Tag Archives: MS Ryndam

Half Moon Cay Beach

One of the more popular spots on Half Moon Cay had to be Captain Morgan’s On The Rocks Island Bar.  The drinks were tasty, expensive, and incredibly watered down.  In other words, you knew you were on a cruise line-owned island.  Nevertheless it was a must if for no other reason than the incredible building in which it was housed — a large ship-like structure made to look like beached pirate’s galleon.

Captain Morgan’s On The Rocks Island Bar

There was even a broken mast and crow’s nest laying next to the structure to complete the illusion.

On The Rocks

Inside the bar was large yet surprisingly intimate save for the loud band playing, which made conversation with our shipmate friends all but impossible.

On The Rocks Bar

You can escape the loud music however by heading upstairs onto the “deck” and some awesome views.

On The Rocks Island Bar

The On The Rocks bar is not the only structure on this small island.  There’s also a wedding chapel.

Half Moon Cay Wedding Chapel

But the beach is the real draw.

Half Moon Cay Beach

And then there are those gorgeous flowers seemingly everywhere.

Half Moon Cay Color

Fun Photo Friday will bring you my favorite shots of this privately owned island in the Bahamas.  Until then here’s today’s slideshow:

Fuchsia Flowers

Half Moon Cay Beach

Half Moon Day Rest Stop

Study in Turquoise

Colorful Cabanas

Half Moon Cay Beach

It’s winter, so it must be time for one of my warm-weather blogs.  Fortunately, our recent transatlantic cruise afforded me just such an opportunity to spring on you now.

Half Moon Cay

After Lisbon the MS Ryndam set sail across the Atlantic.  The crossing took eight days, during which I spent many an hour at the bridge table.  My Canadian partner and I had not played together prior to this voyage, so it took a little while to get acclimated to one another’s style of play.  Nevertheless, we didn’t do too badly toward the end of the voyage, placing in the run for ACBL master points several times and even taking first place on one occasion.

Sand, Sun, and a Splash of Color

Ursula was also enjoying the eight-day crossing.  By then we were pretty worn, having averaged perhaps around eight miles on foot at every port.  She was taking advantage of the library and other cruise ship diversions.

Half Moon Cay

I got the feeling however that we were in the minority.  After only five days at sea many aboard ship were expressing their desire to set foot on dry land.  Others were desperately looking forward sun and fun.  Fortunately, Holland America had just the cure for the transatlantic blues — some turquoise blue of their own known popularly as Half Moon Cay, but officially as Little San Salvador Island.

Enjoying the View at Half Moon Cay

Little San Salvador was purchased by Holland America from rival Norwegian Cruise Lines back in 1996 for $6 million.  At 3.75 square miles ( 9.7km²) that comes out to only $1.6 million per square mile, or a measly $2,500 an acre.  That’s surprisingly cheap even by El Paso standards.

At the Bar

Anyway, Half Moon Cay turned out to be quite a popular destination.  Here’s today’s slideshow (click on any image below to bring up today’s slideshow):

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay Shopping Area

Half Moon Cay Color

Half Moon Cay Flowers

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay