Your Guide to Visiting Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s Private Island in The Bahamas

The Bahamas is teeming with idyllic personal islands, a few of that are solely accessible through cruise ship. Amongst them is Half Moon Cay—formally RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Previously often known as Little San Salvador, the isle was bought by Holland America Line, certainly one of a number of cruise strains owned by father or mother firm Carnival Company, in 1996. It was formally opened as a port of name in 1997 and has been welcoming cruisers ever since. The title comes from the ship in Holland America’s former emblem: Halve Maen, which was captained by none aside from Henry Hudson. Coincidentally, the island boasts a good looking half-moon-shaped seaside, making it further apropos.

Right here’s what you’ll want to learn about visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, in accordance with journey specialists. 

Attending to Half Moon Cay

Each Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line make stops at this personal island paradise. “Because of the shallow waters,” notes Tiffany Formby, journey advisor at Travels by Danielle, “this can be a tender port.” Because of this passengers should take a smaller boat from the cruise ship to get to land. With this in thoughts, she recommends “getting in line early to get tender tickets or reserving an tour/cabana to be one of many first off the ship.”

Carnival and Holland America supply quite a lot of itineraries from a number of North American ports that embody stops at Half Moon Cay. 

Issues to Do on Half Moon Cay

“There isn’t a scarcity of issues to do on Half Moon Cay!” says Kari Dillon, journey advisor and proprietor of Marvelous Mouse Travels. With miles of sandy seashores, clear blue waters, and all-around gorgeous surroundings, this personal island presents one thing for everybody. Better of all, Formby says, “Half Moon Cay could be an expense-free port cease,” due to complimentary facilities like lounge chairs plus a splash pad and playground for youngsters. Whether or not you like to hold unfastened on the seaside or embark on an action-packed tour, listed here are a few of the finest issues to do on Half Moon Cay.

Seaside Actions

Half Moon Cay is ideal for seaside lovers, says Dillon. Per the journey advisor, these in search of further seclusion alongside the sand ought to stroll additional down the seaside space. Oftentimes, “the additional you stroll away from the tender space, the extra secluded the seaside turns into,” Formby explains. 

Moreover, whereas the aforementioned loungers are nice, you may spend the day swaying away in one of many hammocks  (out there on a first-come, first-served foundation) or hire umbrellas for further shade. Cruisers also can hire snorkeling gear, floats, and a choice of water sports activities gear, together with Jet Skis, kayaks, water bikes, and stand-up paddleboards. 

Excursions and Excursions

Each Holland America and Carnival supply a handful of excursions and excursions on Half Moon Cay. Fan favorites embody horseback driving on the seaside, kayaking adventures, snorkeling excursions, and stingray encounters. On land, cruise passengers can embark on a motorbike tour or nature stroll (each guided and self-guided choices can be found). Alternatively, join a guided tram tour of the island to cease at its hottest spots whereas basking within the stunning views. Precise choices fluctuate relying in your itinerary, so you’ll want to verify which shall be supplied throughout your crusing as you propose your journey. 

Cabana Leases

For a real deal with, splurge on a cabana or villa rental. The previous is right for smaller teams because the beginning value (round $720) consists of as much as 4 visitors (two further visitors also can make the most of the cabana, however anticipate to pay a per-person surcharge). Facilities embody snacks (chips, dip, and fruit), drinks (water and soda), and use of water floating mats and snorkel gear. Cabana amenities embody a fridge, eating desk and chairs, two deck loungers, and a misting bathe. These considering renting a cabana ought to achieve this as early as doable, says Formby. “Cabana leases offered out shortly for our crusing because the predominant draw to the island is stress-free beachside.” 

In the meantime, the 1,620-square-foot Non-public Oasis cabana, which, per Dillon, “is the most important and most luxurious on the island,” is really in a league of its personal. Along with the aforementioned facilities, this cabana features a BBQ lunch plus a choice of alcoholic drinks (beers, wine by the glass, and tropical cocktails); different highlights embody indoor and out of doors showers and your very personal group (a chef, bartender, butler, steward, and lifeguard) who’re readily available to make your day as memorable and enjoyable as doable. The Non-public Oasis begins at $2,110 for 12 folks, although it may well maintain a most of 24 (you’ll pay an extra per-person cost for teams bigger than 12). 

Two-story seaside villas are additionally out there for hire and include a fridge, snorkel gear, floating mats, and a misting bathe. The beginning value of round $1,029 covers eight visitors; for teams bigger than eight, you’ll incur an additional per-person cost (although there’s a most of 18 allowed per villa). 

Eating

Relating to ingesting and eating on Half Moon Cay, there are a number of choices. Price range-conscious vacationers can reap the benefits of the open-air BBQ lunch buffet, which, per Dillon, “is scrumptious, so you do not want to return to the ship.” The buffet consists of barbecue favorites like burgers, scorching canines, rooster, fruits, salads, and desserts. 

Alternatively, for a worth-it splurge, eat on the Lobster Shack. The menu right here is straightforward and easy, with the star of the present being—you guessed it—grilled lobster. Subsequent to the Lobster Shack is the Want I May Keep Right here Eternally bar, marked by its Instagram-worthy signal. The island boasts two further bars: the Bell Bar and Rum Runners. In response to Dillon, the assorted bars supply related menus, and your onboard drink bundle doesn’t embody drinks on the island.

Suggestions for Visiting

Whereas a go to to Half Moon Cay is one for the books, there are some things to notice to profit from your time. There isn’t a Wi-Fi on the island, so Formby recommends bringing one other type of communication (like walkie-talkies) to make use of when you separate out of your group. 

Dillon additionally shares a number of ideas and tips to contemplate. First, don’t forget to convey towels from the ship ashore with you. Second, keep in mind that the sooner you get off the ship, the higher probability you’ll have at scoring a seat in a chief seaside location. In any other case, stroll a bit of additional down the seaside to search out extra secluded areas. When starvation calls, she recommends consuming on the sooner aspect so you aren’t caught in a line throughout the lunch rush—that method, you may have extra time to discover the island, loosen up on the seaside, or wade within the water. 

Additionally, unbeknownst to many, the island has a small put up workplace the place visitors can mail postcards to family and friends again dwelling—a enjoyable and low-cost exercise for everybody in your group. You may also deal with your family members to one thing from the on-site memento store or straw market. Animal lovers could have the chance to snap a selfie with Ted, the island’s completely lovely resident donkey. 

Final however not least, {couples} may even select to get married on Half Moon Cay. The oceanfront surroundings and on-site chapel function the right setting for nuptials. Each cruise strains supply marriage ceremony packages and may present additional data and help to assist plan your big day.