RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay Cruise Port Guide 2026: New Pier Rules, Included Beaches & Drink Package Rules

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One of the most popular, or at least most visited, Private cruise islands is RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay Located on Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, this 2,400-acre private paradise has a stunning crescent of crystal-clear turquoise water and over two miles of beach.

Shared exclusively by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, the island focuses on giving cruisers a quiet, natural beach day without massive waterslides or paved commercial zones.

The biggest change for anyone visiting this year ( if you have been previously) is how you reach the shore. For nearly thirty years, guests had to board tender boats to reach the beach, which often caused long wait times or weather cancellations.

As of June 1, 2026, a brand-new deepwater pier on the north side of the island allows ships -including Carnival’s massive Excel-class vessels like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration – to dock directly so guests can walk straight off onto land.

This guide breaks down all the updated dock rules, layout details, and money-saving tips so you can enjoy every minute of your beach stop.

To look at all the top island stops reserved for cruise guests, visit our Private Cruise Islands Guide.

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay Shore Excursion Math: Free Inclusions vs. Paid Upgrades (2026)

Visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is completely different from a typical port stop because there are no local tour operators or third-party taxis waiting at the gate. Every activity, bite of food, and shore excursion is run directly through the cruise lines (Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line).

According to official excursion details from the Carnival RelaxAway Shore Excursions Portal and updated pricing on Eats Sleep Cruise, here is how the costs break down:

Experience Level	What’s Included / Options Available	Cost Per Person / Group
100% Free Experience	Access to 2+ miles of pristine white sand beach, sun loungers, island tram service, splash play areas, and complimentary island beach buffets	$0 (Included in cruise fare)
Budget Upgrades	Clamshell shade rentals (covers 2 loungers), kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals, stingray swimming encounters, bicycle island tours	$45 – $120 (Per item or activity)
Premium Upgrades	Private Beach Cabanas (includes refrigerator, air conditioning/fan, snacks, soda, floating mats, and snorkel gear for up to 4–6 guests) or Two-Story Beach Villas	$450 – $720+ (Per cabana rental group)

The Value Verdict: Should You Spend Extra Money?

• Stick to $0 if: You just want a gorgeous, low-key beach day. Between the white sand, free beach loungers, and complimentary barbecue lunch spots, you can have a perfect 6 to 8 hours ashore without pulling out your card once.
• Grab a $49.99 Clamshell if: You burn easily. Natural shade trees get claimed very early near the main plazas, so renting a folding canvas clamshell that covers two loungers gives you guaranteed shade right on the sand
• Skip the $450+ Cabana unless: You have a full group of 4 to 6 people to split the cost, or you require air-conditioned shade.

If your Carnival itinerary also visits Grand Turk, our Grand Turk Cruise Port Guide covers the free beach right off the dock

Which Cruise Lines Visit RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026/2027?

Because Half Moon Cay is a private island destination owned and managed by Carnival Corporation, access is restricted strictly to ships within their corporate brand umbrella. You will not find vessels from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, or MSC Cruises visiting here.

• Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival is the heaviest user of the island, featuring Half Moon Cay on dozens of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7-day Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas sailings. Ships departing out of Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Norfolk regularly stop here, including their massive Excel-class ships like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
• Holland America Line: As the original developer of the island, Holland America includes Half Moon Cay on nearly all of its fall, winter, and spring Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). Premium ships like Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Eurodam make regular calls here

You can view upcoming ship schedules and port calls directly on the CruiseMapper Half Moon Cay Port Schedule.

Staying Online & Paying on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (2026 Rules)

Managing payments, drinks, and internet access on Half Moon Cay works differently than on other private cruise islands, so knowing the ground rules before you step off the ship will save you from unexpected bill surprises.

According to official guest guidelines on the Holland America Half Moon Cay Know Before You Go Guide, here is how money, drinks, internet, and towels work ashore:

• Drink Packages Do NOT Work Ashore: This is the most critical rule to remember. Unlike Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, neither Carnival’s CHEERS! Beverage Package nor Holland America’s Have It All drink packages carry over to Half Moon Cay. Every cocktail, beer, soda, or bottled water ordered at beach bars (including the popular Pirate Ship Bar) is charged individually to your ship card.
• Cashless Island (Except the Straw Market): You do not need cash for bar drinks, water sports rentals, clamshell shade rentals, or shore excursions. Everything is scanned directly to your Sail & Sign card (Carnival) or Mariner Card (Holland America). The single exception is the small local Bahamian Straw Market near the entrance plaza, where island vendors take small US dollar bills for handmade crafts, t-shirts, and souvenirs.
• Wi-Fi & Mobile Signal: Onboard ship Wi-Fi packages do not extend across Half Moon Cay’s two miles of beach. You may catch a brief signal right around the main pier, but expect to be offline once you walk down the sand. If you need internet access ashore, an eSIM or cell phone roaming plan connected to local Bahamian networks like Aliv or BTC will provide mobile data across the island.
• Bring Beach Towels From the Ship: You must bring your blue or yellow ship-issued beach towel from your cabin before walking down the pier. There are no towel checkout stations on the beach, so remember to carry your towel back onboard at the end of the day to avoid an unreturned towel fee on your account.

How to Get Around RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (2026 Rules & Tram Stops)

Because Half Moon Cay is a vehicle-free private island, getting around is simple and completely free. You do not need to hire local transport or pay for shuttle passes to explore the beachfront.

According to official venue maps on the Carnival RelaxAway Destination Guide, here is how transport works across the island:

• The Scenic Papaya Pathway: A paved walking trail runs directly behind the sand, connecting the main plazas to the beach bars, shade daybeds, and dining spots.
• Free Beach Trams: Open-air electric shuttles run throughout the day. On the expanded north beachfront, a dedicated tram connects six main beach stops: Arrival Plaza (Stop 1), Mango (Stop 2), Lime (Stop 3), Pineapple (Stop 4), Guava (Stop 5), and Avocado (Stop 6).
• Accessibility: The island trams are wheelchair-accessible shuttles designed for guests with mobility limitations, seniors, and families with strollers who want to avoid walking on soft sand in the heat. Beach wheelchairs are also available near the welcome plaza.
• Reaching Far Lagoon Activities: If you booked horseback riding in the ocean at Pegasus Ranch or the stingray swimming experience, free shuttle trams pick up near the main plazas to carry you across to the inner lagoon.

Dining & Drinks Ashore: What’s Included?

Eating on Half Moon Cay is designed around a classic beach barbecue setup, making it easy to grab lunch without returning to the ship or spending extra money. Buffets and grill stations across the island open around 11:30 AM and serve continuous meals through early afternoon.

According to official venue details on the Carnival Relax Away Dining Guide, here is how complimentary meals, specialty seafood, and beach bars work ashore:

Complimentary Dining ($0 Extra)

• Orchid Beach Grill & Hibiscus Beach Grill: These are the covered dining pavilions just behind the main beach. Both serve an identical island barbecue menu with grilled hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, chili fried rice, potato salad, coleslaw, and desserts like banana rum cake and brownies.
• South Side Market Grill: near the expanded beachfront, this secondary buffet hub offers the same barbecue spread so guests on the far side of the beach don’t have to walk back to the main plazas.
• Included Refreshments: Self-serve water, iced tea, and lemonade stations are set up inside all main dining pavilions and are 100% free to all guests throughout the afternoon.

Specialty Dining & Seafood (Extra Charge)

• The Lobster Shack / Seafood Shack: This open-air venue serves freshly prepared seafood for an extra charge. Guests sailing with Holland America can order Caribbean lobster rolls, conch chowder, and grilled lobster with rice, while Carnival passengers can purchase steamed lobster, snow crab, and peel-and-eat shrimp by the pound.
• Full menu pricing can be reviewed on the Cruise Radio Half Moon Cay BBQ Menu Guide.

Drink Packages & Beverage Rules Ashore

• No Package Rollover: Neither Carnival’s CHEERS! Beverage Package nor Holland America’s Have It All package work on Half Moon Cay, as confirmed in the official Holland America Beverage Package Terms.
• À La Carte Drink Billing: Every alcoholic drink, soda, canned water, or specialty cocktail ordered at beach venues—such as the Captain Morgan on the Rocks Pirate Ship Bar or Lil’ Tiki Bar—is charged individually to your Sail & Sign card or Mariner Card with an automatic service charge.
• Signature Island Cocktail: The island’s signature drink is the Bahama Mama or Rum Punch, served in souvenir cups across all beach bars.

Safety & Back to Ship (RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay 2026)

• Check Your Arrival Point: If your ship is docked at the north pier, you can walk straight down the concrete pier or ride the pier tram back to the gangway. If your ship is anchored in the bay using tenders on the south side, note that the Last Tender Time is typically set 30 to 60 minutes before the official All Aboard time.
• Avoid the Final Tram and Tender Lines: Return lines at both the tram stops and the south-side tender pier build rapidly in the last 60 to 90 minutes before departure. Head toward the entrance plaza an hour before the final cutoff to avoid standing in long lines under the hot sun.
• Sun Protection & Hydration: There is very little shade along the pier or near the tender docks. Make sure to drink free water at the dining pavilions and reapply sunscreen before heading back.
• Water Safety: Swim within designated buoy lines along the beach, where rescue staff are posted. Keep a close eye on young children, as ocean drop-offs can deepen quickly along certain stretches of the sand.

You can check real-time updates and port safety notices on the Cruiseing Half Moon Cay Practical Guide.

Final Verdict: Is RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay a Good DIY Port?

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is the ultimate low-stress “DIY” cruise stop. Because the island is a fully private resort managed for guests sailing with Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, there are no local taxi drivers, no public transport to figure out, and no third-party tours.

The entire port is built so that you can step off the ship, walk onto two miles of world-class white sand beach, grab a sun lounger, and enjoy a barbecue lunch without spending a single dime beyond your cruise fare, well, apart from the drinks of course.

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay Cruise Port: Frequently Asked Questions (2026)

You can find additional logistical advice on the CruisePing Half Moon Cay Practical Guide.