Any HMC reports yet??

[mattR]

Anyone hear any reports as to what type of shape HMC is in? Zudierdam was there today I think??

[Ziggy7]

they are not back yet sail7seas is there today hopefully!

[mattR]

Oh well if S7S is there I'm sure we will get a very good reply ASAP:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Zuiderdam was the first cruise ship to visit HMC just this past Friday.

sail7seas doesn't fly home until Sunday or Monday.

[RevNeal]

They told us in the Shore Excursions talk update this morning that the Zuiderdam was there, took some pictures (which they also showed us). The beach is intact. Much of the vegetation has been stripped off the island ... trees are without leaves, etc. The cabanas survived, but they don't have power hence they're not open. We'll be stopping at HMC .... it just won't be as pretty as it was before the hurricane. :( And it will take a few years to recover, I'm sure).

[MandyGirl]

Thanks for the update Revneal!

[gliles]

I guess that could be why all the cabanas show waitilisted for our cruise on the 24th. The HAL person told me they are all booked.

[merryecho]

I still show confirmed booking on a cabana for our Nov 2 cruise- hope they get the power on by then. When I booked it, the website first said the cabana was available, then when I clicked on purchase, it said I was on standby. I cancelled that purchase and tried a different cabana- this time it said confirmed. Even so, it wouldn't let me separate my DH from me, so somehow he is listed as having purchased the cabana and I am listed as being waitlisted to purchase it. Not that that will be a problem, but it is very confusing.

[akeka]

We have two cabanas booked for next Saturday and they haven't yet told us of any problems with them. We'll see!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks revneal for the update.

Can't believe they actually showed you what the island looks like after the hurricanes. Good for HAL.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If the cabanas survived the hurricanes, then if HAL really pushed it, they could get the electric fixed in them as well.

After all, they need electric to service the bars!

[chimera]

Revneal-

It might not take as long as you think to bring HMC back to where it was. In a past life we sailed Royal Caribbean a few times. On one we purchased a coffee table book about the history of RCI (then RCCL.) In the chapter about Labadee, their private port in Haiti- and one of the prettiest ports I have ever seen- it was noted that, when purchased, the beach was almost bare of vegetation and that every last palm tree was shipped in and placed according to a landscape plan. If they can do it, so can HAL.

[cruisen4fun]

We were at Half Moon Cay yesterday...
None of the cabanas were useable...
They have been working on them and it looks as if a couple may be ready soon... However, it also looked like it may be a while until they are all repaired...
This was our first trip there, so we aren't sure how it looked before...
I thought the beach... sand and water were one of the most beautiful I have ever seen... The vegetation along the whole shore was brown... We received a letter explaining that the salt water does this to the plants and they would eventually come back... We did notice some new green growth coming out...

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Rev and Crusin,
I have been sitting here waiting to hear about HMC, we were there last Aug and did our renewl of vows there so its offically OUR private special island, as I'm sure its many others as well :) So Sorry to hear about the greenery, it was very green and in full bloom when we were there, I hope Hal replaces some of it instead of waiting for it to fix its self :)
A little help never hurts :)

[Jean&Gene]

We were on the 10/02 sailing of the Zuiderdam. HMC does have brown vegetation. Some of the bushes had already been trimmed and were showing new growth. The dining pavillion was intact, as was the little chapel. The workers were there working on some of the new attractions. The sand on the beach was fluffy and soft.

I have pictures, and as soon as I get them uploaded to my computer and figure out how to post them, I will.

The water was still a bit cloudy, but the fish were returning and nature will work things out. It is still a beautiful paradise and I can't wait to return.

It may take a little while, but nature will return the island to it's former beauty.

[Ziggy7]

We were on the 10/02 sailing of the Zuiderdam. HMC does have brown vegetation. Some of the bushes had already been trimmed and were showing new growth. The dining pavillion was intact, as was the little chapel. The workers were there working on some of the new attractions. The sand on the beach was fluffy and soft.

I have pictures, and as soon as I get them uploaded to my computer and figure out how to post them, I will.

The water was still a bit cloudy, but the fish were returning and nature will work things out. It is still a beautiful paradise and I can't wait to return.

It may take a little while, but nature will return the island to it's former beauty.
Thank you :)

[Sage]

Thank you for the reports on HMC. We have a cabana for the December 6th sailing, and we are hoping it is ready. Even without the cabana though, it should be a great time, and we are looking forward to our beach day. Thanks again for the report.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Jean & Gene

Thanks for the report on HMC.