Peach Cabana

[E91]

I used your advice before seeing it. I waitlisted all Cabanas for our cruise and just snagged the "Peach" Cabana last week. Can anyone tell me exactly where this particular Cabana is located and give me the low down on the advantages of the Butler Package. It seems as if the Cabana attendent will do everything we need (sans paying for drinks). Can someone please point out exactly what the Butler does for you. I'm getting mixed signals. Mind you it will be just the two of us in the Cabana. Thanks again.

[fann1sh]

Here's the link to the cabana map - http://www.elite.net/~thehalls/cabana.html

[E91]

It appears that the Cabana is full luxury and a Butler is not needed. Thanks for the link. Look forward to some input regards the Butler which appears to cost more than the Cabana.

 

Here's the link to the cabana map - http://www.elite.net/~thehalls/cabana.html

[caribbeanchickie]

We were just at HMC last week and they have added more Cabanas. My fellow CC roll call member had a cabana and butler. She LOVED it.

 

We just had a clamshell and that was perfect enough for us. I think the money spent on that could be used for something else. Maybe a spa treatment? Drinks? SHOPPING?

 

Just so you know, the peach cabana is smack in the middle of the beach. ( very busy ) I might have a picture on my webshots page if you wanna look.

 

Have a good cruise!!!

[watchdiva]

DH and I had the Peach cabana and LOVED the location - well far down from where the tenders come in and very peaceful. The day we were at HMC there were 2 ships - Westerdam and (I think) Zaandam maybe and we never felt the beach area was too busy.

 

Butler will meet you at your cabin to assist you with getting to HMC, handles getting all bar drinks (frozen daiquiris, etc), gets lunch from a specialty menu that you have chosen before arrival at the island (the filet mignon was killer!) and stays with the cabana if you want to walk, swim, etc so no worries about leaving your things unattended.

 

I would do this again in a heartbeat - this was our second time in a cabana but first with butler package and to us, it was worth every last penny. I don't drink alcohol and DH only drinks an occasional "froo froo" drink while cruising and the cocktail with dinner so the "open bar" wasn't the draw for us; the incredible food and the overall sense of "ahhhhhh" from this experience will last us a very long time. There's no way to describe sitting in your cabana gazing out over the water, with a white linen cloth on the table, being served filet mignon, fabulous desserts, etc., and sitting in your bathing suit to boot!

[twinkletoes4445]

Watchdiva...

 

That's exactly why we have the butler package! It's going to be so much fun.

 

We really didn't want to have to leave the cabana to go and get lunch (there are only two of us-and I didn't want to have to lug all our things to the buffet). There was a time when the cabana guy would go and get the lunch (from the buffet), but it seems those days are over. And everything else provided in the "butler package" was just another reason for us to book it. I love to be pampered...and then it will be back to the real world! :)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Watchdiva...

 

That's exactly why we have the butler package! It's going to be so much fun.

 

We really didn't want to have to leave the cabana to go and get lunch (there are only two of us-and I didn't want to have to lug all our things to the buffet). There was a time when the cabana guy would go and get the lunch (from the buffet), but it seems those days are over. And everything else provided in the "butler package" was just another reason for us to book it. I love to be pampered...and then it will be back to the real world! :)

 

Twinkletoes, I have a question for you, if you don't mind. I would call HAL services on my own, but they are closed for the weekend. Do ALL the cabanas have access to the butler service? I seem to recall reading here that only the cabanas that are more easily accessible are the ones where you can get the butler upgrade. We have booked the yellow cabana for our cruise. It's located at the further end of the beach. Although I think we'll be content with just the cabana (and it's a pretty nice package), if we wanted to upgrade to the butler service, could we?

 

Thanks for any help,:) and sorry if this question has already been addressed elsewhere.

 

Karin

[twinkletoes4445]

Twinkletoes, I have a question for you, if you don't mind. I would call HAL services on my own, but they are closed for the weekend. Do ALL the cabanas have access to the butler service? I seem to recall reading here that only the cabanas that are more easily accessible are the ones where you can get the butler upgrade. We have booked the yellow cabana for our cruise. It's located at the further end of the beach. Although I think we'll be content with just the cabana (and it's a pretty nice package), if we wanted to upgrade to the butler service, could we?

 

Thanks for any help,:) and sorry if this question has already been addressed elsewhere.

 

Karin

 

That's a good question. I do recall reading here that the cabana's at the far end didn't offer the butler service, but I just don't know. Maybe that dates back to the time when the cabana guys fetched the food from the BBQ (they don't do that anymore). If I had to guess, I would think that they would offer the butler to all the cabanas (since they are so popular). But I could be wrong.

 

The cabana is a nice package in itself. If you want to upgrade to a butler, I would imagine you could do it while you are on your cruise...as long as you did it a day or so in advance.

[watchdiva]

You absolutely can book butler service the day you embark - we had been wait-listed for a cabana and it was only upon entering our suite that we found out we had snagged the Peach cabana! We hurried down to ShoreEx desk and booked the butler package right on the spot. We could have had the concierge do it but there were a few other pax waiting for assistance so we did it ourselves.

 

WOO HOO - you're gonna luv it.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thanks for the info, Twinkletoes and WatchDiva! If we find we are unable to cope with the hardship of schlepping ourselves and our stuff all the way across the beach to the yellow cabana, poor us, let alone having to fend for ourselves at lunch time:rolleyes: , then I might check into the butler upgrade package.:)

 

Karin

 

ps in re-reading my post to you, I do think I sound a little sarcastic, and that wasn't my intent. (I should never try to cook and follow CC at the same time)! I think the butler package is wonderful. I hope you have a wonderful time on HMC!

[twinkletoes4445]

LOL...Karen, you didn't sound a bit sarcastic to me! I know what you meant. Either with the butler package, or without, the cabana is a nice treat. I hope you have a wonderful time! :)

 

We're celebrating my 50th on this cruise...so it's "The Year of Me." :)

[debjo]

I'm that "Cabana/Butler" CCer that purr30 referred to! And "twinkletoes"...I was celebrating my 50th on our 10/15 cruise...Happy Future 5-OH Birthday To You!

 

Let me just say that our HMC experience was the best we've ever had on any cruiseline private island...much of that has to do with the Cabana & Butler. We were sharing the cabana with my cousin & her husband...so there were four of us...a nice number for the size of the cabana. Both couples were celebrating a "special" event, so we had reason to splurge and spend the extra bucks!

 

We ordered the cabana on-line when they first were available for bookings. We didn't "order" the Butler Upgrade until after we'd boarded the ship...that way our "expenses" for the cabana/butler were spread out. The cabana was paid for ahead of time and the butler charge was added to my onboard account. I was told by the Shore Excursion desk on the ship that the entire Butler fee would have to be on my onboard account as the entire Cabana fee was charged to my credit card before the cruise. My cousin had paid me directly for her share of the cabana before the cruise. I wished we could have split the Butler fee between our two onboard accounts, but that wasn't possible, as I was told. So my cousin will have to pay me back now that we're home.

 

Upon arrival to our cabin after we boarded the WESTERDAM, there was a bright pink envelope on our coffee table that contained our Shore Excursion Tickets and a yellow Priority Tender ticket. Since HAL didn't know that my cousins would be sharing the cabana with us, I went to the Shore Excursion Desk and shared that with them, also requesting another yellow Priority Tender ticket for them. My cousin and her husband didn't plan any "excursions" for HMC other than the Cabana. My DH and I had prebooked an early Horse Back Riding excursion at HMC. The time of that "ride" got changed from 9:45 am (as was booked on-line) to 9:15 (as appeared on our excursion tickets), I was concerned that DH and I wouldn't be able to "enjoy" all of the advantages of having the Butler Upgrade. I inquired of the Shore Excursion desk and the Concierge in Neptune Lounge (yes, we had a suite). Both departments told me that my husband and I would have to meet up with the Horseback Riding Excursion group on the ship and get a tender boat to HMC with them...we wouldn't be able to be escorted by the Butler from our cabins to the tenderboat and then to our HMC Cabana. This presented a problem because I had a bunch of "stuff" to take to the Cabana and wanted to stop by there before we went on our riding excursion. I was told that I'd have to give that "stuff" to my cousins, who could have the Butler cart over to the island/cabana. My husband and I wouldn't be able to go to our cabana until after our Horseback Riding Excursion. It didn't seem that we'd have any other option! Guess I wouldn't be needing that yellow Priority Tender ticket, so I gave it to my cousins and explained the dilemma and the fact that they'd have to handle my bag of "stuff".

 

I had done an immense amount of research on these boards before even ordering the cabana, and knew that we would be getting the Butler Upgrade based on that research. When I learned that we'd be sharing the Private Island with another one of HAL's ships, I knew that having the Cabana and Butler would make our time on the island that much more enjoyable because of the number of passengers the island would have to accommodate. I also was looking forward to ALL that the Butler would do to make our island time heavenly!

 

The day before our arrival at HMC, we received a "form" and a menu paper with the selections for our butler served luncheon in the cabana. The "form" asked for soda selections, shoe sizes for swim fins, etc. for the things that the cabana was to be "stocked" with. The three course meal appetizer was "given", as was the dessert. We just had to make a choice between three different entrees. Each one of us chose Filet Mignon. Each cabin received a telephone call from the Pinnacle Grill later that day requesting our choices. We were also told that the Butler would arrive at our cabins between 8:00 & 8:30 the next morning. I had thought that we were supposed to have a "personal" visit, before arriving at HMC, from the Butler or someone from the Pinnacle to make sure that all Cabana/Butler arrangements were made and in place. I guess that the phone call we received was fulfilling the "requirement".

 

The day of HMC arrived and we were thrilled that the weather had cooperated...we'd be able to tender to that slice of paradise that HAL owned! (I had feared the disappointment I'd feel if the WESTERDAM didn't stop at Half Moon Cay, but had Plan B to fall back on...indulging in the Spa!)

 

The Butler, "Made", arrived at 8:15 am and seemed unaware of the fact that I'd been told I couldn't go with him...that I had to go with the regular Horseback Riding Excursion people. I explained the situation to him and shared what I'd been told. He excused himself and returned within ten minutes. He said that he'd be taking ALL of us on an early tender at 8:30 am. (Now, Shore Excursions had told me that the first tenders wouldn't be leaving the ship until 9:00 am and that it could take 25 minutes before docking at HMC!) So, I gathered my "stuff" bag back from my cousins (fortunately we had adjacent cabins) and handed it to "Made" and off we happily marched down to the tender. He grabbed four towels from the gangway and got us situated on one of the "new" tender boats...one of the double deckers! WE WERE HAPPY!

 

I should note here, that I had read on these boards that some have had the Cabana Butler show up at their cabin on HMC morning with chocolate covered strawberries and they had a little pre-HMC party. At the time of our "escort", I was thrilled to be part of it (rather than having to tender over to HMC with the Horseback Riding Excursion People) and I didn't "think" about the chocolate covered strawberries! It was just another one of those little things that went overlooked.

 

When we "landed" at HMC, "Made" escorted us directly to the Shore Excursion hut inside the Fort. He told them that we'd be going to directly to the Cabana and he'd have the shuttle wait while I got my "stuff" settled so my husband and I could take it back to the area where we'd meet up with the rest of the people on our Horseback Riding Excursion. The gals at the HMC Excursion hut said that the 8:00am ride hadn't yet left and asked if I want to take this earlier ride rather than wait the extra time for my 9:15am one? I said it depended on what time I got back to the excursion departure point. As things would have it, we did manage to go to our cabana and drop our "stuff" off, grab some initial "sighting" pictures, get back on the shuttle and return to the excursion departure point to join up with the 8:00 am horseback riding people. The time was closer to 9:00 am. I don't know why the 8:00am ride was detained???

 

My cousins would have the first moments of the cabana and our butler, "Made" to themselves while my husband and I enjoyed our ride on the beach, into the island, and then into the water with the horses. It was a phenomenal excursion...everything I had hoped and dreamed it would be. Being a horse owner myself, I was pleased to see that the HMC horses were in terrific shape and in good weight...unlike the horses at Grand Turk. The only complaint I had about our ride was that it didn't last long enough...I could have stayed two more hours!

 

We took the shuttle from the riding area (far down the island & too far to walk back to our cabana) back to the Fort. We asked if we could be dropped off at our cabana and were happily accommodated. The day was already getting quite hot.

 

Back in our piece of HMC real estate, the air-conditioner & ceiling fan took the edge off from the heat. The tortilla chips & dips were laid out on the table & my cousins were already enjoying cabana life! My cousin said that my sister had arrived and had her clam shell set up just to the left of our cabana porch. He also said that some irritable lady came along and tried to encroach upon my sister's clam shell while she had gone exploring. The irritable lady insisted that they have a receipt to prove that was my sister's clam shell...even though my sister's "stuff" was already in there. Fortunately, for my sister, our cousin was there to "guard" her clam shell. And we had "Made" to guard our cabana! Guess it gets a little barbaric when two ships are at HMC and the island is overrun with passengers.

 

Before it got too hot, I decided to walk the beach and take pictures of ALL the cabanas. I was surprised to see "colors" that I didn't expect, and soon realized that there are 15 cabanas...not 10 or 11! All of the cabana have numbers on the front, and some of the colors are quite subjective and easily confused with other color names.

 

Back to enjoy cabana life, the table was set for lunch and another "butler" named "Dey" had brought a half melon covered with fruit skewers. Fruit at it's peak of ripeness...heaven in your mouth! Apparently "Made" had gone to the ship to pick up our pre-ordered luncheon from the Pinnacle Grill. It seemed that the first few cabana hours were filled with the joys of eating. I had seen pictures of lovely white linen cloth table settings for the Butlered Cabanas complete with stemware & flowers during my internet research. While we had china, flatware, and napkins from the ship's dining room, we didn't have all the crystal stemware or a table cloth...just the plain glass top table. I thought that our butler might "set" the table fully when we ate lunch and didn't think about it again.

 

Time marched on all too quickly...I waded in the water a bit and talked with my sister at her clamshell. "Made" returned with lunch and I got my picture taken with the two of them. It was a good thing because we didn't see "Dey" again that day. The first course of Lobster Sandwiches was more than four people could eat...especially when two of us don't care for Lobster! DH and I just drank in the blue sky, turquoise water, and the two ships anchored off the island while my cousins indulged in their lobster cravings! Soon "Made" brought out the chilled tomato soup. (Note: There is a refrigerator behind one of the cupboard doors on the back wall of the cabana.) The cool soup tasted good in all the heat.

 

We had a couple "visitors" to our cabana...although none of them were the white suited members of the executive staff as I had seen in some other photos that Cruise Critic members had previously posted. Our "visitors" were welcomed, as I had read about them and "seen" pictures of them on these message boards...the first one was the little lizard that seems to run all over the island. We shared a piece of tomato with him, but after the first bite, he wasn't interested anymore. A piece of tortilla chip didn't satisfy either. We affectionately named it "Lizzy". After our main course of Filet Mignon arrived and was thoroughly enjoyed, I decided to share a little bit with "Lizzy". Well, we finally found something "Lizzy" liked...he/she grabbed it and it was too big for its mouth! We watched for several minutes while he/she moved to another part of the decking (out of our way) to figure out how to eat this morsel. Eventually, Lizzy swallowed the entire piece of meat and then left. I don't think Lizzy would be hungry for the rest of the day! A little while later we were visted by one of the islands black birds that landed on our porch rail. By that time, we only had tortilla chips left, and shared what we had. After all, HMC is more their island than anyone elses!

 

I asked "Made" for some non-alcoholic cocktails from the bar. He said he'd come back with some surprises for us. With the Butler Upgrade ALL beverages from the bars are included free of charge. Since none of us drink alcholic beverages, this "perk" didn't interest us much, but I thought it would be cute if we indulged in the "virgin" cocktails. "Made" returned with paper cups filled with a fruit drink and garnished with small skewered fruit. Not quite what I expected, but still thirst quenching and delicious...it was the paper cups that surprised me. For our final course...the dessert course, "Made" brought four plates of the most mouth watering chocolate layer cake I've every eaten. I'm a chocoholic and I've drooled over many chocolate confections, but this cake was the best I've ever eaten. The only thing that could have made it better was a nice tall cold glass of milk!

 

Our third course cake was followed by another cake that I had ordered to celebrate my cousin's delayed honeymoon...this cruise. Fortunately it wasn't another chocolate cake...nor was it very big. It was a light yellow cake with chocolate frosting...very much like the birthday cake we'd enjoyed in the Pinnacle Grill earlier in the cruise. We shared the "Honeymoon" cake with my sister too. (I had feared that if my sister spent too much time with us in the cabana that we might find a "surprise" charge on our onboard account at the end of the cruise. When we ordered the Butler Upgrade onboard, I explained the "celebrations" we were having in the Cabana and that my sister didn't want to be an interloper and was getting a clamshell, but we wanted her to be able to come up into the cabana for the "Honeymoon" cake part of the day. The Shore Excursion attendant said that there wouldn't be any problem...so I put that worry aside.)

 

The next "surprise" our butler bestowed upon us was half of a watermelon carved out and filled with bit-sized pieces of fresh fruit. By this time we were fully engorged. At this point, I needed to "work off" some food and fled down to the beach and water. No hard swimming...just enough getting wet to cool off again. It was then that I realized we never got our table set up in the fancy way I'd seen pictured on the internet...but it wasn't going to spoil our day...just another one of my "observations".

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent in sheer cabana and HMC joy. I unpacked my CD player & speakers so we could listen to the CD that I compiled of boat/ship/sailing/island songs while we partied on. (Note there aren't any electrical outlets in the cabana even though there is a refrigerator, air conditioner, and ceiling fan...they are all hard-wired in...so bring your batteries!) I relaxed briefly in the "misted" lounge chairs on our deck and took full advantage of having the fresh water shower to wash the sand and salt water off. My cousin and I played with the blue float mats. I realized that we didn't get the snorkel equipment that we'd requested on that form we filled out, so I asked "Made" about it and he promptly went to the Water Sports area and collected it for us. I love swimming with swim fins and made several laps out to the buoys and back. We encourage "Made" to join us in the water as it was a very hot day. He declined at first, but then decided "what the heck" and joined in our fun.

 

The cabana was also stocked with towels...I don't know if this was a coincidence, but they were the same color as our cabana. So, "Made" actually didn't have to carry towels for us from the gangway of the ship!

 

"Made" busied himself with clearing away all our "food" stuffs and several times an ATV came down the beach to "collect" cabana belongings. I thought this was a bit odd as the afternoon was still young. I had read that the Cabana people could spend the last possible moments on HMC and catch the last tender back to the ship...that time being 4:30 pm. It was around 3:00 pm when "Made" said that we'd have to wrap things up and catch a tender soon. I questioned his "information" and he went to check, returning with the news that we were good for another hour.

 

About 4:00 pm the shuttles came by to pick us up at the cabana. Relunctantly we boarded bidding adieu to our cabana. "Made" carted all our "stuff" onto the tender boat for us and escorted us back to our cabins when we boarded the WESTERDAM. Our day in paradise was altogether too short...we could have stayed forever!

 

Our cabana & butler experience was well worth the money...especially in lieu of our combined celebrations. Apart from the misinformation, lack of chocolate covered strawberries, visits from the ships executive staff, linen covered cabana table, sending "Made" for our snorkel equipment, and the earlier than expected time to leave the cabana, my long awaited dream of paradise was fulfilled. Sunshine, blue skies, azure seas, powder soft sand, good food, some creature comforts, and an attentive smiling butler...life doesn't get much better!

 

I wish there had been more time to explore the islands facilities. We had wanted to do some island shopping and visit the little chapel...guess that will have to wait until the next visit. As usual, we weren't able to fit it all in...but we sure did try!

 

Hope this information helps the original poster out. By the way, I believe that the "Peach" cabana is number 7, but it seemed an odd shade of yellow rather than peach in the bright sunlight when we were there.

 

Debjo (missing the HMC slice of heaven)

[twinkletoes4445]

And "twinkletoes"...I was celebrating my 50th on our 10/15 cruise...Happy Future 5-OH Birthday To You!

 

Why, thank you!

 

And thank you for the very detailed description of what went on prior to and during your cabana experience.

 

I've saved so many of your posts...and they will all be so helpful (when we are on our cruise, and visit HMC). You have asked so many wonderful questions, and now given us all a detailed description of the time you spent on HMC...Thanks so much!!! :)

 

I am sooooo excited! :)

[debjo]

For twinkletoes...

You are very welcome...I really like your adopted motto "The Year Of Me"! It is good to celebrate turning 50 and you deserve to be pampered on your cruise because of it!

 

I borrowed an idea from Ziggy...and will pass it on to you for your photo memories...I found a stick on HMC and went to the waters edge where the sand was wipes smooth as a slate...there I carved a "Deb's Big 5-OH' and also commemorated my cousin's delayed honeymoon by putting their names in a heart. Eventually the water washed my sand slate clean, but not before I had captured my graffitti on film! So be sure to make YOUR MARK on the beaches of HMC when you are there as a symbolic and celebratory milestone!

 

Debjo

[twinkletoes4445]

I borrowed an idea from Ziggy...and will pass it on to you for your photo memories...I found a stick on HMC and went to the waters edge where the sand was wipes smooth as a slate...there I carved a "Deb's Big 5-OH' and also commemorated my cousin's delayed honeymoon by putting their names in a heart. Eventually the water washed my sand slate clean, but not before I had captured my graffitti on film! So be sure to make YOUR MARK on the beaches of HMC when you are there as a symbolic and celebratory milestone!

 

Debjo

 

What a cute idea with the heart. We'll have to do that when we are there (we're also celebrating our wedding anniversary). :)

[mmbgmb]

Hi,

I've been reading info on the cabanas and I hope you can clear up my confusion :confused: What is the total cost for a cabana - with and without a butler??? On the HAL website, I understand that to rent a cabana is about $220 for 4 people - then there is the butler upgrade which lists a price of $270. Is this in addition to the $220 or is it just an extra $50? :confused:

 

How soon do you have to let them know you want a cabana? We're going in March 2007 :)

 

Thanks!

[caribbeanchickie]

From my understanding the butler fee $270 is EXTRA.

 

My suggestion is if you really want a Cabana, book ASAP. Keep checking the website for when they open up or better yet, call HAL and see when they will be ready for booking.

Remember they book FAST!!!

 

 

Michelle

[mmbgmb]

Yikes! That's lotsa moola! :eek:

Thanks for the info - I'll call HAL today..

 

Mary

[caribbeanchickie]

It sure is!!

Remember that includes all your food and drinks, alcohol included.

Personally, We dont' eat or drink enough to justify spending that much.

Unless you get 4 people and all split the costs. To me it's still too much!!! IMO!!

 

We just rented a clamshell and found that to be enough. Grant it though, I spent 3/4 of the day in the water. :D If we went back I would go this route again.

 

Michelle

[mmbgmb]

We'll definitely have 4 people so we can split the basic cost, but none of us drink or eat that much either to justify getting the butler! I'll just have my hubby wait on me - he's pretty cheap :D

 

mary

[caribbeanchickie]

We'll definitely have 4 people so we can split the basic cost, but none of us drink or eat that much either to justify getting the butler! I'll just have my hubby wait on me - he's pretty cheap :D

 

mary

 

My personal cabana Boy ( DH) did a fantastic job. Will use his services again in a heartbeat. :p

[torpeedo]

Just out of curiosity, what does the butler do when not serving etc? Does he stand inside the cabana or outside or something? I think I would be uncomfortable with somebody standing there all day..:confused:

[caribbeanchickie]

Just out of curiosity, what does the butler do when not serving etc? Does he stand inside the cabana or outside or something? I think I would be uncomfortable with somebody standing there all day..:confused:

 

Read DEBJO's response. Just Scroll down. She did a fine job at describing it all.

[torpeedo]

I did and it was the first really detailed description of what the butler package was all about. It sounds like the butler is in the cabana all day?? Or standing outside the cabana?

[torpeedo]

Double post, sorry!