Cabana Squatters

[Anung Un Rama]

From what I've been reading on other threads, they no longer let you choose which cabana you get, they assign them now. We want to choose our own also, #'s 10-15 sound great.....

 

 

Again, we seem to be getting conflicting reports. I wonder if you can choose when your ship is the only one there that day but not other days as the cabanas could be booked for the other cruise line/ship. That's the only reasonable explanation I can think of as to why some people are able to choose once on board and others aren't.

[norcal2]

I have never rented a cabana, but is the shower in front or on the side? When in use, how does it interfere with your enjoyment of the beach? I guess I'm wondering, if a stranger used the shower, why does that make so many of you angry, to the point of wanting to charge? I guess I'm of the ilk that if it isn't hundreds of folks and they aren't impeding my enjoyment, why not? It's already paid for, so why be selfish?

 

The cabanas are a confined and intimate space and the shower DNA splashes so it would be very uncomfortable particularly if you are on the lounger or have food out or paid for the cabana for privacy. With that said, everyone on the Island is a fellow cruise member so it isn't like they would try to steal a loaf of bread or they suddenly turn into beggers or cabana pirates. I think some non-cabana folks make the mistake of thinking that shower is part of the Island facilities, particularly in the cabana's that are located near the crowds. But it is very easy to direct people who made an honest mistake to where the public shower is.

 

Lets face it, the cabanas are not too expensive for 4 people so it is not like gold is being protected so it really is no big deal to help a fellow passenger who may not know the rules. I rented the yellow cabana and no one tried to take a shower there but I am sure it can happen.

 

The biggest problem is not having enough cabanas so you have to rent them early. The shower is in the front entrance on the short walled "porch" of the intimate setting so it is part of the mini-deck.

[Raven Days]

We didnt have so much trouble as annoyance. We rented Cabana Number 10 (the green one - I think) and this family kept putting their lounge chairs up next to the steps (someone else mentioned the same thing) and one of us would have to ask them to move, but then they would put them right back when we would walk out to the beach. Of course they tried the whole "We Dont Speak English" thing, but unfortantuely for them my friend speaks Spanish so they stopped the whole "We dont understand you" and eventually moved away. It had gotten to the point that one of us had to stay in the Cabana at all times just to make sure they didnt poach anything. But they never actually came up the steps or used anything like the showers or such...just planted their lounge chairs at the base of the steps. Just a bit annoying is all.

[DEBnGAB]

I'm almost convinced that this thread was started by someone who wanted the demand for HMC Cabanas lowered just a bit. ;):D

 

ALMOST being the operative word ;)

 

But no, not at all. I had been hearing about the stories and wanted to really know if it was happening. Definitely not to deter people from booking! lol!

[carnival or bust]

I haven't been to HMC but I recently rented a cabana at Grand Turks cruise center and loved it! The cabanas are fully enclosed and air conditioned, plus they have a door that locks so we felt fine leaving valuables there. There was a small porch with 2 lounge chairs on it for our use, and plenty of lounge chairs available for our use (as well as non-cabana folks) all around the pool area, some in shade, some in full sun. There were comfortable chairs and couches inside the cabana and a large coffee table, we enjoyed lunch from Margaritaville in there to take a break from the sun. The rental included the services of a waiter and he kept us well supplied in drinks and lunch for the 6 hours we were there. It was an easy walk to the beach, and there were plenty of lounge chairs there also.

 

The price was less that $130 and that included the tip for the "cabana boy" although we did tip him extra. In my opinion, it was a great value and worked wonderfully for us , we will do it again!

[CynLovesCrusing]

Just throwing out my experience.

 

We (four women) went over on one of the first tenders and were escorted directly to our lovely cabana and settled in nicely. We had heard about 'intruders' so we felt lucky when we scored one a little further down the beach. For the most part, aside from some jealous glances, :D we were left alone.....UNTIL....

 

There was one family that were laying on the beach relatively close to where we were. Not by any means intrusive, but close enough that they were aware that we were the only ones using the cabana. Additionally, they were in the same spot nearly the entire afternoon so they didn't just happen to walk by and think the area was public.

 

Fast forward to later in the day, yours truly was taking a well deserved (haha) cat nap in the lounger, only to be awaked by a loud banging noise. When I -startled- jumped up I noticed one of the men in our private shower banging his sandy sandals against the wood railing. I MAY have been a little loud and nasty when I yelled 'HEY HEY HEY, STOP THAT, THIS IS A PRIVATE CABANA!!!". I then noticed that his whole family was watching him. I don't know if it was in reaction to my yelling or they were just watching to see if we were too intimidated to say anything. He then just gave me a dirty look and walked off.

 

While I realize that I didn't have to be quite so nasty, do NOT wake me up by banging your shoes on my railing, where you were not supposed to be anyway. It was quite funny right afterwards when the other women in my group were cracking up laughing. Not a single one of them said anything -one said "I wasn't saying anything to that big man"- but I assure you, wake this bear up and you're lucky if all you get is yelled at.

 

I firmly believe that he did this just to see if he could get away with it and if he did, the whole family would have followed.

 

I may be little, but I can be quite mean when someone interfers with my napping, lol.

[ardnassac79]

Fast forward to later in the day, yours truly was taking a well deserved (haha) cat nap in the lounger, only to be awaked by a loud banging noise. When I -startled- jumped up I noticed one of the men in our private shower banging his sandy sandals against the wood railing. I MAY have been a little loud and nasty when I yelled 'HEY HEY HEY, STOP THAT, THIS IS A PRIVATE CABANA!!!".

 

Hilarious! I have a feeling I may have done the same thing! :o

 

I'm worried I'll end up doing it to some people, and then I'll keep seeing them again for the rest of the cruise! You know there are always those few people that you keep seeing over and over!

[Ellanora]

My only trip to HMC was on the Triumph a few years ago. My parents and my son were with me, we rented Cabana #2. We loved it, of course. The first two groups that stopped and wanted to "wash their feet" we let go ahead, because my mother is a lot nicer than I am. :p The third, fourth, and fifth group, however, were nicely told no, and directed to the public showers.

 

What really got to us, though, was the lady who moved her chair smack up against the side of the railing (despite there being TONS of chairs and beach space up and down the beach) then asked us to turn off the mister fan on our deck because the blowback from it was getting her wet!! Since we were actively using it (it was a lovely sunny day, quite warm) I politely told her no. She proceeded to flag down a Carnival staff member and complain, and he told her that we had paid for the cabana and he could not tell us to turn off the fan. So she finally moved her chair. :D

[salty dingo]

You know, this whole issue could be solved by the staff just placing some bamboo sticks at the corners of the private area, and tying some twine between the sticks. That would be a signal even an idiot could not miss... this is private.

 

As it is, just enjoy the experience of telling people that you shelled out serious money (beyond the cruise fare) for this space and they should not take what you paid for. I would have no problem saying that!

[CynLovesCrusing]

She proceeded to flag down a Carnival staff member and complain, and he told her that we had paid for the cabana and he could not tell us to turn off the fan. So she finally moved her chair. :D

 

 

People never cease to amaze me. Sigh

[reno3]

I really think I will make a sign for my cabana in April

 

Reserved for the "SMITH" Family!

 

or

 

Reserved for PRIVATE party!

[oldrailfan]

You know, this whole issue could be solved by the staff just placing some bamboo sticks at the corners of the private area, and tying some twine between the sticks. That would be a signal even an idiot could not miss... this is private.

I've already mentioned the surveying tape in this thread, now you're giving me some ideas how to use it... (and my high-visibility signs, also)

As it is, just enjoy the experience of telling people that you shelled out serious money (beyond the cruise fare) for this space and they should not take what you paid for. I would have no problem saying that!

I agree, but I don't think my verbage would be that polite! ;)

[oldrailfan]

I really think I will make a sign for my cabana in April

 

Reserved for the "SMITH" Family!

 

or

 

Reserved for PRIVATE party!

 

How about "If you don't know if you rented this cabana... YOU DIDN'T!!!

[Anung Un Rama]

This thread is damaging my calm. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to HMC and our private cabana. No more talk of stupid people ruining my paradise.

[norcal2]

This thread is damaging my calm. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to HMC and our private cabana. No more talk of stupid people ruining my paradise.

 

You shouldn't worry at all. Just go there and have fun. We didn't have one person try to take a shower but if we did we would have graciously told them where the public shower was and explained it to them. I did not see anyone go up to any of the cabana's around ours either. As far as those who said someone camps out next to the cabana, that is a reality. We had that as well with 2 girls. Not an issue as the only part you rent is the cabana so the beach is for everyone. You can't make them move as they are just on the public beach and most may just be wanting shade. You can't really see them in most cases so it is not a big issue unless a situation happens. We spent the entire day in the cabana and never saw one rude person. Everyone on the beach is also from your ship. Don't let the stories make you worry as those cabanas are worth experiencing and for 4 people at about $50 per person it is a very reasonable "tour" of a wonderful beach. I promise you that you will find this stop to be one of your favorites so give into the fact that you are going to hug yourself for being so smart you got a cabana.

 

Hope that helped. :D

[The4Cruisers]

Speaking on behalf of non-cabana renter's... I think many people are like me who couldn't give a rat's behind about the cabana's and we have absolutely no interest in visiting your (or anyone's) rental. :D

 

There are showers, food, drinks, loungers, etc all over the beach for public use. There's frankly no need for non-renters people to go into a cabana unless they are: 1) totally uneducated on the cabana rental process or 2) they are arrogant jackwagons that think everything on the island is there for their pleasure.

 

From what I've seen and gathered, cabana invaders are a rare species. :D Enjoy your day at the beach!

[picklebongo]

Does anyone have a full frontal picture of what the cabana looks like because I've never seen them before? What ships go to hmc?

[The4Cruisers]

Try this link... http://www.expertcruiser.com/wp-content/uploads/Pride19.jpg

[norcal2]

Does anyone have a full frontal picture of what the cabana looks like because I've never seen them before? What ships go to hmc?

 

Here is a slideshow of the Yellow #12 cabana we had. There is also a video at the end and it will show you that the higher numbers down the beach really have many less people so there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy your cabana. BTW: You get there a little earlier than everyone else but we found that even when everyone arrived there were few persons down that far. They have a shuttle that takes you to the cabana if you do not want to walk. This one is near the second bathroom located in the back area up by the dirt road.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/570304973zplSTW

[DFW Airwolf]

You know, this whole issue could be solved by the staff just placing some bamboo sticks at the corners of the private area, and tying some twine between the sticks. That would be a signal even an idiot could not miss... this is private.

 

As it is, just enjoy the experience of telling people that you shelled out serious money (beyond the cruise fare) for this space and they should not take what you paid for. I would have no problem saying that!

 

 

I am thinking about placing some Anti-Personell mines out myself. Oh well, but then again would mess up the beach.

 

New Idea, Guard Dog rental. You know 2 big snarling German Shepherds at the entrance deck. Would just lay there until some stranger came up & then they go crazy. Yeah now that would be a good video

[Kel040]

Great ideas, but I think to make things easy, I will just hang a pair fo DH's briefs on the shower head (clean ones of course) !!

Looking forward to HMC and our cabana ! :D

[SuzanneH]

Great ideas, but I think to make things easy, I will just hang a pair fo DH's briefs on the shower head (clean ones of course) !!

 

Looking forward to HMC and our cabana ! :D

 

 

This has got to be the funniest suggestion yet!! AND probably the most effective :D. LOVE IT!!

[angel2wyld2]

I thought you were going to HMC on the Paradise.

Well I have caution tape at work:p

Also at work I can make a sign that says anything I want it to say:D

Punch a hole in the top left and right, tie some string and lay it in the bottom of my suitcase.

Maybe put on it "RESERVED FOR PRIVATE PARTY"

About how big would you say the sign is that is on the cabana?

 

From my many years of working with the public I have made 100's of signs and learned that many people either don't know how to read or to lazy to read! You could make a sign as big as the cabana and guarantee some people will not bother to read it. But I would make a reserved sign and give it a try but keep it simple, the more words on the sign, the dumber they get! This is why I retired early!

[echo]

Ok I will take hubbys drawers with me next time for the shower head. I love this idea.

[echo]

OH, I can see it now, every cabana with underwear flying from the shower head.