OVERVIEW

Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, is a surprisingly nice stop. Considering the island is located in the middle of the Caribbean, where ADA laws do not apply, it is mostly accessible, and offers plenty to do for people with mobility challenges. The Holland America tender is also very wheelchair accessible, so getting on and off the island in a wheelchair or scooter is doable.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the Bahamas is English.

CURRENCY

Although the official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, US dollars are accepted on Half Moon Cay, as Holland America owns the private island.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

HALF MOON CAY : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

There is not access to the island via air travel for tourists at this time.

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BOAT (Cruise Tender)

The island is only accessible through a tender, as there is no dock large enough to support a cruise ship. Holland America has tenders with two levels, and both levels are accessible for wheelchairs and scooters. Upon embarkation, a level ramp is placed between the cruise ship and the tender, which leads right on to the top level. There is quite a bit of seating reserved with the handicapped symbol, and there is plenty of room for wheelchairs and companions. At the island, the tender enters a small, manmade marina, and docks at a wooden dock. To disembark onto the island, there is a ramp on the rear of the tender which goes down to the lower level. The exit of the tender is located on the lower level at the front of the boat. At the bow, a ramp folds open, allowing wheelchairs and scooters to disembark the tender with ease, without assistance.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

There are no taxi services on the island.

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SHUTTLE

If planning an excursion, there are shuttles that run to and from the areas where the excursions are taking place. The shuttles also run between the plaza and the BBQ/restaurant area. Unfortunately, the shuttles are not wheelchair accessible, as there are three large steps to access the vehicle.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

There are no rental cars on the island.

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BUS

There is no bus on the island.

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HALF MOON CAY : Accommodations

HOTELS

There are no hotels on the island.

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LUXURY RESORTS

The island does not have a luxury resort.

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HALF MOON CAY : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

There are no sightseeing tours offered.

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ACTIVITIES

Bahamian Church: The Bahamian Church is located near the plaza. Weddings can be performed in the church, if arranged in advance with the cruise line. Unfortunately, the Bahamian Church is not wheelchair accessible. There are quite a few stairs which prohibit access.

Beach: The beach can be accessed via a beach wheelchair, which can be rented from the First Aid Station. The easiest path to the beach is to follow the paved path, and then veer left at the palapa covered tropical mist station #1. The path has a small section of sand, but the beach wheelchair can handle it easily. A landmark in the area is a yellow building marked “Water Sports and Lockers.” Around the yellow building is a wooden platform/deck where the ramp is located to access the beach. For those who would prefer not to use the beach wheelchair, the wooden platform is a great location to enjoy the sun, beach, and views of the ocean. There are pictures on the top right of this page which give a better perspective of the area.

Beachside Water Park: Located near the jetty and the Water Sports and Locker building, there is a water park with water slides, floating animals, and a fountain for families to enjoy. Note that it is only accessible by beach wheelchair.

Beach Wheelchair Rentals: Holland America has three beach wheelchairs available for use and they are located at the First Aid Station, in the plaza. The beach wheelchairs are free to borrow and are first-come-first-served. Note that although there are three chairs, they are in different states of repair. There are pictures of the chairs on the top right of this page.

Excursions: The island features a variety of excursions, however none are wheelchair accessible. There is one cabana on the island, the taupe cabana, which is supposedly wheelchair accessible. To book the taupe cabana, guests must sign up (as an excursion) well in advance of the cruise to reserve it. Please note that Holland America does not give guests with disabilities priority to reserve the cabana.

Hair Braids: One way to keep cool is to have your hair braided, Bahamian style, by one of the local people on the island. Braiding is located in the plaza.

Nature walk/stroll: The island has many paths and roads which are accessible, and lead to many of the land based excursions. The area where the string rays are located is also accessible, so wheelchair dependant guests can see them and watch people snorkel and feed them. The island has many birds and fauna to observe and admire along its paths. Note that the temperature can get quite hot, and there are no misters to cool off at nearby (only around the beach area trail). It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the plaza to the sting rays.

Shopping: The plaza has limited shopping, amounting to one small store and a few kiosks. The small store is wheelchair accessible, but the kiosks have a small step.

Snorkeling: Snorkel gear and mats can be rented at the Water Sports and Locker building. The water is crystal clear and beautiful. Farther out near the water park, fish can be found swimming around man made reefs. Assisted snorkeling is not offered.

Welcome Plaza: Upon disembarking the tender, visitors arrive and pass through the San Salvador Arch, into the Welcome Plaza. The plaza has a bar, shops, a First Aid Station, Post Office, accessible restrooms (no companion restrooms), and an ice cream shop. There are plenty of places in the plaza to escape the sun if needed.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Bar: The main bar is located in the center of the plaza and is wheelchair accessible. On the right side of the bar there is a ramp. If your wheelchair doesn’t elevate, there are also tables underneath the adjacent patio cover to sit at to enjoy a drink.

Tropics Restaurant: Half Moon Cay has a large, open air BBQ area, known as Tropics Restaurant, which is wheelchair and scooter accessible. There are four or five stations that offer identical types of food. The restaurant offers hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, various salads, chips, and snacks, to name a few. Along the patio there are plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy lunch. Note that these are standard picnic tables, and they are not wheelchair accessible.

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HALF MOON CAY : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

There is a First Aid Station located on the island, in the center of the plaza.

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Beach Wheelchair Rentals: Holland America has three beach wheelchairs available for use and they are located at the First Aid Station, in the plaza. The beach wheelchairs are free to borrow and are first-come-first-served. Note that although there are three chairs, they are in different states of repair. There are pictures of the chairs on the top right of this page.

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HALF MOON CAY : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Typically, there is plenty of sunshine on this island, but not a lot of shade to go with it. Be sure to bring sunscreen protection. There are also clam shells you can rent for shade (listed as an excursion), but be sure to plan ahead as they get booked fast. Note that a beach wheelchair must be used to access the clam shells. There are misting stations located on the trail to the beach, and the misting stations are wheelchair accessible.

There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms with an accessible stall located in the plaza area. Unfortunately, there are not any companion bathrooms.

OVERVIEW

Nassau is the largest city of the Bahamas, and also serves as the capital. It is a busy port on the Caribbean cruise ship circuit, and is worth a visit. Paradise Island, home to the famous Atlantis Resort and Casino, is a short drive from both the cruise terminal and Lynden Pindling International Airport.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the Bahamas is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Lynden Pindling International Airport, located west of Nassau, offers convenient access to New Providence Island. Accessible transportation should be arranged before flying into Nassau.

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CRUISE PORT

Nassau has a large dock capable of accommodating multiple cruise ships at one time. Shops are situated directly adjacent to the port, and can be accessed without ground transport. However, ground transport is necessary for a visit to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Couteous Transfers and Tours: “There is a company in nassau that caters to disabled passengers also. The name is Courteous Transfers and Tours. They have several accessible vans.” Gerard, 6/13/2010

TAXI/SHUTTLE

Taxis are readily available outside of the cruise terminal, and come in the form of cars and small vans. We were unable to find wheelchair accessible taxis equipped with a ramp and chose to leave my electric wheelchair onboard our cruise ship, exchanging it for my manual chair so we could visit Atlantis Resort.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

Majestic Tours: Rents a “private handicapped van.”For more details visit the transportation page of their website.

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NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND : Accommodations

HOTELS

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LUXURY RESORTS

Atlantis:  Atlantis Hotel located in Paradise Island, a short drive from Nassau, is almost completely wheelchair accessible. Disabled rooms are offered on a limited basis so when booking a room, contact the hotel to verify availability, and to secure the room in advance. According to the hotel, the disabled rooms offered have safety grab bars in the bathroom, lowered sinks, and some of the rooms offer roll in showers. Closets have not been modified (lowered) for accessibility.

Elevators in the hotel are located near staircases for easy access and most public areas at Atlantis are wheelchair accessible. The beach and water slides are not accessible for the visitor who has a mobility impairment.

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NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Bahamas Experience Tours: This company offers tours and has a variety of cars in its fleet, including a wheelchair accessible van with ramp.

Dan Knowles Tours: This company offers sightseeing tours and wheelchair accessible transportation via passenger van with lift gate.

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ACTIVITIES

Ardastra Gardens: Ardastra Gardens, is one of the first zoos in the Bahamas, and is home to over 300 animals and to a variety of plant species. The zoo is widely known for its lush gardens, Dancing Flamingo show, and Lory Parrot exhibit. The Lory Parrot show/feeding is wheelchair friendly and participants will get a thrill feeding the many species of Lory Parrots. Ardastra Gardens is about 70% wheelchair accessible, with most pathways accessible. However, patrons should plan ahead as there is not a wheelchair accessible bathroom available at the property.

Junkanoo Parade: The Junkanoo Parade is a Bahamian cultural event that happens twice a year on December 26th (Boxing Day) and January 1st (New Years) from 2AM to 9AM. The parade floats and participants are elaborately decorated in vibrant colored costumes made from only six materials. The dancers and musicians fill the streets with various instruments such as cowbells, drums, horns, scrapers, whistles, and brass instruments. The atmosphere is very high energy and festive. The parade is free, however to get the best view and photo opportunities, tickets can be purchased.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

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NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

There are two main hospitals located in Nassau that offer a variety of medical services.

Princess Margaret Hospital: Phone: 242 322-2861

Doctors Hospital Phone: 242 302-4600

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Bahamas Medical and Surgical Supplies Limited: Rents wheelchairs and beds. The company is located in Nassau and will deliver  requested items to a person’s visiting destination or deliver items to a delivery/ mail boat if the customer will be residing at one of the neighboring islands. More info coming soon! Phone: 242 328-5057 Fax: 242 328-5052

Cardinal Mobility: Cardinal Mobility rents both motorized and manual chairs, scooters, walkers, canes, and baby strollers for a fee. To rent equipment, you must call Cardinal Mobility in advance. 242 363-3000 extension 65036. Cardinal Mobility is located at Atlantis Resort.

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NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Paradise Island is some distance from the cruise terminal. If you manage to secure accessible transportation to Atlantis Resort, make sure you are confident you can get back to the port in time for your ship’s departure.

OVERVIEW

The Princess Cays is a private island owned by Princess Cruises. Princess uses the island as a port itinerary on many of its Caribbean cruises. There isn’t a dock large enough to support the cruise ship, so passengers must tender to the island, which could potentially pose a challenge for wheelchair bound travelers.

PRINCESS CAYS : Logistics

CRUISE PORT

The Princess Cays does not have a dock. All visiting ships must moor and utilize tenders to transport guests to and from the island. Consult with your concierge if you must take your electric wheelchair or scooter to the island. When we visited, I chose to use my manual chair to access the island.

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PRINCESS CAYS : Entertainment

ACTIVITIES

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PRINCESS CAYS : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Because access to the Princess Cays is limited to the tender, be aware that the seas can be considerably rougher for these small boats. If you are prone to sea sickness or worried that your chair might be damaged, check the conditions before embarking.

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