Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[princssdisnygina]

I am not disrespecting anyone nor am I trying to get this thread closed. I am simply responding to the rude comments coming from justmestace. Please direct your "show respect" comments to him. For everyone else, I apologize if you feel disrespected, I am trying to defend what many of us know and love and to let him know if he doesn't like it then he needs to leave it alone and stay off of this thread. I too love this thread since I have experienced the cabanas first hand I love to hear others enjoyable experiences!

biohaz_man - YES! Disney does have great service and that is awesome that they offered Coke Zero cans for your wife! Another luxury we pay for with Disney! DCL makes errors but always tries to make up for it and most of the time they go out of their way to accommodate the best way they can! One of the main reasons I keep coming back!

 

[ppiew]

Guess i am just dumb, but i didn't feel any comments were 'rude' or 'disrespectful'. I just noticed the expression of differing opinions - which everyone has. Lets just be nice and go forward.

 

[justmestace]

I am not disrespecting anyone nor am I trying to get this thread closed. I am simply responding to the rude comments coming from justmestace. Please direct your "show respect" comments to him. For everyone else, I apologize if you feel disrespected, I am trying to defend what many of us know and love and to let him know if he doesn't like it then he needs to leave it alone and stay off of this thread. I too love this thread since I have experienced the cabanas first hand I love to hear others enjoyable experiences!

I'm sorry that you didn't understand the point I was making. Perhaps I could explain it more clearly to you, in private, so as not to disrupt the thread?

 

[zurekgirl]

So on the adult beach there isn't a private beach for cabana users? And the place to snorkel is by the family beach. So is the benefit of renting on the adult beach is that you're out of the sun and the butler service? Also has anyone been to CC the end of September/ beginning of October? Is it really humid and hot during that time typically?

 

[katml14]

Sorry, I didn't read all of the previous responses. But I do have a few questions, so I apologize in advance if these have already been answered.

First, is alcohol included in the cabana rental?

Also, I know that the cabana rental is based on 6 people. If we have 9 people, but (2) are babies (they will be 1) and (1) is a 3 year old, would those three kids be an additional cost?

TIA!

 

[kaseyC]

Sorry, I didn't read all of the previous responses. But I do have a few questions, so I apologize in advance if these have already been answered.

First, is alcohol included in the cabana rental?

Also, I know that the cabana rental is based on 6 people. If we have 9 people, but (2) are babies (they will be 1) and (1) is a 3 year old, would those three kids be an additional cost?

TIA!

You can add up to two more guests for a maximum of 8 per Cabana for $50 more per person. As far as I know children are included in the maximum total and the extra per person costs.

 

[justmestace]

So on the adult beach there isn't a private beach for cabana users? And the place to snorkel is by the family beach. So is the benefit of renting on the adult beach is that you're out of the sun and the butler service? Also has anyone been to CC the end of September/ beginning of October? Is it really humid and hot during that time typically?

You can snorkel at the adult beach, there just isn't the marked trail with a lifeguard and all of the things that Disney has planted (Sunken Mickey) on the trail at the family beach.
September isn't as bad, heat-wise, as July would be, but it's still hot and humid. There are umbrellas on the adult beach to sit under, so there is still some shade, even without the cabana, and you'll get some breeze (if there is one) out there, too. Just remember that children aren't allowed on the adult beach, even if you rent a cabana.

 

[justmestace]

Sorry, I didn't read all of the previous responses. But I do have a few questions, so I apologize in advance if these have already been answered.

First, is alcohol included in the cabana rental?

Also, I know that the cabana rental is based on 6 people. If we have 9 people, but (2) are babies (they will be 1) and (1) is a 3 year old, would those three kids be an additional cost?

TIA!

I think from what I've read here, the only "alcohol" that's included in the cost of the cabana rental is a pitcher of spiked punch. I've gathered that concierge will go to the bar and get you a Konk Kooler, beer, whatever, but you'll be charged for those.

 

[princssdisnygina]

You can add up to two more guests for a maximum of 8 per Cabana for $50 more per person. As far as I know children are included in the maximum total and the extra per person costs.

If you get a cabana on the adult beach the max is 6. But the max is 8 for the others but as she kaseyC says... it is an additional $50 per person but you will not be allowed any more than 8, you will be asked to get another cabana. You get bracelets you have to wear so you can't switch out people. I don't believe age matters.

I think from what I've read here, the only "alcohol" that's included in the cost of the cabana rental is a pitcher of spiked punch. I've gathered that concierge will go to the bar and get you a Konk Kooler, beer, whatever, but you'll be charged for those.

Yes, you are correct. There is a punch in the fridge with Rum in it and there is a punch without the rum. They are pretty good. If you want any other alcohol... the concierge will get it for you but you will be charged for it.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Age does not matter. The two infants (19 mo old and 10 mo old) counted in our numbers.

 

[LITTLEKID58]

Hello

We were on the wonder for the Dec 5th sailing and rented the cabana it was the best thing we ever did... We recommended to everyone.. It was 6 adults and baby 1 year old. yes we had to pay for the baby.. but well worth it.. we had such a great time.. we even hung our pirate flag...lol...

 

[cmash95]

question, can you book the cabanas online or do you still have to wait untill you are onbaord? we aren't going until june but I was just wondering.

 

[outahere]

question, can you book the cabanas online or do you still have to wait untill you are onbaord? we aren't going until june but I was just wondering.

Currently, only Concierge guests can book a cabana (through the land based Concierge team, not online) prior to boarding the ship.

 

[trpenn10]

Just called Concierge this morning and booked Cabana #3 for our sailing on 4/17/2011. Cabana includes 6 guests, and they have just upped the max guest per cabana to 10. All guests after the 6th would be $50 each.

 

[keishashadow]

1st I do have a question re where the family cabanas are located (old teen beach area as I understand it?) The sand/beach area was less groomed/ bit rough with sharper descent into the ocean last time we visited...have they 'fixed' it?

$400 for a DCL cabana is par for the course on private islands owned by cruiselines, imo DCL isn't price gouging for them. Haven't decided if we'll try to book one as we've never had an issue finding a perfect spot on the beach in the past as we get off the ship bright & early.

OT - No flames to specific posters in this thread, but i cringe when i read repeated posts disparaging CCL compared to DCL. Certainly I am a disney fan, have taken several DCL cruises and agree that it is overall a superior experience. However, it is quite costly and their ports of call in the caribbean are rather lacking imo. I just have to wonder if those who bad-mouth CCL have ever cruised on one of the ships that visit their own private island - Half Moon Cay, which certainly gives Castaway Cay a run for it's moneycheck out the view we had from our cabana in June.

cabana

balcony (aft, 3 sections & cabin was 50% less in price than comparable DCL sailing for inside cabin...which sure helped to gloss over the less than stellar entertainment and food.)

 

[PizzieDuster]

1st I do have a question re where the family cabanas are located (old teen beach area as I understand it?) The sand/beach area was less groomed/ bit rough with sharper descent into the ocean last time we visited...have they 'fixed' it?

$400 for a DCL cabana is par for the course on private islands owned by cruiselines, imo DCL isn't price gouging for them. Haven't decided if we'll try to book one as we've never had an issue finding a perfect spot on the beach in the past as we get off the ship bright & early.

OT - No flames to specific posters in this thread, but i cringe when i read repeated posts disparaging CCL compared to DCL. Certainly I am a disney fan, have taken several DCL cruises and agree that it is overall a superior experience. However, it is quite costly and their ports of call in the caribbean are rather lacking imo. I just have to wonder if those who bad-mouth CCL have ever cruised on one of the ships that visit their own private island - Half Moon Cay, which certainly gives Castaway Cay a run for it's moneycheck out the view we had from our cabana in June.

cabana

balcony (aft, 3 sections & cabin was 50% less in price than comparable DCL sailing for inside cabin...which sure helped to gloss over the less than stellar entertainment and food.)

Which ship and where did you sail to? That view looks like heaven! I know you are sailing out of Miami....looks familar

 

[SharonLowe]

1st I do have a question re where the family cabanas are located (old teen beach area as I understand it?) The sand/beach area was less groomed/ bit rough with sharper descent into the ocean last time we visited...have they 'fixed' it?

Since it was our first cruise, I can't comment re: location compared to teen beach. But, the sand was nicely groomed and the entry into the ocean was very gently sloped. The cabanas compared to the one from CCL in you photo are IMHO much nicer and were well worth the money to us.

 

[keishashadow]

PizzieDuster - bingo Miami, such a cool city! My 17 y.o. DS said he was only interested in a cruise this summer if we spent another few days in Miami.

Believe it or not, it was on one of their oldest ships: Destiny, 5 day to Grand Turk (snorkleing on The Wall, HMC & Nassau). All CCL ships have the neon/vegas-y flair, works for us though since we love vegas too lol & luckily get our disney fix with other vacations every year.

I haven't see the CC cabanas (yet) for comparision but I will state that we were thrilled to pieces with 'our' purple cabana & thought it very comfy with cushioned chaise lounges, etc. It does appear from the pics posted that the CC cabanas are packed in closer to each otherthan HMC. Maybe somebody who has enjoyed both could elaborate.

This is a wonderful site for information on all that is Disney, yet I suggest any potential guest checkout cruise critic for a more balanced view of other lines if they are considering them or if $ is an issue.

a bad day at sea is better than a good day at work

 

[KrisannB]

Just called Concierge this morning and booked Cabana #3 for our sailing on 4/17/2011. Cabana includes 6 guests, and they have just upped the max guest per cabana to 10. All guests after the 6th would be $50 each.

Oh this is great news! We can release one of our cabana's now - we have 9 of us - 3 teenagers (who we do not expect to see at all or very little at the cabana) so we were getting a 2nd cabana just to put them in and the 6 adults were using the main one. Now we can just have one! I am not sure I would do it with any more than 6 adults - for room wise - but the teenagers will not hang around us when there is other fun things to do!

Krisann

 

[princssdisnygina]

1st I do have a question re where the family cabanas are located (old teen beach area as I understand it?) The sand/beach area was less groomed/ bit rough with sharper descent into the ocean last time we visited...have they 'fixed' it?

$400 for a DCL cabana is par for the course on private islands owned by cruiselines, imo DCL isn't price gouging for them. Haven't decided if we'll try to book one as we've never had an issue finding a perfect spot on the beach in the past as we get off the ship bright & early.

OT - No flames to specific posters in this thread, but i cringe when i read repeated posts disparaging CCL compared to DCL. Certainly I am a disney fan, have taken several DCL cruises and agree that it is overall a superior experience. However, it is quite costly and their ports of call in the caribbean are rather lacking imo. I just have to wonder if those who bad-mouth CCL have ever cruised on one of the ships that visit their own private island - Half Moon Cay, which certainly gives Castaway Cay a run for it's moneycheck out the view we had from our cabana in June.

Just keep in mind the cabanas on the family beach are $499 and the ones on Serenity Bay are $390. Can't answer your question about the family beach cabanas as i had one on Serenity Bay.

I believe you were talking to me about my comment about Carnival Cruise Lines. Thank you for being kind with your words as I do respect everyone has their own opinions. I have, however, been on Carnival Cruise to their private island. I will not disagree that their island is beautiful. It was hard for me to believe that they owned it because it felt better tended to that the ship! However, it is not the island that keeps from ever taking a CCL cruise, it is the quality (imo) they offer. I do know the cost is significantly less so I would expect not as much as Disney, but I was so disappointed and couldn't wait to get off the ship by the time it was over. I don't mind the "less than stellar" rooms, or even the "not so good" food..., I felt the entertainment was horrible, the cleanliness of the ship was less than acceptable, the crew was ok but not too friendly, it was just not a good overall experience. The best thing about it was their island. This, of course, is just my thoughts and opinions and what I feel about things is different from others. I will never take a Carnival Cruise again but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I will pay the crazy money to take a Disney Cruise and will pay the crazy money for a cabana.