Half Moon Cay is a private island in the Bahamas that was purchased by Holland America Line in the late 1990s. The line has constructed a resort complex on this previously uninhabited island and it now serves as a port of call for Holland America ships and for the ships of sister company Carnival Cruise Lines.
Several of the major cruise lines have private island resorts that have been developed into tropical paradises. Half Moon Cay has been consistently rated highly by cruise ship passengers.
The most outstanding feature of Half Moon Cay is the nine-mile long crescent shaped beach. It is covered with white sand and crystal-clear water laps up on it Deck chairs, hammocks and cabanas lie under the shade of palm trees around the lifeguard-supervised swimming section. Further up the beach, there is just pristine sand.
Half Moon Cay is not just a beach, however. There are the usual beach-related playthings such as paddle boats and floats. But, there are other things to do such as a string ray encounter and riding horses along the beach. You can get a massage, renew wedding vows in the Bahamian church, snorkel, parasail or go for a guided tour on a jet ski, a kayak or a glass bottomed boat.
For the guests’ convenience, the crew of the ship that is visiting the island prepares a barbeque lunch in the restaurant pavilion. There are several bars but members of the bar staff also walk along the beach so that guests do not even have to leave their lounge chair.
Children can play either in the Aqua Park or in the separate Club Hal playground area.
Meanwhile, adults can indulge in shopping or have their hair braided in the Bahamian market area.
The resort is only a small portion of the island. Most of it has been left undeveloped as a wildlife sanctuary. There are guides and tours to instruct the intellectually curious about the island’s ecology.
Half Moon Cay is a fantasyland. It is an escape from the real world. But I think that everybody needs to do that once in a while. Beyondships’ photo tour and commentary is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-HalfMoon-1.html
Several of the major cruise lines have private island resorts that have been developed into tropical paradises. Half Moon Cay has been consistently rated highly by cruise ship passengers.
The most outstanding feature of Half Moon Cay is the nine-mile long crescent shaped beach. It is covered with white sand and crystal-clear water laps up on it Deck chairs, hammocks and cabanas lie under the shade of palm trees around the lifeguard-supervised swimming section. Further up the beach, there is just pristine sand.
Half Moon Cay is not just a beach, however. There are the usual beach-related playthings such as paddle boats and floats. But, there are other things to do such as a string ray encounter and riding horses along the beach. You can get a massage, renew wedding vows in the Bahamian church, snorkel, parasail or go for a guided tour on a jet ski, a kayak or a glass bottomed boat.
For the guests’ convenience, the crew of the ship that is visiting the island prepares a barbeque lunch in the restaurant pavilion. There are several bars but members of the bar staff also walk along the beach so that guests do not even have to leave their lounge chair.
Children can play either in the Aqua Park or in the separate Club Hal playground area.
Meanwhile, adults can indulge in shopping or have their hair braided in the Bahamian market area.
The resort is only a small portion of the island. Most of it has been left undeveloped as a wildlife sanctuary. There are guides and tours to instruct the intellectually curious about the island’s ecology.
Half Moon Cay is a fantasyland. It is an escape from the real world. But I think that everybody needs to do that once in a while. Beyondships’ photo tour and commentary is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-HalfMoon-1.html
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