1st Cruise! Castaway Caye Cabana question

[DWillowBay]

So excited to have booked our first cruise for next August. I really want to book a Cabana on Castaway Caye as my husband is very fair and would not be able to tolerate the sun. Can you tell me how far in advance I am able to book the Cabana and do I pay for when I book it or later?? TIA

 

[engle]

First time cruisers can book 75 days out from your cruise. Do not count on a cabana, even most gold members get shut out at 105 days. It's not saying there is absolutely no chance, but I would say slim to none. You will need to keep checking back and hope that luck is on your side!

 

[amanda ek]

The cabanas are great. We've had one twice...once as concierge, the other as silver castaway but it was off season (January) and on the magic (smaller ship, less ppl). You pay for it at the end of the cruise with everything else.
We have been to castaway without a cabana and had no trouble finding chairs in the shade.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So excited to have booked our first cruise for next August. I really want to book a Cabana on Castaway Caye as my husband is very fair and would not be able to tolerate the sun. Can you tell me how far in advance I am able to book the Cabana and do I pay for when I book it or later?? TIA

As noted, chances are, unless you book Concierge, you won't be getting a cabana for your first cruise. If you are able to book one, the charge will be added to your onboard account the first day of the cruise.

There are lots of umbrellas/trees providing shade on Castaway Cay. I'm also quite fair, and pretty much stick to shade there with no problem.

You are aware of the cost, right? Family beach cabanas price is good for up to 6 people. Serenity Bay up to 4 people.
CABANAS (12/18/14 price w/Bahamas 7.5% VAT)
Family beach: $549 $590.18 (Sep-Mar) $599 $643.93 (Apr-Sept Eff. 4/22/16-9/24/16)

Cabana #21 $ 899 $966.43

Serenity Bay: $399 $428.93

 

[Abatts]

Is cabana 21 for more people?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is cabana 21 for more people?

Yes, the base price covers up to 10 people.

 

[socababy]

I was on right at 9pm tonight as a Platinum cruiser and there were no family cabanas left.

 

[DWillowBay]

Wow! I didn't realize how seniority mattered. Thanks, though. This helps me plan for a "no-cabana" day on the Cay.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

I would just check daily for one! We had one open up a couple weeks before our cruise in July. Perfect day!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As others have mentioned, we've never had any issue getting shaded lounge chairs on CC.

 

[mevelandry]

Wow! I didn't realize how seniority mattered. Thanks, though. This helps me plan for a "no-cabana" day on the Cay.

TBH, always cruised on a sold out Dream (max capacity) and always found enough shade to be comfortable.You did not mention if you were travelling with adults only, but on Serenity Bay, it's even better.

 

[kiford]

I fry like an egg on a hot sidewalk in the sun and so does DH. We head on over to Serenity Bay for lunch and a drink. The eating area is covered with umbrellas and the bar is also shaded (same is true of the family areas). If we stay on the beach, we don't usually have a problem finding an umbrella in either the family or adult beach or finding other shaded areas. We do often spend some of the hotest part of the afternoon after we eat lunch back on the ship. It's a great time to ride the Aquaduck (if you're on the Dream or Fantasy) and there's plenty of spots there to stay out of the sun and it's very quiet and not at all crowded.

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Getting a Cabana is like winning the lottery - almost. If you sign up for your sailings Cruise Meet, you may be fortunate enough to come across someone who is willing to share a Cabana ... that's what happened on our Fantasy cruise last year. The first time we got a Cabana for ourselves on Serenity Bay was on our very 1st DCL cruise ... and we shared one last year thanks to a pair of wonderful ladies. However my luck did not transfer over to the Lotto when we got back to port and got some tickets

 

[DWillowBay]

Thank you, friends! I am traveling in an all-adult party, so it seems that will help. Good information all around. thanks, again.

 

[EEsloveDis]

Definitely check daily. We are silver and last week I stayed up until check in to try and grab one and of course they were sold out. I just got on today and I was able to grab #20. Now I can relax (I was checking every day). I'm so excited!!

 

[Sam&Fam]

Do people ever cancel cabanas? Is there a waiting list?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do people ever cancel cabanas? Is there a waiting list?

Sometimes people cancel they cabana reservation. Sometimes it's before the ship departs, so keep an eye on them periodically before your cruise. Sometimes they cancel once onboard. It's worth a stop at Port Adventures to see if they've started a wait list for last minute cancellations.