We had a chance to set foot on Half Moon Cay again aboard the inaugural cruise of Holland America's new Rotterdam. It was Cruise Critic's first visit to Half Moon Cay since the global health pandemic began shutting down travel in March 2020. The return to this steady mainstay of tropical beauty was oddly cathartic: for as much as the world around it has changed, the experience on Half Moon Cay remains wonderfully untouched.
While Half Moon Cay is owned by Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line ships also call on the island -- though almost never at the same time. There is no dock here; ships anchor just off the crescent-shaped beach and passengers head ashore on custom-built tenders that are larger than those found on the ship, to handle higher swells. These tenders come complete with sheltered and exposed seating areas -- perfect for folks who like to grab that Instagram-worthy shot of their ship at anchor.
Our itinerary included not one but two days at Half Moon Cay -- a new trend among cruise lines that is quickly gaining in popularity. That's due primarily to the fact that COVID-19 is still a concern and a number of Caribbean ports remain shuttered to cruise traffic.
But the pandemic is the furthest thing from mind for most cruisers spending the day on Half Moon Cay. Masks will still need to be worn on the tenders coming over and in crowded settings where physical distancing can't be maintained.
