HMC Cabana Squatters and/or borrowers

[GmaPajama]

Because of all the controversy about the Pirate Ship at Half Moon Cay, I just wandered over to the Carnival Board here and tried to search through it to see if it really IS a hit with that set. While I didn't find much about the Pirate Ship, I was amazed to see all the problems folks there have with the HMC Cabanas.

There are a number of complaints about squatters and folks who want to borrow the showers, floaties, and other things. Groups that move in while the occupants are off swimming. People who locate their clamshells at the base of the steps so as to prevent easy access for the cabana renters. And much more.

Some posters are taking their own large "Reserved" and "Private" signs. They are roping off the entrances with everything from string to crime scene tape. There are a number of reports of even needing to call security.

Reading all that makes me appreciate, even more, the good manners of HAL cruisers. But ... I also got to wondering if any of US have had problems. Anyone?

[kazu]

Because of all the controversy about the Pirate Ship at Half Moon Cay, I just wandered over to the Carnival Board here and tried to search through it to see if it really IS a hit with that set. While I didn't find much about the Priate Ship, I was amazed to see all the problems folks there have with the HMC Cabanas.

There are a number of complaints about squatters and folks who want to borrow the showers, floaties, and other things. Groups that move in while the occupants are off swimming. People who locate their clamshells at the base of the steps so as to prevent easy access for the cabana renters. And much more.

Some posters are taking their own large "Reserved" and "Private" signs. They are roping off the entrances with everything from string to crime scene tape. There are a number of reports of even needing to call security.

Reading all that makes me appreciate, even more, the good manners of HAL cruisers. But ... I also got to wondering if any of US have had problems. Anyone?

Now THAT is very interesting Donna - I've never had or seen any problems but this will be an interesting thread :)

[Cruising-along]

Interesting question, Donna. We had the last cabana down the beach (violet?) and we had no problem with other HAL cruisers. I did notice something though. There was a large group of HAL entertainers playing ball on the beach. When we returned from the BBQ with our food (may have been gone 30 minutes) I saw a couple of them very close to the cabana, watching us closely.....just had the feeling they were "borrowing" something....probably only the water, no problem. But the fact that they were watching us approach and left quickly made me wonder....

[GmaPajama]

Oh, and I noticed Carnival cruisers pay $100 less than HAL cruisers do for those cabanas. Maybe everyone here already knew that? Supply and demand I suppose. They are still worth every penny to us.

[Krazy Kruizers]

yes -- i knew that carnival charges less for their cabanas than hal does

but this is the first that i have heard of problems there

guess i'll just have to take a trip over there and do some reading

[mamaofami]

Donna, LOL, but I was thinking about Sam when he thought he was in your cabana which you had invited us too, and asked to use the hammock. Later, he found out it wasn't yours so I guess he could be considered a squatter. Wondering is that hammock was inside or on the beach?:eek:

[BumperII]

Dear friends, that is the whole reason that after coming to this blog as newbies we remain as we approach 4 Star status with HAL. OK, Holland America provides a decent product. But the cruise experience has mostly to do with the outstanding service we receive from the stewards in every venue. All of that together gives us the opportunity to make a great cruise experience for ourselves.

Again I take liberty to post the observation that HAL cruise mates are by and large, well mannered, well spoken, well informed, well met, and forgive me for this, well heeled. And we are a fun loving crowd.

[GmaPajama]

Donna, LOL, but I was thinking about Sam when he thought he was in your cabana which you had invited us too, and asked to use the hammock. Later, he found out it wasn't yours so I guess he could be considered a squatter. Wondering is that hammock was inside or on the beach?:eek:
That WAS funny, Carol, and we're sorry we missed spending that time with Sam. Rest assured the hammocks are OUTSIDE the cabanas, and available for everyone's use. Sam was not a squatter ... just amusing. :)

[Randyk47]

We've had people try to borrow the cabana equipment but I can't say it's been a problem. A couple of stays ago we had a fellow cruiser walk up and start using the shower while we were sitting there with another couple who we'd invited to stop by. Kind of half way through the process of rinsing off he looked around and asked if we minded if he used the shower. We were actually a bit stunned that he'd started showering with us sitting right there as it was and since he was just about done rinsing off what else could we say than "no problem". :eek::) Other than that one situation occasionally somebody will walk by and ask about the cabanas and what you get, etc., etc., but certainly no issues with roping or blocking off the area or people getting into the cabana while we were away.

[DRWhit]

Well thanks GmaPajama for starting this thread. I went over to Carnival to take a look, and saw pictures of the Pirate Ship, and to my disappointment its right by the #5 Sky Blue cabana I had painstakingly figured out to be in the perfect location (prior to the Pirate Ship construction). At least I am now prepared.

I just got off the phone with HAL, and all the other cabanas are booked. They put me on the wait list to change. Oh well, even the best laid plans....I have attached the photos. The cabana I reserved is the blue one in front of the ship/bar.

[JJPacer]

Carnival certainly has it's fans, and I'm glad there's a niche for everyone. For us, the behavior of the Carnival cruiser makes us uncomfortable. Thanks to HAL for not having a HAL ship and a Carnival ship on HMC at the same time.

[SarahQ]

We DID have an issue a couple of years ago on the Eurodam when we had rented the Grand Cabana - we had numerous people trying to use our facilities (although there was a sign that stated it was private) and a few got nasty about it.

That said, I'm guessing the issue isn't quite so bad with HAL cruisers as is it is with Carnival, and my guess is tgat part of it may have to do with HAL's higher percentage of repeat guests, as well as the demographics.

[kyriecat]

I guess the cabana showers are thought to be "public areas" by some of the HAL cruisers. I had a similar experience to Randyk47. My husband and I were both sitting on the lounge chairs reading when another couple walked up and started using the shower. They never asked it they could use our shower. I thought it was a little rude of them not to ask, but I didn't say anything to them.

The weird part was we were in the orange cabana, which is right by the stairs to go up to the BBQ area. There was a public shower located at the top of the stairs that they could have used.

[OVgirl]

Well thanks GmaPajama for starting this thread. I went over to Carnival to take a look, and saw pictures of the Pirate Ship, and to my disappointment its right by the #5 Sky Blue cabana I had painstakingly figured out to be in the perfect location (prior to the Pirate Ship construction). At least I am now prepared.

I just got off the phone with HAL, and all the other cabanas are booked. They put me on the wait list to change. Oh well, even the best laid plans....I have attached the photos. The cabana I reserved is the blue one in front of the ship/bar.
We were just at HMC a few weeks ago and did not find that the new bar was a problem. When the Halcats were playing you could hear them but it was not too load. Perhaps they have made adjustments since opening the bar. If you are able to get the $29 'drink as much as you like' card for your day at HMC you will be in the perfect spot to run for refreshments whenever you are thirsty(this includes bottles of water). I think you will enjoy your day at HMC regardless of which cabana you have booked.

[DRWhit]

We were just at HMC a few weeks ago and did not find that the new bar was a problem. When the Halcats were playing you could hear them but it was not too load. Perhaps they have made adjustments since opening the bar. If you are able to get the $29 'drink as much as you like' card for your day at HMC you will be in the perfect spot to run for refreshments whenever you are thirsty(this includes bottles of water). I think you will enjoy your day at HMC regardless of which cabana you have booked.Thanks for the encouragement. I am sure it will work out either way, and like you say, we will enjoy our day. I have not heard of the $29 drink as much as you like card that you mention. Can you provide some more info on that?

[OVgirl]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am sure it will work out either way, and like you say, we will enjoy our day. I have not heard of the $29 drink as much as you like card that you mention. Can you provide some more info on that?
You have to purchase this before the day at HMC. You can ask at any bar and they will tell you if it is available. Seems that they are just starting to introduce this to some of the ships.
It must be purchased by both people in the cabin, I guess to minimize 'sharing'. The evening before HMC you will receive a pink excursion envelope with two cards inside that have you name, cabin number and your picture, which you will use as ID when you get drinks at any bar on the island.
It will include any beverages that are available for purchase including water, soda, virgin drinks, alcoholic drinks and beer. The price of a cocktail at the new pirate bar were over $9, so after 3 drinks you're ahead of the game. If you only have 1 or 2 drinks for the day it wouldn't be worth the price.

[bepsf]

...but then, we always take one of the farthest cabanas out and with the Butler, we have no need to leave other than to go down to the beach.

One thing we did notice is that there are MANY more beach chairs laid out in front of the cabanas nowadays - and that out in Violet Cabana (15) we could hardly hear the HAL Cats in the Pirate Ship. (Again, I had no need to wander down the beach in that direction, so I can't personally say how noisy it was farther down)

[GmaPajama]

... One thing we did notice is that there are MANY more beach chairs laid out in front of the cabanas nowadays - and that out in Violet Cabana (15) we could hardly hear the HAL Cats in the Pirate Ship. (Again, I had no need to wander down the beach in that direction, so I can't personally say how noisy it was farther down)
We couldn't hear them in Eggshell (#9 or #10, don't remember). A clamshell had been permanently installed at one side of the stairs though - so close that we couldn't step between that and the cabana. The people in it were nice enough, but I felt it a bit of an intrusion into our private space.

[glanders]

A couple years ago on the Zuiderdam, we had a cabana and I was standing on the porch. A woman walked right up and took two rafts that were drying over the rail. It was weird because she didn't even look at me or say anything, and they were right in front of me. I pointed out they came with the cabana, and she dropped them and walked away.

[markshale]

A couple years ago on the Zuiderdam, we had a cabana and I was standing on the porch. A woman walked right up and took two rafts that were drying over the rail. It was weird because she didn't even look at me or say anything, and they were right in front of me. I pointed out they came with the cabana, and she dropped them and walked away.

Charming.

[Fishfindergirl]

We had a couple sit down on the front part by the steps and he was smoking a cigar I said to them sorry you will have to move on you can't smoke here. I thought that was very rude.

[Kathyh1313]

Both times DH and I have had the pink cabana, we had people come up the stairs to use the shower. Each time, we quietly told the person(s) that the cabana and its facilities including the shower were private and paid for. Both times the person shrugged and walked away. Never had anyone try to take the floaties or other stuff or otherwise use any other facility of the cabana.

[GmaPajama]

We had a couple sit down on the front part by the steps and he was smoking a cigar I said to them sorry you will have to move on you can't smoke here. I thought that was very rude.
Wow - that one took a lot of nerve.

[Fishfindergirl]

Wow - that one took a lot of nerve.

I could hardly believe it. Havent been on here since I wrote that, have had a bad cold. Got it from my grandson wasnt that nice of him.

[VioletHorse]

DD and I are booked on the Carnival Miracle in May. It sails from NYC and HMC is one of the ports. I've already "reserved" a cabana at the bargain rate of $199, however the downside is that you cannot select the specific cabana that you want in advance. It's my understanding that we'll have to rush to the shore ex desk once we embark and see if we can snag our favorite Violet cabana.

I am fully prepared to pack a heavy chain and take a club to protect our territory :D.

That being said, the last time that DD and I booked the Violet Cabana when we were on the Noordam, we shared HMC with the Westerdam. There were many people far down on the beach near our cabana. Yes, we did have people who wanted to use our snorkel gear and float mats, as well as our shower. We also had people who dragged their lounge chairs directly in front of the cabana stairs, effectively blocking us from exiting the cabana.

I guess obnoxious passengers can be found on all cruise lines.

[sparky-elpaso]

DD and I are booked on the Carnival Miracle in May. It sails from NYC and HMC is one of the ports. I've already "reserved" a cabana at the bargain rate of $199, however the downside is that you cannot select the specific cabana that you want in advance. It's my understanding that we'll have to rush to the shore ex desk once we embark and see if we can snag our favorite Violet cabana.

I am fully prepared to pack a heavy chain and take a club to protect our territory :D.

That being said, the last time that DD and I booked the Violet Cabana when we were on the Noordam, we shared HMC with the Westerdam. There were many people far down on the beach near our cabana. Yes, we did have people who wanted to use our snorkel gear and float mats, as well as our shower. We also had people who dragged their lounge chairs directly in front of the cabana stairs, effectively blocking us from exiting the cabana.

I guess obnoxious passengers can be found on all cruise lines.

You would think it would be obvious that the equipment belonged to the cabana. And I would be inclined to walk down the stairs and move the lounge chairs - even if I had to dump the occupant in the sand. :)

DH and I were lying in one of the hammocks which was one of a group of 3 hammocks. We had several people ask where they needed to go to pay for them - they were very happy to hear that the hammocks were free. So some people have some common sense.

[meterman2]

We have rented a canana on four occasions (all HAL) and we haven't had a problem (even with two ships there). However, we always rent one further down the beach which generally has less foot traffic, if that makes a difference. Also, we always have four people and there is always someone there.

One time we did have a person politely ask for a cup of ice...no problem. I think if there were people who were lounging in chairs in front or aside of us and they politely asked to use the floats, I wouldn't object. However, I think that using the shower would be an intrusion (unless we new them from roll call or something).

[Jade13]

Because of all the controversy about the Pirate Ship at Half Moon Cay, I just wandered over to the Carnival Board here and tried to search through it to see if it really IS a hit with that set. While I didn't find much about the Pirate Ship, I was amazed to see all the problems folks there have with the HMC Cabanas.?

I saw that too and wondered if it was a problem on HAL as well.

[kyriecat]

If someone politely asked for ice or to use the shower, I mostly likely would let them. I don't think that I would loan out the mats or snorkel gear to people that I don't know. What if they don't bring it back? Is the cabana renter responsible for replacement charges?

If someone sat on my cabana steps and started smoking, I would have some impolite words for them.

[djhsolara]

Not to sound rude, but it is no surprise to me to hear the comments regarding the Carnival behavior on HMC. We loved our first Carnival sailing so we did another one last year. We were so put off by the general behavior on this sailing that we will probably never sail Carnival again. An atmosphere like we've never experienced on any sailing.

From what I've heard, I do believe the cabanas are less expensive on Carnival because you can only book "a cabana" prior to sailing, you do not have your choice. I believe you can choose your specific cabana only once you are onboard.

[hpf]

A couple years ago on the Zuiderdam, we had a cabana and I was standing on the porch. A woman walked right up and took two rafts that were drying over the rail. It was weird because she didn't even look at me or say anything, and they were right in front of me. I pointed out they came with the cabana, and she dropped them and walked away.

The same thing happened to my DD and . Not only did one girl pick up the rafts but the other started up the stairs to get something to eat. We spoke to them and told them we had paid for these services and to please leave. They said sorry but I watched them as they worked their way down the line of Cabanas and were trying the same wiyh others.
Helen

[sail7seas]

Does Carnival offer the same amenities when the rent the cabanas? The beverages, salsa and veggies, fruit etc?

[sail7seas]

The same thing happened to my DD and . Not only did one girl pick up the rafts but the other started up the stairs to get something to eat. We spoke to them and told them we had paid for these services and to please leave. They said sorry but I watched them as they worked their way down the line of Cabanas and were trying the same wiyh others.
Helen

Behavior like that is so shocking. It leaves me speechless someone would be so ill mannered.

[trailercruiser]

Does Carnival offer the same amenities when the rent the cabanas? The beverages, salsa and veggies, fruit etc?


Yes. I have been on both Carnival and Hal and the demographics are the same. Shame on those of you thinking your better than others. Grow up.:mad:

[sail7seas]

sail7seas: Does Carnival offer the same amenities when the rent the cabanas? The beverages, salsa and veggies, fruit etc?





Yes. I have been on both Carnival and Hal and the demographics are the same. Shame on those of you thinking your better than others. Grow up.:mad:



:confused: Demographics?

My question was asking about food and drink. Salsa, beverages, fruit.....

[DRWhit]

Sail 7seas - trailer cruiser seems to be out of line to me. You offered no offense.

[babyher]

Sail,


i think trailercruiser may have hit your post by mistake.

You meant no harm with your post at all.

DJHSolara a few posts up, threw a little dig in at Carnival.

[sapper1]

Yes. I have been on both Carnival and Hal and the demographics are the same. Shame on those of you thinking your better than others. Grow up.:mad:
In defense of S7S----since Carnival rents the cabanas to their passengers for considerably less money than HAL charges, the question of whether the amenities were the same was a logical one and I fail to see how you could take offense to that.
Your reply was rather harsh under the circumstances and an apology is in order.

[VioletHorse]

Does Carnival offer the same amenities when the rent the cabanas? The beverages, salsa and veggies, fruit etc?


Carnival provides unspecified snacks, bottled water and soft drinks, although I don't know if Carnival contacts cabana renters prior to arrival at HMC for soft drink preferences and shoe sizes (for the snorkel fins) as HAL does. The fresh cut fruits and veggies, and chips and salsa that HAL serves are really yummy, so much so that we skipped the barbeque the last time we were there.

DD and I will find out in May how Carnival handles the cabana amenities

As far as the disaparaging remarks that some posters (not you sail) have made about Carnival passengers, I invite them to read my earlier post. HAL has squatters too, but we certainly did not let it spoil our day at HMC.

This will be our first Carnival Cruise, and we have every expectation that it will be as enjoyable as any of our HAL cruises.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, DRWhit, Babyher, Sapper and Violet Horse.

I couldn't imagine how she thought I was being disrespectful.

I really did find it interesting Carnival charges considerably less for the same cabanas and wondered how different HAL makes the experience to substantiate the higher charge.

[hrhdhd]

As far as the disaparaging remarks that some posters (not you sail) have made about Carnival passengers, I invite them to read my earlier post. HAL has squatters too, but we certainly did not let it spoil our day at HMC.

Agreed. We rented the Taupe cabana once, and people were using the shower and also trying to cut through the cabana on their way to the beach. (This cabana has wheelchair access via a sidewalk from behind the cabana.) We ended up putting a lounge chair across the sidewalk to keep people out.

That was our first and last cabana. Not worth the money or the hassle of keeping people out.

[cp556]

The second time we rented a cabana with HAL, we had the Butler service (turquoise cabana). Some people brought their chairs/clamshells and planted them directly in front of the cabana stairs. Our butler went to them and explained that the cabana was private and access to it was needed. They moved ... grudgingly.

When I was in the water and looked back, a couple of times I saw our dear butler doing the same thing with other people. He looked like he'd had past experience with that sort of thing ... lol.

[GmaPajama]

... When I was in the water and looked back, a couple of times I saw our dear butler doing the same thing with other people. He looked like he'd had past experience with that sort of thing ... lol.
The butlers are worth their weight in gold, and we really loved having them. Problem, for us, is that so much food comes along with that service ... we couldn't begin to eat it all.

Back to the price difference between HAL and Carnival. I wonder if the fact that HAL let's us choose which cabana we have in advance has anything to do with it. If I wasn't assured of getting one far enough down the beach, I wouldn't get one at all. That alone is worth the extra $100, to me anyway.

[sail7seas]

Good point, Donna. :)

[LSEA]

Posters on the Carnival board are reporting they were able to book HMC cabanas on-line but could not choose the particular cabana until they were on board the ship.

[ck8mom]

The same thing happened to my DD and . Not only did one girl pick up the rafts but the other started up the stairs to get something to eat. We spoke to them and told them we had paid for these services and to please leave. They said sorry but I watched them as they worked their way down the line of Cabanas and were trying the same wiyh others.
Helen


I witnessed the same thing at a Ritz-Carlton resort once!

[localady]

Another thing to pack for our NA 3/20 cruise:
Police tape to secure the Orange Cabana!! :eek:

(Actually not that bad an idea being that I am cruising with Laffnvegas and friends !! :D ;))

[bepsf]

Shame on those of you thinking your better than others. Grow up.:mad:

Someone needs to take a look in the mirror when they say that...
:mad:

[Coolcruise02]

I guess obnoxious passengers can be found on all cruise lines.

HOW TRUE! If you believe everything you read on these boards the obnoxious people only cruise on Carnival. When you cruise all lines you will see bad behavior also happens on the "premium lines".

[OVgirl]

....and also trying to cut through the cabana on their way to the beach. (This cabana has wheelchair access via a sidewalk from behind the cabana.Does this cabana have a back door for wheelchair access?) We ended up putting a lounge chair across the sidewalk to keep people out.


I'm sorry, but I can't picture how people could cut through your cabana. It seemed to me that all the walkways to the beach area were for everyone to use. There really is no need to walk into and through a cabana. Can you explain some more details?

I also thought that the clamshells were permanently anchored to the ground and that they could not be moved. If some of these are a little too close to cabana entrances then perhaps the island staff should relocate them to allow for more privacy for the cabana. If we had a cabana I wouldn't want someone within listening distance:(

[djvand]

We had the Purple cabana a few years ago on the Zuiderdam with the butler package. We were all just settling into our lunch when a beautiful lady in a string bikini walked right up and began using the shower to rinse off. While we all looked and laughed the butler ran over and started trying to get her to move. Well of course this led to a heated exchange of words while we just looked on...and she continued to rinse off! After a few minutes she finally stormed off.

I look back and laugh at it, which is what I do when anything "minor" happens on a cruise. Makes for a much better vacation and years of good stories!

[hrhdhd]

I'm sorry, but I can't picture how people could cut through your cabana. It seemed to me that all the walkways to the beach area were for everyone to use. There really is no need to walk into and through a cabana. Can you explain some more details?

There is a bricked sidewalk that leads from the road/path where you find the BBQ and the church, etc. This sidewalk ends IN the Taupe cabana; there's an opening on the side to access the patio area of the cabana. People would figure they could get to the beach using said sidewalk, but that route would take them through, not around, the cabana. I get that it's nice for a cabana to be wheelchair accessible, but keeping people from cutting through was a pain in the rear.

[billie5]

....... when a beautiful lady in a string bikini walked right up and began using the shower to rinse off. While we all looked and laughed the butler ran over and started trying to get her to move.

And you didn't leap to the beautiful lady's defense? :confused: Let me guess: you are not a guy!

Bill

[djhsolara]

Not to sound rude, but it is no surprise to me to hear the comments regarding the Carnival behavior on HMC. We loved our first Carnival sailing so we did another one last year. We were so put off by the general behavior on this sailing that we will probably never sail Carnival again. An atmosphere like we've never experienced on any sailing.


If offering an honest opinion based on my own observations is considered a dig, then I apologize to anyone who took offense. :mad: I do not believe I was making a dig at Carnival or generalizing the cruiseline in any manner. I simply stated that we did not enjoy the behavior of people on this sailing and because of this we will probably not sail Carnival again.

[cruise-professor]

We recently returned from a Carnival cruise and rented a cabana at HMC. We have been to HMC with HAL several times and always rent a cabana. Carnival just recently began allowing people to reserve a cabana before boarding - until the past month or so you had to do so once on board. It is also correct that you cannot choose a specific cabana in advance but we had no problem getting the cabana of our choice - there were several to choose from and we got #14, red. which is next to the last one.

Amenities were the same as HAL - a platter of sliced fruit (pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), a platter of veggies (carrots, celery, black olives, brocolli, cauliflower, radishes), a platter of dips ((guacamole, salsa, sour cream, blue cheese), a plate of 7 oranges and a 1 pound bag of tortilla chips....maybe even slightly better than HAL! We were asked our preference for soft drinks and sizes for snorkling gear before hand. Everything was set up before our arrival. Drink servers came by as with HAL.

I did go check out the pirate bar....although it seems out of scale and a bit of an eyesore to those of us who love the unspoiled beauty of HMC it did not pose any problems noise-wise. If I had not been to HMC before it was built it probably wouldn't have even bothered me or struck me as anything unusual. Music was limited to a couple of hours mid day (11:30 - 2:30 ?) and was provided by Carnival's guitar player. Music was Jimmy Buffett, country, soft rock......nothing too loud or outrageous. Their Caribbean duo provided music in the courtyard area.

It was a wonderful cruise -met a lot of wonderful, lovely, friendly, kind people. No problems at all. The majority of people were families and mid to older......not at all a loud, party crowd. And this has been our experience on several Carnival Cruises. We would definitely cruise with them again just as we look forward to cruising on HAL (and other cruise lines) in the future. And what a pleasant plus to pay so much less for the same wonderful experience of a cabana at HMC! A true win-win situation.

[GmaPajama]

Another thing to pack for our NA 3/20 cruise:
Police tape to secure the Orange Cabana!! :eek:

(Actually not that bad an idea being that I am cruising with Laffnvegas and friends !! :D ;))


Oh, you ARE naughty, Sher! :)

We recently returned from a Carnival cruise and rented a cabana at HMC. ...
Thank you for reporting so much factual information. It sounds like Carnival actually does things pretty much the same as HAL, except for pre-assignment of the exact cabana. That's nice to know. Facts are always so much nicer than speculation. :)

[sail7seas]

Thank you, cruise-professor. That is the information I was seeking. Happy you enjoyed it so much.

[NYteacher]

We had a FANTASTIC day at our red cabana exactly a week ago today.

The only "squatter" we had was one of the island workers who was one of the guys who set up the clamshells. He sat on our porch and his radio was squawking and he was chatting with his co-workers.

We shouldn't have felt odd, but both my husband and myself felt weird asking this guy to move. A ship's officer came along, asked if everything was ok and we pointed to the guy at our feet. He asked the guy to move. I'm sure he would have moved if we had asked him as well.

[cccole]

I admit that I have not read all 3 pages of replies to this post but would like to post our experience in a cabana on HMC. We were on the Zuiderdam and there were no Carnival ships off shore. We enjoyed our experience except for the obnoxious group in the cabana next to us who spent half their time patrolling the area around their cabana. They did not want anyone within 20 feet on any side of their cabana. It was hysterical. They didn't think about how their cigar smoke might offend others, and they were old enough to know. We had crew and fellow passengers visiting us throughout the day and really enjoyed having the cabana. If someone came up and asked about our shower or water toys we just told them that they came with the cabana. It was really not a big deal if someone occasionally used the shower. I don't think they knew it was only for the cabana and who cares? It takes more time to make someone feel bad than let them shower and go on. Just my 2 cents worth. Cherie

[Coolcruise02]

I admit that I have not read all 3 pages of replies to this post but would like to post our experience in a cabana on HMC. We were on the Zuiderdam and there were no Carnival ships off shore. We enjoyed our experience except for the obnoxious group in the cabana next to us who spent half their time patrolling the area around their cabana. They did not want anyone within 20 feet on any side of their cabana. It was hysterical. They didn't think about how their cigar smoke might offend others, and they were old enough to know. We had crew and fellow passengers visiting us throughout the day and really enjoyed having the cabana. If someone came up and asked about our shower or water toys we just told them that they came with the cabana. It was really not a big deal if someone occasionally used the shower. I don't think they knew it was only for the cabana and who cares? It takes more time to make someone feel bad than let them shower and go on. Just my 2 cents worth. Cherie

What a GREAT attitude you have! Sounds like your cabana "neighbors" were the same people we use to live next to! :)