Butler Service with Half Moon Cay Cabanas

[bzv143]

Has anyone splurged on butler service in a Half Moon Cay cabana? If so, what does the butler do? Does s/he get you food from the buffet? Drinks? Towels? Anything? :confused:

[Murray's Pop]

Yes to all of those. The also pick you up in your cabin and take all of your stuff to the cabana. You will have snacks and drinks at your cabana and a special lunch. Then at the end of the day they will bring you and your stuff back to your cabin. We love the service and have used it multiple times.

[RuthC]

All of us sharing a cabana met at one cabin, and the butler picked us up there. He carried all our beach bags, and picked up more than enough towels for us as we left the ship (that process may be different now, with towels delivered to the cabins). He then escorted us to the tender, and saw to it that we were comfortable for the ride over.

At the end of the ride he gathered us, and escorted us off the tender and to our cabana. He set things in place for us, then left us to enjoy. He was always around if we needed him, though.

 

We had sodas at the cabana (pre-requested, so we had what we wanted), and the butler would get whatever adult beverages we wanted. They were included in the price, btw.

Lunch was a special menu from the Pinnacle Grill. We ordered (IIRC, in advance) the main dish, and it was served at the time we requested. We had fruit, and other appetizers served right at the cabana table. There was more than enough, and it was delicious.

 

This experience is not quite to the level of "decadent", but close. If you can't get, or don't want, the Oasis, this is the next best thing.

[igraf]

I guess I just don't get it. One can have a nice Pinnacle lunch or dinner any day of the cruise for a relatively small cost. If I have just a few hours on a beautiful private island (often with a 2:30pm all-aboard time) then I would not be interested in sitting in a cabana eating a lot of food.

 

For everyone else's information, it is almost $1000 (up to eight persons) for the cabana and the butler service.

 

igraf

 

 

 

 

 

[CruiserBruce]

I guess I just don't get it. One can have a nice Pinnacle lunch or dinner any day of the cruise for a relatively small cost. If I have just a few hours on a beautiful private island (often with a 2:30pm all-aboard time) then I would not be interested in sitting in a cabana eating a lot of food.

 

For everyone else's information, it is almost $1000 (up to eight persons) for the cabana and the butler service.

 

igraf

 

Some mixed numbers here. Only the Villas are approved for 8 people, and is $1000, with a Butler. The cabana is approved for 4. A cabana with Butler is IIRC, about $600.

 

If you haven't enjoyed it, I can understand your not appreciating it. It is a wonderful day.

Edited October 18, 2014 by CruiserBruce

[RuthC]

I guess I just don't get it. One can have a nice Pinnacle lunch or dinner any day of the cruise for a relatively small cost. If I have just a few hours on a beautiful private island (often with a 2:30pm all-aboard time) then I would not be interested in sitting in a cabana eating a lot of food.

LOL! If everyone wanted to spend their beach day the same way, there would be a lot more cabanas w/butler service on HMC!

[MaxThrusters]

I've got a confirmed cabana booking for my next cruise. I'm considering the butler add-on. I've heard mixed reviews about it.

[sail7seas]

I guess I just don't get it. One can have a nice Pinnacle lunch or dinner any day of the cruise for a relatively small cost. If I have just a few hours on a beautiful private island (often with a 2:30pm all-aboard time) then I would not be interested in sitting in a cabana eating a lot of food.

 

For everyone else's information, it is almost $1000 (up to eight persons) for the cabana and the butler service.

 

igraf

 

You can get a perfectly decent room in Holiday Inn but some people choose to book a room at The Ritz. Different strokes..... We all spend our money our own way. What is 'worth it' to you may seem worthless to someone else.

 

[Mitwif]

You can get a perfectly decent room in Holiday Inn but some people choose to book a room at The Ritz. Different strokes..... We all spend our money our own way. What is 'worth it' to you may seem worthless to someone else.

 

 

 

 

 

I echo that sentiment. DH and I did this last year as a special treat for our 20th wedding anniversary. It made for a memorable, decadent day :) .

[POA1]

We've done the Butler Package several times. It's nice if you don't mind making the splurge. Our butlers have ranged from competent to outstanding. Our only criticism is that lunch comes awfully early - at least for us. We always had a party of four, which makes the cost per person a little more reasonable.

Try to find a map of HMC so you can select a well located cabana. Some are located close to the bars and restrooms. Others are more remote.

[CruiserBruce]

We've done the Butler Package several times. It's nice if you don't mind making the splurge. Our butlers have ranged from competent to outstanding. Our only criticism is that lunch comes awfully early - at least for us. We always had a party of four, which makes the cost per person a little more reasonable.

Try to find a map of HMC so you can select a well located cabana. Some are located close to the bars and restrooms. Others are more remote.

 

Curious what "awfully" early was? I know they will deliver it when you are ready to eat, but iof you eat at 2pm, that might be a logistical problem for them.

[POA1]

Curious what "awfully" early was? I know they will deliver it when you are ready to eat, but iof you eat at 2pm, that might be a logistical problem for them.

It arrived just before 11 AM, or right at 11. We weren't given a choice of times, only a choice of food. That was several years ago. Perhaps they have changed the procedure and you can now specify a delivery time. You could not do so any of the three times we had the butler package.

Edited October 19, 2014 by POA1

[CruiserBruce]

It arrived just before 11 AM, or right at 11. We weren't given a choice of times, only a choice of food. That was several years ago. Perhaps they have changed the procedure and you can now specify a delivery time. You could not do so any of the three times we had the butler package.

 

In February, with two stops on a B2B, we were asked when we wanted lunch. We said noon. Lunch was there shortly after noon.

[POA1]

In February, with two stops on a B2B, we were asked when we wanted lunch. We said noon. Lunch was there shortly after noon.

That's good to know. The early lunch was the only downside, so if you can schedule it now, that's great.

[Typhoon1]

If your group is into the alcohol scene, unlimited rail drinks are included.

[GmaPajama]

You can get a perfectly decent room in Holiday Inn but some people choose to book a room at The Ritz. Different strokes..... We all spend our money our own way. What is 'worth it' to you may seem worthless to someone else.

 

I totally agree. I 'm ever so careful about my grocery dollars, but don't think twice about the expense of a cabana and butler.

It's a part of my Half Moon Cay joy, and I wouldn't give that up.

[Typhoon1]

I totally agree. I 'm ever so careful about my grocery dollars, but don't think twice about the expense of a cabana and butler.

It's a part of my Half Moon Cay joy, and I wouldn't give that up.

 

We'd have to agree also. We're on vacation. You aren't going to take it with you when leave this earth. Enjoy yourself while you can.

[Debi_D]

We have rented the Cabanas just about on every cruise except this one. We have always had good service and excellent food. Once and this only happened once we had gone out for a swim and came back to our Cabana and our Butler was sound asleep in the lounger and the food was on the counter getting cold. We had to wake him up and the rest was downhill after that. Found out he had been partying the night before and only had about an hour sleep before he picked us up. I believe he did get demoted also... I think if you can share the cost it is well worth it but seeing we are traveling alone this time we will sit this one out. ;)

[igraf]

You completely missed the point. My wife and I are financially comfortable and go on big ticket vacations at least twice a year. I am particularly fond of islands and have visted Maui many times as we live in California.

 

I am saying that the food provided by the butler is readily avaiable on the ship during the entire cruise, while time available to enjoy the beach and water off of HMC is limited and precious.

 

Then there is the issue, regardless of one's financial situation, of a $600 lunch (for up to 4). Some people enjoy this sort of indulgence but it just makes me feel like a fool. We have learned on Maui that while indulgences are offered right and left, the true attraction is the natural beauty of the island.

 

igraf

 

 

 

 

 

You can get a perfectly decent room in Holiday Inn but some people choose to book a room at The Ritz. Different strokes..... We all spend our money our own way. What is 'worth it' to you may seem worthless to someone else.

 

Edited October 20, 2014 by igraf

[Murray's Pop]

You completely missed the point. My wife and I are financially comfortable and go on big ticket vacations at least twice a year. I am particularly fond of islands and have visted Maui many times as we live in California.

 

I am saying that the food provided by the butler is readily avaiable on the ship during the entire cruise, while time available to enjoy the beach and water off of HMC is limited and precious.

 

Then there is the issue, regardless of one's financial situation, of a $600 lunch (for up to 4). Some people enjoy this sort of indulgence but it just makes me feel like a fool. We have learned on Maui that while indulgences are offered right and left, the true attraction is the natural beauty of the island.

 

igraf

 

Actually I think your point was abundantly clear. You don't want to have a cabana with butler service while on HMC. It really has nothing to do with lunch at the Pinnacle or a trip to Maui.

 

Then there are those who enjoy the HMC cabana with butler service.:D

[Lizzie68]

You completely missed the point. My wife and I are financially comfortable and go on big ticket vacations at least twice a year. I am particularly fond of islands and have visted Maui many times as we live in California.

 

I am saying that the food provided by the butler is readily avaiable on the ship during the entire cruise, while time available to enjoy the beach and water off of HMC is limited and precious.

 

Then there is the issue, regardless of one's financial situation, of a $600 lunch (for up to 4). Some people enjoy this sort of indulgence but it just makes me feel like a fool. We have learned on Maui that while indulgences are offered right and left, the true attraction is the natural beauty of the island.

 

igraf

 

 

It's wonderful that we live in a world where we all have choices. We may not care for what someone else chooses, and we can opt for something else. No one choice is right or wrong.

[kurukthemal]

How much is the butler and how do you request him/her? Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

The Butler Upgrade is considered an shore excursion on HMC. So you book it just like you would an excursion. In this case, you would book the cabana (just one person has to book it, for up to 4 in the cabana, then also book the Butler Upgrade. The price is listed there, I believe it is $240. Worth every penny. (From someone who has had the Butler upgrade 6 times.)