5 hours for $1,000: Why a cruise line private island villa is totally worth it
Editor's Note
Editor’s note: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek experienced Half Moon Cay's Beach Villa as a guest of Holland America Line, which paid for the cost of the villa rental. The opinions expressed below are entirely Ashley's and were not subject to review by Holland America.
Looking for an exclusive experience within an exclusive experience that doesn't require you to be a billionaire? Do what my friends and I did, and rent a villa on a cruise line's private island.
Most cruise lines operate private beach destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas that you can only visit if you're sailing on a ship that calls there. If that's not exclusive enough, you can up your VIP status for the day by renting a cabana or villa — a dedicated space where you and your gang can hang out during your time in port, rather than mingling with your shipmates in the main lounge chair-strewn beach area.
At the most basic level, these extra-exclusive areas provide shaded space with seating for occupants to leave their belongings and enjoy each other's company for the duration of the rental. At a higher level, some of the most lavish ones include TVs, beds, air-conditioning, hot tubs, private bathrooms, alcohol and butler-catered lunches that beat the pants off what you'll find at the free beach BBQs to which all passengers have access.
As you would imagine, the structures are limited in number and book up quickly, despite the fact that they don't come cheap.
During a recent sailing on Holland America's Rotterdam, I visited Half Moon Cay, a private island that the cruise line shares with Carnival. For the first time, I got to experience the swanky VIP lifestyle in an air-conditioned Beach Villa.
I accepted an invitation from a friend to share the space with seven of my travel companions. While the space was given to us at no charge, it usually comes at a cost of $1,000 ($125 each) for 5 hours. The price starts at $600 per group of eight but varies from voyage to voyage, based on demand, amount of time ashore and add-ons like butler service. The two-story space holds up to 18 people, with an additional per-person charge for each cruiser after the first eight.
Do I think it is worth the money? Definitely. Even though I didn't use all of the amenities, I got a lot out of the villa stay. Here's why I enjoyed the experience overall.
Food without the lines
All Beach Villas come with complimentary snacks that include an assortment of fruit, crudite, and chips with guacamole and salsa. The items are placed on a counter in the villa's kitchenette, which includes a sink and minifridge.
If you'd rather skip the shoreside beach buffet lines and opt instead for butler service — which includes a served lunch for an additional fee — you'll also get an appetizer, main course and dessert for each person. In our case, they included mango gazpacho and sandwiches (a choice of fish or beef, with chicken tacos and veggie burger selections for picky eaters or folks who don't eat meat). Oddly, we didn't receive dessert.
The dishes weren't super fancy but they were tasty. The main perk was we didn't have to venture back to the more populated parts of the island (the villas are set a distance away, with tram service) to wait in line at the buffet.
Our villa was also equipped with an eight-person table and chairs, so it was easy for all of us to dine together.
Alcohol
If you purchase an alcohol package for your cruise, it doesn't carry over to the island. If you're looking to booze it up, you'll either have to purchase your own beverages a la carte or buy a shoreside package for use at the bars on Half Moon Cay.
Your third option, however, is to purchase a butler add-on for the Beach Villa.
We had a butler during our visit. With this upgrade, we had unlimited access to bottled water, soda, wine, beer and drinks made with house-brand liquors, as well as the aforementioned lunch.
I'm not a huge alcohol drinker, but it was convenient to have someone bring drinks to us, and several of my travel companions did get their money's worth. After a single pina colada, I turned to water and didn't have to worry about being nickel-and-dimed for each bottle or trekking to a bar every time I got thirsty.
Butler service
In addition to bringing lunch and unlimited drinks, your butler can also escort you to your villa at the start of your day, pick up items for you from the onboard shops and help with shore excursion bookings.
Our butler was friendly and immensely helpful, juggling multiple drink orders and pivoting quickly to procure a suitable lunch for a member of our party who forgot to report in advance that he's vegetarian.
Plentiful equipment
For a beach day, you don't need much besides a lounge chair, a float and maybe some snorkel gear. Lucky for me, our villa offered access to all three for free. Plus, there was enough gear to go around, ensuring I didn't have to worry about paying extra, duking it out with other passengers for the best selection or missing out completely.
Lounge chairs are available on the sand or on the villa's covered open-air porch so you can relax in the sun or the shade without sacrificing the superb ocean view.
I took full advantage of the villa's proximity to the ocean, but I appreciated my ability to retreat to the shade whenever I needed a breather or a sunscreen reapplication.
Uncrowded beach space
With megaships carrying several thousand passengers to the island on each sailing, it can feel crowded in the areas that are freely accessible to everyone. On particularly busy days, you might find yourself wishing you had gone ashore early enough to snag an umbrella or to stake out a prime spot by your favorite bar.
Although the beach space in front of each of the island's five villas isn't technically reserved for the people in the villas, other cruisers generally don't hike down the beach far enough to bother you. And if they do, it's generally just as they're making their way past on a walk to the island's horse farm. (Yes, riding on the beach — with a horseback swim at the end — is a shore excursion option.)
Private hot tub
Admittedly, I didn't use it very much during my time there, but one of the hut's perks is a five-person indoor hot tub. Before I arrived, it was raining, and several of my friends relaxed there until it stopped and everything dried out.
The whirlpool provides added reassurance that you can still enjoy your investment if the weather is iffy. Plus, when you need a break from the sun, you can hop into the tub if you're not ready to dry off.
Private bathroom
The Beach Villa's private bathroom, although small, was a godsend. It saved us loads of time because we didn't have to run back and forth to the nearest restroom every time the rum drinks caught up with us.
With a slatted door that revealed a little more than I liked, even when closed, the space featured a toilet, a sink and a small shower. Toiletries were not provided, so if you plan to clean off the salt, sand and sunblock before you head back to the ship, you'll need to bring your own.
Price breakdown
Villas start at $600 for up to eight people, with a per-person surcharge for each person after that, up to a total of 18 people.
Butler service starts at $400 for up to eight people, and it includes butler-served lunch and unlimited alcohol. As with the villa rental, prices fluctuate based on several factors, and anyone beyond the first eight people in the villa will incur a per-person charge. If you wish to tip your butler at the end of the day, be sure to bring cash with you.
Bottom line
Yes, a Beach Villa is expensive on its own — the highest echelon of exclusivity on Half Moon Cay. Add in extras like alcohol packages and butler service and it could quickly become a budget-buster. The key, though, is to realize what you're getting for your money, and evaluate whether it's worth it to you.
To me, it is. Will I do it every time I visit? Absolutely not, but it can be a nice once-in-a-while splurge. Plus, I was part of a large group traveling together, and the more people you bring, the less expensive it becomes per person, essentially allowing you to enjoy a luxury experience for about the same per-person cost as some shore excursions.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.