private island

[auntdana]

hi
on HAL private island do they have a tram car for transportation?

how long is the tender ride from the ship to the island?

are there alot of hammocks there

thanks

[Bettyboop66]

The island has a bus that can drive you to the different areas of the island. The tender ride is about 5 minutes, sorry I didn't notice how many hammocks there were. The island is beautiful you'll enjoy it.

[meterman2]

They do not have a "tram car", but they do have safari type vehicle that can take you to the end of the beach.

The tender time "ship to shore" is about 5 minutes. The tender(s) is very big (not the lifeboat type on the ship-they're based at Half Moon Cay). Everything is relatively accessible (not sure about your needs).

I don't recall seeing any hammocks, but they have ample "lounge chairs" on the beach. You can rent a "clam shell" to avoid the sun or a Cabana (which has many amenities).

Check out the excursion page for info on rentals and tours.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You can rent a clam shell for $14 which includes 2 lounge chairs. Take a book along to prop up the back to get air circulation.

[matondo]

We were on Half Moon Cay when there were two Vista Class ships there. My DD found a hammock beside the yellow cabana. There were several other hamocks on the island as well. They are under the trees behind the clamshells and not really visible from the beach. The farther down the beach you walk the less crowded and the better the chance of finding an unoccupied hammock. You are going to love HMC.

[sail7seas]

If there are two ships at HMC the same day, the smaller ship uses its tenders to ferry guests to shore and back to the ship. The larger ship uses the Henry Hudson and sister.

Funny that when we were just there on Maasdam, WE were the larger ship. :) That doesn't happen often with the "S" sisters. We shared the island with Prinsendam. It was glorious as between the two ships, there were not so many guests as to make things crowded. It was fun looking at those pretty two ships while sitting on the beach.

It was the first time we have seen Prinsendam and were happy to do so.

[eh2zed]

HMC rally is a slice of heaven

[peabody99]

I have been to HMC once before, but cannot seem to recall if there is decent shore snorkeling. Anyone know?

[Typhoon1]

It is an opportunity you will not forgot, be sure to take advantage of everything the island has to offer.

Once there, you'll wish you could stay forever.

[matondo]

Shore snorkeling is OK but having just done the ultimate snorkeling adventure in Grand Turk and the shore snorkeling at Brewer's Bay in Tortola earlier in the week it was really hard to compete.

The best place is by the big private cabana area.

[Sun-Sand-Palm-Trees]

Is Half Moon Cay really it's own island...or is it actually a beach on a populated Bahama's island? Just curious since the last time we left they mentioned Eleuthera (but I couldn't hear the whole announcement).

Thank you !

[peabody99]

^If I recall, HMC is its own island. It is in the bahamas, but only serves cruiseships. People do not live there. Since the snorkeling may not be that great, it could just be a beach day for me.

[sail7seas]

Yes, it is it's own island. I think it was formerly called Little San Salvador. The island of Eleuthra is nearby and provides the local workers who are lifeguards, caretakers on the island.

It is most definitely its own island and a very beautiful one.
It is very floral with fabulous plantings. In all the years HAL has used the island, they have continued to upgrade the facility while leaving the vast majority of it undisturbed as a bird sanctuary. We get a big kick out of the chickens/roosters who walk freely around and eat from the barbeque offerings that people drop on the ground.

I love the bouganvallia, the succulent plants, the purple passions......all the plantings and most especially the soft white sand and water the color of which I can never freeze into my mind. It is breathaking!

[Himself]

HMC is a great stop. It would be nice to spend a week just anchored off there and go over every morning. I made my first stop there in '98 and fell in love with then and I still love the place.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I went to HMC for the first time in early Nov. It is truly a little slice of heaven! I enjoyed it so much that I doubt I'll book another Caribbean cruise unless it stops there.

Dane

[GCurry]

I have been to HMC once before, but cannot seem to recall if there is decent shore snorkeling. Anyone know?
We were there on Dec. 10, their snorkeling area by the water park sucked. They've put some concrete domes with holes in them out in that area that shelter a few fish. There is no coral or the fish associated with coral.

It is a beautiful island for a beach day.

Later in the cruise I snorkeled the tugboat alone at Curacao, now that is what snorkeling should always be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0DQYKhp1tU&feature=related

[CuriousJ]

There's also a hammock next to the "Sky Blue" (a.k.a. light blue) cabana - it's between the cabana and the snorkel/equipment rental. You'll love HMC! I highly recommend renting a cabana while you are there. It is an extra $250 that will seem like a pittance while you are sitting there wasting the day away in paradise. You can also pay extra for personal butler service, but we didn't do that and still received amazing service from our "cabana boys" - the only time I ever had to leave that cabana was to go swimming or to the restroom. The cb's brought everything else we could have needed...drinks, lunch, etc. We did have snorkel equipment provided with the cabana but did not use it so I can't comment on the snorkeling.

Enjoy!

[bishop84]

Yes, it is it's own island. I think it was formerly called Little San Salvador. The island of Eleuthra is nearby and provides the local workers who are lifeguards, caretakers on the island.

^If I recall, HMC is its own island. It is in the bahamas, but only serves cruiseships. People do not live there.

The island is still Little San Salvador. Half Moon Cay is the name given by Holland America for the its, and the increasing number of other Carnival ships, calls to the island.

peabody99, technically the island is unpopulated but approximately 15-20 HMC staff actually stay on the island full time to look after the facilities including the horses.

[Cath66]

I absolutely LOVE HMC. I haven't actually done any of the excursions (except for renting a cabana). Lying on a beach bores me stupid....but for me, there's nothing better than lying on a floaty mat in the fabulous water at HMC. Last time we were there was actually quite windy and consequently very 'surfy'...had to work our butts off to get on the mats and then to stay off the beach..lol. Still had a fabulous time though! (transferring from tender to ship was something of an adventure that time round)