cabana question Half Moon Cay

[tootiesmom]

I was looking on the HAL website under shore excursions and saw where you can book a cabana for the day on Half Moon Cay. My question is:
Why do they have the color of the cabana listed? Is there some special about each color? Never been on HAL and will be taking our 1st cruise in November and trying to find out all I can....

thanks,
tootiesmom

[cruznon]

Color of cabana relates to their location on the beach. There are many posts that have maps/locations and amenities. Do a search under specfic topics to find this info. Cabanas are great.

[tootiesmom]

Thanks for the quick reply ! Just tried the "search" function and there seems to be a problem with the data base or something right now...will try later. ;)

tootiesmom

[drdaddy]

Hi, Mom.

The cabanas are really great. We have the pink for mid november. They go according to color as to location. I think it is: Taupe (closest to tenders, closest to the mob, closest to bathrooms and bar), then there are the mid range ones: Sky Blue, Turquoise, Orange, ++ ( near to the BBQ and other bathrooms), and then there are the outer reaches: Pink, Green, Yellow, Terra Cotta. These are further away but less chance of an encounter with people who cannot read that these cabanas are reserved. I know I missed one or two.

We chose the pink because of it's location out of the way but not too far away. Long walk to the snorkeling area but I need the exercise. We are doing the butler service besides so he takes our stuff for us and gets the tram right away.

The cabana includes water, soft drinks, a snack, a/c, fan, fresh water shower and mister, and water toys. It also includes a cabana boy whose function is becoming more questionable as time goes on. The butler adds the schlepping, priority tender (and I mean the front of the line!), alcoholic drinks including pina coladas and such, champagne, a fabulous lunch from the Pinnacle Grille, including appetizer, cold soup, lobster sandwich, grilled prawns, filet mignon, and desert. We stayed at the cabana until last call for the last tender and the tram brought us right there.

There are fans for all the different colors but I think you cannot get the butler for the yellow and terra cotta. On a busy day like when there are two or, heaven forbid, three ships, a cabana is a real coup. Most cruises these things go immediately.

We shared last time and again we will share this time. Found nice people on the roll call board for the cruise. Expensive but if this is your thing, worth it.

Check this forum for threads. There is even a picture of the locations with each one marked so you can decide. The walking distance is very deceiving.

[tootiesmom]

Was looking on HAL's website and saw the price for the cabana's. The price indicated adult and child prices. Is the price per person or per cabana for up to 4 people??? There will be 3 of us and are considering the upgrade to the butler, but if it is 270 per person, I believe we'll pass. The "search" function still isn't working for me on the boards. It keeps indicating there is a problem with the data base, etc.

Thank you so much for helping with the cabana question.

tootiesmom

[Ziggy7]

Was looking on HAL's website and saw the price for the cabana's. The price indicated adult and child prices. Is the price per person or per cabana for up to 4 people??? There will be 3 of us and are considering the upgrade to the butler, but if it is 270 per person, I believe we'll pass. The "search" function still isn't working for me on the boards. It keeps indicating there is a problem with the data base, etc.

Thank you so much for helping with the cabana question.

tootiesmomThe 270.00 upgrade is for up to 4 people, then I believe it is 100.00 for any others past 4.

Look at my 3 photo albums called HMC Cabanas here!
http://community.webshots.com/user/ziggy638

[willowoodf]

We had the Pink Cabana in December with butler service. We split the cost with 2 other couples. Believe me it is worth every penny.



And here we are having a good time.

http://members.socket.net/%7Ewillowood/pimk%20party.jpg

[willowoodf]

We had the Pink Cabana in December with butler service. We split the cost with 2 other couples. Believe me it is worth every penny.



And here we are having a good time.

http://members.socket.net/%7Ewillowood/pimk%20party.jpg

[Bases5]

o.k. Im being cheap here,
If there were six of you could 2 just stay outside and use the shower and such without paying extra PP fee, Not the butler servive just the cabana. I mean are there likr Cabana Police. I was thinking if 4 was using the cabana and new friends were walking by, Could you invite them in for a while or would you have to pat extra.

[salty dingo]

If I were going to HMC with my parents, I would book a cabana the moment I got to the ship. It would be perfect for them. But it is not my idea of enjoying the island.

I plan to try and hike as much of the island as there are trails to do so. It looks like a nice, unspoiled patch of paradise, and I think only a small area is developed.

Actually, HMC was one of the reasons I booked the Elation, since this stop is fairly new to Carnival (yes, I know I am on the HAL board, but this is a HAL island, I think.)

I am thrilled to be going. All the reviews I have heard just rave about it.

[crystal808]

Salty Dingo:

Welcome to the HAL board, by the way!

And, just know that, by the time you get on board, the cabanas will be "long booked"!!! I'm not sure how familiar the Carnival folks are with the cabanas, as they're new to Carnival (along with HMC), but the HAL folks snap 'em up as soon as they're available online, several months in advance!

By the time you get on board, the only shelter from the sun available will be the clamshells! And they are better than no shade at all, to be sure!

The cabanas for my late October sailing on the Westerdam were snapped up the first day they were available...best anyone can do now is be wait-listed!

Paul
who maybe should keep his HMC cabana comments to himself....:D

[mafig]

Paul,
From reading the Carnival boards, it appears that people cannot book the cabanas on line, they have to wait until they are onboard.

[drdaddy]

On previous posts, like a year ago, there was someone who said that if you have someone come by and use the cabana, the cabana boys are supposed to pass that on and the $40 extra person charge appears on your ship bill. Do not know how far an early gratuity could do. I assume if you pay for extra persons with the butler, you get extra food and stuff.

Glad Ziggy showed up with his link. I could not remember it but that is the site to go to. There is another new one I hear called the Peach. Supposed to be in the middle.

If possible, do not wait til you get on board to do this. Even clamshells have been known to sell out. The reason we went to the cabanas is we did the clamshell and got to the island early. The clamshell has zero airflow and was not useful for me. We had a shady spot with a hammock and of course lost it when we went to the BBQ. We did not lose our chaises but the folks who showed up were so obnoxious we did not want to remain there.

[crystal808]

Woof! Now that's a (potentially) dangerous situation (mafig's info above)! Guess it calls for early-as-possible boarding for the Carnival folks!

Perhaps they'll include them on-line one day.....

Thanks for passing on the info!

Paul

[Ziggy7]

Glad Ziggy showed up with his link. Thanks :) Just want to let you know Ziggy is a SHE LOL :)

[drdaddy]

Didn't realize you were a she, Ziggy. Oops. But that is the beauty &/or the dangers of the internet.

[tootiesmom]

Got our booking number today from our TA and checked on the cabanas.... they all have "waitlist".....I guess we're out of luck. No need to put our names on the waitlist for a November sailing. I'm sure that with such few cabanas that the waitlist is very long by now. I sure was nice to dream ;)

Thanks to everyone for letting me know all about the cabana experience :D

tootiesmom

[crystal808]

Got our booking number today from our TA and checked on the cabanas.... they all have "waitlist".....I guess we're out of luck. No need to put our names on the waitlist for a November sailing. I'm sure that with such few cabanas that the waitlist is very long by now. I sure was nice

Personally, I'd go ahead a wait-list a few cabanas...never know who will drop out by the final payment; and you certainly won't get one unless you do! (You gotta play to win!) ;) Can't hurt...and you might be pleasantly surprised by November!

Paul

[tootiesmom]

When you sign up for a waitlist, do they immediately charge your credit card? Would hate to waitlist every color cabana and be charged more than I can stand :D

tootiesmom

[crystal808]

When you sign up for a waitlist, do they immediately charge your credit card? Would hate to waitlist every color cabana and be charged more than I can stand :D

No, I believe that they will contact you by email if one opens up and see if you still want it; they give you a small envelope of time to reply. Then your card would be charged if you still wanted to book it.

Paul

[GOTTA-GO]

o.k. Im being cheap here,
If there were six of you could 2 just stay outside and use the shower and such without paying extra PP fee, Not the butler servive just the cabana. I mean are there likr Cabana Police. I was thinking if 4 was using the cabana and new friends were walking by, Could you invite them in for a while or would you have to pat extra.Why not turn it into a timeshare and sell off two hour block of times in your cabana to other couples? Might even be able to turn a profit on it.:D

[bottomrung]

Someone said there is very little shade???
I am a northern tanless in Jan. type person. Lets say we do not do a cabana, do I become a slowly cooked Lobster.


Ziggy7 or anyone else,
I looked at Ziggy's photos of HMC, the map layout of the island showing the cabanas is probable deceiving. To judge the size of the place just how long would it take to walk from the tender dock to the yellow cabana???

[Ziggy7]

Didn't realize you were a she, Ziggy. Oops. But that is the beauty &/or the dangers of the internet.hehehe very true, and I have been called worse in my day LOL :D

[Ziggy7]

Someone said there is very little shade???
I am a northern tanless in Jan. type person. Lets say we do not do a cabana, do I become a slowly cooked Lobster.


Ziggy7 or anyone else,
I looked at Ziggy's photos of HMC, the map layout of the island showing the cabanas is probable deceiving. To judge the size of the place just how long would it take to walk from the tender dock to the yellow cabana??? There is shade at the bars, over the table and chairs (one even has a live band all day), at the seating area at the Bar-B-Q, some trees have shade but you've got to get to them quick! Also as the day goes on the shade moves as well.

You can rent a clamshell for $9.00 a day for 2 maybe three lounge chairs that fit (the more you have in them, the hotter they will get! And bring something to prop up the back a little so you get a breeze going through). Also you need to get on the island and claim a clamshell by 10 or 10:30 at the very latest as they run out alot of times, even if you reserve one (which I recommend highly) ahead of time, it doesnt mean you get one if you wait too long to check in.

Pictures of clamshells here! (http://community.webshots.com/photo/310184391/1310193755059670232qyzTCN) and here (http://community.webshots.com/photo/310184391/1370824982059670232sgTWoc)!
(http://community.webshots.com/photo/310184391/1310193755059670232qyzTCN)
The walk to the yellow cabana would probaly take 15 minutes, that is if you dont stop at the shops or bars :)
But why walk when you can take their little transportation tram for free :)

Hope this helped :)