Thank you for the tour and hints. We are going in September so your beautiful video is so inspiring. We can hardly wait. My daughter and I are decided we needed mother-daughter time! The wading & swimming in that blue water is what we need to get grounded. Thank you!
Thank you for the tips! We've been to the stingray adventures via a bus ride (mobility issues). We'd love to make it to the stables and possible settlement ruins. Thank you for the feedback. We were mainly focusing on the process of clamshell rentals in this video. Once again, thank you for the tips!
We have been to Half Moon Cay more than a dozen times. We, only once, had lunch on the island. Then, it was crowded and the food was rather dry and not hot. Pretty much what you might expect. The beach is certainly amazing. And plenty of it. We have gone there each time with Holland America. I think when Carnival goes there, the tenders may be more difficult. Anyhow, our strategy is to continue walking beyond the welcome plaza. We take the road/trail to the stingrays. Never crowded when we go. We watch the people that signed up for wading with them. Then we continue walking along the lagoon where they have kayaks. Beyond, there is a small beach on the lagoon. And next to the beach is a trail leading to some ruins of a settlement on a hill. Then, we continue along the same road/trail that goes back to the seaside road and walk to the stables. By this time, the road is mostly to ourselves. The stables are interesting, particularly if you like horses. 99% if the people are behind us, now. Then, we walk back on the main road for a few hundred yards where we then go onto the beach. We look to our left and see the hoards that are At the beginning of the beach. Our part of the beach is mostly to ourselves. The water is beautiful, clean and sandy bottom. About noon, we take the uncrowned tender back to the mostly empty ship and have a great lunch. The people in this video missed most of the beauty of Half Moon Cay.
Glad to get the tips on going over there. Learn from my son who was there on august 31th. Also today is my daughter law Birthday. They was having fun. Thanks for all of the tips.
I just love y'all , y'all are a hoot and love your live streams and videos and I want to take a cruise but am clueless about how to pick one for the first time so I'm going to try to check out more of your videos but just love y'all, God Bless
@@luvysfatlife the 2-story cabanas include A/C, snorkel gear, floating mats, and ride to the cabana, no walking! The first floor has hot tub, restroom and fresh water shower. The top floor has a kitchen! Totally worth the cost, especially if 2 groups split the cost.
Agree with not being so crowded! Our only reservation there is mobility issues for my wife and a bathroom if needed. It is mighty peaceful down there for sure! thank you for checking out!
Soooo crowded in the summer months but it's a beautiful beach and a relaxing free beach day! I'm taking the grandkids in July next year so I'm not looking forward to the heat or the crowds but you go when the kiddos can go and make the best of it! Thanks for the video!
They do have a bus that will carry you further down the beach. It’s not easy to get on/off if mobile issues though. You may be able to ask for an atv ride down?
Thank you for checking out. We have a full half moon cay video coming out within the next month or two. Please like and subscribe to see future video. Thank you again.
If you wanted to be on a quieter area of HMC are you able to pick out a clam shell for that? Also, do they walk around selling drinks? Love your videos!
They do have clamshells towards the whiter end as well, but that area is not near food or restroom. You get whatever clamshell you get to before others. Yes, they definitely walk around selling and taking orders for drinks! Drink package does not work on island though. Must have sign or sail card and the charge to room.
Man that sucks especially in the heat ..that's a long walk...going in sept and I will keeps those tips in mind thank you..ps was the water cold at 10:00 am
I don’t know how I would feel about that but again it just seems too crowded in the beginning. You were better off even if you had to walk a bit. About how long of a walk was it really. I booked a clamshell and it says arrival at port 10 in the morning and the rental is 11-4. What time are we allowed to leave the ship or do you suggest for 11 rental
I would be on the first tender. It allows you that with a rental. It’s not really 11-4. It’s whenever you get there. It took about 5-10 minutes to walk down. It’s not that far really. Too far to walk down and back to get out of the water.
Thanks for all the information. Did you notice if a lot of people go ashore early then maybe go back to the ship early? I rented a clamshell for September and I’m trying to be prepared.
Yes, a lot of people try to get there early to secure a clamshell. I have to admit, it was far more crowded than when we went in February. The Sunshine holds 3500 people on average. It really depends on where you want to be for the clamshell on when to get off the ship.
Can you advise … I’m in the process of purchasing a clam shell .. do I just need to include my name in the booking and I will automatically get 2 chairs …. Also my ticket time says 10.30 until 3.30 if i decide to book it , would you still recommend me getting the 7.45 boat across ? Also should I book 2 clamshells as there are 5 of us ( going in March ) or will one be ok .. I can’t imagine we are all going to be in at the same time … kids will be swimming etc
I would book two clamshells for sure. I did this for three of us. You can book these through carnival ahead of time. When you get on the ship, they will provide you with tickets for the clamshells. Make sure you are on the first or second tender going to the island. Don't go by the time they have on your ticket. They will tell you when they are starting to take passengers to the island. Also, once at the island, don't wait or go to the excursion desk. Go find the clamshell you want and wait to hand the ticket to the person collecting them. If you wait too long the good ones will be gone. If you don't mind going further down the beach that is ok as well.
Hey there! Did y’all eat lunch on the island? My mom and I are going next week and rented a clam shell. Was wondering how far the clamshells were to the food/ bathrooms?
Hello, we have several videos out on HMC. We rented Cabana #4 or #5. The food is near there along with the bathrooms. The clamshells run the full length of the beach, so finding a good one central is key if you plan on walking around. We were not impressed with the food when we went. We will try it again very soon to see if it is better. Here is a picture of the beach and where things are located. www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=ssSLZXQU&id=835BD4BC4788F16AF7D24A791B25DED77407A2C9&thid=OIP.ssSLZXQU-9KKf_bt1Qzw4gHaGZ&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fc1.staticflickr.com%2f9%2f8164%2f7156987629_c4d0a70ecc_b.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.b2c48b657414fbd28a7ff6edd50cf0e2%3frik%3dyaIHdNfeJRt5Sg%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=884&expw=1024&q=Half+Moon+Cay+Map&simid=608028298692931197&FORM=IRPRST&ck=4F68866B4BA9EA16D743C9349F869841&selectedIndex=3&adlt=STRICT&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
thanks for the in depth report on the potty. we had some trouble at Chankanaab, mobility may be an issue there. I DK if we are getting a clam shell or a cabana. At 2:09 on your video said that there was a rental station by Captain Morgan's, Did you find that to be true? One could take the shuttle all the way out to CM then turn in the ticket for the clam shell?
Hello Kim, I’ve been twice and most of the beach is wide open sand bed without a lot of marine life. I’ve been told the best area for snorkeling is along the edge of the rocks as soon as you come into HMC. I’ve also heard the other area that’s great is at the very end of the beach, further down from where we were at. There is no life guards there and I’ve heard the under toe can be bad? Thank you for watching!
What date I was there June 27th to July 1 2022 on Conquest you Missed the buffet burgers and hot dogs and salads other stuff the tram could have taken you there I will be there again on 8 day cruise on Venezia Augs 31 to Sept 8 2023
Hey Michael, we have another video on the food there.....hint I'm NOT a fan of the cookout food. We plan on a complete tour video of HMC very soon. We have been to the island four times in 14 months. It is our favorite beach by far! Thank you for watching!
Would you still recommend reserving a claim shade ahead of time? I saw on another video since they get taken so quickly that others recommended renting it once you arrive and to get there as early as possible either way if you want a shade. How did they verify if you had a reservation for one?
They will sell out! Our last trip to HMC they were all out weeks before the cruise. We put our name in a list and did NOT get one. Reserve as soon as you can if you want shade! Good luck!
We didn’t have one for our last cruise. We really lathered up with the high level sunscreen and were alright. If you stay close to cabana three you are near the bbq and there are shelters close by and bathrooms.
Thanks for the video … did you rent the clamshell on the ship or at the information ?? Someone said jn another video people just sit at the clamshells wether they have paid or not ? Can you confirm the easiest way please . Thanks
I ordered the clamshell on Carnival's website. You go to the clamshell when you arrive at HMC that you want and wait on someone in a yellow shirt to come and secure your ticket. If you don't have a ticket, you cannot sit at the clamshell. They usually keep them locked and will only unlock if you provide the ticket. Later in the day when people leave, I saw some people come and sit at the clamshells. At that point, the person that paid for it was already heading back to the ship. In fact, we told others they could use ours since we were leaving for the day.
Hello, If I had to guess I would say about 1 to 1.5 miles total from one end to the other. You can also take a bus to a certain point and NOT have to walk the full beach.
Are there clam shells closer to the other area I have arthritis and it's a bit for me to walk. Our ship is scheduled to be in half Moon cay at 8 a.m. and we will get on the tender pretty early
@@luvysfatlife Thank you, I was wondering can we bring our own tent like I saw them on RU-vid and was wondering is it allowed or did you see other people with test of their own on the beach ⛱️
Hello, is there a water park for the kids like Royal Caribbean’s perfect day at coco cay? A carnival rep tried to tell me it was but I cannot find any evidence of it. They even sent me to an off brand website that had a picture of RC perfect day listed under carnival. Thank you.
I believe I have a video of it in here. Yes, they have a kids area. It’s kind of for really small kids? Not sure of age. It’s pretty cool for kids. Below is video with it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O3eeFH2ZIGw.html&feature=shares
Thank you so much for your response. 😊 half moon cay beach is basically free unless you order certain amenities like cabanas right? It’s a chill day more than anything is what I’m interpreting. Find adventure in the water and on the beach the best way you know how? 😃 thanks for the video link! Checking it out now.
@@lanishagholston8089 I don’t think one can really compare HMC to like a RC Coco Cay. HMC is intentionally trying to stay natural as much as possible without a water park vibe. Thank you for watching.
Watched the video! Thank you. Our youth is going to have to find something to do to get extremely wet because this sprinkler system won’t cut it lol 😂 maybe we will stay on the ship this day. They’re all about water parks and slides. Thanks again for replying to my question and sharing the video link. Enjoy your day.
@@lanishagholston8089 if your going to HMC you have to get off the ship! You can rent paddle boats or other items. It’s our favorite beach we’ve visited to date. Absolutely gorgeous
Those two are totally separate in what they give you. If you purchase a clamshell in advance, it gets you on the first shuttle to island. FTTF allows first on ship (priority) and first off…..plus priority lines.
what time do you recommend heading back to ship? We are going Thanksgiving Week. Can you take your own snorkling gear and do it anywhere on the beach or is just in a desginated area
You can snorkel anywhere. Only real good place is to the left near the huge villa they have for rent. Heading back to the ship is a personal choice. It depends also when they tell you ship is leaving. We normally head back between 2-3p
@@luvysfatlife thank you we are going on the sunshine too. this will be my husbands 1st ever cruise. i have been on one before a very long time ago. i think the ship leaves at like 5 so i just want to make sure we are paying attention to the time to leave. how is the food at the free buffet? do you know about the price range of the drinks on the beach and at the bar? do you have videos on tips for bimini and nassau?
@@brandilucas8885 we have a playlist for the Sunshine with over 50 videos. Drinks are the same as on ship (price). Food is not good at island buffet. Best thing is the jerk chicken and rice in my opinion. Not worth the wait…..but free. If leaving earlier, we just hit guys burger joint up as soon as we get back on.
No, they where the beach starts……our problem was we arrived later. You could always take a tram/bus they provide as well. We were already at the beach so just walked from there.
