HMC and Cabanas- Status and locations as of 6/6/04

[texkat]

I know this topic has been just about talked to death http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif, but we were at Half Moon Cay last week and I made sure to get ALL the cabana info I could for our CC buddies.

As of right now, there are 8 cabanas. The current price is $219 per cabana for 4 persons, each additional person is $45.

The following is straight from the HMC Shore Excursions flyer we got onboard:

"Each cabana comes with a fridge, A/c & rotating fan, shower, shaded seating area with table & chairs for 4 and a private sun terrace with deck chairs for 2. The fridge will be stocked with 6 soft drinks and 4 bottles of water. You will also receive snacks (fruit, nacho chips, vegetables & dip). Your Cabana Package also includes snorkel gear and floating mats and you will receive priority tender tickets so you will not have to wait to come ashore!"

Also available along with the Cabana rental is an Unlimited Beverage Package- includes domestic beers, sodas, & rum punch. The price is $29.90 for 2 guests. For each additional guest add $14.95.

(The same Unlimited Beverage Package is also available without a Cabana, for $19.95 per person.)

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[texkat]

The locations of the cabanas, starting with the closest to the ship, is as follows:

Tan
Blue (canvas sides)
Turquoise
Orange
Light Blue (under construction)
Purple (canvas sides)
Pink
Green
Yellow

The Tan, Blue and Turquoise cabanas are the most convenient to the bathrooms. None of the cabanas are very remote, so getting to the food and bathroom areas wouldn't be much of a hike from any of them.

We had booked the Pink cabana. The evening before HMC, we received a note that there were electrical problems in the Pink Cabana, and we were reassigned to Turquoise. Both locations were fine, and I wouldn't hesitate to book any of them based on location.

The cabanas are now attended by staff from the ship's bars. Just a note: the Bar staff does NOT share in the $10 per day auto gratuity. Their gratuity is made up entirely of the 15% autotip added to bar tabs. Our helpers on this day were very attentive, always making sure I had plenty of Rum Runners and that there was nothing we needed. They made runs to the bar, the watersports shacks, and offered to bring lunch to us.

I have photos of all of the cabanas, I'll try to get them posted.

If anyone has any questions about the cabanas or Half Moon Cay, I'll see if I might have the answer here in my stack of papers!

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[RDMOREU]

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif TexKat We have booked the purple cabana for a day on HMC next Nov. How do 'canvas sides' affect the desirability of a cabana - should we switch??? Thanks for your help!

[texkat]

Here's a panorama of the beach and cabanas, beginning with yellow on the "far" end of the beach:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p0d1733e74349f092fdfb68434eb4ce96/f84ca476.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p5f4f3b3be2edf5abd5450f21bfb81d91/f84ca468.jpg

Yellow:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/pde25d3cdbeb56d0f17992f8b6c7cc4da/f84ca384.jpg

Green:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/pf76153b8fbed92985ef3e09378a07df3/f84ca433.jpg

Pink:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p350b1c5ccec500aa3632dbaf17fc61fd/f84ca402.jpg

Purple:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/pabe38bf21f4286fc5941182632453dc5/f84ca3ea.jpg

Light Blue:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/pe3dccf24ba30e2bc732d4545ebd82457/f84ca424.jpg

Orange:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p728a4a021d8d4ec3fb51ee138d6213fe/f84ca416.jpg

Turquoise:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p4eef1da5e1976758ed6ec65fe4d4f356/f84ca3d1.jpg

Blue and Tan:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid121/p1afff3fb1f305e52dad30dd037d7683f/f84ca44f.jpg

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[texkat]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RDMOREU:
http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif TexKat We have booked the purple cabana for a day on HMC next Nov. How do 'canvas sides' affect the desirability of a cabana - should we switch??? Thanks for your help!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think the canvas vs. wood sides will make any difference in the comfort or the space you have in your cabana. We were in the Blue canvas one last year, and a wooden one this year- and thoroughly enjoyed both!

You can see what you think after looking at the photos, but I expect you'll be happy either way.
http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Also- we were told that plans are to have 12 cabanas in place by next summer, so the colors and locations are subject to change!

[CruisinNana]

Wow!
Thanks for the great post. You gave the exact information I needed.
Dee

Till the Maasdam
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Till the Oosterdam
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[localady]

Thanks so much for taking the time and having the talent to post such a comprehensive report on the cabanas!!!!

Happy Cruising!

7/04 Ryndam Alaska B2B
12/04 Rotterdam Panama Canal
7/05 Prinsendam Baltic

RCCL x2(1999), Volendam (2000), Millinneum (2000), Veendam (2001), Disney (2001), Statendam (2003), Amsterdam (2003)

[RosieR]

We were in the blue one last November and it came stocked with 3 beers pp. I quess this is another cruise line cutback.

Fantasy 08/92
Grand Princess 09/01
Destiny 05/02
Grand Princess 09/02
Carnival Legend 09/03
HAL Zuiderdam 11/03
Caribbean Princess 09/04

[texkat]

Yes, there have been several changes since last year... both bad and good.

The prices have gone up considerably, with beer being an add-on now. But there are more cabanas now, and they are available to anyone (rather than only suite pax.)

We have found the cabanas a really fun thing that makes the day on HMC extremely enjoyable. My fair skin could not take a whole day out in the Bahamian sun, and the cool shade of the cabana allows me to really enjoy the entire day. Sipping rum runners and eating chips and guacamole for breakfast in my lounge chair with a fabulous view of that clear water is my idea of paradise. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[sail7seas]

Texkat.....


Fabulous job. No one has come even close to what you have done for us. There cannot possibly be any more questions as to which color, where, what do they look like....

Take a Bow.

You "done" good!!!

<img src=http://domania.us/DaveEdwards/HALlogo.gif>

[texkat]

Thanks so very much for the kind words... you're making me blush! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[RosieR]

Since the changes made where and when can you book the cabanas?

Fantasy 08/92
Grand Princess 09/01
Destiny 05/02
Grand Princess 09/02
Carnival Legend 09/03
HAL Zuiderdam 11/03
Caribbean Princess 09/04

[texkat]

Before your sailing date, you can book the cabanas through Ship's Services, by calling 800 541-1576. You will need your booking number and a credit card.

Once onboard, you can book the cabanas through the Shore Excursions desk.

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[Sage]

Texkat,

Thank you so much for posting such wonderful pictures of the cabanas. I now know exactly where we should be, and DH should be nice and close to everything.

[dst]

Thanks so much for this post, we have the green cabana on our July 24th sailing on the Zuiderdam. The one thing that concerns me now is that we paid a lot to have a Butler and I am not sure what he will do for us now....I think I may have to call HAL to get all the details

THANKS for this post, it helps us see where we are and got me excited for our cabana.

[Orcrone]

I see that they have a beverage package for $19.95 per person. Are any refreshments, either food or drink, available without charge? Or do you pay for all food and drink on HMC?

Thanks

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

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Till sailing on the Maasdam

[texkat]

A Barbeque lunch is served at HMC, at no additional charge.

I don't recall the entire menu, but there were various salads, burgers, chicken, hotdogs, chips, cookies, cake, fruit, and some beverages (iced tea, maybe a fruit drink and water???) available for free.

Beer, sodas, bottled water, and bar drinks were available, but charged to your ship card.

Basically, the things that would be free onboard are also free on the island.

[Sinbad37]

texkat http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

We cannot thank you enough for your informative post and pictures of HMC. We have been there several times, but this time our TA reserved us "The Yellow" cabana. She did this back in May at $179.00.
before the price increase.

My Ed has had extensive back surgery, so I am now concerned that as private as it may be it would not be possible for him to make that long walk. I remember rides available near the shops.

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif Do you, or any of our CC members know if they will provide rides to the cabana?

If not, I may need to get busy getting something closer (The Tan one?)!!!

Changing might mean extra charge as well?

We are so looking forward to this trip that I want it to be perfect.

Thanks again, http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Ginny & Ed
(Anyone wanting to e-mail may do so at gintib@aol.com, including Cruise Critic in the subject.)

Cast off the bowlines!
ROTTERDAM, PANAMA CANAL, 11/12/04
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14 days in the Caribean - VEENDAM 11/26/05&lt;BR&gt;http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2005;11;26;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

[Sage]

Yes, the do provide transportation. Inquire at the first watersports hut after you arrive, and they will call the transportation for you.

[Orcrone]

texkat,

thanks for the info. Really looking forward to the relaxing day at the beach (assuming that the seas are not too rough).

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

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Till sailing on the Maasdam

[Joedog]

Hi ~ Your pictures are great, thank you so much. It really helps to see where all the cabanas are. You don't have a closer picture of the Tan cabana, do you?

Thanks again!

Ruth and Joe


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NCL Dawn - 7/27/03 (Honeymoon)

[texkat]

Sorry... looks like a good photo of the Tan cabana is the one I missed.

However, it is identical to the other wooden cabanas in every respect except color.

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[Joedog]

Texkat:

In your opinion, do you think that the Tan cabana is too close to the front? I don't care about too far from things, just curious if this one is too close http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Ruth and Joe


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NCL Dawn - 7/27/03 (Honeymoon)

[texkat]

Hmmm... I think it just depends on what you're looking for! Because it's beside a big chunk of open beach, there might be a bit more people traffic around the Tan Cabana than the others. But you'll have fewer steps to take to get to it from the ship.

If maximum quiet was what I was looking for, I'd go for the far end (toward the Yellow Cabana). If maximum convenience to the bathrooms, food, etc. is paramount, I'd probably choose Tan/Blue/Turquoise.

I don't think you'll find a bad location in the lot, and I would not hesitate to reserve any of them based on location, including Tan.

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[gilligan6143]

Joedog,

I do not think there is much material difference in beach traffic -- you'll enjoy the tan.

Then again, my travels entailed: ship to turquoise cabana, cabana to water, cabana to bathroom, cabana to bbq, and cabana to ship. Ah, love Half Moon!

[texkat]

Gilligan omitted some legs of his journey, the part that entailed Ship to Bar with Bloody Marys, then Bar with Bloody Marys to Cabana.

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[dst]

JoeDog: Glad to hear you decided on a cabana, we will be enjoying the Green cabana along with you guys!

Do I have to make the trip to the Bar, won't they bring the bar to you?????

[texkat]

DST-

The cabana attendants will gladly run to the bar for you (a little extra tip for these guys is very appropriate!).

But Gilligan made his little side trip on the way to the cabana. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Actually, he was sitting out a little rain shower at the bar before making his way to the beach.

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[scrinchy]

We were in the yellow cabana in May. It really was great, especially for our friends that needed to stay out of the sun. It was worth every penny! Say hello to the friendly geckos for us and enjoy!

Julie U

[texkat]

bumping back up to answer some questions on another thread...

Zuiderdam, June 5
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[montgomeryfamily]

Sinbad37, they do provide rides to the cabanas, but the drop off of the yellow cabana is at the pink cabana location. They do not go any further with the vehicles. We had the green cabana and had to walk in the sand from the drop-off point. One of our party is disabled and can't walk in the sand very well and two of the staff basically carried him to the green cabana. So your husband will have to walk from the drop off point. You may want to book the pink cabana if you are looking for privacy and also the shortest distance from the transportation drop-off point.

[Sage]

They do have a sand wheelchair which may help. We had the pink cabana last year, and even though the transportion drop off is closer, there is also a bit of a hill that must be manuevered.

[Little Feet]

Hi Texcat!
Hope you had a wonderful cruise! You are the best for describing the wonderful features of the cabanas. On our B to B in December (Westerdam) we will have the green cabana (same one as last year). It will be the first day out of Ft. Lauderdale and the last day of our 2nd week of the B to B. Can't think of a better way to start and end a cruise!

Have a lovely summer!
Margaret & Bob

[Sinbad37]

Houston family - Thanks so much for the reply. My Ed has had two major back surgeries, so the sand walking at the beginning of our cruise doen't sound like a good idea. I will contact our TA, and we Thank You so much!

Ginn & Ed

Cast off the bowlines!
ROTTERDAM, PANAMA CANAL, 11/12/04

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;11;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

14 days in the Caribean - VEENDAM 11/26/05
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[montgomeryfamily]

Sinbad37,glad I could provide some helpful information based on our experience.

The sand wheelchair is a good suggestion, but it may not be the solution you need. For one thing, they are very hard to push in the sand. In additon, unless they have gotten more, there is only one sand wheelchair available to the cruise passengers(last time when we sailed November 03). Although we have always traveled in a suite (S or PH), we have never been able to get the sand wheelchair because they won't let you reserve it and someone always beats us to it (even with our suite priority tender passes). Once someone has it, they are allowed to keep it all day. Although the First Aid station has a sand wheelchair, they have always refused to let us borrow it, even just long enough to take our disabled party to a chair and bring it back.

This was one of the primary reasons we got a cabana--transportation was included. Also, the cabana attendants were very helpful in bringing lunch and providing assistance.

[texkat]

Hmmm... looks like this one survived the board transition.

[dst]

bumping up for others to have some questions answered :)

[Candy]

Thanks so much for the photos. I just reserved the turquoise cabana (although the confirmation called it "SH BLUE".

May I have your permission to use your photos on my cruising pages? TIA.

[texkat]

Candy,

You may use the photos if you like.

Enjoy!

[viennacruiser]

How early can you book a Cabana? We are going in March 05.
Thanks

[Candy]

I just booked one for our November '04 Zuiderdam cruise. Please note that this is charged to your credit card immediately rather than on your ship account at time of sailing.

How early can you book a Cabana? We are going in March 05.
Thanks

[HeatherInFlorida]

Texkat, I just have to tell you what an amazing job you did with this information!!! I think you should charge us for this service:D . Great pictures and it finally really clarifies the cabanas for me! Thank you, thank you.

I read somewhere on here that they also rent out "clams" -- those little half umbrella things? Anyone know about that? I see nothing on the HAL site.

[clopaw]

Bumping to ask again about clamshells? Any pictures?

[KSCnCA]

Here's a link to a photo

http://www.cruise-forums.com/gallery/view.php?id=1264 (http://www.cruise-forums.com/gallery/view.php?id=1264)

Not the best shot but better than nothing! :D

[janisutx]

I booked the Pink Cabana for the 12/19/04 Westerdam cruise. Your photos were just what I needed. I'm so fair that I was considering staying on the ship. Thanks to you I will be having a great day with my family

[ekerr19]

Thanks so much for this post, we have the green cabana on our July 24th sailing on the Zuiderdam. The one thing that concerns me now is that we paid a lot to have a Butler and I am not sure what he will do for us now....I think I may have to call HAL to get all the details

THANKS for this post, it helps us see where we are and got me excited for our cabana.
dst-

I hope yours was better than ours! We had the butler service when they first offered it. The food was spectacular - don't get me wrong - but the rest left quite a bit to be desired. We were supposed to have unlimited beverage service - in fact, ordered a bottle of Chardonnay for our lunch, all we received were three warm beers...

I think they've done away with the butler service on all new bookings. We spent over $400 and it definitely wasn't worth it - I hope yours is much better!

[Golfgrl1911]

Are there any qualms about two separate cabins sharing a cabana? As long as they work out the financials I see no reason why not, but I wondered if the parties had to have the same cabin keys.

[ekerr19]

No problem at all. We invited a few of our CC buddies to our cabana - they may ask you in advance if you will be entertaining anyone else - there is a price increase for additional people - but you shouldn't have a problem sharing with another cabin.

[KSCnCA]

We booked a cabana with my sister in another cabin for our Dec cruise on the Zuiderdam. She paid and we will try to pay her back but she won't take the money so far! They took both our cabin numbers for the priority tendering. It was no problem at all.:)

[FlorenceItaly]

Bumping this up for someone on the board who just inquired about the cabanas.

Marie

[Marny and Ed]

Hello,
Do you have any pics of the clamshell covers? Are they spread out all over, and do we get 'room service' like the cabanas?
Thanks.
Marny

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

There are 100 clamshells begining at the begining of the beach and stretching on down the beach. It is a canvas awning over 2 lounge chairs.

You don't get any "room" service with the clamshells.

:)

[texkat]

bumping for Doone

[dewhit6959]

Texkat;

That was a great report !! That answered many questions I had concerning our cabana reservations. With the availability of waiters from the bar, did you see any need to have the butler service? Since I have already been told I will pull butler duty for the madam, I am looking for someone else to put it on !!

[texkat]

Dewhit, I can't imagine needing the butler service!

Anything you need on the island is taken care of...

[Candy]

Why don't you take them to the Pinnacle a couple of times or pop for spa treatments?

We booked a cabana with my sister in another cabin for our Dec cruise on the Zuiderdam. She paid and we will try to pay her back but she won't take the money so far! They took both our cabin numbers for the priority tendering. It was no problem at all.:)

[Candy]

How much is the butler service?
Whaddaya get with it?
Is the food better or is it the BBQ food delivered with a linen tablecloth?
Does the butler just kinda hang around or do you have to go find him/her?
I am so jazzed about this cabana thing... hope the weather's not as cool as last time :cool:
dst-

I hope yours was better than ours! We had the butler service when they first offered it. The food was spectacular - don't get me wrong - but the rest left quite a bit to be desired. We were supposed to have unlimited beverage service - in fact, ordered a bottle of Chardonnay for our lunch, all we received were three warm beers...snip...

[sydgrif]

My daughter and I had the pink cabana in May . . . we loved it! It was far enough away to feel like we were on a very private island. We did get a ride there, and back because she is handicapped . . . The floats were not available immediately, and we did need to ask for them. The snacks were good . . .but watch out for the birds . . .they will pick through the saran wrap and eat them!

A shutterfly album of our cruise for those interested:

http://www.shutterfly.com/view/slide2.jsp?auto=1&aid=67b0de21b3ea6df3a42d&js=1091626152554

We love HAL

[texkat]

Bumping this to answer some recent questions...

...although the information may need to be updated to reflect any post-hurricane changes!! :)

(Hmmm... wonder if my husband would accept that as a reason we need to cruise again, SOON? It's worth a try.)

[Ziggy7]

Bumping this to answer some recent questions...

...although the information may need to be updated to reflect any post-hurricane changes!! :)

(Hmmm... wonder if my husband would accept that as a reason we need to cruise again, SOON? It's worth a try.)
hehehehe yes tell him we need to know as soon as possible :)
Good Luck!

[vitamarion]

Booked a Pink Cabana for Westerdam on 12/05/04 today. I was asked if I wanted to include the Bulter Service for an extra $270. That is a lot of Chocolate Martinis and Spa Treatments for me. There were only a couple of Cabanas left.

Thanks to everyone for all your great information. Reading the HAL board has helped in preparing us for our first HAL cruise.

[Lynzchat]

Thank you SO MUCH for your wonderful pictures, and everyone for your fabulous input!

We booked a cabana for our honeymoon week. I wanted the green one, but it was booked, so we got the YELLOW cabana! Stop by and say hello, if you are on our cruise!

[Linda-E]

Does anyone know whether the cabanas have been rebuilt in the same location? I also read that they are building more cabanas. We booked the pink for our cruise in January and hope to find it where it is in the photo above.

Thanks for any info.

Linda

[CDRMark]

I cannot imagine how anyone could improve upon texkat's post, but I will take for action the request for info on any changes, etc.
Cheers
MarkB

[texkat]

Mark, you are too kind! :)

I am also anxious to know of changes to the cabanas and the costs.

[SHayesShip]

Just received confirmation of "MY" cabana rental for 4/18/05 on the Volendam cruise. Very excited. I was told that all of the cabanas are now up and running.

Steve Hayes

[Arubalisa]

Great pics...

[texkat]

Don't know how much the hurricanes changed the information... :)

[texkat]

Sounds like the information is mostly still good...

[FCOWHER]

This thread could use a bump back up. Joe V.

[online2much]

Sigh...went to reserve one of these for our October 1st cruise, and they were already all booked. I called HAL to see how long the wait list was, and they told me there was one other person on all of the wait lists ahead of me. I wonder what are odds are that two people will cancel? The waiting list seems kind of inefficient.. you have to get on a separate waiting list for each cabana. It would seem better in some ways to have one waiting list once all of them have been reserved, and you just get whichever once becomes available.

[FCOWHER]

Online, as coveted as the Cabanas are I seriously doubt that two people would cancel. On the other hand, you never know. So good luck. I will let you know if DW and I enjoy the Taupe cabana, with the butler service, on our 4/23 Zuiderdam cruise. Joe V.


Serenade of the Seas 12/31/05
Zuiderdam 4/23/05
RCI - 2 times
Princess - 3 times
QE2 - 1 time
Royal Majesty - 1 time
Carnival - 1 time

[rtluvr]

Looking forward to hearing about the cruise. We are booked on June 11 on the Zuiderdam. We also reserved a clam shell but are waitlisted on all the cabanas hoping for a cancellation.

[kvale001]

So we have the Taupe cabana..good that its close so my dad doesn't have to walk to far. We have three people...they dont put others in right, since we paid for the whole thing? We are not sure if one of our other cruisers may join us..i just didn't want unassigned "cabaning". Also is it worth the butler upgrade..we got, but just want to see what the perks are.


KimV.

Serenade of the Seas 12/31/05
Zuiderdam 4/23/05
RCI - 2 times
Princess - 3 times
Royal Majesty - 1 time

[spcl4cs_gal]

When you purchase this service you get some real white glove treatment for the entire day on HMC. The evening before you arrive a rep from the hotel department comes to your cabin and takes down your "lunch" order...and if what we had was lunch, you wouldn't be thinking of dinner for awhile. The butler comes to your cabin the day of your HMC stay and picks you up, carrying your bags to the tender and taking you over to the island. They stay with you the entire day and serve you lunch in the cabana on a white linen table cloth. Glassware, china and everything is supplied. Before lunch you go out into the water with your butler for a champagne toast. Your butler will arrange to have the tram brought close to your cabana if you are heading off to the horses, stingrays, or aquatrax, so you won't have to worry about walking too far.

For lunch we had lobster sandwiches, some other appetizers that escape me right now, filet mignon, chocolate cake, and a watermelon whale that was filled with fruit swimming in rum. Waaaaaay too much food!! :)

As to if paying for the butler service was worth it......every penny!! :)

[online2much]

All's well that ends well... one day after the web site shows all the cabanas are reserved (and calling HAL to verify it) and getting on the wait list for all of them, I just got an email saying 3 of them are now available - yellow, green and taupe. They gave me 72 hours to decide, but I don't think we took 72 seconds, and now will be in taupe cabana style on our HMC day. Just gotta decide on that butler service now.....:D

[Sinbad37]

All's well that ends well... one day after the web site shows all the cabanas are reserved (and calling HAL to verify it) and getting on the wait list for all of them, I just got an email saying 3 of them are now available - yellow, green and taupe. They gave me 72 hours to decide, but I don't think we took 72 seconds, and now will be in taupe cabana style on our HMC day. Just gotta decide on that butler service now.....:D

"You Only Live Once".... go for it! :D

[Ziggy7]

All's well that ends well... one day after the web site shows all the cabanas are reserved (and calling HAL to verify it) and getting on the wait list for all of them, I just got an email saying 3 of them are now available - yellow, green and taupe. They gave me 72 hours to decide, but I don't think we took 72 seconds, and now will be in taupe cabana style on our HMC day. Just gotta decide on that butler service now.....:DCongratulations on the cabana!!! If you like BarBQ food, you dont need the butler package, if you want to be treated like the rich and famous and have fancy food, go for it!!!

[lgarner]

How about a question from someone to poor (or too cheap LOL) to pay for a cabana? I get a rash from too much sun so aside from the cabana, what can you all tell me about the clamshell thing? Does it provide as much shade as the umbrellas used to? Why don't we have umbrellas anymore? If I order one of these clam shells, does that mean we will have lounge chairs too or are they on a first come first served basis?? I can't remember if there is enough shade from trees along the beach - does anyone know?

Thanks in advance for any answers!!

Lgarner

[Candy]

Clamshells are large enough for two lounge chairs (also provided) to be completely covered. There's a photo floating around here somewhere... I'll try to find you one.

How about a question from someone to poor (or too cheap LOL) to pay for a cabana? I get a rash from too much sun so aside from the cabana, what can you all tell me about the clamshell thing? Does it provide as much shade as the umbrellas used to? Why don't we have umbrellas anymore? If I order one of these clam shells, does that mean we will have lounge chairs too or are they on a first come first served basis?? I can't remember if there is enough shade from trees along the beach - does anyone know?

Thanks in advance for any answers!!

Lgarner

[lgarner]

Completely covered sounds good to me. And a picture would be great. Oh, one more question... if DH is in one chair and I am in the other there is no way for him to get sun if I am covered is there? Will the clamshell work on one chair so he could pull his chair into the sun?

[Candy]

These photos (http://community.webshots.com/album/310184391qmbGBl) belong to ziggy:

Clamshell with 2 residents (http://community.webshots.com/photo/370824982/370824982sgTWoc#)
Back View of Clamshells (http://community.webshots.com/photo/310193755/310193755qyzTCN#)
Collapsed Clamshells (http://community.webshots.com/photo/310198828/310198828yKSTTe#)

Completely covered sounds good to me. And a picture would be great. Oh, one more question... if DH is in one chair and I am in the other there is no way for him to get sun if I am covered is there? Will the clamshell work on one chair so he could pull his chair into the sun?

[oliviaonthe beach]

With regard to the unlimited beverage package for two for $29.99. Is there a need for me to reserve that in advance of embarkation or can I wait till I board. I am sooo excited to have the pink cabana for 7/23 Zuiderdam. I just decided on the beverage thing.

[OrthoRN]

With regard to the unlimited beverage package for two for $29.99. Is there a need for me to reserve that in advance of embarkation or can I wait till I board. I am sooo excited to have the pink cabana for 7/23 Zuiderdam. I just decided on the beverage thing.

You take care of the pink cabana.... :) We will have that one in late November when we cruise, and I can't wait :)

[willowoodf]

And we have it in early December!!

Mary

[shmily]

How about a question from someone to poor (or too cheap LOL) to pay for a cabana? I get a rash from too much sun so aside from the cabana, what can you all tell me about the clamshell thing? Does it provide as much shade as the umbrellas used to? Why don't we have umbrellas anymore? If I order one of these clam shells, does that mean we will have lounge chairs too or are they on a first come first served basis?? I can't remember if there is enough shade from trees along the beach - does anyone know?

Thanks in advance for any answers!!

Lgarner

Hi There,

We just got back last weekend from our trip on the Zuiderdam and had a wonderful time. We were with another couple and the wife is a major fair-skinned redhead. We both had a clamshell per couple and found them to be great. They were more than adequate in providing head to toe sun shade plus later in the day you could lean them forwards to get full air flow through it. I would definately recommend one to everyone. I saw the cabanas and they were nice, but not enough to warrant the big $$ involved IMO.

About the food on HMC...we were VERY impressed. We were expecting lunch to be backyard dried out burgers and dogs but instead they had mounds of fresh fruit and cheese, a large salad bar, burgers, turkey dogs, chicken, fish (sorry can't remember what kind but it was DELICIOUS!), ribs, plus a really good selection of desserts. The cookies were the best cookies I have ever had plus they had some really great brownies. They had free tea and water.

We had noticed that at the bars, they had these really great looking insulated (koosie) waterbottles which they also had alcoholic drinks served in but assumed that they would probably be pretty expensive. Thinking this, I spent $5 at the HMC gift shop to buy one. While we were at lunch, a waitress came around with a bunch of them full of pina coladas and strawberry
daiquiri. So just out of curiosity, we asked how much. $6.50!!! I couldn't believe it. BUY THEM!!! Even if you don't drink the drink, they are wonderful to carry around with you on ship or when you go into port. Fill them up with water or tea from the Lido and you are set without having to spend $2 for a bottled water the ship offers as you leave for your day in port.

Have a wonderful time!
~Chris

[cruznon]

Oooo,Chris,

Thanks for all the info about HMC.
In 37 days we'll be in the turquiose cabana!:D We're so excited!

[lgarner]

Thanks for all the info and the photos!! I will be renting a clamshell and not a cabana (can't afford that!) Is the unlimited drink price only for cabana users?

Maybe I was dreaming but I thought that a few months ago, I read in a Carnival brochure that some of their cruises were now stopping at HMC - does anyone know if this is true? I am trying to check to see if we will be the only ship at HMC on our cruise. I checked all of the HAL ships and none of the others are scheduled on the same day we are. I tried to check Carnival and don't see any of them going to HMC unless it is just special cruises.