When it comes to private island destinations to cruise to, Holland America Line’s award-winning Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas has always been one of the best in the industry, and come 2017, the company will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

In preparation, the island has been enhanced with a number of exciting extra features.

Entirely new to the pristine island is the fresh Lobster Shack dining option. Lobster lovers are now able to enjoy the bounty of the sea barbecue style for a nominal surcharge. Located not far from the “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” bar, its culinary specialties include grilled lobster with Caribbean coconut beans ’n’ rice and a rum-jerk butter glaze, plus Pineapple and Caribbean Sofrito salsas.

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To wash it all down with are rum punch and more at the Lobster Shack, and three new watering hole locations also serve drinks in addition to the newly furnished Captain Morgan on the Rocks bar.

“For the past 20 years Half Moon Cay has been the recipient of numerous accolades ranking it the best private island in the Caribbean, and it continues to be the jewel in our Caribbean itineraries,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We are renowned for providing top destination experiences, and all of our guests will enjoy the recent enhancements on Half Moon Cay, including the Lobster Shack that is a fantastic addition to our culinary offerings.” 

Additional island updates made during the summer of 2016 include water sports and new Sunfish sailboats, Hobie catamarans, Aqua Cycle Trikes and Aqua Trax Wave Runners beyond paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkel gear, etcetera. To better facilitate popular horseback riding, 14 more horses have joined the island along with two new grazing pastures. What’s more, the ranch changing facilities have been updated as has the main Welcome Center received new furniture.

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For private options, also among the improvements are the island’s great cabanas and two-story villas which were treated to new paint and new furnishings, and the Grand Cabana got new decor as well.

For the 2016/2017 Caribbean season, all Holland America Line sailings roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida feature Half Moon Cay, and the cruise ships heading there are Koningsdam, Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Veendam and Prinsendam.

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