Question:

I’m booked!  Just made my arrangements to sail solo on the Zuiderdam on December 11th.  Need to get outta here!  Should be interesting sailing solo, but hey, I need the R&R for a week, and I can take along books, the iPod, workout at the gym, etc.  Didn’t get to take any time off between starting my new job, so I told them I needed to hit the road in December.  Going with an outside cabin to keep $ down…  I’m sure I’ll miss my balcony :( , but decided to buy a leather jacket for the winter instead lol.  Anyone else sailing on this trip by any chance?  Have to go hit the various cruise boards and make some new friends in advance. Anyhow, happy to be on the high seas again in just a month (perpetual late booker that I am….)  Will get to go to my first private island (weather permitting of course) so that should be interesting.  Caused a bit of a stir on the Cruise Critic boards asking if there was a nude bathing area on Half Moon Cay…..ooops!  HAL, watch out, here I come! Jeff

Response:

I’m pushing the envelope here Lee lol!  Actually, the thread turned up some leads and it looks like a little nude sunbathing might work on HMC in a remote area.  F*ck it, I’m going to go off and give it a whirl! Looking forward to bringing down the median age of my sailing….. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->(weather permitting of course) so that should be interesting.  Caused a >bit of a stir on the Cruise Critic boards asking if there was a nude >bathing area on Half Moon Cay…..ooops!  HAL, watch out, here I come! > I don’t think nude sun bathing and HAL go together.

Response:

> I’m pushing the envelope here Lee lol!  Actually, the thread turned up > some leads and it looks like a little nude sunbathing might work on HMC in > a remote area.  F*ck it, I’m going to go off and give it a whirl! > Looking forward to bringing down the median age of my sailing…..

Enjoy.  I understand completely… I had to do a "post surgery" get away a few weeks ago myself. –Tom

Response:

>>I’m pushing the envelope here Lee lol!  Actually, the thread turned up >some leads and it looks like a little nude sunbathing might work on HMC >in a remote area.  F*ck it, I’m going to go off and give it a whirl! >Check with folks working on board, particularly dancers.   Often >they have some place that they sneak away to to get away from >PAX.

I wouldn’t mind doing some other nude activities with some of the dancers… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Looking forward to bringing down the median age of my sailing….. >Do what you can, Jeff — but there’s only one of you…

Response:

> I’m booked!  Just made my arrangements to sail solo on the Zuiderdam on > December 11th.  Need to get outta here!  Should be interesting sailing > solo, but hey, I need the R&R for a week, and I can take along books, > the iPod, workout at the gym, etc.  

I sailed solo on Zuidy last March and LOVED it! No problems meeting people while on board . The maitre d’ did a great job – I was seated at a table with several others who were also travelling solo so that was a starting point. Really enjoyed spreading out in my cabin – using ALL the drawers (even if I only put one thing in them) and ALL the hangers. Quite a luxury. By the way…you might just get an upgrade to a dreamy verandah. I booked an obstructed view guarantee. First actual assigned cabin was a regular outside. 24 hours before the cruise I was upgraded to a verandah. I felt incredibly spoiled the whole week. I’m booked on the Oosterdam this coming March and plan to invest in the weekly pass to the "Thermal Suite". One of my table mates took the plunge and couldn’t stop talking about it all week – seems like a lot of $$ to spend on heated tile chaises, aromatherapy steam and that special hydrotherapy pool – but I’m DOIN’ IT!!! Lee

Response:

>I have read elsewhere that the CD on the Zuiderdam is very friendly and >hip (it’s the new HAL after all lol….) so I plan on asking him and the >usual suspects.  I want Half Moon Cay to be Full Moon Cay lol!

Was a lady by the name of Dottie a few months ago

Response:

You’re probably right, lol, but maybe someone could sit on my back while I do pushups or something.  Wonder how people in the Soviet bloc used to work out lol… Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > right jeff :) those bouncy ball exercises are gonna pump up your chest, > big time.

Response:

Lee — some good ideas there.  I did book a specific cabin (outside) and it looks like the sailing is just about sold out.  I will go look at the termal suite thingee…sounds nice.  Hope to get a nice dinner table with a nice mix of folks.  And or, people who like either martinis or roulette lol…. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m booked!  Just made my arrangements to sail solo on the Zuiderdam on >December 11th.  Need to get outta here!  Should be interesting sailing >solo, but hey, I need the R&R for a week, and I can take along books, >the iPod, workout at the gym, etc.   > I sailed solo on Zuidy last March and LOVED it! No problems meeting > people while on board . The maitre d’ did a great job – I was seated > at a table with several others who were also travelling solo so that > was a starting point. Really enjoyed spreading out in my cabin – using > ALL the drawers (even if I only put one thing in them) and ALL the > hangers. Quite a luxury. > By the way…you might just get an upgrade to a dreamy verandah. I > booked an obstructed view guarantee. First actual assigned cabin was a > regular outside. 24 hours before the cruise I was upgraded to a > verandah. I felt incredibly spoiled the whole week. > I’m booked on the Oosterdam this coming March and plan to invest in > the weekly pass to the "Thermal Suite". One of my table mates took the > plunge and couldn’t stop talking about it all week – seems like a lot > of $$ to spend on heated tile chaises, aromatherapy steam and that > special hydrotherapy pool – but I’m DOIN’ IT!!! > Lee

Response:

>>I have read elsewhere that the CD on the Zuiderdam is very friendly and >hip (it’s the new HAL after all lol….) so I plan on asking him and the >usual suspects.  I want Half Moon Cay to be Full Moon Cay lol! > Was a lady by the name of Dottie a few months ago

Yep, I don’t usually care too much for CDs, but Dottie is ok, and willing  to try new things (she ran an afternoon disco in the crows nest for Eileen and I).  This was totally new for HAL.  So I don’t see why she wouldn’t be willing to do a nude sunbathing party for Jeff, ;) Howie

Response:

You could probably ask the dude who runs the fitness center to do that for you, Jeff.  Especially the something (lol). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You’re probably right, lol, but maybe someone could sit on my back while > I do pushups or something.  Wonder how people in the Soviet bloc used to > work out lol… > Jeff > right jeff :) those bouncy ball exercises are gonna pump up your > chest, big time.

Response:

> I’m booked on the same cruise Dec 11th.  This long awaited from my last > cruise Nov 2003 to Canada/New England on Norwegian Dream. > I tried to book the private cabana on HMC about a month ago.  Was told they > are already booked up.  Has anyone booked the private cabana on HMC?  Sounds > like a great place to have a party.  They weren’t there last year when I was > on the Zuiderdam. > Ellen

There are only 4 of them, if I remember correctly, and suite passengers get priority on booking.  My wife and I almost booked one last Jan, but we decided at the last minute that it was too far for her to walk.  They are really not very attractive. Howie

Response:

Hmmmmm, to get a GPS or not???? Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Cool!  Maybe I need to get a GPS thingee??  I def will bring my little >binoculars.  Thanks Lee. > Here’s my waypoint for Princess Cays, if you want to find it on a map: > W  PRNCAY N24 37.5992 W076 11.0764 > Fri Apr 14 14:55:48 1995 14-APR-95 14:55 > ….collected with a $500+ GPS that I recently sold to a cow-orker > for $20.    Maybe onboard art isn’t such a bad investment!

Response:

> Uh oh, Houston we have a problem, lol.  Hmmmm, that could be a > challenge.  I can deal with a good machine workout, such as their > limitations may be, but I round it out with some good dumbbell work….I > do flat bench flys with 50# in each hand….hmmmm….. > This may not work!  Ok….maybe need to learn the bouncey ball exercises. > Jeff

right jeff :) those bouncy ball exercises are gonna pump up your chest, big time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >  what’s > really sorry, however, are the dumbells, which only go up to a max of > 37.5 lbs. > Howie

Response:

I’m booked on the same cruise Dec 11th.  This long awaited from my last cruise Nov 2003 to Canada/New England on Norwegian Dream. I tried to book the private cabana on HMC about a month ago.  Was told they are already booked up.  Has anyone booked the private cabana on HMC?  Sounds like a great place to have a party.  They weren’t there last year when I was on the Zuiderdam. Ellen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m booked!  Just made my arrangements to sail solo on the Zuiderdam on > December 11th.  Need to get outta here!  Should be interesting sailing > solo, but hey, I need the R&R for a week, and I can take along books, > the iPod, workout at the gym, etc.  Didn’t get to take any time off > between starting my new job, so I told them I needed to hit the road in > December.  Going with an outside cabin to keep $ down…  I’m sure I’ll > miss my balcony :( , but decided to buy a leather jacket for the winter > instead lol.  Anyone else sailing on this trip by any chance?  Have to > go hit the various cruise boards and make some new friends in advance. > Anyhow, happy to be on the high seas again in just a month (perpetual > late booker that I am….)  Will get to go to my first private island > (weather permitting of course) so that should be interesting.  Caused a > bit of a stir on the Cruise Critic boards asking if there was a nude > bathing area on Half Moon Cay…..ooops!  HAL, watch out, here I come! > Jeff

Response:

> lmao. no way would they arrest you, dude. but if the ship goes to st. > martin, you can always wait, and get nekkid (always liked the way they > said "naked" when i lived in texas) with others on orient beach.

They might not arrest him but they might put him off the ship at the next port. — Charles

Response:

Uh oh, Houston we have a problem, lol.  Hmmmm, that could be a challenge.  I can deal with a good machine workout, such as their limitations may be, but I round it out with some good dumbbell work….I do flat bench flys with 50# in each hand….hmmmm….. This may not work!  Ok….maybe need to learn the bouncey ball exercises. Jeff

  what’s – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> really sorry, however, are the dumbells, which only go up to a max of > 37.5 lbs. > Howie

Response:

>>lmao. no way would they arrest you, dude. but if the ship goes to st. >martin, you can always wait, and get nekkid (always liked the way they >said "naked" when i lived in texas) with others on orient beach. > They might not arrest him but they might put him off the ship at the > next port.

lol. no way, charles.

Response:

> No palm trees???  :(  Hmmmmm…. > Not sure they would arrest a guest for being naked….I would think not > (doesn’t lead to total guest satisfaction) unless you were right in > people’s faces.  I’ll nose around and see if its doable.  And I am

lmao. no way would they arrest you, dude. but if the ship goes to st. martin, you can always wait, and get nekkid (always liked the way they said "naked" when i lived in texas) with others on orient beach. > definitely doing late seating.  I like my day to last and like my early > evening to hit the gym and other stuff….6 pm is just too early for me > to eat generally!

the gym on the zuidy is kind of lame. they have the standard machines, and of course, like most ships except for carnival, no barbells.  what’s really sorry, however, are the dumbells, which only go up to a max of 37.5 lbs. Howie

Response:

Cool!  Maybe I need to get a GPS thingee??  I def will bring my little binoculars.  Thanks Lee. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Now this is going to sound stupid, but is HMC really an island?  I know > It’s actually Little San Salvador Island.    24 34N  75 56W > If you’re looking on a map/chart, it’s east-south-east from Eleuthera. > Princess Cays is on the southwestern tip of Eleuthera, about 12 > miles from HMC. > If you’re on a high enough deck on a ship at one, you can often > see a ship at the other.

Response:

No palm trees???  :(  Hmmmmm…. Not sure they would arrest a guest for being naked….I would think not (doesn’t lead to total guest satisfaction) unless you were right in people’s faces.  I’ll nose around and see if its doable.  And I am definitely doing late seating.  I like my day to last and like my early evening to hit the gym and other stuff….6 pm is just too early for me to eat generally! Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Jeff, > Half Moon Cay is basically scrub and away from the beach areas not much > else.  The only place you can get out of the sun are the HAL provided > beach shelters, and the picnic area.  There are no tall palm trees.  It > is part of the Bahamas.  A skeleton crew remains behind to clean-up and > prepare for the next HAL ship.  But at night most of the workers hop a > boat and head for Bahama main islands.  I don’t know if Bahama security > guards are empowered to make arrests.  I wouldn’t want to be the only > one on the island minus swim trunks to find out what could happen if > caught.  If you don’t mind being with a lot of gay men, Atlantis > periodically charters Carnival ships and has an entire clothing optional > section of sun deck. > Don’t waste your time on some of these cruise companion sites.  Just > arrange for a late seating in the main dining room and select a table > for 6.  You’re bound to hit it off with at least 2.  From there you can > build.  I take the late seating because that way I don’t have to rush > back for dinner.  If the ship is in port for a while, I can do more > stuff and still make dinner.  Also, I’ve found that tables at the late > seating are more mellow and friendly.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Now this is going to sound stupid, but is HMC really an island?  I > know some of the private islands are but penisulas, etc.  Is there > anything else on HMC besides HMC?  Do people live there?  Just > wondering what there might be to explore, since I won’t be in the sun > every second I’m sure.  I am sure to have a blast regardless…..try > to make fun wherever I may be! > Jeff > Been on the ship twice, Jeff. Each time, there were enough younger, > and much younger people to have a good late night time.  Half Moon > Cay is one of the nicest cruise-ship private islands around.  Never > found a nude bathing area on the island; but if you walk all the way > down to the end of the beach (easy for someone in halfway decent > shape), you will find a considerable amount of privacy.  Have a blast. > Howie

Jeff, Half Moon Cay is basically scrub and away from the beach areas not much else.  The only place you can get out of the sun are the HAL provided beach shelters, and the picnic area.  There are no tall palm trees.  It is part of the Bahamas.  A skeleton crew remains behind to clean-up and prepare for the next HAL ship.  But at night most of the workers hop a boat and head for Bahama main islands.  I don’t know if Bahama security guards are empowered to make arrests.  I wouldn’t want to be the only one on the island minus swim trunks to find out what could happen if caught.  If you don’t mind being with a lot of gay men, Atlantis periodically charters Carnival ships and has an entire clothing optional section of sun deck. Don’t waste your time on some of these cruise companion sites.  Just arrange for a late seating in the main dining room and select a table for 6.  You’re bound to hit it off with at least 2.  From there you can build.  I take the late seating because that way I don’t have to rush back for dinner.  If the ship is in port for a while, I can do more stuff and still make dinner.  Also, I’ve found that tables at the late seating are more mellow and friendly. —  To  email me, Edit "xt" from my email address.   Brian M. Kochera    "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"  View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

Response:

I have read elsewhere that the CD on the Zuiderdam is very friendly and hip (it’s the new HAL after all lol….) so I plan on asking him and the usual suspects.  I want Half Moon Cay to be Full Moon Cay lol! Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m pushing the envelope here Lee lol!  Actually, the thread turned up >some leads and it looks like a little nude sunbathing might work on HMC >in a remote area.  F*ck it, I’m going to go off and give it a whirl! > Check with folks working on board, particularly dancers.   Often > they have some place that they sneak away to to get away from > PAX. >Looking forward to bringing down the median age of my sailing….. > Do what you can, Jeff — but there’s only one of you…

Response:

Now this is going to sound stupid, but is HMC really an island?  I know some of the private islands are but penisulas, etc.  Is there anything else on HMC besides HMC?  Do people live there?  Just wondering what there might be to explore, since I won’t be in the sun every second I’m sure.  I am sure to have a blast regardless…..try to make fun wherever I may be! Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Been on the ship twice, Jeff. Each time, there were enough younger, and > much younger people to have a good late night time.  Half Moon Cay is > one of the nicest cruise-ship private islands around.  Never found a > nude bathing area on the island; but if you walk all the way down to the > end of the beach (easy for someone in halfway decent shape), you will > find a considerable amount of privacy.  Have a blast. > Howie

Response:

>I’m pushing the envelope here Lee lol!  Actually, the thread turned up >some leads and it looks like a little nude sunbathing might work on HMC >in a remote area.  F*ck it, I’m going to go off and give it a whirl!

Jeff, Hubby and I were on the Maasdam in 2001 with RSVP.  As you are on the ship facing the island, walk ALL the way to the end (to the left) and around the point. It’s very remote, beautiful and, at least on our trip, there were several guys sans suits down there.  After awhile, we were the only ones and had some fun of our own!  There was one point where we had to walk out into the water around some rocks but it was only waist high and we had our stuff in plastic bags.  The walk is about 3.5 to 4 miles one way (that’s what the life guard said anyway). We had enough time to get the last tender back to the ship.  One of my fonder memories.  Also on our trip, about a half mile from the HAL compound, some of guys were nude but then it was an RSVP cruise! Doug

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m booked!  Just made my arrangements to sail solo on the Zuiderdam on > December 11th.  Need to get outta here!  Should be interesting sailing > solo, but hey, I need the R&R for a week, and I can take along books, > the iPod, workout at the gym, etc.  Didn’t get to take any time off > between starting my new job, so I told them I needed to hit the road in > December.  Going with an outside cabin to keep $ down…  I’m sure I’ll > miss my balcony :( , but decided to buy a leather jacket for the winter > instead lol.  Anyone else sailing on this trip by any chance?  Have to > go hit the various cruise boards and make some new friends in advance. > Anyhow, happy to be on the high seas again in just a month (perpetual > late booker that I am….)  Will get to go to my first private island > (weather permitting of course) so that should be interesting.  Caused a > bit of a stir on the Cruise Critic boards asking if there was a nude > bathing area on Half Moon Cay…..ooops!  HAL, watch out, here I come! > Jeff

Been on the ship twice, Jeff. Each time, there were enough younger, and much younger people to have a good late night time.  Half Moon Cay is one of the nicest cruise-ship private islands around.  Never found a nude bathing area on the island; but if you walk all the way down to the end of the beach (easy for someone in halfway decent shape), you will find a considerable amount of privacy.  Have a blast. Howie

Response: