Half Moon Cay

Beautiful island and beach. But be warned. There is no shade on the beach unless you buy what they call a "private rental." The cheapest is what they call a clamshell, which gives you shade and two lounge chairs. Waiters from the ship come around and will serve you drinks. Just charge it to your room. There are lots of free lounge chairs on the beach but they are in full sun. They serve a nice bbq lunch with lots of seating out of the sun.

If you do buy a clamshell get there early or you will end up a long way from the bbq, restrooms, bar, etc.

There are TREES for shade...you can find it, if you look!

If you walk down the beach there is plenty of shade in front of the cabanas.

Beautiful island and beach. But be warned. There is no shade on the beach unless you buy what they call a "private rental." The cheapest is what they call a clamshell, which gives you shade and two lounge chairs. Waiters from the ship come around and will serve you drinks. Just charge it to your room. There are lots of free lounge chairs on the beach but they are in full sun. They serve a nice bbq lunch with lots of seating out of the sun.

 

If you do buy a clamshell get there early or you will end up a long way from the bbq, restrooms, bar, etc.

Agree with you ... especially when wanting to be directly on the beach in a convenient location. ;)

LuLu

You must not have been looking very hard.

I'm a little confused about Half Moon Cay Island. Can anyone tell me what to expect. Is this an island owned by a Carnival & they provide lunch for free or do you have to pay for it??

A little reading on the many large HMC threads here would reveal this is a private island actually owned by Holland America, it is a wonderful beach day, and they have a BBQ buffet, which in included in your fare.

Hint: you are on the Private Island board.

A little reading on the many large HMC threads here would reveal this is a private island actually owned by Holland America, it is a wonderful beach day, and they have a BBQ buffet, which in included in your fare.

 

Hint: you are on the Private Island board.

Bruce never ceases to be a fountain of information.

A little reading on the many large HMC threads here would reveal this is a private island actually owned by Holland America, it is a wonderful beach day, and they have a BBQ buffet, which in included in your fare.

 

Hint: you are on the Private Island board.

@ Cruiserbruce

We are on HMC with the Eurodam.

It will be the BBQ-Buffet with all HAL-Ships on the Beach?

@ Cruiserbruce

We are on HMC with the Eurodam.

It will be the BBQ-Buffet with all HAL-Ships on the Beach?

Yes. Technically the buffet is not on the beach. It is in a large covered area behind the beach. There are many pics here on the large HMC threads.

@ Cruiserbruce

We are on HMC with the Eurodam.

It will be the BBQ-Buffet with all HAL-Ships on the Beach?

The BBQ is served from the Food Pavilion. There are several covered dining areas nearby, where you can have a seat and enjoy your meal.

I have a few questions about HMC. Just booked our cruise today, and almost all excursions are sold out for our day at HMC. We wanted a snorkeling excursion and were wondering if there are other excursion companies that operate there outside of the Cruise Line. Also, beach clam shells must be sold out as well, no option to rent. Same question, are there other companies offering them aside from Carnival? Cabanas are out of our budget. Very frustrated.

I have a few questions about HMC. Just booked our cruise today, and almost all excursions are sold out for our day at HMC. We wanted a snorkeling excursion and were wondering if there are other excursion companies that operate there outside of the Cruise Line. Also, beach clam shells must be sold out as well, no option to rent. Same question, are there other companies offering them aside from Carnival? Cabanas are out of our budget. Very frustrated.

I have a few questions about HMC. Just booked our cruise today, and almost all excursions are sold out for our day at HMC. We wanted a snorkeling excursion and were wondering if there are other excursion companies that operate there outside of the Cruise Line. Also, beach clam shells must be sold out as well, no option to rent. Same question, are there other companies offering them aside from Carnival? Cabanas are out of our budget. Very frustrated.

Which cruise line? Carnival doesn't rent the beach clam shells until you are on island.

Which cruise line? Carnival doesn't rent the beach clam shells until you are on island.

HAL does. I have one for March.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you walk past the last cabana there is a shady area with some hammocks.its really quiet down that end. At least until a large group of crew settled there smoking and playing loud music!

A little reading on the many large HMC threads here would reveal this is a private island actually owned by Holland America, it is a wonderful beach day, and they have a BBQ buffet, which in included in your fare.

 

Hint: you are on the Private Island board.

And Holland America is owned by the Carnival Corporation.

And Holland America is owned by the Carnival Corporation.

And Carnival Cruise Line is also owned by the Carnival Corporation. But HAL acquired and built the island prior to the merger into Carnival Corporation.

HAL gets first priority for use of HMC.