Renting Half Moon Cay Cabana?

We want to rent a Cabana on Half Moon Cay and wondered how the process works. My husband has some health issues and the cabana would make things MUCH easier. Should we try to be early on the ship, so we can be sure to get one? Do these sell out quick in January? ANY and all answers are appreciated!

We want to rent a Cabana on Half Moon Cay and wondered how the process works. My husband has some health issues and the cabana would make things MUCH easier. Should we try to be early on the ship, so we can be sure to get one? Do these sell out quick in January? ANY and all answers are appreciated!

Get to the Port Early. I have been able to get a cabana by being in Zone 1 both times. When you board, go straight to the excursions desk and get in line.

Or, better yet, go to the excursions desk in the lobby before you board - you have to have your sail and sign card in your hand, but we did that last cruise and it took all the stress away - plus I didn't have to haunt the shore excursions desk before it opened - I got to book my cabana, pick my number, and then all I had to do was call the excursion desk once I got onboard to pick my beverages and tell the the sizes of our swim fins. :D

Make sure you go to the excursion desk right away. We love Cabana 9 the beige one. It is close to the bathroom and close to the stop to be transported back to the buffet and main part of island. It is far enough away from all the commotion that no one will try to "share" your cabana space. My husband has mobility problems and this was perfect for him. Have a great time!

Or, better yet, go to the excursions desk in the lobby before you board - you have to have your sail and sign card in your hand, but we did that last cruise and it took all the stress away - plus I didn't have to haunt the shore excursions desk before it opened - I got to book my cabana, pick my number, and then all I had to do was call the excursion desk once I got onboard to pick my beverages and tell the the sizes of our swim fins. :D

Is this in the cruise terminal? I've never seen an excursion desk there. I've had to wait at the excursion desk onboard for a cabana. What a great idea!!

The cabana is WELL worth it!!! I loved ours.

We want to rent a Cabana on Half Moon Cay and wondered how the process works. My husband has some health issues and the cabana would make things MUCH easier. Should we try to be early on the ship, so we can be sure to get one? Do these sell out quick in January? ANY and all answers are appreciated!

Not sure about the shore excursions desk in the terminal.....(I know they don't have one in Jacksonville)

We always get to the port early enough to be in the first zone or two and then head straight for the shore excursion desk when you board.

Both times we have sailed the Fascination, the desk was already open before boarding began.

We were in line within 15-20 minutes of the beginning of boarding and both times, half the cabanas (15 total) were booked by the time we finished booking ours.

Best of luck to you. Definitely worth the $225 for the day....

Bill

Of course I think this is soooo worth it.

This is my favorite port. I actually look for ships going here....

I don't understand why more Carnival ships don't stop here.

This is the view I crave:

Some of this we put in, but most is included.

We always get to the port early enough to be in the first zone or two and then head straight for the shore excursion desk when you board.

Both times we have sailed the Fascination, the desk was already open before boarding began.

l

Just curious but what time do you normally get to the port?

Great answers!! Another Q or 2...

Get to the Port Early. I have been able to get a cabana by being in Zone 1 both times. When you board, go straight to the excursions desk and get in line.

How early can we get in line for the Zone 1 (and what is zone 1?)

Or, better yet, go to the excursions desk in the lobby before you board - you have to have your sail and sign card in your hand, but we did that last cruise and it took all the stress away - plus I didn't have to haunt the shore excursions desk before it opened - I got to book my cabana, pick my number, and then all I had to do was call the excursion desk once I got onboard to pick my beverages and tell the the sizes of our swim fins. :D

We will be at Miami Port. Where is that excursion desk located?[quote=gusandgidgetsmom;26593983]Make sure you go to the excursion desk right away. We love Cabana 9 the beige one. It is close to the bathroom and close to the stop to be transported back to the buffet and main part of island. It is far enough away from all the commotion that no one will try to "share" your cabana space. My husband has mobility problems and this was perfect for him. Have a great time!

My daughter was wondering which cabana would be away from the crowds!

Winnipegcruiser, excellent photos!

When you board you are giving a card with a Zone number on it. Then they call numbers for boarding. I usually get there around 10:30 to get in line. Make sure they give you a zone card, sometimes they forget with the early boarders. On the Legend they thought I was with the wedding party and I had to go over and get one.

I have had cabana 7 and 11. I would definitely go with one above 10. Number 15 looked really nice and away from the crowds.

Just off the Liberty this am. We had cabana on HMC that we booked at the excursion desk at Port of Miami. We didn't get to the port until 11am and we were in zone 17. We checked in at the kiosks and then had a seat for our longleaky to board. That is when I saw the excursion desk and walked right up. Asked if they had any cabanas left and they did. I got #5 and loved it. The shore excursion desk in the terminal is a trial thing per the person there. I loved it!!! There were people up on the ship waiting in the long lines and I walked right up to get what I wanted.....you just have to know to look for it. I found it by accident. FYI....we boarded much quicker than I thought we would. Loved our cruise.....the best one yet!!!

The shore excursions desk is in the Miami port - it's between the two lines where you get your sail and sign cards and has a teeny tiny sign and one guy sitting there - it's really easy to miss. I noticed it last time and asked the guy if I could book my cabana there - he said 'no problem, which one do you want? They are all available." JACKPOT! We got cabana number 3 because we thought it would be nice to be closer to the action this time - next time I'm going back down the line to number 6, 7, or 8.

Aside from the beautiful views, we had everything from people trying to come and see what was in the fridge to people wanting to use our shower, and then, most annoying of all, a large group of people who pretended not to speak English (although they were speaking it very clearly to the bar waiter when asking him questions) tried to grab the clamshells and set them up right in front of our stairs - thankfully the 'beach patrol' shut them down - they found someone on staff who spoke whatever language it was the group was speaking and told them in no uncertain terms that you had to pay for the clamshells - which led one of the ladies to complain loudly that she had "paid enough for the damn cruise to be able to do anything she wanted anyplace she wanted to do it!"

Thankfully, they left before too long (it rained, lol) and we were back to our peaceful view of the ship floating on a crystal blue sea - ahhhh, bliss!

How many people can you have in your cabana? We have 6 in our group(2 adults, 4 kids), would we have to get two? Thanks

We had six people in our cabana, you are charged for the 2 extra but it is worth it. We moved three extra loungers into cabana and we had plenty of room. You get drinks and fresh fruit and cut up fruit and dip, veggies and dip, tortilla chips and salsa and then Carnival has a huge buffet for you too. You will also get snorkle equipment for all of you and rafts too. Sometimes you have to watch out for other passengers trying to take your equipment though. The Cabanas are so worth it and we had #5 which was close to bathrooms, bar and just everything. We got to the port around 10:00 and we were in zone 1, went straight to shore excursions and they had plenty of cabanas left to choose from. You also get to tender over early since you have a cabana booked. Have a great time, Half Moon Cay is truely paradise and worth spending time on.

You should RUN don't walk to the excursion desk as soon as you board! They WILL book quickly! Good luck! They are great and well worth the money! Enjoy!

We have had cabanas 5 and 11. I liked 5 because it was closer to the food and we could hear the music from the band, but we did have a problem with people wanting to use our shower, despite the sign on the porch rail that said "Private Cabana." We didn't have that problem with 11, but it is a further trip down the beach.

I have had Cabana 14 before, the red and white one! It is far enough away from the crowd that no one should bother you! It is a bit of a hike to the washrooms and bar-b-q area, but the shuttle bus does come around quite regularly. If it is peaceful retreat you are seeking, this could be the Cabana for you! Enjoy ... Half Moon Cay could very easily become your new "Happy Place"!

We had cabana 12, which was a perfect distance from the noise. It was later in the day when people came down our way. They took the chairs I had set up right at the steps. . Oh well.. a minor thing!

I LOVE Half Moon Cay!

can't you book them before the cruise starts?

on our HAL cruise last year, which stopped at HMC, we had the option on our online HAL account to add that. (we rented a clamshell in advance instead)

can't you book them before the cruise starts?

 

on our HAL cruise last year, which stopped at HMC, we had the option on our online HAL account to add that. (we rented a clamshell in advance instead)

CCL doesn't allow you to book them ahead of time.

You need to do this to ensure you get the cabana you want.

1. Leave for the port by 10am. You will be checked in and waiting, but waiting is OK. Boarding in Miami starts at around 11:15am. If you are in Zone #1 that is excellent!!!!!

2. Get in line right away to shore excursions to book the cabana.

Cabanas

Cabana #2 and #3 are very close to food and the restrooms. Cabanas #7-9 are also close to the food and have a restroom so close you can walk there in around a minute or two. There are stairs to go up to the restrooms, so possible mobility issues for some.

All excursions before 11am (9am arrival) meet in a lounge and are escorted off the ship onto the first tender to the island. At the island you will be offered a ride to the cabanas, or you can walk along the beach (I usually go via the "I Wish" bar, but there is a pat that leads to the beach right from the welcome center as well. The I Wish bar is a short walk past the Rum Runners bar past the Bahamian church (on the left) and sport center (on the right) and then you take a left to the I wish Bar and down the stairs to walk the amazing beach to the cabanas......

Food and drinks should be there and you will NOT need your towels, they will give you up to four towels and you just leave then there when you leave. The food will not be in the fridge, you have to put it there yourself.

The water is amazing and the sand in the water is so soft on the feet. You can go out a fair distance and still be only waist or chest deep. I went all the way to the edge of the swimming area and it is deep.. *BG*....alas, riding the waves in fun......be warned, you'll burn crisp in the hot sun...

Have Fun!!!

You need to do this to ensure you get the cabana you want.

 

1. Leave for the port by 10am. You will be checked in and waiting, but waiting is OK. Boarding in Miami starts at around 11:15am. If you are in Zone #1 that is excellent!!!!!

 

2. Get in line right away to shore excursions to book the cabana.

 

Cabanas

 

Cabana #2 and #3 are very close to food and the restrooms. Cabanas #7-9 are also close to the food and have a restroom so close you can walk there in around a minute or two. There are stairs to go up to the restrooms, so possible mobility issues for some.

 

All excursions before 11am (9am arrival) meet in a lounge and are escorted off the ship onto the first tender to the island. At the island you will be offered a ride to the cabanas, or you can walk along the beach (I usually go via the "I Wish" bar, but there is a pat that leads to the beach right from the welcome center as well. The I Wish bar is a short walk past the Rum Runners bar past the Bahamian church (on the left) and sport center (on the right) and then you take a left to the I wish Bar and down the stairs to walk the amazing beach to the cabanas......

 

Food and drinks should be there and you will NOT need your towels, they will give you up to four towels and you just leave then there when you leave. The food will not be in the fridge, you have to put it there yourself.

 

The water is amazing and the sand in the water is so soft on the feet. You can go out a fair distance and still be only waist or chest deep. I went all the way to the edge of the swimming area and it is deep.. *BG*....alas, riding the waves in fun......be warned, you'll burn crisp in the hot sun...

 

Have Fun!!!

They were saying there is a new excursion desk in the Port of Miami. It's small and between zones. You can book the Cabana there. The exursion desk we've seen every time onboard opens at 1:30. I was first in line when we went. (Unless it opens earlier now)

Cabana 12 wasn't very far from the bathrooms. Seemed like it was very close. The food was a bit of a walk, but they brought a big tray of finger foods to us, too.

You're "supposed" to only have 4........ cough. They don't have cabana people counters. There's 4 in our family, so not a problem. (I did see several people at the cabana next to ours.. )

Just off the Liberty this am. We had cabana on HMC that we booked at the excursion desk at Port of Miami. We didn't get to the port until 11am and we were in zone 17. We checked in at the kiosks and then had a seat for our longleaky to board. That is when I saw the excursion desk and walked right up. Asked if they had any cabanas left and they did. I got #5 and loved it. The shore excursion desk in the terminal is a trial thing per the person there. I loved it!!! There were people up on the ship waiting in the long lines and I walked right up to get what I wanted.....you just have to know to look for it. I found it by accident. FYI....we boarded much quicker than I thought we would. Loved our cruise.....the best one yet!!!

OMG this is wonderful news:D:D

I will be looking for it in April:D

I have been stressing about getting on board early to book one.

I will still get to the port early:)

OMG this is wonderful news:D:D

I will be looking for it in April:D

I have been stressing about getting on board early to book one.

I will still get to the port early:)

ME TOO! We're staying at a hotel next to the Miami port so we can get there bright and early. ThankYou to everyone for the great answers.

While I do think thats it a great benefit to have a SE desk in the port I dont see the fairness in it that folks that have arrived earlier are standing in line on the ship while another person is in the port terminal renting them out before you because they got a later zone number. especially for cabana rentals, things that go fast.

If you want a cabana so bad you should get your selves to the port early and stand in line like the rest.

I may at some point use this benefit on a future cruise I am stating both sides of the coin is all. I am not complaining about it all dont get me wrong.

Can you tell me what time this desk in open? is it open for folks that do have zone 1 and have to wait as well. can they go over there and reserve.

what time does the desk open on the ship? do they monitor sales from the terminal to the ship.

I know i would hate to be in line on the ship up front and told that they are sold out and wondering to myself how is that possible?

again I am not complaining or griping im only looking at it from both angles