august1963 Posted March 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 19, 2017 If you don't have an excursion planned at Half Moon Cay, can you go anyway and just hang out there? Are there things to eat, snorkel equipment to rent, things to do, etc.? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naz022292 Posted March 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Yes! It is absolutely beautiful. There are lounge chairs to use w/out charge. Lunch is a buffet lunch and is included as well. There are bars on the island. They are a bit more expensive than the cruise. It's like paradise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted March 19, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Half Moon Cay is a not to be missed port call! A bar named "I Could Stay Here Forever" that overlooks the beach and sea says it all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoneman69 Posted March 19, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I believe it's Carnivals private island. We had a great day their. Just remember if you go for a walk take your sail & sign card. Wife and I passed 2 bars and could not stop for a drink as our cards where with our stuff at the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodfaerie Posted March 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Hanging at the beautiful beach is awesome, always enjoy the buffet. Last year, I didn't rent the water mattresses there (which are essential for me so I can just float around) Before I left on my cruise, I had purchased a couple of them at a dollar store, packed them, brought them to Half Moon and blew them up there. Then I gave them to some children when I left. I pinch pennies where I can so I can get that OV room instead of an inside. A couple of rented mats there equals 3 drinks if I recall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutontow Posted March 19, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 19, 2017 My perfect cruise would be if CCL would anchor off HMC for five nights and tender me back and forth each day. It is truly paradise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted March 19, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2017 My perfect cruise would be if CCL would anchor off HMC for five nights and tender me back and forth each day. It is truly paradise. I will vote for that! HMC was developed as a port call for Holland America Lines. But, it is great that others in the Carnival family of brands are also using it. It is a special spot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted March 19, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I believe it's Carnivals private island. We had a great day their. Just remember if you go for a walk take your sail & sign card. Wife and I passed 2 bars and could not stop for a drink as our cards where with our stuff at the beach. Half Moon cay is owned by Princess not Carnival. When Princess isn't using the island Carnival will shedule a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naz022292 Posted March 19, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Half Moon cay is owned by Princess not Carnival. When Princess isn't using the island Carnival will shedule a ship. I believe that the previous poster is correct. Half Moon Cay was purchased by Holland America. In any event, it really is such a great place to spend a day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted March 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I believe that the previous poster is correct. Half Moon Cay was purchased by Holland America. In any event, it really is such a great place to spend a day! True, HAL currently owns HMC but Princess and Carnival ships also call there. I believe, way back when, NCL was the original owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted March 19, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Carnival Corp owns all three cruise ship lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted March 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 19, 2017 True, HAL currently owns HMC but Princess and Carnival ships also call there. I believe, way back when, NCL was the original owner. Princess has there own island called Princess Cays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted March 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Princess has there own island called Princess Cays. Ooops. Apparently I'm having difficulty keeping the "Cays" straight! :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted March 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Ooops. Apparently I'm having difficulty keeping the "Cays" straight! :o I have the same problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted March 19, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Of course, I may be incorrect. But, I am pretty sure that NCL never had any financial interest in Half Moon Cay. The island that they still use in the Bahamas for some of their port calls is the one that I recall visiting when I sailed on Sunward II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 19, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 19, 2017 There is NEVER a need to book excursions on ANY cruise line's private island....NEVER! It's a beach day..pure and simple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted March 19, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Of course, I may be incorrect. But, I am pretty sure that NCL never had any financial interest in Half Moon Cay. The island that they still use in the Bahamas for some of their port calls is the one that I recall visiting when I sailed on Sunward II. yes, NCL island is called Great Stirrup Cay and they recently spent millions to renovate the island too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidecat Posted March 19, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Carnival also programs activities on Half Moon Cay. I actually won a ship on a stick played at the volleyball tournament on the sand courts there. Our host was then off to a sand castle building contest right after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoneman69 Posted March 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Half Moon Cay Bahamas is privately owned by Holland America Line, a subsidiary company of Carnival Corporation & PLC. This beautiful island was formerly known as Little San Salvador Bahamas. Just so we keep the Cays straight . :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcelh Posted March 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Princess has there own island called Princess Cays. I believe Princess Cays is an area developed by Princess Cruise Lines on the tip of the island of Eluthera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted March 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Princess actually bought the whole island. Many of the islanders work for Princess. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcelh Posted March 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted March 20, 2017 yes, NCL island is called Great Stirrup Cay and they recently spent millions to renovate the island too. NCL was one of the first cruise lines to acquire an island back in the 70s. There were badly needed renovations several years ago before the most recent round. We were first there in 2008 and it was a bit primitive. I really prefer the beach at Half Moon Cay though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcelh Posted March 20, 2017 #23 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Princess actually bought the whole island. Many of the islanders work for Princess. Sent from my iPad using Forums Really? I know people who owned property there. I wonder how that worked out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted March 20, 2017 #24 Share Posted March 20, 2017 My perfect cruise would be if CCL would anchor off HMC for five nights and tender me back and forth each day. It is truly paradise.[/quote(y)(y) Wouldn't even have to twist my arm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCruisersRUs Posted March 20, 2017 #25 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Half Moon cay is owned by Princess not Carnival. When Princess isn't using the island Carnival will shedule a ship. Holland America actually owns the island. Their logo is on the sign. Princess owns Princess Cay which is another beautiful island. We love both but HMC is our favorite! Princess Cay is more rocky so harder to get in and out of the water. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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