Half Moon Cay info needed

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I have to prepare a report (well, okay, a mock commercial) on Half Moon Cay for a travel class I'm taking. I would love it if you could share your information, pictures and stories as I have never been there.

What do you like about it? What is there to do, eat, etc? What really makes it special.

Thanks for all your help.

[Marie321]

Take a look at the "Private Islands" category. There you will find lots of comments and pictures.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The soft white sand.

[matondo]

It's a private island so there are no cars, no traffic. Turquoise water, soft white sand beach and if you would like something to drink they will even serve you in the ocean. Now that is service.

[CaliforniaAC]

The sign on the bar says it all:

"I wish I could stay here forever":D

[mrmj]

can anyone comment on the aqua park? is it free?

what about the snorkelling? is there lots of fish to see?

[eldercruser]

There is no charge for the aqua park. It is right off the beach.

As for snorkeling, it is not the best in the main beach area. The water is certainly clear enough, but there is not much to see. HAL does offer a snorkeling tour to another part of the island; however, it has received mixed reviews in the past.

[Cruisergal1208]

Click on this link for some great shots of HMC

http://community.webshots.com/album/408974717jKHbAe

Hope this works.

[savannahgirl1]

We love Half Moon Cay because of the beautiful, soft talcum powder sands. The color of the water is not to be believed unless seen. That blue is just amazing and its so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. We enjoy renting a private cabana to spend the day. The barbque lunch is very nice. You have a choice of burgers, hot dogs, ribs, salads, and deserts. Nothing beats sitting on the deck of the cabana looking at your ship off in the distance and letting the world fade away. ;)

[ekerr19]

The Grand Oasis is amazing. We will be there again for the third time in December, can't wait. :)

[AlohaPride]

Take a look at the "Private Islands" category. There you will find lots of comments and pictures.

I can't find that category. Where is it?

[Typhoon1]

Consistently listed as the best private island in Cruise and Travel publications.

[Typhoon1]

I can't find that category. Where is it?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=406

[Aunty Pat]

Here is a link to HAL’s sact sheet on Half Moon Cay
http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-destinations/HalfMoonCay_FactSheet.pdf (http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-destinations/HalfMoonCay_FactSheet.pdf)



Aunty Pat

HAL - Volendam ’99, Noordam ’06, Oosterdam ’07 & ‘09, Statendam ’02 & ‘08, Prinsendam ’03 & ’06, Westerdam ’09 & Zuiderdam ’04, ’06 & ‘07

[RevNeal]

Here are several links to my photos of the glorious Island!

http://www.revneal.org/hmc.html
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/panamacanal/PhotoAlbum37.html
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/westerdam05/PhotoAlbum68.html
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/westerdam05/PhotoAlbum69.html
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/volendam2007/PhotoAlbum226.html

[AlohaPride]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=406

Thanks!

[RevNeal]

Mary ... are you and Keaka building another angel? ;) :D
I get busy elsewhere for a month and look what happens ... the gates of heaven swing open and another angel falls out and into your tummy!!!!! :D

[sail7seas]

We really enjoy the barbeque at HMC. It is food we never allow ourselves at home so a treat. I love sitting at the picnic bench nibbling on ribs...... they taste sooo good to someone who only has them when on HAL. Love the salads and fruit and the delicious brownies and cookies for dessert.

The perfect lunch at the beach IMO

[AlohaPride]

Mary ... are you and Keaka building another angel? ;) :D
I get busy elsewhere for a month and look what happens ... the gates of heaven swing open and another angel falls out and into your tummy!!!!! :D

LOL, Yes I am! I looking forward to HMC with the Good Nuts because I'll be half way through "building" this new little one and I'll be DESPERATE for some R&R on an island I've heard so MUCH about!!

[more cruises]

Thank you all for your great info!! I looked at all the photos, including the adorable little Hannah.

From reading the posts on the Private Island board it seems like the cabanas are a big draw. Does anyone do excursions?

ekerr19, what do you like best about the Oasis? Do you go with a big group? Do you get massages or order anything special from your cooks?

Thanks again, everyone. If you think of anything else be sure to post. We have to fill 5 minutes. Yikes!!

[Pompein]

Our group in our cabana had every intention of going snorkeling and doing other things, but the water and beach were so mesmerizing and relaxing, that we did nothing!

[ekerr19]

ekerr19, what do you like best about the Oasis? Do you go with a big group? Do you get massages or order anything special from your cooks?



We've done it with people we just randomly met onboard and with a group from CC - both times it was awesome. I will say, we've never done the massages. We like the fact that we have all that space for our group, our own bartender, (drinks are included) and the lunch is BBQ'd right there next to the cabana. We have had mahi-mahi, burgers/hotdogs, chicken and ribs. We normally have a couple different salads - a pasta, potato, macaroni - and tons of fresh sliced fruit. Oh and Hans got us a big plate of cookies and brownies.

We also bring an iPod - they have a docking stereo for music - all snorkeling gear is included for you and your guests, changing rooms, bathrooms, a nice hot tub and misting fans. The slide goes right into the lagoon area and there is a shower on the slide landing.

We had a guest with mobility issues (at the time) and he was able to access the cabana easily, which was nice.

Hope this helps a little. :)

[sail7seas]

Sounds heavenly, Laura.

Is it available for our Eurodam cruise, do you know?

[ekerr19]

Sail,

I am waitlisted for it. I'll check again, but think it's still taken. You have to pay in full at the time you book it, so likely, it's something someone wants... drat.

We'll have to keep fingers crossed. :)

[Marie321]

And don't forget the butler service! If you get a cabana, you can also purchase butler service. We actually had a butler and a butler in training. They bring a wonderful meal--we had filet mignon, lobster sandwiches, fresh fruit, brownies and cookies, etc. They will bring you any kind of drink you want. We did the aqua trax excursion and they were a blast! Many people were horseback riding, sailing, or parasailing. This year we intend on going to see the stingrays. Several boys were feeding the fish corn on the cob. Here is a picture. Another couple made this really cool turtle in the sand. It was about 5 feet long!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2202326591_83359498ed.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2203004508_73bdccbcc9.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2203001174_514b473418.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/550455492_a95bf572fa.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/234/550452326_86505d9d29.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/249/550452588_fe0e808dc9.jpg?v=0

[seadrifter]

Marie - great pictures. Thanks for posting. We are hoping our day at HMC in Feb. will be as beautiful as yours was.

[Williebill]

Click on this link for some great shots of HMC

http://community.webshots.com/album/408974717jKHbAe

Hope this works.

Great Pictures!!

[Ziggy7]

Cabana #1 (Taupe) is accessible with a wheelchair. It has a paved walkway leading from the path behind directly into the cabana. They also have 2 sand wheelchairs, those you reserve once your on the ship, book cabanas as soon as they open up online in booking excursions, they go fast!

Here are link to tons of photos :)

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/310184391qmbGBl

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/408974717jKHbAe

http://travel.webshots.com/album/545430035SNnJOv

[geshaw30]

We did the horseback riding way up at the north end of the island. Breaks down like this- about 15 minutes riding in a large paddock while you and Mr Ed get used to each other. Then a group walk of about 20 mins around trails and up a few hills for nice views. Finally you get off for a bit while they change the riding saddles out to aqua saddles (basically just a pad with a cloth handle. Then you climb back on for a 10 min romp/swim through the surf and then deeper into about 6 feet of water. There is a certain amount of physical strength required while riding in the surf as the gallop places a small strain on both your one arm and your legs that are being dragged through the water. It was a good time and the instructors will help (a great deal I might add) those who have never ridden.

[lubyshell]

Does it make any difference which Cabana i try to book, traveling with DD4 and DS 17, march of 2010 ???

[Janewass]

I have to prepare a report (well, okay, a mock commercial) on Half Moon Cay for a travel class I'm taking. I would love it if you could share your information, pictures and stories as I have never been there.

What do you like about it? What is there to do, eat, etc? What really makes it special.

Thanks for all your help.

it is a beautiful island- plentiful beach chaises/clear water/delicious BBQ lunch/clean restrooms...many optional water activities offered....definitely a winner on a HAL cruise!

[Marie321]

You may want a cabana near restrooms with your 4 year old. Some cabanas are a ways down the beach and far from bathrooms. We have stayed in turquoise. It is near the bathrooms and the food. Below is what someone posted about locations

Here's a "color" order of the cabanas currently on the island, beginning nearest the tender dock: #1=TAUPE (Tan), #2=DARK BLUE, #3=The Famous TURQUOISE, #4=DARK PINK (Salmon) #5=LIGHT BLUE...WATER SPORTS AREA....#6=PURPLE, #7=PEACH (Sunflower Yellow) #8=PINK, #9=CREAM (White), #10=GREEN, #11=SKY BLUE, #12=YELLOW, #13=BROWN (Burnt Sienna), #14=RED, #15=DARK PURPLE.

The colors are a bit confusing as to what they are called, so when you order a cabana, you might want to refer to them by number (as they all have a number above their front openings) rather than by color. If pre-booking them on the HAL website, you might want to phone HAL first and talk to the Shore Excursion Office to find out what they call the color that corresponds to the number cabana you would like...that way you'll be able to place the correct on-line order.