Holland America Line debuted the novel new bar experience, Captain Morgan® on the Rocks Island Bar, with an official grand opening held on Jan. 29 at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s renowned private island in the Bahamas.
Guests on cruises featuring Half Moon Cay now can experience the heritage of Captain Henry Morgan, legendary swashbuckler and scourge of the Spanish Main, at the unique bar. It is designed as a 101-foot-long, twin-decked, three-masted schooner “washed up” on Half Moon Cay’s white sand beach. Seating a total 326 guests, the bar décor features nautical artifacts and historic references to Captain Morgan’s exploits in these waters more than 350 years ago.
“Half Moon Cay is consistently our top-rated destination in the Caribbean, and Holland America Line is always seeking innovative ways to further enhance this guest experience,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Captain Morgan on the Rocks adds a fun and charming bar that complements the relaxing beach experience of Half Moon Cay.”
Matthew Sams, vice president, Caribbean relations, is responsible for the operations of Half Moon Cay and oversaw the concept, design and construction of the new bar. The construction was performed by island staff. Holland America Line collaborated with Diageo Global Travel & Middle East (GTME), the world’s leading premium drinks business that created Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum in 1983.
Located near the island’s Food Pavilion, Captain Morgan on the Rocks features outdoor seating on two awning-covered, themed decks. The open upper deck offers sweeping vistas of the beach, turquoise ocean and the island interior and lagoon. “Cannons” release gentle mists of water to keep guests cool in the Bahamian sun. The lower deck features rum casks for seats, palm leaf-styled ceiling fans and images “burnt” into the crafted wood telling the story of the legendary Captain Morgan – who plundered a unique spiced rum along with gold and silver in 1668 and then lost everything when his ship went aground on rocks. The ship’s band, HAL Cats, performs for guests on a built-in band stand in the aft section of the bar.
Half Moon Cay has been named “Best Private Island” by Porthole Cruise Magazine based on readers’ choice for the past 10 years. Holland America Line developed a small area of Half Moon Cay to provide a quintessential and exclusive Caribbean island experience for cruise guests. The 2,400-acre island features 15 beach-front, air-conditioned cabanas, a natural 700-acre lagoon and fun-filled excursions for nature lovers and adventurous travelers alike.
Guests can enjoy activities on the island including horseback riding by land and sea, snorkeling and swimming with stingrays in a secluded cove, biking tours, the AquaTrax watercraft adventure tour and parasailing.
