Anyone just back from HMC?

[CrabbyHarper]

Who has just been on HMC? How are the cabanas? How was the beach?

[Brandis]

I also would like to know. Have booked the pink cabana for Nov. 20.

Marc

[hdawson]

The beach is of incredible sand. Sooo fine and doesn't get hot to burn the feet. Very similar to Cancun. Cabanas are being repaired. They need float mats like RCL's at Labadee.

[CrazyforCruisin]

What is HMC?

[shipgirl56]

Was just there on 10/16/04. The beach looked good. Some of the vegetation is burned from the hurricanes. The cabanas were not available that day. I have never been there before, but there was only one cabana of each color up and they were completely empty. The clamshells were available. And I came face to face with a 5 foot bull shark while snorkeling. Thankfully, he wasn't hungry or I wouldn't be here to post this message today!

[localady]

Shipgirl56-

How was the water clarity while you were snorkeling?? Where there fish other than a huge shark :eek: in the area???? Thanks for your reply!:cool:

[DFD1]

HMC is Half Moon Cay, the private island day port for Holland America; located on Little San Salvadore island in the lower bahamas. It is a fovorite day srop of many HAL cruisers.

[BillandKateC]

WE were there last Friday and the cabanas are not open and some are still missing. The water was perfect and very good visibility with lots of fish. I took the snorkel by boat trip and had agreat time. Other than the cabanas the place was in great shape.

[shipgirl56]

The water clarity was clear and there were lots of fish.

[Esme]

Was just there on 10/16/04. The beach looked good. Some of the vegetation is burned from the hurricanes. The cabanas were not available that day. I have never been there before, but there was only one cabana of each color up and they were completely empty. The clamshells were available. And I came face to face with a 5 foot bull shark while snorkeling. Thankfully, he wasn't hungry or I wouldn't be here to post this message today!


They only have one of each colour in the cabanas. Guess it will take them a while to get them all repaired.
Where were you snorkelling at HMC that you came face to face with the shark? Oh, how scary!

[riverqueen]

Geez.......Hope they hurry on fixing those cabanas!! We've got the blue one booked for 11/13!!
I was thinking about giving snorkeling a try (it's been years) but after what Shipgirl said about the shark, hmmm. The little box of fish food I bought wouldn't quite do the job.

17 days to go!!

Nancy

[pinksand]

shipgirl56

A shark...wow! Cool! We will be there 11/27. Where is the best snorkeling? A specific area, or just go in anywhere?

Thanks
Deborah

[TT]

Does anyone know the water temps in December? We are doing a b2b Dec 5-19th and wonder is it to cold to swim in? Thanks

TT

[shipgirl56]

Facing the ocean - the left side has more fish. You can stand in the water and feed them - It was only one kind that came to feed. If you want to snorkel and see more fish - go over to the rocks on the left. We saw the shark at the end of the rocks where the launches bring you in. The morning we were snorkeling there was a very light rain, so no one was coming ashore. There were only about 10 of us on the island. Since no launches were coming, we swam just a few feet past the swim bouys at the end of the rocks - where the launches go down the channel - because there were hundreds of fish right there. That is where we saw the shark. It swam off down the channel towards the dock.

[merryecho]

For Pete's sake- how long can it take to repair a shed? If they don't have misters/electricity, I hope they will refund reservations.

[Nautical Wheeler]

For Pete's sake- how long can it take to repair a shed? If they don't have misters/electricity, I hope they will refund reservations.


My question exactly. I don't want my money back. I want my pink cabana. We were so looking forward to it. We are scheduled for Nov 1st.
Other posters have stated that the people have been working on the new amenities while they have been there. Why don't they fix the cabanas first as this is what the pax have an immediate use for. :confused: IMO they are losing a lot of revenue by not getting them up and running ASAP. Figure a minimum of $215 X 7 or 8 cabanas X 7 days a week not including the pax who pay extra for the butler. If laborers are there working on future projects I don't think it is a problem with getting help.
The only stop on our cruise that has not been affected or changed is Ocho Rios. Been there many times. Not the most pleasant place (especially to spend the day) :eek: :o

[KMiller]

If you want to snorkel on your own at HMC, can you rent equipment (snorkel, mask, fins, vest) from the ship? I hate taking up space in my suitcase with all of that if we can just rent what we need on board.

[TedC]

I bring my own snorkel and mask but I think you can rent at HMC, there's a sports facility, as I recall. If you take the ship snorkel excursiom I'm sure equipment is provided.

It appears that shark was headed to the buffet on the beach. Why settle for a snorkeler when he or she can have ribs, burgers and brownies!

[Ziggy7]

My question exactly. I don't want my money back. I want my pink cabana. We were so looking forward to it. We are scheduled for Nov 1st.
Other posters have stated that the people have been working on the new amenities while they have been there. Why don't they fix the cabanas first as this is what the pax have an immediate use for. :confused: IMO they are losing a lot of revenue by not getting them up and running ASAP. Figure a minimum of $215 X 7 or 8 cabanas X 7 days a week not including the pax who pay extra for the butler. If laborers are there working on future projects I don't think it is a problem with getting help.
The only stop on our cruise that has not been affected or changed is Ocho Rios. Been there many times. Not the most pleasant place (especially to spend the day) :eek: :o
Just a little FYI, they do not have ships there 7 days a week :) But I agree it shouldnt take that long, we were in the turquoise cabana last Aug. and they werent that technical of a shack, fan light, small fridge, and a/c were all that was needed for electricty. We also paid $219.00, did the price go down ???? :)

[ColoradoJuli]

If you are looking for the weather in a certain port go to cruise dot com. You can look up the ship you are on and then look at the ports. The information about the ports also includes information on what the weather is each month of the year. I have been to the Caribbean many times. Mostly December, January,and February. The water was perfect all months. So bring your swimsuit and jump right in!

[Nautical Wheeler]

Just a little FYI, they do not have ships there 7 days a week :) But I agree it shouldnt take that long, we were in the turquoise cabana last Aug. and they werent that technical of a shack, fan light, small fridge, and a/c were all that was needed for electricty. We also paid $219.00, did the price go down ???? :)
Unfortunately, that was a typo.:o Price is still $219. Even if they aren't there every day they are still losing a lot of $$$$. I wonder if they don't have A/C, water, etc if they will rent them at a reduced rate. It would still be a good source of shade and they could offer the snorkel gear, water mats, soda's in a cooler. I'm hoping for the best. :)

[Ziggy7]

Unfortunately, that was a typo.:o Price is still $219. Even if they aren't there every day they are still losing a lot of $$$$. I wonder if they don't have A/C, water, etc if they will rent them at a reduced rate. It would still be a good source of shade and they could offer the snorkel gear, water mats, soda's in a cooler. I'm hoping for the best. :)Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you :) Have a great time! :)

[Himself]

If you go to Rev. Neal's thread on his pictures, he has some of Half Moon Cay. He also comments on some reactions to his pictures. Well worth a read. He was there a week or two ago.
Himself

[sheephugs]

Coloradojudy, thanks for the weather info! Where do you all get fish food?

[sheephugs]

Sorry, I see it's Coloradojuli:o

[airlink diva]

I just returned from the Oosterdam (10/31-11/7). Our first stop HMC :) !!

1. Only 5 of the 9 cabana were ready. Because of this HAL issued the good ones by the date of purchace. If you are not one of the lucky ones, you still get a good deal. Your $219 is transfered to a shipboard credit, you will receive a clamshell (which I enjoyed!!), two floating mats, and a card for unlimited water, soft drinks, and rum punch.
2. There is some visable damage (fewer greenery on the trees) and some repair work. But otherwise, it's in good condition.
3. The water was very blue, very clear, cold at first (but it was a slight wind that day). The water was so clear, that even when you where standing in knee deep, you could see fish swimming about.
4. There were two ships in HMC that day, but the beach didn't seem to reflect that two ships with over 3,000 people were there.
5. A mini water playground for kids was in the works.
6. Horseback riding was just added.
7. The food was o.k. at the buffet (just stay on the beach and enjoy your free drinks!!)
8. Later in the cruise, the captain mentioned that they are going to add a stingray experience on HMC.
10. Had a tug of war and volleyball contest between the two ships (I forgot who won).
11. If you want to mail a post card from HMC, bring change or small bills ($1's or $5's). The post office only takes cash.
12. All the stores, bars, hairbraiding, etc, use your ship card.
Like alot of other people, HAL should have HMC as an extended visit. I was upset about not having my cabana, but had a great time with the clamshell. If I go again with HAL would I purchace a cabana?? I might, but I enjoyed the clamshell for a smaller price!! To me, it was a perfect day!!!

[Brandis]

Oh, good! While I booked my cabana (pink) only about 2 month ago, at that time, all of them were still shown as available. Even when I regularly checked back, mine was the only one taken.

Probably has to do that Prinsendam is the smallest ship in the fleet and maybe we are the only ship there that day, 11/19 I think...

Leaving in just a couple of hours for Lissabon.... Yipee! :-)

Marc

[spcl4cs_gal]

I just returned from the Oosterdam (10/31-11/7). Our first stop HMC :) !!

6. Horseback riding was just added.




The horseback riding is already up and running? I know it is listed in the general HAL shore excursions list but I am still unable to book it through the online form. I'm lost.

[airlink diva]

Since it's so new, you have to book it on board. But if you don't want to wait at the desk (I guess it depend on what ship) on the Oosterdam, you could use a self service koisk to purchace this item.

[Candy]

Lt. Blue and Green cabanas are still being repaired.
Beach Massages have been cancelled due to lack of A/C (imagine that)
WaveRunners are awesome!
Hard sand perfect... soft sand has softball-sized chunks of coral
Vegetation coming back nicely.

I wanna go back!

Who has just been on HMC? How are the cabanas? How was the beach?