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Half Moon Cay HAL: private cabanas


Rafaella

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I am thinking of getting private cabana on Half Moon Cay with HAL cruise. Anyone can comment on this one? Is it worse $ 400, I really think it is going to be great. If you had it in the past, please, share with me.. Where there complimentary fruits, chips, water, fridge? Thank you. PS. Any tips are appreciated.:rolleyes:

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There have been threads recently with several people saying they will no longer rent them at this new price. (Last year they were $299) Some have said they didn't get into their cabana until 9:30 and were kicked out at 2:30, so that would mean you're paying $80 / hour.

 

see http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1620837

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I've been to HMC three times, had a cabana twice and the Grand Cabana once.

I think $400 is a lot of money for a few short hours, but if there are four of you it can be justified. Two people---expensive.

The first time we had the butler service, so we had everything our little hearts could desire, including an escort over to carry our things, all the water, soda, drinks, we could want. Lots of fruit, munchies, and a fabulous lunch served to us at the cabana.

The last time we just had the cabana, without the butler package. It really was just as nice. Again, we had water and soda, fruits and munchies. We had to go and get our own lunch. Somehow, we lived.

The cabanas have a shower, air conditioner, table and chairs to eat at, loungers, and a fridge. They are just a great place to call command central while spending a day at the beach.

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We rented a cabana last fall and loved every minute of it. We never felt rushed to leave and got there on the first tender. It was a slice of heaven. Very tasty snacks, plenty to drink, nice location close to the lunch building, bathrooms, and shops. It was absolutely wonderful and we would definitely do it again. One of our favorite days of the entire cruise.

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I really like the idea of spending some time on Half Moon cay, plus, having cabana will be so nice, not to rush to get the best "spot" on the beach, just relax, be able to seat on the chair, plus, HAL always serves luches on Half Moon Cay, as this is their private island. I love this idea, honestly, need to look on another forum thread for private cabanas see what people has to say..

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Is your roll call active? If there are others who are cabana inclined - perhaps you could get together and get the Grand Cabana. Much nicer and at $400 per couple it wouldn't take many to cover it:) Just a thought;)

 

The Grand Cabana is worth it:D

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In October of 2008 we paid $249. In April of 2012 we paid $299. Now HAL is asking $399.

Considering that nothing as changed - you still get the same cabana, the same few cans of soda / water, the same small serving of chips, dip & fruit , and the same old used swimming equipmet - a 60% increase in price seems unreasonable to us; in this period of low inflation. In our opinion, what you get for a few hours is not worth $400. We have decided against renting one on our March 2013 cruise. We think the $400 could be better used for another excursion or two at other ports. Just our opinion; but if you can afford it - go for it.

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I think it depends on the time of year you are sailing. I've been to HMC where it was incredible hot and we did not have a cabana. On one cruise we did meet some people onboard who invited us to stop by their cabana. We did that and found it was a real treat to get some cool air and out of the sun. We repaid their kindness by sending them a comp dinner at the Pinnacle Grill.

 

In November 2009 we were able to get a cabana of our own and it turned out it was a really nice day at HMC and not hot hot or humid. While we loved it I would have been fine without it that day.

 

The one thing that really irked me is the other people who parked them selves right at the bottom of our cabana steps. It really felt like they were encroaching on our space plus they were smokers.

 

If one is available you might want to grab it and continue to ponder if it's worth it. I'm pretty sure you can cancel and get your money back.

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The one thing that really irked me is the other people who parked them selves right at the bottom of our cabana steps. It really felt like they were encroaching on our space ...

This is the main thing that may prevent us from opting for a Cabana in the future. Our last time, the interlopers were so close to our steps that we actually had to step around them. We've also had a couple of people ask if they could use our shower. Yes, these things actually happened on a HAL cruise - and it is enough for me to wonder about the security of our things in the Cabana should we want to swim at the same time. And swimming alone is no fun at all. :(

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This is the main thing that may prevent us from opting for a Cabana in the future. Our last time, the interlopers were so close to our steps that we actually had to step around them. We've also had a couple of people ask if they could use our shower. Yes, these things actually happened on a HAL cruise - and it is enough for me to wonder about the security of our things in the Cabana should we want to swim at the same time. And swimming alone is no fun at all. :(

 

In 2009 I had great timing and had my pick of all the cabanas. I had heard about the iterlopers if you were near the beginning of the cabanas so I picked one near the end of the beach and still had this issue.

 

Also it was not like the beach was so crowded it was the only space available.

 

Given the amount of time on HMC I'm not sure it's worth the increased price.

 

We also opted to skip the butler since there was only 2 of us and there was no option to have the butler for less than 4 people. I think the butler should be a per person option.

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Another factor to consider is how crowded the beach will be on your visit. Check the itineraries of the other HAL ships in the Caribean while you are there, and see if any other ships will be at HMC that day. It is very common for two HAL ships to be there at once, which raises the value of an exclusive cabana considerably.

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We would never, ever pay $400. for a cabana. Frankly, we would not pay half that amount.

 

Keep in mind that we are not big fans of HMC. As beaches in the Caribbean go, it falls well down on our list. So much so that we either do not bother getting off the ship or we go back to the ship after an hour or so. DW calls it a beach for people who have never been to a great beach in the Caribbean.

 

Save you money for an excursion. Not sure where else you are going, but here are countless better, less crowed beaches at within easy range of a number popular cruise stops in the Caribbean.

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we've had one twice and enjoyed it. we split the cost with another couple. but with the recent $100 increase, the 4 of us have decided to pass in dec when we visit. just don't see the value at that price. relatively certain they will still sell out, but hey, we all make different decisions re how we spend our money

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we've had one twice and enjoyed it. we split the cost with another couple. but with the recent $100 increase, the 4 of us have decided to pass in dec when we visit. just don't see the value at that price. relatively certain they will still sell out, but hey, we all make different decisions re how we spend our money

 

Exactly:D

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We shared a cabana at Margaritaville Grand Turk with a couple who wouldn't let us pay anything towards it, so we picked up the lunch bill instead. It was lovely, I must admit, and the service was great - a wonderful day. But it seems to me it was a longer day than our stop at HMC, plus the cabana was just steps from the pool. So I think I would consider renting one there, but not at HMC.

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My thing is WHY someone would put their things right on the steps of your rented Cabana? this is much more than rude! I am not shy and will ask to please "park it over there.." this is beyond rude to me.. don't people get it, this is paid for and expected to be private without anyone seating on my head! And, no no to smokers, go somewhere else, again, rude and will not happen to me, I will speak up!

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We have rented a cabana all 6 times we have been to HMC. We always enjoyed, but always thought it was a little pricey for what you get. But, hey we are on vacation and we tend to shoot the lock off when we go on vacation. But $400 is really starting to push it. Previously, it was a no brainer, we got it. Right now, I'm reconsidering for my cruise in December. I'm just having a real hard time justifying $400 in my mind and thinking what I'd rather do with that $400.

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. I'm just having a real hard time justifying $400 in my mind and thinking what I'd rather do with that $400.

 

jaguar -exactly so. We split the cost w/ another couple but it is still $200 ea. Noting your tag line re the library, I think I'd get a lot more enjoyment out of spending that same $200 at my local book store upon my return, than on what is now for us, an overpriced lounge chair for maybe 5 hours.

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I am thinking of getting private cabana on Half Moon Cay with HAL cruise. Anyone can comment on this one? Is it worse $ 400, I really think it is going to be great. If you had it in the past, please, share with me.. Where there complimentary fruits, chips, water, fridge? Thank you. PS. Any tips are appreciated.:rolleyes:

 

No, it not "worse" (?worth) the money! ;) It is a waste of money for the few hours that you would be on HMC to use it! ;)

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It wouldn't be worth the price for us - we're not ones to spend a lot of time at the beach. If you have a group of 4 people and plan to spend the whole day then I can see paying the price - especially if you have someone who can't stay out in the sun a lot, etc.

 

We just parked ourselves in a hammock in the shade for a while before going to lunch and then walking around the area for a bit.

 

DSCF0232.jpg

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We paid $250 for the day the first time that we got a cabana. We were at HMC from 9 AM until 5 PM. For that price and duration, I would book it again.

 

Last year it was up to $299 and it was harder to justify. However, it was my husband's 40th birthday and although he likes being at the beach, he doesn't like being in the sun. We used our OBC for the cabana and spent the day relaxing with a few trips into the water. We arrived around 9 AM and were scheduled to depart at 3. By 1:30, the staff was coming around to remove any leftover food and drinks. Because the day was so short, it didn't feel like we got our money's worth that time.

 

I really don't think that I would book at cabana for $400, especially for only 4.5 hours. I also wouldn't book one if I planned to wander around HMC or do any excursions. It's nice to have a cabana to get out of the sun and have comfortable loungers, but the price is getting too high!

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