Thread: Private Island Guide: Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay
Located between Eleuthera and Cat Island, Half Moon Cay is Holland America Line's private cruise island, previously known as Little San Salvador Island. Its usually a one-day port of call, with passengers being transported to shore via tender boats. Holland America purchased the island in 1997 and has only developed 45 of the over 2700 acres on this stretch of sand, known for its large nesting population of ocean-going waterfowl, including 10,000 sooty terns, noddy terns, 200 pairs of roseate terns, shearwaters and Bahamian pintails.

Many of Holland America's Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages will make a stop at Half Moon Cay. In addition, six Carnival ships will make regular stops, including Carnival Pride's seven-night year-round Eastern Caribbean voyages from Baltimore (beginning May 2010), Carnival Liberty's year-round and Carnival Glory's seasonal Eastern Caribbean departures from Miami, and Carnival Miracle's seasonal eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruises leaving from New York.

Activities abound on Half Moon Cay and visitors can expect to be able to take part in; horseback riding, guided bike tours, stingray meet and greets, relaxing in Air Conditioned cabanas, walking the many nature trails or running along the new 5k course recently installed. On the island there are three water sports centers; two on the beach and one on the lagoon. At the centers you will be able to rent beach gear and equipment such as snorkel masks. Guests can play volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard and horseshoes. Kids have their own pirate ship playground and water park. There is a handicap accessible tram that runs all the time on the island and links up with newly added handicap ramps at the beach centers and a wheelchair path to the beach.

Now, the BBQ served at HAL's Half Moon Cay, has been described as they best he ever ate, by one member, to not memorable in 2009, by another member. Apparently, someone will have to get down there, taste-test and report back to settle this confusion. However, the four full service bars and Tropics Restaurant will surely keep you and your family from wasting away.

We would love to hear from other members who have spent some time on Half Moon Cay. Do you have some favorite areas of the island? Any tips or advice to get he most out of your time there? Cruise Line Fans want to know.

It has been several years since we were on Half Moon Cay, but when we were there I thought it was the prettiest private island we have ever visited......and I still hold that memory today. Really white sand and very well kept.

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

Half Moon Cay
In addition, six Carnival ships will make regular stops, including Carnival Pride's seven-night year-round Eastern Caribbean voyages from Baltimore (beginning May 2010), Carnival Liberty's year-round and Carnival Glory's seasonal Eastern Caribbean departures from Miami, and Carnival Miracle's seasonal eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruises leaving from New York.

Is this something NEW for Carnival Corp. to NOW have Carnival Cruise Line ships make port stops at HMC? In the past I thought only HAL ships went there?

Noticed that Carnival Fantasy (out of Charleston) and Carnival Fascination (out of Savannah) are also scheduled for port stops to HMC.

Originally Posted by LuLu

Is this something NEW for Carnival Corp. to NOW have Carnival Cruise Line ships make port stops at HMC? In the past I thought only HAL ships went there?

Noticed that Carnival Fantasy (out of Charleston) and Carnival Fascination (out of Savannah) are also scheduled for port stops to HMC.

There goes the neighborhood If Carnival does to HMC the same as they did to the service and quality of HAL cruise ships!!

Ooooooooooooops! I ment Fascination (out of Jacksonville, not Savannah)!

Originally Posted by GeneK

There goes the neighborhood If Carnival does to HMC the same as they did to the service and quality of HAL cruise ships!!

CARNIVALIZED

Originally Posted by lulu

carnivalized

lol!! Beer cans and cigarette butts all over the beach from those Carnival party animals.

Tim, I think it was I who commented that the BBQ was not memorable but that was way back in 01, not 09. The current BBQ is quite good. We had just finished lunch before we went to the island expecting the worst, but the aroma and flavor of the food (judging from everyone we spoke to) indicated that the quality had really improved.

As for the beach areas, the island is beautiful. We were not impressed with the lagoon tour but everything else on the island is well done.

Two ships were in the day we visited, both HAL, so we did not have to put up with any Carnival "riff-raff" (just kidding!)

We did back to back, so we were there twice. The first week we were the only ship and the food and everything was great. The second week another HAL ship in, (can't remember who), and it was not near as good. The food was not as good, the line ups were horrendous. It was difficult to find chairs, it was difficult to get drinks....glad we had the good experience the first week.