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CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:
HALF MOON CAY |
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OVERVIEW
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Stein Kruse, former President and CEO of Holland America Line has written that Half Moon Cay "is without a doubt the most popular destination that Holland America goes to, and the
highest rated and arguably the best private island in the Caribbean in the cruise industry." (quoted in Dickinson and Vladmir, Selling the Seas (2d ed 2008) at 180). Considering that HAL goes over the world, Mr. Kruse's statement underscores just how successful Half Moon Cay has been with cruise ship guests. Half Moon Cay is one of 700 islands in the Bahamas. It is located between Eleuthera and Cat Island and is approximately 100 miles south of Nassau. In 1997, Holland America purchased the island then called Little San Salvador for $6 million. Of the island's 2,400 acres only about 50 have been developed. According to HAL "The main goal is to maintain as much habitat as possible for wildlife, especially the waterfowl as the island is a significant nesting area." The island acts as a port of call for Holland America ships and for ships of its sister company Carnival Cruise Lines. Typically, the ships arrive early in the morning and leave by nightfall. The majority of the food and supplies that will be used during the call are brought ashore from the ship. Similarly, the ship's crew does the cooking and performs many of the other services provided to guests on th island. The primary attraction for most guests is the nine-mile long white sand beach. However, the island also has numerous other facilities and activities that guests can indulge in either on their own as part of organized excursions. 
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The resort portion of Half Moon Cay straddles the
island. On one side is the beach area (above). On the other is the less developed Bone Fish Lagoon (below). 
One surprising structure on this uninhabited island is a small
but attractive Bahamian Church. It can be used for renewals of vows and weddings. Most of the island is a bird sanctuary and so it is not unusual to see birds even in the developed part of the island. |
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Cruise ships calling at Half Moon Cay do not dock.
Instead, guests access the island via tenders. 
The tenders arrive and depart from docks in the tender marina (left and above).
The tenders bring both guests and supplies to the island (below). |
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After leaving the tenders, guests walk through a gate into the
Welcome Center, Designed to resemble an idealized Bahamian Village, the center consists of a number of buildings surrounding a plaza. The buildings house the information booth, a bar, an ice cream stand, the gift shop and the straw market. Guests can have their hair braided or purchase Bahamian souvenirs. 
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Covered trucks with benches take guests to various points on the island from the Tram Station at the Welcome Center.
Also near the Welcome Center is the Helipad. |
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Cruise destination - Half Moon Cay - Holland America Line - Carnival Cruise Line - Overview