Is stress-free on a personal island one in every of your favourite issues to do when on a cruise? This is the excellent news: One of many world’s most well-known cruise line personal islands simply bought a serious improve.
On June 1, cruise large Carnival unveiled a large redevelopment of Half Moon Cay — the personal island in The Bahamas it has lengthy shared with sister model Holland America.
Renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the island is now house to an all-new seashore resort space that’s for the unique use of passengers arriving on Carnival ships.
Positioned alongside the beforehand undeveloped northern finish of the spectacular, two-mile-long crescent seashore that’s the defining characteristic of the island, it boasts hundreds of loungers and umbrellas going through the water, waterside eateries and bars, and each form of water toy that you can think of.
In the meantime, the beforehand present growth on the island, positioned on the southern finish of the identical seashore, can be getting a little bit of a makeover that can be completed later this yr. Going ahead, this space — till June, often visited by each Carnival and Holland America ships — will largely be for the usage of passengers arriving on Holland America ships.
The seashore is so lengthy and large that, as I noticed throughout a go to to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on the day the brand new Carnival resort space opened, there’s room for each of those side-by-side developments.
In impact, they’ll act as two separate personal island locations positioned alongside the exact same seashore.
Right here, a information to every little thing you could know in case you’ll be visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on a Carnival ship (that’s, in case you’re arriving on the Carnival facet of the island).
The place is RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is positioned in The Bahamas. It is about 100 miles southeast of Nassau, essentially the most visited cruise port in The Bahamas, and 277 miles southeast of Miami.
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Formally referred to as Little San Salvador Island, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay has been owned by Carnival Company, the mum or dad firm of Carnival and Holland America, since 1996. Bought for $6 million, it’s the largest personal island owned by a cruise firm in The Bahamas, measuring about 2,400 acres.
Even after Carnival’s current resort space growth on the island, solely a small portion of the island’s footprint has been developed — eventually rely, lower than 100 acres.
A lot of the island has been preserved as a nature space and fowl sanctuary.
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Which cruise ships go to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Almost each Carnival and Holland America ship that operates in The Bahamas and the Caribbean stops at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on a minimum of some if not all sailings within the area.
For the approaching yr, this consists of 22 of Carnival’s 29 vessels and 6 of Holland America’s 11 vessels.
In Holland America’s case, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is a cease on each Caribbean crusing.
For Carnival, stops at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay are significantly frequent on Bahamas sailings out of Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida. However you may additionally discover them on Bahamas cruises out of Baltimore, Maryland; Galveston, Texas; Jacksonville and Tampa in Florida; New York Metropolis; Cellular, Alabama; New Orleans; and Norfolk, Virginia.
Usually, Carnival ships go to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay way more usually than Holland America ships. Carnival ships sail to the island year-round, whereas Holland America ships largely solely go to from the autumn by spring. Holland America ships typically spend the interval from spring by fall in Europe and Alaska. Carnival additionally has way more ships than Holland America.
How do you get round RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
The way you get round RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay will depend on which cruise line takes you to the island.
As a part of its huge growth on the northern finish of the island’s lengthy crescent seashore, Carnival added a big dock that may accommodate as much as two ships at a time — the first-ever dock on the island. This permits Carnival passengers to stroll proper off their ships to a brand new Arrival Plaza the place they’ll discover a tram system (additionally new) for getting round.
This new tram system has two loops — the Inexperienced Line and the Yellow line. Each begin on the Arrival Plaza and head southward alongside the parts of the seashore which might be inside the Carnival growth. The Inexperienced Line makes three stops (stops 2, 3 and 4) on the nearer areas of the seashore. The Yellow Line affords direct service to 2 further-away stops (stops 5 and 6) alongside the seashore.
These 5 stops provide easy accessibility to all the eateries, bars, cabanas and different visitor venues and providers on the Carnival facet of the seashore so you do not have to do an excessive amount of strolling. Or you possibly can simply stroll alongside the pathways that arc across the island’s one lengthy, curving seashore.
There’s additionally a tram to take passengers on to a hub for shore excursions.
Do you have to arrive at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on a Holland America ship, you can be touchdown two miles to the south of Carnival’s Arrival Plaza on the beforehand developed portion of the seashore.
As there is no such thing as a dock in that space, you’ll tender out of your ship (which is able to anchor simply off the island) to land by water shuttle — simply as all arriving cruise guests on each Carnival and Holland America ships did for many years. As soon as there, you possibly can stroll to the seashore, eateries, bars and different venues on that facet of the island or take one of many open-air shuttles that join the assorted venues.
Word that there could also be some (initially comparatively uncommon) instances when Carnival sends three ships to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on a single day. In such circumstances, the 2 largest of the ships will dock on the northern finish of the seashore, on the new Carnival arrival space, whereas the third (and smallest) Carnival ship anchors off the southern a part of the seashore that’s sometimes reserved for Holland America ships.
On these kinds of days, the Carnival ship anchoring to the south will use the seashore amenities, eateries and bars positioned at that space.
What are the very best issues to do at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
As famous above, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s essential characteristic is a really beautiful crescent seashore that’s two miles lengthy — so lengthy that it actually feels infinite.
Thought-about one of the stunning seashores in The Bahamas, it affords powdery-soft, white sand and is fronted by crystal-clear turquoise water.
For a lot of guests, a seashore day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is all about having fun with this glorious seashore.
As I noticed firsthand throughout my go to, the beachfront areas on the northern finish of the seashore developed for Carnival passengers (the primary focus of this information) is lined with almost 10,000 new lounge chairs and almost 5,000 new umbrellas — all out there to be used at no additional cost. There are also a lot of extra-charge cabanas, daybeds and clam shells with lounge seating out there for renting by the day (extra on these in a second).
The quantity of seating is so in depth that even on days when two Carnival ships are docked on the north finish of the island, there needs to be loads of spots for everybody to lounge in consolation.
So as to add to the expertise, you possibly can hire a floating mat ($21.99 for the day) to drift within the luscious-looking water or snorkel gear ($21.99 for the day) to see what’s down under.
Additionally out there for hire:
- Stand-up paddleboards ($39.99 per hour)
- Single kayaks ($32.99 per hour)
- Double kayaks ($50.99 per hour)
- Massive Dipper noodles ($10.99 per day)
- Hobie Catamaran sail boats ($49.99 per individual)
Along with all of the above for beachy enjoyable, you may discover seashore volleyball courts unfold across the seashore for group play, often on the high of the seashore.
What are the very best excursions at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
You will discover greater than half a dozen extra-charge excursions at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and Carnival executives inform TPG that extra could possibly be coming quickly.
The perfect RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay excursions at the moment out there embody:
- Historic Nature Stroll ($26.99 per individual). This guided stroll takes you alongside nature trails all through the over 90% of the island that is still undeveloped, to study the native natural world.
- Island Bike Tour ($26.99 per individual). This guided bike tour takes you round accessible areas of the island for a glimpse of things like the island’s stables, church and lagoon.
- Stingray Journey ($54.99 per individual). Snorkel with stingrays on the island’s Stingray Cove, the place stingrays are at all times current.
- Tropical Kayak Journey ($59.99). This guided kayak outing takes you into the 1,400-acre lagoon within the nature space of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
- Horseback Driving by Land and Sea ($136.99 per individual). This tour is a guided horseback trip across the island that features a horseback stroll into the ocean.
- Snorkel by Boat ($65.99 per individual). This group boat trip will get you out onto the crystal-clear waters round RelaxAway Half Moon Cay with a cease for snorkeling.
Does RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay provide cabanas to hire?
If you wish to reserve a personal area alongside the Carnival portion of the RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay seashore entrance, you may discover 22 all-new personal cabanas out there which might be designed for teams of as much as seven folks.
Often called RelaxAway Cabanas, they comprise a semi-private lined construction with a espresso desk, a three-seat couch and two armchairs, in addition to two loungers in entrance of this construction which might be shaded by an umbrella. As well as, the cabanas include a secure the place you possibly can safe your private belongings whereas out and about across the island.
The cabanas (all positioned close to tram station 3) additionally include a number of facilities which might be usually an additional cost on the island:
- Chips and contemporary fruit
- Water and soda
- Floating mats (4 per cabana)
- Snorkel gear
Pricing for cabanas is ready on a per cabana foundation not per individual, with dynamic pricing that may fluctuate relying on demand (on the day I visited, the fee was $799.99 per cabana).
Different extra-charge choices for a personal area at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay together with 48 all-new Luxurious Daybeds. These are plush two-person daybeds lined with a cover that provides safety from the solar, plus two extra conventional lounge chairs with an umbrella simply in entrance of the daybed. In concept, meaning they provide room for 4 folks (two on the daybed and two within the lounge chairs). They’re sometimes priced beginning round $149.99 per unit.
Clamshell Sunshade leases additionally can be found, sometimes priced at $64.99 per individual.
Cabanas and daybeds will be reserved prematurely of crusing by Carnival’s Cruise Planner. If spots stay, you may also reserve cabanas and daybeds as soon as on board your ship by the onboard Carnival HUB app, the Shore Tour Desk, or Visitor Providers. Moreover, if area stays, you possibly can reserve cabanas and daybeds as soon as on the island on the Visitor Providers and Shore Excursions kiosk, and the rental kiosks which might be positioned throughout the island.
Is meals included at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure, two eateries alongside the Carnival portion of the RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay seashore entrance serve a complimentary barbecue lunch.
The 2 eateries are Hibiscus Seaside Grill (positioned at tram station 5) and Orchid Seaside Grill (positioned at tram station 2). Each of those serve lunch in the course of the noon hours (sometimes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) with stations for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers and scorching canines, grilled hen, slow-roasted pulled pork, salads, nacho bars and all kinds of sides.
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The Hibisicus Seaside Grill. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Each have drinks stations with complimentary water, lemonade and tea, and a bar the place you may discover alcoholic drinks and sodas for an additional cost. Desserts embody chocolate brownies, apple crumble and cookies.
Related eateries are positioned on the Holland America facet of the island.
Does my drink bundle work at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
No. Whether or not you are arriving at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on a Carnival or Holland America ship, your onboard drink bundle will not work on the island. The length-of-cruise drinks packages bought by each Carnival and Holland America solely are legitimate when you find yourself onboard your ship.
That is notably totally different than what you may discover at another cruise line personal islands together with Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. On the latter, drinks packages work the identical as onboard.
Do you have to need a drink whereas on the island, you may pay a la carte costs which might be just like what you may discover on board ships (cocktails are $12.50) — and haven’t any scarcity of choices.
On the Carnival facet of the island, bars will be discovered at tram stops 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Is there purchasing at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
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Three new present outlets on the island provide souvenirs and sundries. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Whether or not you are on the lookout for souvenirs or want to select up the sunscreen or swim goggles you forgot to pack, you will discover what you are on the lookout for at one in every of three present outlets alongside the Carnival portion of the seashore positioned at tram stops 1, 3 and 5. There’s additionally a small Artisan Market on the Arrivals Plaza the place native Bahamians promote their wares.
The present outlets solely settle for fee by way of your ship Signal & Sail card (and thus no matter you cost will present up up in your ultimate cruise invoice). On the Artisan Market, you possibly can pay with money or bank cards however not your Signal & Sail card.
What extra facilities will I discover at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Restrooms and seashore showers are scattered all through the island and are properly marked on maps. You will additionally discover designated smoking areas, lockers and first help stations.
Locker use comes with an additional cost.
One factor you will not discover on the island is a seashore towel station. You can see seashore towels in your cruise cabin that it’s best to convey with you to the island for the day. After which do not forget to convey them again as towels aren’t meant to remain on the island.
Seaside wheelchairs with extra-thick tires for navigating RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s sandy shore can be found to borrow all through the island.
Can I keep in a single day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Alas, you possibly can solely loosen up away at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in the course of the daytime.
Whereas there are some fairly good cabanas on the island with loungers the place you simply may go to sleep for hours, you possibly can’t hire them in a single day. Irrespective of when your cruise ship arrives, it’s going to sail away later the identical day, and the one individuals who spend the night time on the island are employees members.
What is the climate like at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
The Bahamas has nice climate year-round. Count on highs within the low 80s in the course of the winter and low 90s in the course of the summer time.
The rainiest months within the Bahamas are June, August and September. As well as, hurricane season runs June by November, with the height time for storms from August by October. Your ship won’t name on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay if situations are unsafe.
All that mentioned, don’t fret an excessive amount of in case you see a forecast for rain on the day you are supposed to go to. Like in different tropical locations, rain showers are inclined to go rapidly and you may see them coming. If it does begin raining, perhaps used the time to go to the lined areas on the island’s eateries and bars for lunch, a snack or a cocktail. By the point you are finished, it’d simply be sunny once more.
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RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay FAQ
What else do you could find out about RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay? This is an FAQ with quick details.
Is smoking allowed at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is for essentially the most half a smoke-free vacation spot. You possibly can’t smoke at cabanas, eateries, bars, outlets or alongside the seashore entrance. The one locations the place you possibly can smoke are at a handful of designated smoking areas tucked away in inconspicuous spots.
Does RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay have Wi-Fi?
Sure. Passengers who’ve purchased a Wi-Fi bundle by Carnival will discover that they’ll have the ability to entry web whereas at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in addition to the Carnival HUB app. This can be a change that got here with the island’s redevelopment in 2026. Earlier than that, Wi-Fi was not out there.
Are there lifeguards at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure. Each seashore space has a lifeguard station that’s manned by a lifeguard always when passengers are on the island.
Does RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay have a pool?
In contrast to many cruise line personal islands, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay doesn’t have a pool.
Does RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay have an adults-only space?
As of now, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay doesn’t have an adults-only space. However Carnival executives have hinted to TPG that an adults-only space could be one thing they do in a later section of growth on the island.
Does RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay have a waterpark?
No. Carnival has very intentionally designed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay as a vacation spot for a comparatively quiet, stress-free seashore day, not a theme park-like expertise. The corporate says it has no plans so as to add a waterpark or different large household resort points of interest of the kind discovered at another cruise line personal islands.
Is RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay all-inclusive?
No. Whereas meals on the island’s eateries is free, you may pay additional for drinks on the island. You will additionally pay additional for excursions, cabanas and water play toys together with snorkeling gear and floating mats. That mentioned, there is no such thing as a cost to make use of lounge chairs and umbrellas.
How outdated do I’ve to be to drink alcohol at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
You have to be 21 years outdated or older to buy alcohol at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
Will Carnival and Holland America ships go to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on the identical time?
Sure. There can be instances when each a Carnival ship and a Holland America ship are visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay — on the northern and southern ends of the island’s lengthy seashore, respectively. However Holland America solely sends ships to the island seasonally from fall to spring. On many days, it will simply be Carnival ships visiting.
Can all Carnival ships go to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure. The brand new dock has made it potential for even the most important Carnival ships such because the 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and 5,362-passenger Carnival Celebration to go to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. That wasn’t the case earlier than.
As well as, the dock is sufficiently big for 2 Carnival ships to tie up on the identical time.
Can I stroll from the Carnival growth on the island to the Holland America growth?
Sure. There’s nothing stopping you from strolling from the Carnival resort space on the northern finish of the island’s lengthy crescent seashore to the Holland America resort space on the southern finish. However the two areas are far aside. The seashore is roughly two miles in size from finish to finish.
Word that the tram service on the Carnival facet of the seashore doesn’t prolong all the best way to the Holland America facet.
Can I’ve my wedding ceremony at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure. Weddings are at the moment out there at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. To rearrange a marriage at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, name Carnival Weddings at 800-933-4968 or go to Carnival’s wedding planning webpage.
Are mobility scooters allowed at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure. Passengers are welcome to convey their scooters to the port. Be suggested that there aren’t any designated scooter charging stations.
Can I convey my service animal to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Sure. Licensed service canines could come ashore at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. It’s essential to notify the Visitor Providers desk in your Carnival ship prematurely, and canines should stay leashed always. Emotional assist animals aren’t permitted below cruise line coverage and vacation spot laws.
Can I see the map for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay?
Right here is the map for the Carnival portion of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay:
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