Summer 2008 Vacation - 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise (Halfmoon Cay; Fun days at Sea and Formal Nights demystified)

Halfmoon Cay, Bahamas

Perhaps the most beautiful beach we've seen by far and coming from beach bums like us, that should amount to something. We have been to many reputed to be beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia, the East Coast of Africa, some in Central and South America and none has so far surpassed the beauty of Halfmoon Cay on the Bahamas.

Pristine white sand may not even be enough to describe it! Have you ever tried frolicking in milk powder? That's the closest I can describe the sand on Halfmoon Cay...as fine, as white and as soft. The calm Turquoise water is a surprise to find salty as you are tricked into thinking that you have jumped into a pool with sandy bottom.

So clear and blue is the sea that seagulls flying over the water reflect its color in their underbelly and wings. have you ever seen Turquoise-bellied seagulls before? You will in Halfmoon Cay.

I'm not sure what time we arrived on Halfmoon Cay but since it's a tender port (where people are brought to the island on tenders because the harbor is too shallow to dock the ship), I imagined different horror scenarios of accomplishing this for no less than 2,000 people.

This cruise ship never ceased to amaze me (as I'm sure other cruise lines too have this down to a science) in its procedures to embark and debark passengers. Cruisers were 'herded' as another first time cruiser would like to call it) to the tender at different times depending on ones preference. The tender started picking people up as early as between 8 and 9 am but we chose to debark after 9 to not rush through breakfast. By this time we did not experience any congestion at all anymore.

Since Halmoon Cay is a privately owned island (Holland America Lines) and within US territory there was no need for passports only the sail and sign card (or sign and sail ???). An announcement is made to which part or lounge of the boat one has to proceed when ready to await tender tickets (stickers you put on your clothing that indicates the number of the tender to board). When the tender number is called, you proceed to the bottom of the ship on 0 level where the exit ramp is, replete with x-ray machines and computers where one dips his card to sign off the ship, and people queue to be transferred to tenders (that went back and forth until 11 am, I think). It took no more than 10 mins to reach the beach.

We only had until 3:30 pm on the beach because Liberty was scheduled to sailaway at 4:00 pm (if I remember correctly). No, they don't leave you behind but they strongly suggest that you be onboard the ship half an hour (latest) before sailaway for everyone's convenience. This ship has been very prompt from what I have seen.

Amazingly, some onboard program and buffet were also brought ashore. There were games, contests and tours (if you care to purchase them from Carnival). We did not take any of Carnival's shore excursions as we thought them overpriced and was just used to exploring on our own, besides, I spent hours researching the ports of call that we felt confident to do it on our own and some that was offered, we've already done on other outings.

After seeing the beach, we were glad we did not book any shore excursions...we just wanted to enjoy the pristine setting. Don't think that the beach is boring either because fish abound on shallow water. V joined most of the beach program like the limbo rock and name that tune contest while T, M and myself just soaked up the sun (like we haven't had enough of it) and enjoyed the buffet when we felt like it.

What we lacked of sleep from the day before, we more than made up for on the beach. Before we knew it, it was embarkation time but then we've just had enough of the sun and were ready to go back to the ship. A similar procedure of waiting for an available tender (this time without the tender stickers - first-come first-serve) and once on the ship dipping your sail and sign card to sign in and having your beach bags go through the x-ray machine. Easy.

Fun Days at Sea and Formal Nights

What spending the whole day on the ship is called when the next port takes more than 24 hours to reach. We had 2 in total the whole 7 days. This particular 'at sea' day was also the first formal night on the ship. Wearing formal clothes on formal nights (2 on a 7-day cruise and 1 with less days) is not obligatory but when dining in assigned dining rooms, it is highly suggested to do so (as you probably would be the only one NOT dressed up). Experienced cruisers take this seriously, most women wear gowns; teen-agers, pretty dresses; coat and tie; and some die-hards, tuxedo or (formal) military uniforms. I think it adds fun and variety to the activity, kind of reminds you of cruising of yore (search the net and you will even find 'cruise fashion' during the 20s and 30s). If you want to pack light, there's also a shop on the ship where you can rent a tux, jacket, tie, etc. I'm not sure what they have for women but I suppose there is some.

To be sure, I just brought with me 2 wrinkle-free long dresses that did not take much space in my luggage when rolled up. Since T came directly from work related travel , he already had his suit with him while V only had to bring a couple of long sleeved shirts and a tie. K, T's 16 yo niece from Denmark on the other hand only had to wear dresses she would normally wear to a disco back home. No fuss.

Formal nights also mean personal appearances of the Captain and his crew and a song (song and dance) number by the waiters in the dining room during dinner (chuckle). It was cute. In the midst of all that work, how the h*ll they find time to practice is a mystery.

Don't worry being at sea for the whole day as the Cruise director (Karl with a K) and his crew made sure that no one is bored....soooo many activities to choose from! Sure, most of them are silly but on a 'fun cruise, silly is the way to go. There were some activities where you might shake your head but you have the option whether to join them or not. Most of the time you thank the high heavens for the people who were game to be silly (I think they've psyched themselves prior to boarding) ... it is fun to watch them. Inhibitions and expectations are not things you take on board a 'fun' cruise. So, what can one do on a fun day at sea:

Explore some more or just relax and soak up the sun (or watch a movie under the stars) on Lido deck:

Play an outdoor game (there's also the arcade and casino, auction and wine tasting, etc):


Watch something (or someone)- Ice carving and if you're in to hair, the Hairy chest competition, food and dessert exhibition, karaoke competition or someone getting married (sigh) etc:

Hang-out with new found friends:

Exercise, de-toxify, enjoy the sunset or take a (much needed) romantic sunset tour of the deck:

And of course, eat, eat and eat again:

Last but not least, this is a good time to check out Harry's, an exclusive reservations only restaurant where one can have a 4-course gourmet meal of prime meat and lobsters, etc for only $30 per person. A meal that can easily cost twice as much in reputable restaurants on land.