HMC - 2 stops

[Krazy Kruizers]

While we were in Florida there was an article in the Travel section of the Sun-Sentinel on Jan 9th about private islands.

The artical mentioned that HAL was considering making 2 visits to HMC on some sailings.

Would you like to visit HMC twice on a cruise and skip a port?

Thanks Lisa - I changed the title and everything took.

[sail7seas]

Yes.....we'd be thrilled.


Of course, there is always the risk you could not be able to go ashore on both the scheduled days which would leave you with alot of sea days. If you do not like sea days, I would not suggest you book a cruise that offers two stops.

The downside IMO is......there will always be two ships in if they start making two stops. The island is so much better if you get lucky and only have one ship in for your visit.

[Oceanwench]

I wouldn't want to go to HMC twice in one cruise, but that's because I live in Florida, only a few miles from some beautiful beaches!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even though we don't live in Florida and do like HMC, we wouldn't want to skip a port and spend 2 days there. Even though we have visited all the ports many times, I still like to go the different ports.

[jhannah]

Me, too. HMC is a beautiful place, and my DW and I both love it. But once per cruise would be enough for us.

[peaches from georgia]

Absolutely not, and that does not mean we don't enjoy HMC.

[dakrewser]

I realize I'm in the distinct minority, but I'm not crazy about stopping at HMC even once.

[doone]

I am with the majority here, I love Half Moon Cay, but two stops, no, I'd rather visit another port as well.

[TedC]

I would love two stops at HMC. It sure would increase the odds of getting there at least once and it would be a bonus to get there twice.

It wouldn't bother us to miss St. Thomas or Nassau (been there, done that), but would mind missing HMC.

But for full disclosure, I admit I love sea days almost as I love HMC.

[CDRMark]

It was lovely, but I am not a beach guy.
Cheers
MarkB

[gizmo]

No. I like Half Moon, but one stop is enough.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I realize I'm in the distinct minority, but I'm not crazy about stopping at HMC even once.

Dave, Don't feel bad you are not in a single minority I agree. My ideal day at HMC would be to be to watch if from my balcony on the ship. Maybe if my first experience at HMC would of been better but the weather was cold and windy and the water was freezing. I love to look at a beach but to get wet and get sand all over me just is not that fun. I think it is too much trouble to get rid of the sand.:o I actually would not mind all sea days with maybe just one stop.

[divinggirl]

Absolutely, but my response is based solely on, surprise, the diving! It was such a fantastic dive I booked a second one for the afternoon the day we were there...And there's no more perfect surface interval than lying on the beach staring out at that blue, blue water while reading a book in my clamshell...But if I didn't do that, then no, one stop would probably be enough.

Nikki

[localady]

I'd be in heaven stopping at HMC for 2 days on a 10 day itinerary. I suspect that is because I am a landlocked beach junkie! It is the perfect relax beach day, and I equate that with my Caribbean cruises. A stop at the beginning and end of the voyage would be fantastic!:cool:

[Without Tessa]

On a ten day itinerary it would be excellent to stop on the way out and the way back. But I would be just as happy to see every itinerary include HMC as the last stop on the voyage. (I have noticed trips leaving from Tampa have no stops at HMC and Norfolk return has it as the first stop).

[lcruiser]

When I took the 3 day President's cruise to HMC, I talked to with several corp people, one of which was in charge of revenue. We discussed a 2 day stay at HMC. I was told that would be very hard because there is a bad mosquito problem in the Island when the sun goes down (now I know why we depart always before sundown), but they were considering stopping twice.
I am one that would be in favor of that concept.

[ekerr19]

I'll take two stops at HMC any day! We love it - I'd just worry about it being so crowded.

I'd rather stop at HMC than some of the current ports on the Caribbean itinerary any day. :)

[Pudgesmom]

If they're going to stop twice at HMC, they should spread the chairs MUCH further down the beach. A private island is not much fun when 3,000 or more people are crowded into the first few hundred yards of beach.

HAL should use the whole beachfront to create a better experience for those stopping. If they would do that, I would love to go there twice on a cruise. Otherwise, if two ships are in port, forget it, I'm not getting off again.

Beth

[sail7seas]

I agree with you but there really is no reason we can't grab a lounge and pull it to wherever we wish to sit. If you have difficulty doing that for yourself, you probably could find a steward who would help you. While I know that is 'not their job', I don't think they would refuse your request.

[dakrewser]

On a ten day itinerary it would be excellent to stop on the way out and the way back. But I would be just as happy to see every itinerary include HMC as the last stop on the voyage.

Hmm, that would have added about 10 more days to our R/T San Diego cruise, so YEAH!, I'm in favor of that. :rolleyes:

[sopa]

Nope. No, thanks. I know that many people really like HMC, but I'm with Dave. It's a nice beach, but I'm not crazy about stopping there even once. I'd like to skip a port and add another sea day. More sea days, please!:)

[kryos]

Absolutely not, and that does not mean we don't enjoy HMC.
I think it would depend upon the length of the cruise. If a 7-day ... no, twice to HMC would be a bit much ... I'd rather visit another island in lieu of the second stop at HMC. But, if we're talking a 10 to 14-day cruise ... yeah, a second trip to HMC on the way back would be great!

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Dieter]

On a b-2-b-cruise it's the normal case. Last time on our 1st visit to HMC, it was raining and the beach was empty. Even the market place was flooded.
So we were glad, to have a 2nd chance. And the 2nd HMC visit was in the way we always expect: sunny and warm.
Lieselotte and Dieter

[Vic The Parrot]

I'm with some of the others here .... once IS enuff.

Even tho I'm a beach bum, HMC will suffice as a 1 day stop on a 7-day. On the other hand, if it was a 10 or 11 day, HMC and a visit to one of the islands in the Turks and Caicos .....

Now THAT would be a beach bums dream vacation!

[Himself]

A ten day cruise might be okey. I have done back to back and have visited Half-Moon Cay twice in a very short period of time.
Himself

[Krazy Kruizers]

On several of our 7 day back-to-back cruises, we always end up visiting HMC - for example - on a Saturday, then go into Ft Lauderdale on Sunday, then HMC on Monday. The stops are too close together.

We are fortunate that on our up-coming 10 day back-to-back cruises, HMC is the last stop in each segment before we hear back into Ft Lauderdale.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Over the last couple of years we booked cruises that had Grand Turk and Caicos listed on the original itineraries. But within a month or two, the schedule was changed and the Turks and Caicos were dropped.

Now I see that on some of the Noordam's sailing's in 2006 out of New York, The Turks and Caicos are listed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

lcruiser

Hi Jorge

I didn't know that you took the 3 day President's cruise. Maybe I missed it - did you give us any kind of a report?

[mcarroll2]

There's mosquitos at HMC. Wow! that would make us feel right at home being from Minnesota " dontcha know".

[divinggirl]

If they're going to stop twice at HMC, they should spread the chairs MUCH further down the beach. A private island is not much fun when 3,000 or more people are crowded into the first few hundred yards of beach.

HAL should use the whole beachfront to create a better experience for those stopping. If they would do that, I would love to go there twice on a cruise. Otherwise, if two ships are in port, forget it, I'm not getting off again.

Beth

I commented on this after our August Zuiderdam sailing...this is absolutely true, IMHO. THey should have the chairs spread out already to encourage people to spread out a bit. Yes, the savvy CCer's know they can move the chairs, but most people will stay where the chairs are. When two ships are there it must be sooo crowded in that particular area. I understand keeping charis grouped tightly reduces the area of beach that must be cleaned due to some inconsiderate a**** leaving their trash in paradise, but why leave all that area untouched? Possibly for photo ops?

Nikki

[Without Tessa]

Hmm, that would have added about 10 more days to our R/T San Diego cruise, so YEAH!, I'm in favor of that. :rolleyes:

y'know, I had to reread your comment and my own comment a couple of times to get what you were saying! then I giggled thinking that would be real interesting itinerary for Europe don't you think? Greece, Rome, Croatia....HMC!
lol!
:D

[Pudgesmom]

divinggirl

I know this is off topic, but we will be in bocas del toro in Dec. could you email me on your return? I would love to hear about your experience.

beth bradandbeth@charter.net

[readytocruiseagain!]

I realize I'm in the distinct minority, but I'm not crazy about stopping at HMC even once.

I agree! And because I often travel with a companion in a wheelchair, it's just another day on the ship, anyway.

[TedC]

Without Tessa.

Some of the repositioning cruises do combine Europe with HMC. Last Nov. we left Barcelona on the Westerdam and after other stops in Europe, Africa, the Atlantic and the Caribbean we ended up at HMC just prior to returning to FLL.

The only problem was there were two Vitsa ships there at the same time - Westerdam and Zuiderdam - which made it pretty crowded.

We knew that was going to be the case and had a sense of dread. But as I look back on it, our enjoyment of HMC wasn't significantly diminished. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to end a wonderful, relaxing cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Any time there are 2 ships at HMC, we stay on the ship - especially when our ship has arrived 2 hours later than the other ship and we can see lots of people already on the beach.

Thankfully we have never been there when there were 2 Vista class ships - really must be mobbed in certain areas.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It has been a few years since we were at Princess Cay. But if I remember correctly, they had cement or big cement slabs for the paths that made it easy for wheel chair people to get around.

Is it still like that?

[lcruiser]

Hi Yonnie and Joe,

No I did not, I participated on this one.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=107387

We had a lot of fun, saw John and some other people, met new CC's.

Welcome back.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi Jorge & Fran

Boy - I did miss your report in December. Enjoyed reading it.

Glad everyone had a great time.

When are you cruising again?

[lcruiser]

KK,

Do not know yet. Maybe we can cross paths again, it will be a hoot(??).
Unfortunately the people we cruise with (G and R) were very desilusioned, they are trying other lines. They were not on the 3 day, they went on a BtoB after we came back.

Jorge