam.


I will be there in 3 weeks on the Eurodam. :D

[K&RCurt]

Wow, the hot button "BBQ" Debate has finally hit CC!

When I was growing up (in Connecticut) a BBQ was anything you cooked on a grill - Charcoal, gas, whatever- was BBQ.

I lived in North Carolina for a while and also have traveled quite a bit in the years since then and have experienced some very passionate "debates" on what constitutes "BBQ".

In North Carolina BBQ is pork, slowly smoked over hickory. Now WHERE in the Carolinas you are from determines what "Sauce" is permitted to be put on this pork. Is it based on tomato products?, Vinager? Mustard?. The debate is endless.

Now our fellow CC member GCurry is from Texas..Texas folk usually insist BBQ must be BEEF! As do those in Kansas City.

People in Memphis have their own style of BBQ and they will proudly argue for hours and days that only "Memphis BBQ" is "REAL BBQ"!

So, I will conceed that except for the "New England" definition of "BBQ", which equates to a "Cook out" or "Grill out" in the rest of our great land, the fare on HMC is not really "BBQ", per se.

It is a good free lunch with plenty of variety, however.

/tongue in cheek/

[JellyBean07]

GCurry

I too will be on the Noordam in April doing the same itinerary. Any tips on snorkeling avenues or anything else of interest (liked your duct tape suggestions)

[jtl513]

Has anyone been to HMC when there were 2 ships there? The barbecue with just one ship is pretty crowded. How is it handled when the population doubles?Plenty of room on the beach if you walk far enough, but it's best to get to the food line as early as possible.

The first ship to arrive uses the large island tenders, and the second ship uses it's own tenders. EMOther way around for us. Maybe it depends on which ship is doing the catering?

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I love HMC! Can't wait to go back. :D
Yes, the BBQ buffet is free. I recall eating corn on the cob, veggie burgers, potato salad, potato chips (although we found the wild chickens enjoyed them more than us!), cold pasta salad, banana bread, brownies, and soda.
We've been there with both one and two ships in port. There really wasn't a big difference since people eat and do excursions at different times.
We also bring along a roll of duct tape. It can be used to tape your suitcase shut should it break, someone said they use it as a 2nd clothes line to dry their bathing suits in their room, and you can tape the curtains shut if there is light coming in. We've never used it, but ya never know when you might need it. :o

[GCurry]

GCurry
I too will be on the Noordam in April doing the same itinerary. Any tips on snorkeling avenues or anything else of interest (liked your duct tape suggestions)
Look at the useful links at our Noordam website, one of which is shore diving the ABC Islands. We're going with Woodwind on Bonaire, and renting cars on Aruba and Curacao. On Curacao last year, we drove to Tug Boat for some wonderful snorkeling and an old Dutch Fort right by it. Tug Boat is at the very bottom of the Curacao page. We resupplied for the ship at a Best Buy store and drove to Mambo Beach for a lot of the day, good snorkeling out past the break water with a beautiful beach, bars and restaurants. We might not snorkel at all on Aruba but Half Moon, Grand Turk, Bonaire and Curacao will scratch that itch. Probably whale watch at Samana.

http://www.woodwindbonaire.com/

They'll meet us at the cruise terminal BTW and I regret to say we'll miss their clothing optional snorkel every Monday. But rumor has it that the average HAL cruiser has more wrinkles than a Shar Pei so nude snorkeling might not be that great an event.:eek:

Now our fellow CC member GCurry is from Texas..Texas folk usually insist BBQ must be BEEF! As do those in Kansas City. I work both sides of that street Curt and can do some mighty fine "pulled pork" with a Carolina double mustard sauce.
But the pride of Texas is beef brisket, and mine's a granny slapper with a thick rich chipotle sauce!!

[Mpowered]

Wow, the hot button "BBQ" Debate has finally hit CC!

When I was growing up (in Connecticut) a BBQ was anything you cooked on a grill - Charcoal, gas, whatever- was BBQ.

I lived in North Carolina for a while and also have traveled quite a bit in the years since then and have experienced some very passionate "debates" on what constitutes "BBQ".

In North Carolina BBQ is pork, slowly smoked over hickory. Now WHERE in the Carolinas you are from determines what "Sauce" is permitted to be put on this pork. Is it based on tomato products?, Vinager? Mustard?. The debate is endless.

Now our fellow CC member GCurry is from Texas..Texas folk usually insist BBQ must be BEEF! As do those in Kansas City.

People in Memphis have their own style of BBQ and they will proudly argue for hours and days that only "Memphis BBQ" is "REAL BBQ"!

So, I will conceed that except for the "New England" definition of "BBQ", which equates to a "Cook out" or "Grill out" in the rest of our great land, the fare on HMC is not really "BBQ", per se.

It is a good free lunch with plenty of variety, however.

/tongue in cheek/

Hey, it's not tongue-in-cheek in North Carolina! :p So which is it for you - Eastern style or Lexington style?

Joan

[Typhoon1]

Well, everything isn't Texan or Southern and different places have different kinds of barbeque. ;)

Even New York City? :D:D

[cprofits]

I'm from Virginia and BBQ is pork slowly smoked with a sweet tomato based sauce.

Other things cooked on a grill is 'grilling,' i.e., grill the steaks, burgers.

I love bar-b-que but do not like the sour vinegary NC sauce.




Wow, the hot button "BBQ" Debate has finally hit CC!

When I was growing up (in Connecticut) a BBQ was anything you cooked on a grill - Charcoal, gas, whatever- was BBQ.

I lived in North Carolina for a while and also have traveled quite a bit in the years since then and have experienced some very passionate "debates" on what constitutes "BBQ".

In North Carolina BBQ is pork, slowly smoked over hickory. Now WHERE in the Carolinas you are from determines what "Sauce" is permitted to be put on this pork. Is it based on tomato products?, Vinager? Mustard?. The debate is endless.

Now our fellow CC member GCurry is from Texas..Texas folk usually insist BBQ must be BEEF! As do those in Kansas City.

People in Memphis have their own style of BBQ and they will proudly argue for hours and days that only "Memphis BBQ" is "REAL BBQ"!

So, I will conceed that except for the "New England" definition of "BBQ", which equates to a "Cook out" or "Grill out" in the rest of our great land, the fare on HMC is not really "BBQ", per se.

It is a good free lunch with plenty of variety, however.

/tongue in cheek/

[mudscraper]

If Hank Hill from Arlen TX was a CC member he would end this debate pronto.:)


Rich

[GCurry]

If Hank Hill from Arlen TX was a CC member he would end this debate pronto.:) Rich
I don't doubt but what a Hank Hill from Arlen TX would have a very strong opinion.:)

This weekend, I'm doing the BBQ from the Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the Mayan version of "Pulled Pork", Cochinita Pibil, pork chunks in achiote and citrus, slow roasted in banana leaves with black beans and salsa habanera. I'll have to do it without the banana leaves as Al Gore's Global Warming froze every damn one of them.:mad:

BTW, if on your travels to the Mexican ports you see Barbacoa, it is not Mexican BBQ, it's tender roast meat from the head of a cow, it's good, but not what you were expecting.

Which brings me back, of course, to the cookout at Half Moon Cay.

[LADYLAYLA]

Hey, it's not tongue-in-cheek in North Carolina! :p So which is it for you - Eastern style or Lexington style?

Joan


Lexington all the way!

[sparky-elpaso]

I don't doubt but what a Hank Hill from Arlen TX would have a very strong opinion.:)

This weekend, I'm doing the BBQ from the Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the Mayan version of "Pulled Pork", Cochinita Pibil, pork chunks in achiote and citrus, slow roasted in banana leaves with black beans and salsa habanera. I'll have to do it without the banana leaves as Al Gore's Global Warming froze every damn one of them.:mad:

BTW, if on your travels to the Mexican ports you see Barbacoa, it is not Mexican BBQ, it's tender roast meat from the head of a cow, it's good, but not what you were expecting.

Which brings me back, of course, to the cookout at Half Moon Cay.

Wow, that sounds good - what kind of grill do you use? We're originally from Michigan so I had to learn the difference between "grilling" and "BBQ-ing" when we got down here.

We've had snow here 4 or 5 times this year - so we're going south for some warmth too - looking forward to our first HAL cruise and Half Moon Cay.

[Boytjie]

Even New York City? :D:D

In New York City we have every kind of BBQ; except for South African. :(

[Typhoon1]

In New York City we have every kind of BBQ; except for South African. :(

Maybe we should ask HAL if they can prepare a South African BBQ on the Eurodam. I'm always willing to try new things.

[Pokeynose]

Just got back late tonight and couldn't resist checking CC. We did not get to go to HMC, tenders wouldn't make it so we skipped it.:( We were very disappointed but safety comes first. We had some choppy water days but will comment later. Barb

[Rustynail]

Just got back late tonight and couldn't resist checking CC. We did not get to go to HMC, tenders wouldn't make it so we skipped it.:( We were very disappointed but safety comes first. We had some choppy water days but will comment later. Barb

Sorry to hear that Barb. Good to see you recognize safety comes first however if we miss HMC when we visit in three weeks time I'm not so sure I'll be as understanding :eek:

[GCurry]

Wow, that sounds good - what kind of grill do you use? We're originally from Michigan so I had to learn the difference between "grilling" and "BBQ-ing" when we got down here. Smoker Sparky, most Bubbas down here have one on wheels about the size of a Mac truck and burn oak or mesquite wood. I on the other hand use an electric with temp and time settings and Pecan wood. I do keep it in back so no one can see it.:)

You can goggle some good recipes for Cochinita, serve it with Mexican pickled onions and Habanera Salsa.

Why no South African BBQ in NYC, shortage of Wildebeest?:D

We've had snow here 4 or 5 times this year - so we're going south for some warmth too - looking forward to our first HAL cruise and Half Moon Cay.

Just got back late tonight and couldn't resist checking CC. We did not get to go to HMC, tenders wouldn't make it so we skipped it.:( We were very disappointed but safety comes first. We had some choppy water days but will comment later. Barb Some times you just don't get there, but safety first. I did see a lady get pretty badly injured trying get on a ferry off the Veendam at Playa Carmen. We'll be there on the Noordam the 14th, hope it's calm.

[succeed_2]

Yes. The crew go ashore early and take all the food for lunch. It is prepared under a large permanent pavillion. Lots of cooking smoke, but a workable layout with picnic tables under smaller pavillions close-by.

There are also several bars around. Use your ship card for those. There is also a small, not very exciting, straw market. Purchases there are for cash.


Excellent info - thank you.

So the only thing we need to take money ashore for at HMC is for purchases in the store/market and for tips for our tour guides (we're going on 2 shore excursions)? Pina coladas can be charged to our stateroom? No cash needed for anything else?

[jtl513]

Excellent info - thank you.

So the only thing we need to take money ashore for at HMC is for purchases in the store/market and for tips for our tour guides (we're going on 2 shore excursions)? Pina coladas can be charged to our stateroom? No cash needed for anything else?We've bought things in the shops with the ship keycard. I'd say the only thing you'd want cash for is the guide tips.