Question about renting cabanas on the HAL ships?

[scrapbags]

We are planning a caribbean cruise and were thinking about renting one of the private cabanas on the ship. Can anyone tell me the cost? I know there are different sizes and their are only two of us going so we would only need the smaller ones. Also, I had heard that you can only use them between the hours of 9 to 5. Is that right? If that is the case, can anyone tell me if it's worth the cost? I would love to be able to use it anytime I wanted and not just 9 to 5. Thanks!:D

[Travalot]

Last time I checked, the Lido cabanas were $199 for a week and the Retreat cabanas were $299.

We had a Lido cabana on our cruise in March and it was worth every penny for us. We had two days at sea on our itinerary, plus several half days, so I used it all the time.

They do close at 5pm, although if you read some of the threads about the cabanas, some people are able to use "theirs" off hours a little, but realistically, it is 9 to 5.

The Retreat cabanas sound like a more relaxing, spa like experience. The Lido cabana worked out great for us since it was about 100 steps from our cabin and worked as a meeting place for my son. I liked being in the more active pool area, but can certainly understand the appeal of the Retreat cabanas.

Only you can decide if it would be worth it for you. It was wonderful for me in the Caribbean, but I don't think I would have wanted one on our recent cruise in Europe.

[jtl513]

The prices just quoted are for up to 7 days.

See http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=162118&d=1279037804

[Turtle Girls]

Is there usually availability to rent the Lido Cabanas by the day or do they get filled up by the weekly rentals? I only have the need for the cabana on the 2 at sea days.

[catl331]

I only have the need for the cabana on the 2 at sea days.You and a whoooole lot of other people! ;) I suggest you board early and make it a priority to check, even before eating lunch. Good luck. :)

[1cruiselvr]

Depends...sometimes they are available for a day, sometimes not. You can only book by the day on board last I was sailing on a HAL ship that had the cabanas (2009). I don't know if that's changed or not. They are only available 9-5. I still enjoyed ours. Happy Sailing!

[picture]

so if you rent one for the week do you have a spot reserved? with chairs
all week. might be worth it just to know you have a place to sunbathe.

[catl331]

might be worth it just to know you have a place to sunbathe.There will be plenty of places to sunbathe for free. Just go up the stairs from the Retreat to the roof of the Crows Nest and you'll find lots of empty loungers. Or if you'd like a more out-of-the-way place go up to the roof of the Tamarind and you'll find a few dozen empty loungers because few people are willing to climb the stairs, I guess. ;)

[Lo1Mo2]

I have not be on HAL for a few years and had not heard of cabanas (except HMC ones). Exactly what is the advantage of renting one? Shade, lounges, towels--all nice but are they not available any way? Service? Food and drinks gratis? I enjoy our veranda but like being on the decks and lounging there also. So, basically, I am uninformed and am enjoying the comments on this thread. Thanks to all of you for you info!!

[catl331]

Exactly what is the advantage of renting one?Click the link in post #3 and open the pdf to see what's included for amenities.

[PGV]

You and a whoooole lot of other people! ;) I suggest you board early and make it a priority to check, even before eating lunch. Good luck. :)

That was my plan also to board early and try to book one for our sea day... can someone tell me where to go to do this? Front reservation desk or somewhere near the cabanans???
Thanks!

[RuthC]

That was my plan also to board early and try to book one for our sea day... can someone tell me where to go to do this? Front reservation desk or somewhere near the cabanans???
Thanks!
Right the first time---the Front Desk is the place to go to book a cabana.

[1cruiselvr]

so if you rent one for the week do you have a spot reserved? with chairs
all week. might be worth it just to know you have a place to sunbathe.
Yes. If you book for the entire cruise, they will assign a cabana to you which is reserved for your use only for the entire cruise. You will find out what cabana when you get onboard. A card should be in your cabin about it. At least that's how it was when we booked one on the Eurodam in Nov 09. Happy Sailing!

[Megsie1000]

I just reserved one today for our 1/14/12 Eurodam Caribbean cruise. We opted for one of the Lido cabanas because we have young children and when they are not in Club HAL, they will be wanting to spend time by the pool. We booked an inside cabin, so this will give us a place to congregate outside and enjoy the weather without actually sitting in the sun. It will also potentially give my older two a place to chill out while the toddler naps in the afternoons with his Dad in the cabin.

We reserved for the whole week, which is worth it to us because I am not sure how many shore excursions we will even be doing with the kids in tow. The price was $199 and I had to pay for it today. I requested the "Crete" cabana, per the advice of somebody (sorry, can't remember the name?) else in another thread on this board. Apparently the location of the "Crete" cabana is the best b/c it is located where the deck opens up, so there aren't as many people walking right in front of the cabana. They said they could not guarantee I would get the Crete, but they noted my request for it. Apparently they are not assigned until you are on board the ship.