HMC and Cabanas- Status and locations as of 6/6/04

I know this topic has been just about talked to death , but we were at Half Moon Cay last week and I made sure to get ALL the cabana info I could for our CC buddies.

 

As of right now, there are 8 cabanas. The current price is $219 per cabana for 4 persons, each additional person is $45.

 

The following is straight from the HMC Shore Excursions flyer we got onboard:

 

"Each cabana comes with a fridge, A/c & rotating fan, shower, shaded seating area with table & chairs for 4 and a private sun terrace with deck chairs for 2. The fridge will be stocked with 6 soft drinks and 4 bottles of water. You will also receive snacks (fruit, nacho chips, vegetables & dip). Your Cabana Package also includes snorkel gear and floating mats and you will receive priority tender tickets so you will not have to wait to come ashore!"

 

Also available along with the Cabana rental is an Unlimited Beverage Package- includes domestic beers, sodas, & rum punch. The price is $29.90 for 2 guests. For each additional guest add $14.95.

 

(The same Unlimited Beverage Package is also available without a Cabana, for $19.95 per person.)

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

The locations of the cabanas, starting with the closest to the ship, is as follows:

 

Tan

Blue (canvas sides)

Turquoise

Orange

Light Blue (under construction)

Purple (canvas sides)

Pink

Green

Yellow

 

The Tan, Blue and Turquoise cabanas are the most convenient to the bathrooms. None of the cabanas are very remote, so getting to the food and bathroom areas wouldn't be much of a hike from any of them.

 

We had booked the Pink cabana. The evening before HMC, we received a note that there were electrical problems in the Pink Cabana, and we were reassigned to Turquoise. Both locations were fine, and I wouldn't hesitate to book any of them based on location.

 

The cabanas are now attended by staff from the ship's bars. Just a note: the Bar staff does NOT share in the $10 per day auto gratuity. Their gratuity is made up entirely of the 15% autotip added to bar tabs. Our helpers on this day were very attentive, always making sure I had plenty of Rum Runners and that there was nothing we needed. They made runs to the bar, the watersports shacks, and offered to bring lunch to us.

 

I have photos of all of the cabanas, I'll try to get them posted.

 

If anyone has any questions about the cabanas or Half Moon Cay, I'll see if I might have the answer here in my stack of papers!

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

TexKat We have booked the purple cabana for a day on HMC next Nov. How do 'canvas sides' affect the desirability of a cabana - should we switch??? Thanks for your help!

Here's a panorama of the beach and cabanas, beginning with yellow on the "far" end of the beach:

 

 

Yellow:

 

Green:

 

Pink:

 

Purple:

 

Light Blue:

 

Orange:

 

Turquoise:

 

Blue and Tan:

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RDMOREU:

TexKat We have booked the purple cabana for a day on HMC next Nov. How do 'canvas sides' affect the desirability of a cabana - should we switch??? Thanks for your help!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

I don't think the canvas vs. wood sides will make any difference in the comfort or the space you have in your cabana. We were in the Blue canvas one last year, and a wooden one this year- and thoroughly enjoyed both!

 

You can see what you think after looking at the photos, but I expect you'll be happy either way.

 

Also- we were told that plans are to have 12 cabanas in place by next summer, so the colors and locations are subject to change!

Wow!

Thanks for the great post. You gave the exact information I needed.

Dee

 

Till the Maasdam

Till the Oosterdam

Thanks so much for taking the time and having the talent to post such a comprehensive report on the cabanas!!!!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

7/04 Ryndam Alaska B2B

12/04 Rotterdam Panama Canal

7/05 Prinsendam Baltic

 

RCCL x2(1999), Volendam (2000), Millinneum (2000), Veendam (2001), Disney (2001), Statendam (2003), Amsterdam (2003)

 

We were in the blue one last November and it came stocked with 3 beers pp. I quess this is another cruise line cutback.

 

Fantasy 08/92

Grand Princess 09/01

Destiny 05/02

Grand Princess 09/02

Carnival Legend 09/03

HAL Zuiderdam 11/03

Caribbean Princess 09/04

Yes, there have been several changes since last year... both bad and good.

 

The prices have gone up considerably, with beer being an add-on now. But there are more cabanas now, and they are available to anyone (rather than only suite pax.)

 

We have found the cabanas a really fun thing that makes the day on HMC extremely enjoyable. My fair skin could not take a whole day out in the Bahamian sun, and the cool shade of the cabana allows me to really enjoy the entire day. Sipping rum runners and eating chips and guacamole for breakfast in my lounge chair with a fabulous view of that clear water is my idea of paradise.

Texkat.....

 

 

Fabulous job. No one has come even close to what you have done for us. There cannot possibly be any more questions as to which color, where, what do they look like....

 

Take a Bow.

 

You "done" good!!!

 

<img src=http://domania.us/DaveEdwards/HALlogo.gif>

 

 

 

 

Thanks so very much for the kind words... you're making me blush!

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

Since the changes made where and when can you book the cabanas?

 

Fantasy 08/92

Grand Princess 09/01

Destiny 05/02

Grand Princess 09/02

Carnival Legend 09/03

HAL Zuiderdam 11/03

Caribbean Princess 09/04

Before your sailing date, you can book the cabanas through Ship's Services, by calling 800 541-1576. You will need your booking number and a credit card.

 

Once onboard, you can book the cabanas through the Shore Excursions desk.

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

Texkat,

 

Thank you so much for posting such wonderful pictures of the cabanas. I now know exactly where we should be, and DH should be nice and close to everything.

Thanks so much for this post, we have the green cabana on our July 24th sailing on the Zuiderdam. The one thing that concerns me now is that we paid a lot to have a Butler and I am not sure what he will do for us now....I think I may have to call HAL to get all the details

 

THANKS for this post, it helps us see where we are and got me excited for our cabana.

I see that they have a beverage package for $19.95 per person. Are any refreshments, either food or drink, available without charge? Or do you pay for all food and drink on HMC?

 

Thanks

 

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America

4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration

10/30/2004 - Maasdam

 

Till sailing on the Maasdam

A Barbeque lunch is served at HMC, at no additional charge.

 

I don't recall the entire menu, but there were various salads, burgers, chicken, hotdogs, chips, cookies, cake, fruit, and some beverages (iced tea, maybe a fruit drink and water???) available for free.

 

Beer, sodas, bottled water, and bar drinks were available, but charged to your ship card.

 

Basically, the things that would be free onboard are also free on the island.

texkat

 

We cannot thank you enough for your informative post and pictures of HMC. We have been there several times, but this time our TA reserved us "The Yellow" cabana. She did this back in May at $179.00.

before the price increase.

 

My Ed has had extensive back surgery, so I am now concerned that as private as it may be it would not be possible for him to make that long walk. I remember rides available near the shops.

 

Do you, or any of our CC members know if they will provide rides to the cabana?

 

If not, I may need to get busy getting something closer (The Tan one?)!!!

 

Changing might mean extra charge as well?

 

We are so looking forward to this trip that I want it to be perfect.

 

Thanks again,

Ginny & Ed

(Anyone wanting to e-mail may do so at gintib@aol.com, including Cruise Critic in the subject.)

 

Cast off the bowlines!

ROTTERDAM, PANAMA CANAL, 11/12/04

<BR>

 

14 days in the Caribean - VEENDAM 11/26/05<BR>

Yes, the do provide transportation. Inquire at the first watersports hut after you arrive, and they will call the transportation for you.

texkat,

 

thanks for the info. Really looking forward to the relaxing day at the beach (assuming that the seas are not too rough).

 

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America

4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration

10/30/2004 - Maasdam

 

Till sailing on the Maasdam

Hi ~ Your pictures are great, thank you so much. It really helps to see where all the cabanas are. You don't have a closer picture of the Tan cabana, do you?

 

Thanks again!

 

Ruth and Joe

 

 

__ /7__X__/7________

\::::::::::::::::::::::::/ Holland America - Zuiderdam 7/24/04

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

NCL Dawn - 7/27/03 (Honeymoon)

Sorry... looks like a good photo of the Tan cabana is the one I missed.

 

However, it is identical to the other wooden cabanas in every respect except color.

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

Texkat:

 

In your opinion, do you think that the Tan cabana is too close to the front? I don't care about too far from things, just curious if this one is too close

 

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

Ruth and Joe

 

 

__ /7__X__/7________

\::::::::::::::::::::::::/ Holland America - Zuiderdam 7/24/04

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

NCL Dawn - 7/27/03 (Honeymoon)

Hmmm... I think it just depends on what you're looking for! Because it's beside a big chunk of open beach, there might be a bit more people traffic around the Tan Cabana than the others. But you'll have fewer steps to take to get to it from the ship.

 

If maximum quiet was what I was looking for, I'd go for the far end (toward the Yellow Cabana). If maximum convenience to the bathrooms, food, etc. is paramount, I'd probably choose Tan/Blue/Turquoise.

 

I don't think you'll find a bad location in the lot, and I would not hesitate to reserve any of them based on location, including Tan.

 

Zuiderdam, June 5

Joedog,

 

I do not think there is much material difference in beach traffic -- you'll enjoy the tan.

 

Then again, my travels entailed: ship to turquoise cabana, cabana to water, cabana to bathroom, cabana to bbq, and cabana to ship. Ah, love Half Moon!