HMC Cabana Review 1/6/08

[DreDay]

We were on the Carnival Triumph and visited HMC. We absolutely loved the Cabana rental. We had a large group cruising (13), so we booked 2 Cabanas. We had 7 adults and 6 children, so our plan was to use the Cabanas for the adults. This worked out perfectly for us. We had cabana #1 and #2. We were the first to book and the purser would not allow us to choose any ones further down the beach. This ended up working out perfectly. We were very close to the bathrooms and to the food. The massage place is also right next door.

 

We were given lots of munchies, sodas, and water. It was plenty for our group. We had lots left over. I'd heard that there might be some issues with people trying to use the showers, or take the floatie mats, etc. We did have one girl try to use the shower to rinse off her shoes but quickly noticed that she was in the wrong spot. I told her to go ahead. It really wasn't a big deal.

 

If you really want lots of privacy Cabana 1 is certainly not the best. It is right next to a public walkway.

 

HMC itself was GORGEOUS. We really enjoyed the day here.

[georgiacruizer]

How was the children's area? Is there anything else there besides the two waterslides? How far are the cabanas from this area? Close enough to keep an eye on your kids or too far away for that? Did you do any snorkeling?

 

That's too bad that they don't let you pick a specific cabana. I have a specific one in mind. I suppose if I get in line and I'm too early for the one I want, I'll just wait at the counter until the others leading up to it are rented (shouldn't take too long, I've heard they go pretty quickly :) ). BTW, what time did the excursion desk open?

 

Thanks

[bruce-r]

HMC itself was GORGEOUS. We really enjoyed the day here.

 

AND now you want to share your photos of the day with the rest of us (please).

[enjoyinglife]

We were on the Carnival Triumph and visited HMC. We absolutely loved the Cabana rental. We had a large group cruising (13), so we booked 2 Cabanas. We had 7 adults and 6 children, so our plan was to use the Cabanas for the adults. This worked out perfectly for us. We had cabana #1 and #2. We were the first to book and the purser would not allow us to choose any ones further down the beach. This ended up working out perfectly. We were very close to the bathrooms and to the food. The massage place is also right next door.

 

We were given lots of munchies, sodas, and water. It was plenty for our group. We had lots left over. I'd heard that there might be some issues with people trying to use the showers, or take the floatie mats, etc. We did have one girl try to use the shower to rinse off her shoes but quickly noticed that she was in the wrong spot. I told her to go ahead. It really wasn't a big deal.

 

 

If you really want lots of privacy Cabana 1 is certainly not the best. It is right next to a public walkway.

 

HMC itself was GORGEOUS. We really enjoyed the day here.

 

Thanks dreday. I wish I knew I would be able to rent one.

[Jeanny]

I'm going to try and rent a cabana when we go in March. My mom will be with us and is in a wheelchair when we have to go long distances.

 

How does the tender work for the cabana renters? Wait in line with everyone else or do we get "priority"? It doesn't matter to me which one we get, as long as it's not at the end of the beach... can I push her wheelchair close to the cabana's? or is it all sand? Sounded like there may be a walking path behind the cabana's???

 

thanks, sorry for all the questions, just trying to anticipate.

[bruce-r]

I'm going to try and rent a cabana when we go in March. My mom will be with us and is in a wheelchair when we have to go long distances.

 

How does the tender work for the cabana renters? Wait in line with everyone else or do we get "priority"? It doesn't matter to me which one we get, as long as it's not at the end of the beach... can I push her wheelchair close to the cabana's? or is it all sand? Sounded like there may be a walking path behind the cabana's???

 

thanks, sorry for all the questions, just trying to anticipate.

 

Cabana's get priority tender tickets, not like you really need them with the two large land based tenders they use at HMC

 

 

As for the paved walking path, I think there is. There is also van transportation to the cabanas.

 

[Jeanny]

Thanks Bruce!!! I love your pictures!!!!

[YorkieMommyKandis]

Can you tell me if it was hard to get one of these cabanas? I was reading on here and it sounds like there are only so many available and everyone wants them.

[nixnutz]

My DW and I just returned from Carnival Imagination, which stopped in HMC on January 31. We rented Cabana #7 and loved it! I'll try and answer a few of your questions, based on our experience...

 

Can you tell me if it was hard to get one of these cabanas? I was reading on here and it sounds like there are only so many available and everyone wants them.

 

We went straight to the shore excursion desk when we boarded Imagination on 01/28. We had also heard that the Cabanas fill up quickly, so we wanted to make sure we had one. There are 15 Cabanas and most of them were not rented the day we were at HMC.

 

Keep in mind that we were on Imagination, which is a Fantasy class (small) ship. If you're on one of the bigger ships, there are more passengers, so the cabanas might fill up. If you know you want one, go straight to the desk and book it. No sense taking chances, if you know that's what you want to do.

 

I'm going to try and rent a cabana when we go in March. My mom will be with us and is in a wheelchair when we have to go long distances.

 

How does the tender work for the cabana renters? Wait in line with everyone else or do we get "priority"? It doesn't matter to me which one we get, as long as it's not at the end of the beach... can I push her wheelchair close to the cabana's? or is it all sand? Sounded like there may be a walking path behind the cabana's???

 

thanks, sorry for all the questions, just trying to anticipate.

 

Wheelchair--This is tough. HMC is very undeveloped, so anything you do there is going to require some walking. There are solid walkways behind the cabanas, but they are 25yards from the cabanas. Your mom will have to walk 25 yards through "powdered-sugar" like sand to get to the cabana. I'm not kidding when I say that the sand is soft. I'm 38 and pretty fit. DW is 35 and also fit. We walked the beach from Cabana #1 to Cabana #7 and our calves were burning. There's no way you'll be able to push a wheelchair through the sand to the cabana.

 

If you're renting a cabana, I'd speak to the Purser's desk about assistance for your mother. They've got golf carts and 4x4 vehicles running up and down the sand path behind the cabanas. I'd see if they could assist you in getting her to the cabana. Keep in mind that she'll have to walk or seek assistance to get to the restrooms, which are behind the cabanas by about 30 yards through that soft sand. The food is also a good distance away for someone who requires a wheelchair.

 

Tenders--Yes, you get priority tendering. We were on the first passenger tender off the boat. The only people ahead of us were people with a 9:15am excursion (We arrived at 9:00am). I say first "passenger tender" because the first three or four tenders had crew on them. These tenders took the food and crew members to the island first, so they could start preparing things. There are only 30 residents on the island, so your ship's crew will also be your island crew.

 

How was the children's area? Is there anything else there besides the two waterslides? How far are the cabanas from this area? Close enough to keep an eye on your kids or too far away for that? Did you do any snorkeling?

 

That's too bad that they don't let you pick a specific cabana. I have a specific one in mind. I suppose if I get in line and I'm too early for the one I want, I'll just wait at the counter until the others leading up to it are rented (shouldn't take too long, I've heard they go pretty quickly :) ). BTW, what time did the excursion desk open?

 

Thanks

 

Children's area-- They had a slide, a big fountain, a trampoline and several "climb-upon" things in the water. The "climb-upon" things were big plastic animals that the kids could climb out of the water and play on. The kid area was filled with kids ALL DAY, so I'd have to say that your kids will enjoy it. The kids on our cruise seemed to be having alot of fun...

 

If you want to be close to the kid's area, you'll have to rent cabana #1 or #2. These two cabanas are within sprinting distance of the children's play area and will allow you to keep an eye on the kids without having to worry. Any farther down the beach and you'll be too far. My kids are 14 and 15, but I still remember the the younger days when we had to be right there. #1 and #2 for close watching from the cabana deck, farther down, you'll need to escort the kids and find a beach chair to watch them.

 

Snorkelling-- Yes, I did some snorkelling, but it was nothing special. There is no reef in the designated swimming area at HMC, so all you'll see are a few fish and lots of sand. You'll have to book an excursion if you want a quality snorkelling experience. If you like to collect shells, then you're in luck, because there are many shells for collecting in the larger swim area. You'll have to swim out to the rope where it's a bout 15 feet deep. There you can collect sand dollars and shells all day from the bottom.

 

Picking a cabana-- Our experience was different than DreDay's. We were allowed to pick our cabana when we booked. We were the second group to book a cabana. The first group picked #6 and we took #7. It depends on your preferences, but I would not pick #7 again because it was too far down the beach. I like to "people watch", so there wasn't enough activity for my tastes. In hindsight, I would probably have picked #4 or #5.

 

#4 and #5 are far enough down the beach that you won't be in the middle of the crowded chaos. They are closer to the bar, so you can hear the music and watch the crowd. The lower the cabana number, the closer you are to the tender pier. The closer you are to the tender pier, the more people you'll have to deal with. #15 is WAAAAYYY down the beach, so you'll get seclusion there, if that's what you're looking for.

 

Excursion desk was open when we boarded at 12:30pm on embarkation day.....

 

My apologies for a verbose response.:rolleyes: I figure that if you're paying $219 for a cabana, you should know what you're in for. I would have appreciated this information in advance of our trip, so I hope it helps you...

[cccole]

On Holland America you can book the cabanas as an excursion before your cruise. We have done this for our February cruise because they can get booked. I think that if you reserve a cabana on-line or with shore excursions you can always cancel if you decide that you don't want it.

[georgiacruizer]

I figure that if you're paying $219 for a cabana, you should know what you're in for. I would have appreciated this information in advance of our trip, so I hope it helps you...

 

Thank you so much, this really helps alot!

[enjoyinglife]

I booked a cabana on our 2/2 Triumph cruise. We chose (yes, we were given a choice) # 5. If going again, I would choose no further down then five. I would recommend 5 or 4, unless seclusion is what you want.

[elaineb]

Enjoyinglife -

I think #5 sounds good - I don't want to be on top of the music, but we do want to be close to the other things - like snorkel area. But I have 1 concern - are the stairs to the food pavilion going right along side the cabana or is there some space? I don't want people traffic all day - reminds me of the old John Candy "Summer Rental" movie!

[Jeanny]

thanks Rahn! that really helps! We'll go and get her food from the BBQ and hopefully will be able to get a golf cart/4x4 help if needed. She can walk short distances, but I think the sand may be a killer for her.

 

Thanks for your help!!!

[Jeanny]

sorry double post.... this board is so slow!!!!!

[Zeta3]

When we were on HMC in December I noticed that they had beach wheelchairs over by the information booth. We didn't need one so I don't know if they were for rent, use just for going back and forth or what but definitely worth asking about because they had at least 2 or 3 that I saw.

[Jeanny]

oooohhh, Thanks Julie!!! I'll definitely ask about the beach wheelchair, that may work out perfect!

thanks so much!!

[Mistletoe76]

We were on the Carnival Triumph and visited HMC. We absolutely loved the Cabana rental. We had a large group cruising (13), so we booked 2 Cabanas. We had 7 adults and 6 children, so our plan was to use the Cabanas for the adults. This worked out perfectly for us. We had cabana #1 and #2. We were the first to book and the purser would not allow us to choose any ones further down the beach. This ended up working out perfectly. We were very close to the bathrooms and to the food. The massage place is also right next door.

 

We were given lots of munchies, sodas, and water. It was plenty for our group. We had lots left over. I'd heard that there might be some issues with people trying to use the showers, or take the floatie mats, etc. We did have one girl try to use the shower to rinse off her shoes but quickly noticed that she was in the wrong spot. I told her to go ahead. It really wasn't a big deal.

 

If you really want lots of privacy Cabana 1 is certainly not the best. It is right next to a public walkway.

 

HMC itself was GORGEOUS. We really enjoyed the day here.

 

Hi, Dreday! I know this post was a few months ago but I was hoping to get your opinion regarding your experience. I'm looking to book a Cabana for my November cruise with 5 adults (ages 29,30, 32, 52, and 54) along with my niece who will be 7 years old. I was thinking that I would book Cabana #1 (if available) due to the location near the children's area. My niece is a water rat (so am I) so do you think this is an ideal location to be with a child who will be in the water the whole day?

 

Thanks in advance! Oh also...did you find it to be sunny all day at Cabana #1? I'm looking for lots of sun too.

 

Thanks again!

Melissa

[twinkletoes4445]

 

Oh also...did you find it to be sunny all day at Cabana #1? I'm looking for lots of sun too.

 

If you go to this link, and then click on the first cabana (on the right of the screen) you'll see an enlarged photo of the #1 cabana. From what I remember, and what this picture shows, #1 is going to have full sun. Hopefully, DreDay will come along and verify this, but I thought I'd share this photo site so you can look at the different cabanas. :)

 

http://static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg

[Mistletoe76]

If you go to this link, and then click on the first cabana (on the right of the screen) you'll see an enlarged photo of the #1 cabana. From what I remember, and what this picture shows, #1 is going to have full sun. Hopefully, DreDay will come along and verify this, but I thought I'd share this photo site so you can look at the different cabanas. :)

 

http://static.flickr.com/108/296583013_6fa96f5e51_o.jpg

 

Thank you! I just booked Cabana #1! I'm so excited!

 

Melissa

[twinkletoes4445]

Thank you! I just booked Cabana #1! I'm so excited!

 

Melissa

 

You are going to LOVE the cabana experience. From what you've posted, you chose a great location. :)

 

Happy cruising! :0

[twinkletoes4445]

Thank you! I just booked Cabana #1! I'm so excited!

 

Melissa

 

Hmmm...my other post seems to be lost in cyberspace!

 

Have a wonderful time! You're going to love the cabana experience. :)

 

Edited to add...Now how weird is that? When I posted this post, the one that was missing (from earlier today) showed up!

[Mistletoe76]

Hmmm...my other post seems to be lost in cyberspace!

 

Have a wonderful time! You're going to love the cabana experience. :)

 

Edited to add...Now how weird is that? When I posted this post, the one that was missing (from earlier today) showed up!

 

That was odd! I received an email notification of your afternoon post and kept refreshing it so I could reply to you but it never showed up for me. I thought that there was just something wrong on my end.

 

Thank you twinkletoes!

Melissa

[ScottishMaid]

If you do NOT have a cabana, is there a shady place to sit on the beach?

Is it very hot at the end of October?

[takemewithyou]

Has anyone had the purple cabana? I think it is #6...(correct me if I am wrong, please! :) )

Are there restrooms nearby?

How far away is the food?

Is it shaded (it looks to be by the pictures I have seen)?

 

Looks like it's mid-way down - not too close to all the action, but not too far away, either.

 

How many soft drinks and waters do they provide for 4 people?

 

Thanks for any and all answers!