Everyone was suited up with a safety vest, scuba mask, aqua shoes, and snorkel before heading into the water. Tropics Restaurant Food Pavilion - Island Barbecue Lunch. After all, you’ll be paying extra for virtually everything. The only way to get to the island is to take a tender boat from the ship to the island. We took a short tram ride to Stingray Cove for the stingray adventure to learn about the stingrays’ behaviors, habitat, feeding, and breeding. Half Moon Cay has a lagoon aqua park with island-themed action fun area. Holland America’s smaller cruise ship means a more private experience. Hi, this may be of interest to you: Half Moon Cay BBQ Menu. What to Do in London Town | 3 Ways to Experience London Like a Local! Click here to design and order yours today!! All of the food on Half Moon Cay is included in the cruise price (with the exception of the sodas, alcohol and ice cream). They can also simply enjoy making sand castles or playing in the calm and crystal clear blue waters of Half Moon lagoon … Some people will get frustrated by the additional costs of visiting Half Moon Cay, the feeling that there’s nothing to do, becoming overheated, maybe getting shortchanged during lunch and the aggravation of going back and forth on the tenders. One thing to remember is that the BBQ is only open from 11:30 - 1:30.

Half Moon Cay is also known as Carnival’s private island resort. Is Visiting Half Moon Cay Worth the Money? Towel: Unless you’ve booked a cabana, beach villa, or the private oasis, you’ll need to bring your own beach towel. Beach villas are similar to cabanas but are two stories, identified by letter and accommodate up to 18 people. If you're not sure which enclave is the best fit for you during your time ashore, read Cruise Critic's guide to Half Moon Cay cabanas. At capacity, a beach villa could cost $1,000. We snorkeled alongside the stingrays, touched their silky wings, and swam with the fish in the cove. Looking for some Half Moon Cay tips? There are some must-try activities on this island and some things you can skip.

Take your kids here to enjoy being sprayed with water from the pirate ship’s cannons. ), Grand Turk, Turk and Caicos Islands (Coming Soon!). There are five beach villas on Half Moon Cay (A, B, C, D and E). For those that enjoy a late lunch, you may be left with slim pickings at the free BBQ lunch—specifically the leftover beans and rice. The water sports center is located across from Villa D and Cabana 8. Loved swimming and running along the crystal clear blue waters and white sand beach. ), Grand Turk, Turk and Caicos Islands (Coming Soon!). A table with four padded chairs and two padded loungers sit on the private deck.

Carnival Corporation’s Half Moon Cay is a cute little island loaded with sunshine and surf. Butler service can be added for either cabanas or villas for an additional charge. They rent snorkeling vests with the snorkeling equipment package but not outside of it. General-use bathroom facilities are located nearby.

Some of the best excursions include: Here are the links for all excursions and prices on Carnival and Holland America. Fun Ashore has the detailed information on the Ports of Departure and Ports of Call to enable cruise vacationers to simplify their planning, maximize their enjoyment in each port and to give detailed descriptions of all of their options so they can make the best decision for their vacation. Carnival Cheers Program on Carnival Cruise Line, Sail Here, Not There: Avoiding Overtourism in Cruise Ports. You've come to the right place. However, it might be worth nothing that the higher the number or letter, the farther the cabana is away from the hustle and bustle of the island restaurant and many of the kids' activities.

These accommodate up to six people. Shop in the Fort San Salvador Welcome Center, play in the water park, and grab a cocktail and head to the beach. Decorate your cabin door for your special event or to stand out in the “sea” of cabins!! It may come as a shock to you but there’s a good chance that the free BBQ lunch may run out of food very quickly. With nothing left, you’ll be forced to spend about $20 per person at the only other restaurant, the Lobster Shack. It’s located next to “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” bar. You should be having fun—not getting bitter⁠—because the cruise line placed you in a bad situation. Click here to personalize and order one for your cruise!!! If you’re planning on eating the free lunch, it’s important to get in line as soon as it opens at 11:30 a.m. and way before it closes at 1:30 p.m. They Get Around | The Budget Savvy Travelers, nude cruises aboard chartered Carnival cruise ships, Best Japan Tours & Vacation Packages | First-Timers Guide to The Golden Route. You’ll find shadier trees the farther you go down the beach or simply bring a cool hat!

Popular excursions include horseback riding by land & sea, tropical kayak adventure, aquatrax watercraft adventure, snorkel by boat, and stingray adventure. You only have half a day at Half Moon Cay so make sure to see the beach during the port visit. Thanks! The chili fried rice and banana rum cake were so good! Although Half Moon Cay is Carnival’s private island, they are still obligated to follow the Bahamian rule which states that no public nudity is allowed. This tropical buffet lunch is known to quickly run out of food. Dinner that evening was inspired by Half Moon Cay – mai tai (tropical tradition with rum) and fried conch fritters (minced conch with diced vegetables and local spices served with a tropical fruit salsa).

There are some must-try activities on this island and some things you can skip.

It includes butler service, along with a dedicated chef, cabana steward, bartender and lifeguard. Breaking Free Without Breaking the Budget. This uninhabited island sits about 100 miles southeast of Nassau. (If you have a drink package onboard your ship, it does not extend to the island.). Standard four-person cabana rentals come equipped with a ceiling fan, electric fan and air-conditioning unit to keep you cool. An advance reservation to book a cabana is recommended; reservations might be available once onboard, but it depends on the cruise. Be aware that housekeeping services are deployed an hour-and-a-half before departure time to ensure anything that needs to return to the cruise ship (dishware, for example) are collected. The bar will stay open later and does serve limited snacks and drinks. Finally, everyone wants to know if visiting Half Moon Cay is worth the money. CDC's No-Sail Order for Cruise Ships Expires; New Date Is October 31, Princess Cruises Takes Delivery of New Ship, Enchanted Princess, From Shipyard. The bar will stay open later and does serve limited snacks and drinks. Cruisers who book a cabana rental on Half Moon Cay are asked to fill out a form before their stay to ensure their preference of sodas and drinks (about six at a time) are stocked. All cabanas and villas are within walking distance of the main welcome area, but a golf cart will bring you to your cabana, and are available for further transport for those who have mobility issues. You’ll need to purchase an additional drink package solely for your time on Half Moon Cay. Getting back and forth between the ship may take a long time. We rented a cabana so I know we will receive snorkel gear. Families might choose a lower number or letter, meaning a cabana/villa that's close to food and facilities, while a couple looking for some alone time might want to be all the way on the end (number 15).