Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[keishashadow]

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.

Trust me, I know Disney = crazy money, my friends still think me nutz for buying DVC (we own @ WL & BW) and that im still trying to wrangle how to buy into BLT. IMO we all have an entertainment budget and vacation weeks to fill, how we proceed is our own beezwacks.

I wasn't specifically poking a stick your way, just read so many post that badmouth CCL out of hand without any personal experience or by a trip they took 10 years ago on an old, small ship.

I've stated it before, CCL is value-oriented, but a def trade-off in quality as to entertainment & food; yet IMO it's big improvement over NCL. All just a matter of personal preference.

Thanks for the reminder re the cabana prices, we'd def be looking @ the adult beach area.

One Q, hope somebody can update the specific criteria to booking. Is there a sticky somewhere?

From what I found in search it appears concierge gets to book 1st, then the rest onboard as CCL does? (We were lucky to grab the one I wanted - purple - in June when stopping first thing @ pursers deskhate to repeat that rush next summer) Know HAL does it pre-cruise.

 

[ga9497]

cabana

Love, Love, Love Half Moon Cay - it is so beautiful and definitely on par with Castaway Cay. This is Holland America's private island but since Carnival is the parent company they have a few sailings on the Carnival ships that also stop here

 

[Brandis]

Once visited Halfmoon Cay on HAL's smallest ship, the Prinsendam. Only 800 people, it really felt we had the island to ourselves. We got the Pink Cabana back then, it was great!

 

[justmestace]

Is this one of the aft wrap-arounds? We have a VS suite (4228) and it's connecting room, booked on the Spirit next month. The one on the Spirit, from the pics I've seen, looks deeper than this. But I agree with you...for the money, it should be a great ride!

Then back on the Dream next year, and the Fantasy in 2012.

 

[keishashadow]

Is this one of the aft wrap-arounds? We have a VS suite (4228) and it's connecting room, booked on the Spirit next month. The one on the Spirit, from the pics I've seen, looks deeper than this. But I agree with you...for the money, it should be a great ride!

Then back on the Dream next year, and the Fantasy in 2012.

yes it is, although on the Destiny it's considered non-suite even though the wraps typically cost more than the OB suite categoryand no pre-board perc unless u have it via prior sailings.

we had the uppermost desk (8 as i recall?), the depth gets smaller the higher you go, but the length increases (im told). The section u can't see back behind my chair to the right was easily 12 feet.

we'd have booked it again, but our week is western itinerary this year.

 

[KrisannB]

Thanks for the heads up on the allowing 10 now - when I called he said that what they have discovered is that not everyone is at the cabana at the same time. The Cabana's are no bigger and they are NOT supplying more chairs or anything. This was fine with me - as our "extra's" are 12, 13, and 16 and the "six" are all adults - the kids can sit on the floor or on the sand - if and when they will be around! my main thing was to get them access into the area to see us, etc. I dout they will be at this beach long.

Krisann

 

[justmestace]

yes it is, although on the Destiny it's considered non-suite even though the wraps typically cost more than the OB suite categoryand no pre-board perc unless u have it via prior sailings.

we had the uppermost desk (8 as i recall?), the depth gets smaller the higher you go, but the length increases (im told). The section u can't see back behind my chair to the right was easily 12 feet.

we'd have booked it again, but our week is western itinerary this year.

On the Spirit it's a suite, so we have the pre-board perk. I think it's too bad they don't have concierge like DCL and NCL do, but I can't say as we need them anyway.

 

[mom2mizmous]

Trust me, I know Disney = crazy money, my friends still think me nutz for buying DVC (we own @ WL & BW) and that im still trying to wrangle how to buy into BLT. IMO we all have an entertainment budget and vacation weeks to fill, how we proceed is our own beezwacks.

I wasn't specifically poking a stick your way, just read so many post that badmouth CCL out of hand without any personal experience or by a trip they took 10 years ago on an old, small ship.

I've stated it before, CCL is value-oriented, but a def trade-off in quality as to entertainment & food; yet IMO it's big improvement over NCL. All just a matter of personal preference.

Thanks for the reminder re the cabana prices, we'd def be looking @ the adult beach area.

One Q, hope somebody can update the specific criteria to booking. Is there a sticky somewhere?

From what I found in search it appears concierge gets to book 1st, then the rest onboard as CCL does? (We were lucky to grab the one I wanted - purple - in June when stopping first thing @ pursers deskhate to repeat that rush next summer) Know HAL does it pre-cruise.

just a friendly FYI . You mentioned one or more of your party are under 18. I believe the cabanas at the adult beach are adult only too ,so your 17 year old would not be able to join you there

 

[cwbagne]

Anyone ... how do you book a cabana? We just got the email that we are 120 days out from our sail date and we are Concierge Level. I don't see these available on-line under "excursions" at Castaway Cay ... do we have to call to reserve?

 

[MagicalPins]

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.

The Cabana's are no bigger and they are NOT supplying more chairs or anything.

Ok, I am just thinking out loud. How does Disney know if you have 6 guests or 10? Do they somehow check who is in there or come around an do a head count?

I am just wondering if nothing extra is provided past what you get paying for 6 guests, how can keep track and charge extra? Anyone have any first hand experience?

 

[SharonLowe]

Anyone ... how do you book a cabana? We just got the email that we are 120 days out from our sail date and we are Concierge Level. I don't see these available on-line under "excursions" at Castaway Cay ... do we have to call to reserve?

Call or email the concierge staff and they will take care of it for you.

 

[SharonLowe]

Ok, I am just thinking out loud. How does Disney know if you have 6 guests or 10? Do they somehow check who is in there or come around an do a head count?

I am just wondering if nothing extra is provided past what you get paying for 6 guests, how can keep track and charge extra? Anyone have any first hand experience?

Everyone gets a wrist band. If you want refills on anything, they add it to your bill.

I don't think this is the best of ideas. When we were there in November, all the family cabanas were booked (and only 6 were allowed then) and floats and tubes actually became sorta hard to get. And, according to my son, there were people on the "regular" beach sneaking over and taking chairs and tubes so that made it even worse. If I had seen that happen, I would have stopped it but Disney needs to find a way to make sure everyone who has paid for rafts and tubes is able to get one.

 

[keishashadow]

just a friendly FYI . You mentioned one or more of your party are under 18. I believe the cabanas at the adult beach are adult only too ,so your 17 year old would not be able to join you there

thanks for the reminder, he's going to 'ditch' us anyway & probably have big party @ home while we're gone -not! - but would be 18 by sail date if he decides to sail.

posed Q before, is there any chance of a sticky or somebody 'in the know' starting an 'official' thread, where they could update/maintain all the facts in the 1st post on regular basis so those who don't monitor this thread could get all the basic info easily? Even if the OP would edit the 1st post it'd be most helpful imo.

 

[cwbagne]

Call or email the concierge staff and they will take care of it for you.

Not sure how to "call or email the concierge staff" - I emailed our Dreams Unlimited cruise specialist and she said that we have to wait until we are on board and go to the activities desk that handles the cabanas. I am thinking this is a risk and they could all be gone by then ...

 

[princssdisnygina]

Everyone gets a wrist band. If you want refills on anything, they add it to your bill.

What do you mean refills? Anything we got we were not billed for? It was all included in the price of the cabana.

 

[kaseyC]

Not sure how to "call or email the concierge staff" - I emailed our Dreams Unlimited cruise specialist and she said that we have to wait until we are on board and go to the activities desk that handles the cabanas. I am thinking this is a risk and they could all be gone by then ...

If you are at your 120 days and sailing in a concierge level stateroom or suite, you should have received an email or letter from the land based Concierge team with their email address and phone number. Below is the contact information the Concierge team sent me for our upcoming close. Hope this helps.

Shoreside Concierge Services
Disney Cruise Line
Phone # 1-866-784-1654
Fax # 407-566-7031
E-Mail: DCL.Concierge.Services@Disneycruise.Com


Email or call the concierge team to reserve your cabana.

 

[cwbagne]

If you are at your 120 days and sailing in a concierge level stateroom or suite, you should have received an email or letter from the land based Concierge team with their email address and phone number. Below is the contact information the Concierge team sent me for our upcoming close. Hope this helps.

Shoreside Concierge Services
Disney Cruise Line
Phone # 1-866-784-1654
Fax # 407-566-7031
E-Mail: DCL.Concierge.Services@Disneycruise.Com


Email or call the concierge team to reserve your cabana.

Thanks for this information. I will try tomorrow.

 

[altiek]

We got a cabana on Tues and they now have a staff member posted at the barrier checking for wristbands. We were in cabana 3 so we were right beside it, and people did try to cross the rope in the water, but he would politely send them back over. So no problems at all with the floats and tubes.

 

[SharonLowe]

What do you mean refills? Anything we got we were not billed for? It was all included in the price of the cabana.

Refills of the punch, water bottles, or cans of soda.

 

[SharonLowe]

We got a cabana on Tues and they now have a staff member posted at the barrier checking for wristbands. We were in cabana 3 so we were right beside it, and people did try to cross the rope in the water, but he would politely send them back over. So no problems at all with the floats and tubes.

I'm glad to hear that!