banana boat rides at Castaway Cay

[bthrsoon]

We did banana boat rides on Royal Caribbean some years ago and it was a very rough ride. Fun but a very physical challenge. What are they like at Castaway Cay? We have a DS9 that would enjoy this if it wouldn't be to hard for him.

 

[mad4themouse]

I did the banana boat ride with my kids in Dec 2001. The kids were 11 and 9 at the time. The ride was "bouncy" but not to the point where anyone was thrown off. You do have to wear life vests just in case.

A couple of suggestions:

• Wear goggles. The sea spray that kicks up can really sting your eyes. It can get so bad that you have to keep you eyes closed and then you don't get to see anything.
• Wear "board shorts" or some other type of longer shorts. You have to straddle the boat and it can get uncomfortable if there is even the tiniest amount of sand on the boat.

We had a great time and both kids enjoyed it very much. Hope you get to try it in Castaway Cay.

 

[eye R.N.]

We are doing this in July, and I never thought to ask the question or would have ever thought of taking swim goggles.

I love these boards.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Great tips from Mad4themouse. Our 10yo loved it & said he found it 'kind of' smooth & it didn't 'jerk you around'. We had a woman on ours (in her late 50's) that had never been on a ride like this before & she laughed hysterically the entire time we were riding. It was so funny! One time I almost went off, but it was because I was paying more attention to taking pictures & turning around to see the woman than my own safety. Take an underwater camera. You'll love the pictures.

 

[bahama97]

I did this with my dd12. She had a great time; I had sore arms for 3 days afterwards because of my death grip that I had on the straps. LOL I did fine until we were past the ship & out in the real ocean. The waves were too much for me. I was in the front & maybe if I had been in the back, it would have been different. I ended up getting off the banana boat & onto the boat that was pulling it. Two others joined me. I actually enjoyed that boat ride better than the banana boat ride. My dd 12 loved it, and when she was offered a 2nd ride, she went again.

 

[justmestace]

We did this last year with DD12, and DS8, they both had a blast, and could have gone on forever. I am no longer a spring chicken, (not over the hill, but at the top) and I had just had extensive surgery on my arms 7 weeks prior to the cruise. In fact, I'd just been granted permission from the doc to go in the water & such....was very nervous about the Banana Boats. I went on ahead and did it......loved every minute & laughed till I thought I'd pop. Can't wait to do it on this year's trip. Have fun!!!

 

[newhampshire4]

When we went in May, the crew of the Banana Boats said that we had unusual conditions ... HUGE swells. The boat basically went straight out, turned around came straight back... no other turning due to the seas. They put the people with goggle in the front - DH and I had the very back two seas and had the least movement... yes, very tired hands/arms!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
I did the banana boat ride with my kids in Dec 2001. The ride was "bouncy" but not to the point where anyone was thrown off.