Half Moon Cay - Cabana or Bike/Aqua Trax

[Marie321]

Hi all! I need some advice and people on this board have never steered me wrong! We are going to Half Moon Cay at the end of December on the Westerdam. The cabanas were all "unavailable", so I booked a bike ride AM and aqua trax PM along with a clamshell. I waitlisted the cabanas. Today, I received notice that the taupe cabana is available and I have to make a decision in 72 hours. My DH and I are 50. Not real athletic, but not couch potatoes either. We've never been to HMC. Cabana OR Bikes/Aqua Trax. (Not really sure what an aqua trax is, either). If you had this choice, what would you choose and why? BTW, we don't drink, so wouldn't be sitting in the cabana drinking all day. Your thoughts, please!

[HappiestWhenCruising]

Unfortunately I've never done either of these two. However, I was at Half Moon Cay this past March. Her are my opinions.

The Aqua bikes I would guess are like big paddleboat type bikes that you would pedal on the water. Since you say you two aren't athletic, I don't know how much fun this would be, especially if it is hot outside. Having said that, though, I believe the taupe cabana is the first one you get to off of the dock. Others have written that there then is a lot of traffic going by your cabana all the time. On the other hand, if it turns out to be a hot day, a cabana is nice because there is an air conditioner that runs inside of it and you can sit in the shade. You can also eat at it and it comes with snorkeling and floating equipment if you chose to do just that.

The last and only time I was a Half Moon Cay we tried to get a cabana, but all were waitlisted and we never were able to get one. That particular day in March it seemed rather cold. We had gotten a clamshell and pretty much needed that more to block the wind rather than the sun. So for that trip I was happy we hadn't spent the money. However, I am hoping that the weather is going to be much warmer and sunny in December (we are going to be there on the 16-23 Dec 06 cruise). I managed to book the orange one the day they went on sale. I am looking forward to the kids getting their cokes for free and making use of the snorkel equipment. Also, I think it will be nice to just sit out on the deck and pretend that we live there...if even for just a few hours.

I think if I were you and had to make that decision, I would get the cabana. Although its location isn't ideal, its still a cabana. You will be able to make some use of the beautiful blue ocean by floating on a mat, if nothing else. It also comes with snacks and the soft drinks that I mentioned, so that's a plus, too. But again, this is just my opinion.

Overall I have a hard time making decisions about the excursions. There is my husband, son 22 and daughter 19 going as well. No one in the family will ever bother to look at what is available, but is right there to complain if what I chose isn't great. I am used to it by now, but what I often do and have done for this next cruise is book something, only to change the reservations to something a little later. I've had this trip planned since May and I think I've made at least 3 changes so far!!!

Have fun and I hope I was some help.

[tootiesmom]

Go for the Cabana !!!!! We just got back from the Westerdam 11/12 - 19/06 sailing and had the Red Cabana with Butler service. It was the most wonderful day of our cruise :D We didn't stay in the cabana all day drinking. We were met at our cabin and escorted to our cabana, snacks and lunch were prepared and served, anything and everything we could have asked for would have been done for us, float mats, snorkle equipment was there for us, etc. We were waitlisted for a cabana and didn't know we were going to get a cabana until we got to our cabin and there was a letter saying that our request for a cabana had gone through. We were thrilled :D :D :D BTW, you can order soft drinks for your cabana and not alcoholic. That's what we did.

 

tootiesmom

[watchdiva]

Cabana - hands down! You should search the threads and read some of the reports from those of us (myself included) that have been lucky enough to snag a cabana..........

 

On our most recent cruise, we added the butler package for the ultimate experience and it was a day I'll never forget!

[spcl4cs_gal]

Marie, you shouldn't sell yourself short....do BOTH the cabana and the aqua trax. :) When I go to HMC I always book a cabana for the day and also book the last aqua trax excursion of the day so that I get the best of both worlds.

 

Can't wait 'til March!!! :D

[RustaRoo]

The Aqua bikes I would guess are like big paddleboat type bikes that you would pedal on the water.

 

No, actually they are full blown seadoo machines. You can see a picture of a similar machine here http://powersports.honda.com/watercraft/index.asp?bhcp=1

 

I did this tour in the spring. Not so much a 'tour' mind you. There's about 6 or 8 machines and you follow a guide at full throttle for about an hour. It probably would have been more fun if it hadn't been such a cold and overcast day when I did it :( If you're not too brave in the water, which can be quite rough at high speeds, you may not enjoy it very much.

[spcl4cs_gal]

If you're not too brave in the water, which can be quite rough at high speeds, you may not enjoy it very much.

 

The two times I did the aqua trax on HMC the lagoon was not choppy in the least..and the nurse sharks all kept at bay while we whizzed through the water. If you want choppy on a jet ski, try Paradise Beach in Nassau. Whew!

[Marie321]

Thanks for all your input! Just curious, why the last aqua trax of the day?

 

We have decided to book the cabana! Aqua trax sounds great also!

[airlink diva]

No, actually they are full blown seadoo machines. You can see a picture of a similar machine here http://powersports.honda.com/watercraft/index.asp?bhcp=1

 

I did this tour in the spring. Not so much a 'tour' mind you. There's about 6 or 8 machines and you follow a guide at full throttle for about an hour. It probably would have been more fun if it hadn't been such a cold and overcast day when I did it :( If you're not too brave in the water, which can be quite rough at high speeds, you may not enjoy it very much.

I have to second you about the Aqua Trax. They are really water jet skis. The water was rough and it was years since I been on a jet ski. I was constantly being left behind, even by the guides. One time the jet ski stopped and I had to wait for someone to return. It wasn't an enjoyable time.

When I got back on board, I went and expressed my concerns, esp since I mentioned to the guides about not really wanting to go at very high speeds in rough water. I received a note later that eveing when I return from dinner.

But go for the cabana!!!

[spcl4cs_gal]

Thanks for all your input! Just curious, why the last aqua trax of the day?

 

We have decided to book the cabana! Aqua trax sounds great also!

 

I pick the last aqua trax excursion in the day so that I can enjoy my cabana for the rest of the time. The 2:15 excursion finishes up just in time for you to get on a tender to get back to the ship at 3pm.

 

When I did the excursion at the end of the afternoon, we had a guide at the front of our group and one who brought up the rear. We had a bit of extra time that we spent on the jet skis and could go just about anywhere we wished as long as we stayed out of the shallow coral areas.

[Krazy Kruizers]

JMO -- do the tours and use the clam shell to rest in between!!

[OceanLiner]

I would do them in this order: 1-cabana 2-cabana 3-cabana.......the other things can be done at any large resort, but he HMC cabanas are a very unique experience, a sure hit not to be missed......I would also get the butler service.

[Sheebah]

Another "be aware" from me on the Aqua Trax. They are a blast, BUT, they DO go full throttle and the water is quite cold. I know, because my husband took a corner so fast that I flew off the back and fell in at a quick clip. You will be soaking wet and it is quite a rush. This coming from a total adrenaline junkie.

If I were to go again, it would be a cabana ALL the way.