Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2011 – Day 5

Posted by Aylee

January 30, 2012

Thursday, November 17, 2011
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Tenders were used to get to Half Moon Cay. Passengers booked on tours (or cabanas) got priority boarding on tenders. So we went to Deck 1 as soon as the ship anchored. It was so crowded on Deck 1 and the whole process was a mess. Please read my full review of the tender process after the jump.

On the island, I asked at the Information booth where I could catch the shuttle to go to our cabana coz my mom couldn’t walk very far. The staff told me to wait there and she would have someone come to help me. Nobody did. I asked passengers and they were the ones who told me where to go, which was on the other side of the Welcome Center. By the way, the Half Moon Cay map on Carnival’s website and on the island are not accurate.

Half Moon Cay was very beautiful. The water was clear and sand was soft. There weren’t a lot of fish though, by the beach and even by the huge private cabana. So if you’re looking to snorkel by the beach, you will be disappointed. Half Moon Cay is just a great place to relax.

We had a cabana that I booked online. But you are only able to choose your cabana number onboard the ship so as soon as I got onboard, I went straight to Shore Excursions desk and got #9. Tips and locations in my review after the jump.

We tried to rent a waterbike for $35 (2 people). We paid at the rental booth, but when we got to the beach to claim the waterbike (the only one they had), we were told it was broken. The lady at the rental booth told us we could have the 2 person kayak (worth $45) instead. List of the rentals and prices is on the FunTimes.

Barbecue lunch was pretty good. There were a lot of roofed areas with tables and benches around the Food Pavilion.

Click here to download all the Fun Times at our cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Cruise: Carnival Destiny Continued…

Tender Process

There were so many people when we got to Deck 1 to board the tender. One could barely get out of the elevator. There were supposed to be separate lines for passengers with the first tender ticket and passengers with tours booked. All I knew was that ticket passengers were on the right and tour passengers were on the left. There was no line at all. The “line” started moving but noone even bothered checking our tickets (tour or tender tickets). The line for ticket passengers was done way before the line for tour passengers. I asked the one staff that was there if he could direct some of the tour passengers to the tender for ticket passengers so not to waste time and tender space, he said he wasn’t allowed. Some of the tour passengers tours actually missed their tours.

Private Cabana $219.95

The private cabana had a table with 4 cushioned chairs and 2 cushioned loungers. It also had a refrigerator, cooler, trash bin, and AC. The price included 4 snorkel gears (each had mask, snorkel, vest, and fins), 4 water floats (we only got 3), chips and veggies and dip, fruits, 8 soda cans of our choice and 2 big bottled water. We didn’t finish our sodas and water so we took them back to our cabin.

Cabana #1 was closest to the tender dock and kids’ playground. The Food Pavilion was behind #3, #4, and #5. The ship bar and watersports rental booth was between #5 and #6. There was a restroom behind #9. If you want the most seclusion, get the last cabana (#15). It was far from the tender dock, but there was a shuttle that gets there. Beach infront of cabanas #1 through #5 got very crowded.

The cabana I thought was worth it for 4+ people. If you’re looking to book a cabana primarily for shade, it’s not worth it. Since the cabana is not enclosed, you don’t really get any shade in the afternoon. I hope they add draping or tarp that you can close to provide shade inside the cabana.

Here’s to help you decide whether a cabana is worth it or not:

Cabana cost = $219.95
It included:

4 snorkel gear ($19/adult, $10/child)
4 beach mats, we only got 3 tho ($11.95 ea)
8 soda cans of your choice ($2.25 ea)
2 big bottles of water ($4 ea)
fruits, vegetables and dip (free)

TOTAL = $149.80

That leaves $70.15 for any other purposes you need the cabana for (e.g. shade, shower, fan, convenience). It’s up to you if you think these other purposes are worth $70.15.

Dinner @ the Universe Dining Room

Frog Legs with Provencale Herb Butter