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Topic: Private Islands

RobHolland
First Class Passenger
Member # 3779

posted 03-14-2004 08:52 AM

There are several private islands, owned by the cruise lines. Who has visited some of them? And which are the best, or are they all more or less the same? Are they all-in or can one expect many additional costs for things like watersports? What's the overall quality of a day on such a island? Is it really so great as they promise?

[ 03-14-2004: Message edited by: RobHolland ]

Posts: 762 | From: ms Rotterdam | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-14-2004 10:11 AM

Rob - I have only visited HAL's Half Moon Cay. It's a beautiful small island in the Bahamas with white sand beaches and blue/green clear cool water. Many people think the water is too cold for swimming, but we Canadians are a hearty bunch.

There are hundreds of lounge chairs, quite a few blue canvas shells, for those who do not want to sit in the sun, hammocks in the shade trees and a few shops at the main entrance to the island.

HAL has a permanent BBQ station where they serve ribs, chicken, hamburgers, baked beans, salads, fruit and cookies/squares. Lots to eat. This costs absolutely nothing. There are a couple of bars and of course you have to pay for your drinks.
Also the waiters walk up and down the beach selling beer & soda, or as we Canadians call it POP.

There is a charge for water sports - parasailing, kayaking, banana boat riding, floating mats, snorkelling, and fishing excursions, although you can snorkel on your own at the beach but it's not very good. Can't think of other things they charge for but they are listed on HAL's web site.

We only go to the island to spend the day at the beach sunning and swimming. It's PARADISE! Would love to stay there for a week.

Oh, forgot with HAL's Signature of Excellence program coming soon, they say they are going to have horseback riding on the beach- don't know how they are going to do this with all the people milling around - we'll see if it every happens. Other improvements and activities are coming soon also. Of course, there will be a charge for this.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

eandjracquet
First Class Passenger
Member # 3558

posted 03-14-2004 11:51 AM

I was at Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay which is next to Royal Carribean's Coco Cay. They also had a permanent barbeque/buffet station, a stage for the Carrribean band, and restrooms (no showers, lockers or changing rooms). There were quite a few beach chairs/loungers/umbrellas-we did not have a problem getting any-although our chairs were a fair distance away from the tender dock. Water was warm-snorkeling (we have our own gear) was okay-not up there with Cozumel or even Coki Beach in St. Thomas. I did not think the private island thing was all it was hyped up to be. Just my opinion.

Posts: 57 | From: Peekskill, NY, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

RobHolland
First Class Passenger
Member # 3779

posted 03-14-2004 12:34 PM

Very informing posts, thank you both! I came up with this post after reading in HAL's new cruise planner. The images of Half Moon Cay looked so great! Like a paradise, as you said Sympatico.

Posts: 762 | From: ms Rotterdam | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

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