All Things HALF MOON CAY !

[gmros]

Actually as of June for HMC they are still using tender tickets if you want to tender before 11 am. If you are booked on an excursion before 10:30, they tell you where to wait so you get priority tendering. Other than that, they give you a sticker to put on your clothing with the tender number and when they call you, you go.

 

Thank you gizfish! We want to get to the island as early as possible. Do you get the tender tickets the same day the ship stops at HMC or the night before? By the way, we'll be sailing on Carnival Destiny.

[gizfish]

My info was specific to Miracle, but they gave the stickers out in the morning when they anchor off HMC.

[Typhoon1]

That info might be HAL specific.

 

Carnival seems to change its policy by the week. Other CCL cruisers reported no tender tickets at various sailings.

 

The best advice, be prepared for either option.

[NKsDogWalker]

I've been to HMC on both my cruises and LOVED IT. Since the cruises I went on were theme cruises HMC wasn't as relaxing as you all make it sound. LOL The water is A-MAZING!!!!!!! I have never seen water so blue in my life... breathtaking. This year I went horseback riding which was one of the highlights of my cruise. The horses don't just walk in the water they actually swim. The guides were awesome... they take photos of you with your own camera. I am planning on riding again in 2012.

[Bookfinder]

My husband and I thought it was well worth it for the two of us. I would NOT recomend the butler though. I booked the butler for our cruise Feb this year because the information said we could drink whatever we wanted from the bars. I wanted Guiness that they had on the Pirate Ship but they wouldn't let me. I had to get the beers availble on the ship that were not in a bottle. Also, there was a mixup. We originally didn't book an excursion but at the last minute booked the snorkel by boat. It ended up being canceled so we waited around for our butler to show up. She had gone to our cabin to pick us up. I would have thought they would have been aware we had a change of plans and booked the excursion but no. Also, it took her AGES to bring us a drink. My husband was happy with the beers she brought him (she did bring several) but I'm more picky on beer. I emailed my TA and she forwarded the letter to HAL and they made it up to us giving us shipboard credit for our next cruise.

 

Joanne

 

Joanne - Can you tell me exactly what the butler package includes? Did it include a different lunch menu, was there a drink limit and did it only include beer? Any info you can provide will be appreciated. We have booked the Red cabana for our upcoming cruise in December but hadn't made a decision on the butler since didn't know what it included. Do you think the service differs between Carnival and HAL?

 

Thanks,

Bookfinder

[CruiserBruce]

In the Butler package, the lunch menu is from Pinnacle. Don't remember all the items, but it is very good. Appetizer, main course, desert. Plus the chips, dip, fruits and cookies that are in the cabana.

 

The service is different on HAL is different only in the small way that Carnaval doesn't offer the Butler upgrade, HAL does. Our experience with the Butler upgrade was wonderful. The Butler "picked us up" at our cabin, took us ashore (carrying our stuff), and a Butler was waiting on us hand and foot. Our wish was their command.

 

Alcohol is unlimited, all things commonly available on the ship.

Edited August 31, 2011 by CruiserBruce

[Typhoon1]

Joanne - Can you tell me exactly what the butler package includes? Did it include a different lunch menu, was there a drink limit and did it only include beer? Any info you can provide will be appreciated. We have booked the Red cabana for our upcoming cruise in December but hadn't made a decision on the butler since didn't know what it included. Do you think the service differs between Carnival and HAL?

 

Thanks,

Bookfinder

 

Unlimited beverages available from the various bars on Half Moon Cay. Drinks made from house brand liquor, all beers, soft drinks, bottled water and wine.

- A picnic lunch consisting of appetizer, entree, and dessert.

- Butler escort from your cabin to assist you ashore carrying all belongings to and from the ship.

- Your Butler will see to whatever needs you have on the island including shopping from the island shops and any Shore Excursions bookings you may like to make on Half Moon Cay.

 

 

The Butler Service Upgrade Package price is applicable for up to 4 guests. For groups of more than 4 guests, each additional guest must purchase an Extra Person Surcharge for the Butler Service Upgrade

[aloisia]

I've been to HMC on both my cruises and LOVED IT. Since the cruises I went on were theme cruises HMC wasn't as relaxing as you all make it sound. LOL The water is A-MAZING!!!!!!! I have never seen water so blue in my life... breathtaking. This year I went horseback riding which was one of the highlights of my cruise. The horses don't just walk in the water they actually swim. The guides were awesome... they take photos of you with your own camera. I am planning on riding again in 2012.

 

For this excursion, do you need some experience or skill ?( I have neither ;)) or do the horses know the routine? :D It does look like fun.

[topspot]

For this excursion, do you need some experience or skill ?( I have neither ;)) or do the horses know the routine? :D It does look like fun.

 

The horses know the routine. THe guides will go over the basics like how to steer the horse, stop and go. You do not need to know how to ride to do this excursion.

[Typhoon1]

For this excursion, do you need some experience or skill ?( I have neither ;)) or do the horses know the routine? :D It does look like fun.

 

The weight restriction on this excursion is under 250 lbs.

[WouldBeCruiser]

Wow -this is a long thread - didn't have time to read it all, so if these issues have already been answered, my apologies.

My husband is mildly disabled - walks with a walker, but can manage a few steps alone, or with my arm for support.

We thought of renting a clamshell, so that we could spend a few hours on the beach, and I can take a dip in the ocean, leaving him comfortable in the shade.

Will it be possible to find a clamshell that will be only a very short walk from a proper walkway or footpath ( walkers don't do well in sand at all)

Obviously he will not be able to tramp all over the beach, but as I said previously, he can manage a few steps, and would enjoy the beach experience so much.

I don't want to rent one and then find that they are all a couple of hundred yards down the beach.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

[SANJOSEGAL]

Wow -this is a long thread - didn't have time to read it all, so if these issues have already been answered, my apologies.

My husband is mildly disabled - walks with a walker, but can manage a few steps alone, or with my arm for support.

We thought of renting a clamshell, so that we could spend a few hours on the beach, and I can take a dip in the ocean, leaving him comfortable in the shade.

Will it be possible to find a clamshell that will be only a very short walk from a proper walkway or footpath ( walkers don't do well in sand at all)

Obviously he will not be able to tramp all over the beach, but as I said previously, he can manage a few steps, and would enjoy the beach experience so much.

I don't want to rent one and then find that they are all a couple of hundred yards down the beach.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

 

We are in a airplane just returning from our cruise. When we were in HMC we rented Cabana #1. There was a cement walkway going down from theron walkway to our Cabana with clam shell chairs right there. I think you would be better off getting a wheel chair on the island for him to get around. It is very very hot there and the pathway at times was not cement it was more like pebbles. There were lots of clam shells not rented so I would not worry about renting one in advance. If you could afford a cabana I would highly recommend it especially for your husbands comfort. I reserved ours then went back and forth trying to justify the cost. Once we were there I never referred it for a moment.

 

One more thing be very sure your husband can manuver the tender to get to the island. Check with your cruiseline if it's even possible. I hope this helps let me know if you have anymore questions.

[Typhoon1]

If you could afford a cabana I would highly recommend it especially for your husbands comfort. I reserved ours then went back and forth trying to justify the cost. Once we were there I never referred it for a moment.

 

Great advice from another satisfied customer.

[kjunea]

The first cabana used to be considered the "Handicapped Accessible" Cabana, so it is the easiest to get into. There are also Beach wheelchairs that you can use to get down into the sand. I'm sure someone will help you, if you ask.

[SANJOSEGAL]

The first cabana used to be considered the "Handicapped Accessible" Cabana, so it is the easiest to get into. There are also Beach wheelchairs that you can use to get down into the sand. I'm sure someone will help you, if you ask.

 

We really liked being in cabana #1 the bathrooms were up right behind us and the dining area was too. Since it was the first cabana a few people came down the path and wanted to go right into our cabana so we moved one of our lounge chairs across the path into our cabana.

 

When we first stepped foot on the ship and they put our card in the machine to check us in a message came up saying for us to go to guest services to pick our cabana number. Probably half the cabanas were already chosen so I figured oh heck I'll just go with #1 and we loved it.

 

People kept walking by looking envious of our beautiful cabana. I felt like a million bucks sitting in there enjoying the cool breeze, fruit, chips, dip and fresh water shower. By the way there were 7 of us using the cabana yet I only booked it for 4 of us.

[terkatz56]

Just a note to add, that you do need to reserve the clamshells (if this is what you decide you want) for our Dec cruise they are already waitlisted. They are said to be hot and mainly seem to keep the direct sun off you. For your husband's comfort, as well as your own, you may want to foloow the advice given on the Cabanas.

[CowPrincess]

We are looking at the Stingray Encounter or whatever it is called. The write-up says they provide snorkel equipment. So here's a few questions from a VERY BAD swimmer :)

 

1. How deep is the water in the stingray lagoon?

2. Do you need to be able to snorkel to interact with the rays?

3. What kind of approach is there to the lagoon, e.g., is there a ramp or beach you can walk down into the water, or do you need to leap from a dock or similar?

4. Am I correct in my understanding that these are captive rays, who live their entire lives in the lagoon?

5. Is the water clear or murky?

6. Sandy or muddy bottom?

 

Thanks in advance!

[proudaunt]

So what all is included at Half Moon Cay? Are all these drinks and food included just because we are on the ship or do we have to pay for something separate? We are new to cruising so definitely new to the Half Moon Cay and what all is included! Thanks in advance!

[SANJOSEGAL]

So what all is included at Half Moon Cay? Are all these drinks and food included just because we are on the ship or do we have to pay for something separate? We are new to cruising so definitely new to the Half Moon Cay and what all is included! Thanks in advance!

 

We cruised on Carnival so that's all I can attest to. The food is all free and soft drinks same as the ones free on the ship. Alcohol is not free I guess that is no surprise. The food is BBQ hamburgers, hotdogs, with some side dishes. The lunch is ready around 11AM.

 

If you book a cabana it comes with chips, dip, guacamole, sliced fruit, cheese ?, whole fruit, 8 soft drinks of your choice coke, diet coke, sprite etc. and 2 large bottle of water.

[proudaunt]

We cruised on Carnival so that's all I can attest to. The food is all free and soft drinks same as the ones free on the ship. Alcohol is not free I guess that is no surprise. The food is BBQ hamburgers, hotdogs, with some side dishes. The lunch is ready around 11AM.

 

If you book a cabana it comes with chips, dip, guacamole, sliced fruit, cheese ?, whole fruit, 8 soft drinks of your choice coke, diet coke, sprite etc. and 2 large bottle of water.

 

Thank you so much! And what is all at the waterpark? Or is there somewhere I can find information instead of asking all these questions..Lol.

[SANJOSEGAL]

Thank you so much! And what is all at the waterpark? Or is there somewhere I can find information instead of asking all these questions..Lol.

Do you have children? I believe one spout of water shooting in the air. Maybe more just not a typical water park. You are no bother at all I always turn to CC for all my cruise questions it's nice to give back.

[proudaunt]

Do you have children? I believe one spout of water shooting in the air. Maybe more just not a typical water park. You are no bother at all I always turn to CC for all my cruise questions it's nice to give back.

 

No children, just two of us. I see that you can rent Aqua Bikes, I have always wanted to try those. I am thinking we are going to use Half Moon Cay as our beach day just to relax and do things if we want to. If not it will be a day of relaxation!

[SANJOSEGAL]

No children, just two of us. I see that you can rent Aqua Bikes, I have always wanted to try those. I am thinking we are going to use Half Moon Cay as our beach day just to relax and do things if we want to. If not it will be a day of relaxation!

 

 

That's a great idea HMC is a perfect beach day place.

[themnms]

We cruised on Carnival so that's all I can attest to. The food is all free and soft drinks same as the ones free on the ship. Alcohol is not free I guess that is no surprise. The food is BBQ hamburgers, hotdogs, with some side dishes. The lunch is ready around 11AM.

 

If you book a cabana it comes with chips, dip, guacamole, sliced fruit, cheese ?, whole fruit, 8 soft drinks of your choice coke, diet coke, sprite etc. and 2 large bottle of water.

 

 

We didnt do the BBQ last timewe were there...How far is it from say the cabanna area?

[CruiserBruce]

Depends on which cabana. Just a minute or two from cabana 3-5. Up to 10 minutes or so from the furthest cabanas.

Edited October 3, 2011 by CruiserBruce