Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[PrincessShmoo]

Wait, there's a wait list???

Once onboard, they do have a wait list that you can add your name to, for possible cancellations.

 

[gometros]

Once onboard, they do have a wait list that you can add your name to, for possible cancellations.

Thanks, Shmoo. I didn't think there was one beforehand. Good to know.

 

[HeddyRuth]

A key time for you to check is that three day period right before the cruise. Many people will release their reservations then so they won't get charged. Advice to your friends in concierge, if they arrive right at eleven, they may be able to reserve one through the concierge hosts on board.

I am sorry it has been so hard for you. I am a planner as well and have spent hours planning and daydreaming about our next cruise in October. It is hard to know it might not go exactly as you had hoped and planned. Not sure how I would handle it. I hope you feel better

 

[MouseGrandma]

A key time for you to check is that three day period right before the cruise. Many people will release their reservations then so they won't get charged. Advice to your friends in concierge, if they arrive right at eleven, they may be able to reserve one through the concierge hosts on board.

I am sorry it has been so hard for you. I am a planner as well and have spent hours planning and daydreaming about our next cruise in October. It is hard to know it might not go exactly as you had hoped and planned. Not sure how I would handle it. I hope you feel better

Last three days - - - - good point. I am gold and went online at midnight on July 6 (105 days out) and all cabanas at both beaches were already taken. I will keep checking. Just want an SB for hubby and me, but there are only three on SB. Maybe on our double dip on the Wonder next year - - - - - - twice as many opportunities and half as many people. ???? Oh well, it will be a fabulous cruise anyway!

 

[Tinkerboy00]

Last cruise (May 2013) we just kept checking and checking everyday and were unable to get one. We asked about a wait list but they said there wasn't one. Confused.

The previous cruise (Sept 2012) were able to get one and were amazed that all of them were booked but when we got there that day it was only us and two other families. so many of them were empty all day. Seems like a waste of money, and unfair to the people who really wanted them but couldn't get them because they were all booked.

 

[dizzi]

I was in HA #1,,

They do seem to save them until the day before CC, But we had gone to GS to speak with someone ahead of time and put our name down for it, if no one took it.

The HA at that time did not have a hammock but other than that it was the same waste of money as all the others......Oh did I say that

 

[jjgarv]

...it was the same waste of money as all the others......Oh did I say that

Interesting. More info please!

 

[meg8182000]

We had #3 on our cruise last year and I loved it! For some reason not many of the cabanas on that cruise were reserved and we really felt like we had our own private beach...after being on a crowded ship for a few days it was a welcome respite. You will be closer to the bathrooms and food which for us was really nice. We have an upcoming cruise in October and I'm hoping to get one of the first few cabanas again.

Thank you so much responding and glad that you enjoyed cabana #3. Now really can't wait for our cruise and day at Castway Cay!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I was in HA #1,,

They do seem to save them until the day before CC, But we had gone to GS to speak with someone ahead of time and put our name down for it, if no one took it.

The HA at that time did not have a hammock but other than that it was the same waste of money as all the others......Oh did I say that

See it was a waste to you, but not to others. Different strokes. I personally think it is worth every penny, we got to share one with a family on our last cruise. I think that spa treatments are a waste of money. Some think Remy and Palo are a waste others, concierge.

Everyone chooses to splurge on different items...

 

[AlexandNessa]

See it was a waste to you, but not to others. Different strokes. I personally think it is worth every penny, we got to share one with a family on our last cruise. I think that spa treatments are a waste of money. Some think Remy and Palo are a waste others, concierge.

Everyone chooses to splurge on different items...

I took dizzi's post to be tongue-in-cheek...as in, the cabanas suck! Don't bother booking!! Move along....nothing to see here!

 

[DizMagic]

This past Feb cruise we tried and tried to get a cabana on Serenity Bay to no avail. We even checked every day of the cruise, checked with guest relations, and with port adventures. No one would accept us on this mysterious waiting list that some people talk of. We never ended up getting the cabana. While it didn't ruin my trip or my day, we definitely would have preferred one as I am super sensitive to the sun. One thing I will say - we (and a couple of our table mates) all walked along the beach of SB multiple times during that day. For the entire day - we only ever saw 1 cabana being occupied. I don't know if the other people didn't show or what. It would be nice if maybe there was a way that people could get the cabana by like 10 or 11 if the previous reservers didn't show.

 

[Bonniec]

People still have to pay for it. It's not going to matter to DCL how much time, if any, they spend in it. If a cabana is very important for you, the best thing to do is book concierge. That's what we did or our first cruise this October. I knew there would be no chance trying to luck it out.

 

[HeddyRuth]

People still have to pay for it. It's not going to matter to DCL how much time, if any, they spend in it. If a cabana is very important for you, the best thing to do is book concierge. That's what we did or our first cruise this October. I knew there would be no chance trying to luck it out.

We did the exact same thing. Booked concierge to get priority for reservations. It was our first cruise and didn't want to take things to chance. We also have two small very fair girls who need naps and they both were able to do so in the security of the cabana. It even had a pack and play. Regarding the other cabanas being booked since we felt like we were the only ones there, our hosts said they were indeed occupied, but we really never felt anyone else's presence.

 

[dizzi]

Interesting. More info please!

Our day we had the Cabana, was a cold overcast day at CC so I am sure that didn't help matters.

But the concept was fairly new so nothing seemed to go the way we had heard it would.

1. No ride to the cabana.
2. No drinks in the cabana when we arrived
3. We called for someone to get us drinks and it took them literally 20 minutes to come and then at least double that to bring our drinks back and she was rude when brought them back saying we could just as easily get them from Cookies ourself.
4. The changing area with the curtain around it is laughable
5. The chairs and benches to sit on are wooden hard and no cushions.
6. we also had 2 excursions that day and asked for a ride to get to them and were told no.

So just not worth what we paid for

 

[Bear3412]

Our day we had the Cabana, was a cold overcast day at CC so I am sure that didn't help matters.......

Thanks for sharing your experience.

May I ask when this experience occurred? Month/year.

Initially when these Cabanas were available there were growing pains. There were many negative comments. I thought I heard the growing pains had ceased, and aggressive hospitality is alive and well.
Perhaps it is still hit or miss.

I do understand that each sailing can encounter a different experience.
I'm sorry you failed to receive the services you were promised.
I would be peeved too.

It is the 3 concierges aboard that manage these 18 or so units.
(Dream Class)

For those folks visiting CC for the first time, and have an excursion or two, the Cabana could be considered a waste of resources by some. This scenario is why some report back indicating all Cabanas were booked, I was on the waiting list, but still couldn't snag a Cabana, yet they all appeared unoccupied.

It's possible folks book them, and yet are so involved with activities they rarely spend any time within the Cabanas. This occurs often, and will continue to occur unfortunately.

I always supported the efforts in the Dis-Meet threads to share a Cabana on CC. Or share with others friends made aboard. It makes so much sense to me. The odds of both families in the Cabana at the same time are slim IMO. You can split the cost among the families, and make the price more reasonable. IMO.

To each their own though too.

I know we would be willing to share our good fortune with others while at CC if possible. I will continue to feel this way until ......

First timers spend 1 hour in the Cabanas. Those that have sailed 5 times, spend 4 hours in the unit. It's all relative, fwiw.

It's all good either way. It's only a stupid hut, , that few use.
The only time it is truly desired is when it is raining all day, or brutally hot and sunny. IMO. Or those with nappers.

It's another example of brilliant marketing by DCL.
I mean, come on, you got to give them credit .... lol. $500 for 5 hours, ??
I need to buy this stock.

In other words, for those that cannot reserve a Cabana; feel liberated that you are not tied to a shack.

Many feel if they do in fact have the opportunity to reserve a Cabana they must do so, regardless. After their experience most feel differently in the future IMO.

Good Luck to all

 

[ppiew]

We have had cabanas twice and I truly feel you should be picked up AT the SHIP and driven to them. I know that is a pain but for $500 it is a small thing. Would help sooo much especially for those who don't walk very well (me) or those with small children. It would certainly make one feel special. Then again, I guess with them filling up on every cruise there is no need to add anything to the existing stay.

 

[kathi]

A cabana on the FB is the highlight of any DCL cruise for us. We save our Disney Visa points for it all year. Our family of 5 (grandparents, parents and 1 child) and sometimes a friend find it the perfect size for a lovely beach get away.

We have always been offered a ride from the check in spot (but decline as it's not really that far of a walk and it's a lovely path). My dad is 90 and he still prefers to walk, so the young'ins walk also!

We spend the ENTIRE DAY in our cabana and on the beach in front of it (except for trips to Cookies II and the restroom). We get off the ship as early as possible and we stay until close to the last tram. It is a little bit of paradise and we enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[HeddyRuth]

A cabana on the FB is the highlight of any DCL cruise for us. We save our Disney Visa points for it all year. Our family of 5 (grandparents, parents and 1 child) and sometimes a friend find it the perfect size for a lovely beach get away.

We have always been offered a ride from the check in spot (but decline as it's not really that far of a walk and it's a lovely path). My dad is 90 and he still prefers to walk, so the young'ins walk also!

We spend the ENTIRE DAY in our cabana and on the beach in front of it (except for trips to Cookies II and the restroom). We get off the ship as early as possible and we stay until close to the last tram. It is a little bit of paradise and we enjoy the heck out of it.

You sound like us. We were that way on our first cruise and will be that way on our next in October. Can't wait

 

[vcunning]

That's a bummer. We had a totally different experience at the beginning of July. First time cruisers. First time Cabana renters (yep, we got lucky on getting one)

1. First off ship, First on Tram. Didn't mind the walk to cabana (which was one of the nearest ones). They gave us a ride back to the ship at the end of the day (we were the last ones off the island I believe).
2. Cabana was fully stocked with drinks and snacks. Our cabana host greeted us immediately and actually switched out the sodas for water. They also replenish the waters and snacks during the day. They also kept checking in on us.
3. The 2 times we hid that magic red button, it was less than a minute for a response . . . probably just lucky they were in the area. It looks like they use some pager technology for it.
4. Changing area was really small. Agreed. But I did like having our own shower.
5. We were all set with cushions. Very comfortable. All the adults took turns taking naps. Some of the kids went down too!
6. The CM also came to us with our planned shore excursions and told us what time they would be here to pick us up. The first excursion (para-sailing) got cancelled due to high winds. The CM actually said that might be an issue and they would let us know before we got on the golf cart. It was cancelled and they saved us the commute over.

We had 2 families, group of 8. We'd do a cabana again in a heartbeat.

I do wish you had a similar experience to ours..

Our day we had the Cabana, was a cold overcast day at CC so I am sure that didn't help matters.

But the concept was fairly new so nothing seemed to go the way we had heard it would.

1. No ride to the cabana.
2. No drinks in the cabana when we arrived
3. We called for someone to get us drinks and it took them literally 20 minutes to come and then at least double that to bring our drinks back and she was rude when brought them back saying we could just as easily get them from Cookies ourself.
4. The changing area with the curtain around it is laughable
5. The chairs and benches to sit on are wooden hard and no cushions.
6. we also had 2 excursions that day and asked for a ride to get to them and were told no.

So just not worth what we paid for

 

[MrsMork]

Our day we had the Cabana, was a cold overcast day at CC so I am sure that didn't help matters.

But the concept was fairly new so nothing seemed to go the way we had heard it would.

1. No ride to the cabana.
2. No drinks in the cabana when we arrived
3. We called for someone to get us drinks and it took them literally 20 minutes to come and then at least double that to bring our drinks back and she was rude when brought them back saying we could just as easily get them from Cookies ourself.
4. The changing area with the curtain around it is laughable
5. The chairs and benches to sit on are wooden hard and no cushions.
6. we also had 2 excursions that day and asked for a ride to get to them and were told no.

So just not worth what we paid for

This was not the experience we had in May 2013.

A cabana on the FB is the highlight of any DCL cruise for us. We save our Disney Visa points for it all year. Our family of 5 (grandparents, parents and 1 child) and sometimes a friend find it the perfect size for a lovely beach get away.

We have always been offered a ride from the check in spot (but decline as it's not really that far of a walk and it's a lovely path). My dad is 90 and he still prefers to walk, so the young'ins walk also!

We spend the ENTIRE DAY in our cabana and on the beach in front of it (except for trips to Cookies II and the restroom). We get off the ship as early as possible and we stay until close to the last tram. It is a little bit of paradise and we enjoy the heck out of it.

That's a bummer. We had a totally different experience at the beginning of July. First time cruisers. First time Cabana renters (yep, we got lucky on getting one)

1. First off ship, First on Tram. Didn't mind the walk to cabana (which was one of the nearest ones). They gave us a ride back to the ship at the end of the day (we were the last ones off the island I believe).
2. Cabana was fully stocked with drinks and snacks. Our cabana host greeted us immediately and actually switched out the sodas for water. They also replenish the waters and snacks during the day. They also kept checking in on us.
3. The 2 times we hid that magic red button, it was less than a minute for a response . . . probably just lucky they were in the area. It looks like they use some pager technology for it.
4. Changing area was really small. Agreed. But I did like having our own shower.
5. We were all set with cushions. Very comfortable. All the adults took turns taking naps. Some of the kids went down too!
6. The CM also came to us with our planned shore excursions and told us what time they would be here to pick us up. The first excursion (para-sailing) got cancelled due to high winds. The CM actually said that might be an issue and they would let us know before we got on the golf cart. It was cancelled and they saved us the commute over.

We had 2 families, group of 8. We'd do a cabana again in a heartbeat.

I do wish you had a similar experience to ours..

THIS is the experience we had. Lovely, lovely day for 6 adults.