Cabana questions...need advice!

[ThreeBoyMom]

Hi everyone -

We're traveling on the Fantasy in November. Two families, one with a boy and a girl (14 & 17) and ours with three boys (12, 14 & 17). Nine of us total.

We were really hoping to find a cabana for our Castaway Cay day, but having been on this forum for a while, I knew it would be a long shot. Our booking window opened over the weekend, and as expected, no cabanas available. My plan was to check every day until the cruise to see if one opened up, and there was one today! I was so excited...and then I saw it was on Serenity Bay. I was able to book it, but I will cancel as soon as possible if necessary, depending on the advice you experts can give me!

The last DCL cruise we were on was 2003, so I know almost nothing about the cabana setup. Would it be possible to have one adult hang with the kids in shifts while the other three use the cabana? (Another question: Only two of us listed on the cabana right now...myself and my husband. I tried to add all the adults while booking, but as we have three staterooms/reservations, that wasn't possible. [I called Disney and they told me one reservation per booking.] How do you add people? It says on the website that each booking on Serenity Bay includes four guests, so we're not breaking any rules by having four adults, I just don't know how to add them.)

The kids all get along great, and they can all swim well. I won't leave them unsupervised, but I'm confident that they'll watch out for each other and stay together, so one adult could handle the supervision. And the idea of having a kid-free retreat to enjoy periodically sounds...like heaven.

So, is this plan doable? We're all fine with lots of walking back and forth, no mobility issues. The Cabana is #23, if that makes a difference. Sorry that this is long-winded and thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Floridatinaherb]

The last DCL cruise we were on was 2003, so I know almost nothing about the cabana setup. Would it be possible to have one adult hang with the kids in shifts while the other three use the cabana? (Another question: Only two of us listed on the cabana right now...myself and my husband. I tried to add all the adults while booking, but as we have three staterooms/reservations, that wasn't possible. [I called Disney and they told me one reservation per booking.] How do you add people? It says on the website that each booking on Serenity Bay includes four guests, so we're not breaking any rules by having four adults, I just don't know how to add them.)

And the idea of having a kid-free retreat to enjoy periodically sounds...like heaven.

So, is this plan doable? We're all fine with lots of walking back and forth, no mobility issues. The Cabana is #23, if that makes a difference. Sorry that this is long-winded and thank you in advance for your help!

Not sure about the reservation bit...we've only done the family cabanas with my in-laws and our linked reservations. Are your reservations linked in the system? That's the only thing that I could think would cause an issue. If you end up keeping the reservation I am certain Guest Services could add others to the cabana once you are on board.

As far as the doability...Serenity Bay is quite a distance from the family beach, and #23 is at the farthest end of the cabanas. I would think that a lot of your time would be eaten up swapping out the adults every so often. For the kid-free retreat aspect it has been our experience that having a cabana on Serenity Bay is not necessary unless you really want the privacy of the cabana (and the extra cabana perks). We had #23 on our B2B cruise last year and while it was secluded (and definitely kids free) there was not that many people who were on the beach that we felt that it was needed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone -

We're traveling on the Fantasy in November. Two families, one with a boy and a girl (14 & 17) and ours with three boys (12, 14 & 17). Nine of us total.

We were really hoping to find a cabana for our Castaway Cay day, but having been on this forum for a while, I knew it would be a long shot. Our booking window opened over the weekend, and as expected, no cabanas available. My plan was to check every day until the cruise to see if one opened up, and there was one today! I was so excited...and then I saw it was on Serenity Bay. I was able to book it, but I will cancel as soon as possible if necessary, depending on the advice you experts can give me!

The last DCL cruise we were on was 2003, so I know almost nothing about the cabana setup. Would it be possible to have one adult hang with the kids in shifts while the other three use the cabana? (Another question: Only two of us listed on the cabana right now...myself and my husband. I tried to add all the adults while booking, but as we have three staterooms/reservations, that wasn't possible. [I called Disney and they told me one reservation per booking.] How do you add people? It says on the website that each booking on Serenity Bay includes four guests, so we're not breaking any rules by having four adults, I just don't know how to add them.)

The kids all get along great, and they can all swim well. I won't leave them unsupervised, but I'm confident that they'll watch out for each other and stay together, so one adult could handle the supervision. And the idea of having a kid-free retreat to enjoy periodically sounds...like heaven.

So, is this plan doable? We're all fine with lots of walking back and forth, no mobility issues. The Cabana is #23, if that makes a difference. Sorry that this is long-winded and thank you in advance for your help!

On Serenity Bay, the basic price covers up to 4 people. You will receive wristbands for 4 people. There's no reason everyone has to be in the cabana at the same time. Are all 3 of your reservations linked? Does every room have the same booking window?

 

[clten]

When making a reservation, yes it will be under one cabin -- not everyone's name. So your reservation is fine. Once onboard, whoever is in charge of the cabanas (typically one of the concierge hosts) will contact the room that has the reservation. They will ask how many wristbands you need and if you have any special needs. So you will let them know that you will need 4 wristbands.

Yes, when you are on Castaway Cay, one of the adults can be off supervising the kids and swap throughout the day. The cabana host may be able to help you out with the swaps by taking one adult from the cabana area to the family beach area by golf cart. This is going to depend on the host and how many other requests they get (getting drinks, getting the other guests to/from lunch, etc.) When they contact you before Castaway Cay day, you might ask for their advice on having one adult supervising kids and swapping out. They may let you know what they could do for you to make that an easier process than spending a lot of time walking back and forth.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Would you consider setting up the kids to do the teen excursion on CC. My stepson did this many years ago, so I don't remember the exact ages, but Disney takes them snorkeling, swimming and bike riding (I think) and includes lunch for them. While they are enjoying teen time - you can enjoy adult time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Would you consider setting up the kids to do the teen excursion on CC. My stepson did this many years ago, so I don't remember the exact ages, but Disney takes them snorkeling, swimming and bike riding (I think) and includes lunch for them. While they are enjoying teen time - you can enjoy adult time.

If you talking about the Wild Side Teen Adventure (snorkel, cycle, and speedboat), it's ages 14-17, so the 12 year old couldn't go.

 

[ThreeBoyMom]

Thank you! Yes, our reservations are linked and we have the same booking window. Clten, thanks for the explanation...I will talk to the hosts about wristbands and supervision when they call.

Floridatinaherb, thank you for the input on the location and Serenity Bay. I think we would like the perks of the cabana, and if we could get the occasional golf cart ride or use a bike, maybe location won't be such a factor.

lpizzuro123, I did think about the teen adventure for the older kids, but wasn't sure what would be available for my youngest. Are there kid's club activities on Castaway Cay? Could he check into those? He actually turns 12 the week after the cruise, so I've been rounding up when thinking about his maturity level, but he will still be 11 at the time we sail.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Yes, I was talking about the Wild Side - didn't realize one was too young. Yes, there are kids club activities on CC.

Got this off Disney Cruise Site.

Take advantage of Disney Character Greetings, including a Dance Party with Lilo and Stitch. When you’re ready for some solo time, complimentary childcare for ages 3 through 12 is available at Scuttle's Cove, an expansive child's area supervised by Disney counselors. Indulge in an open-air massage with an ocean view, take a yoga class or unwind at the bar on the secluded, adults-only beach, Serenity Bay.

Here is info on The Wild Side.

Snorkel, Cycle and Speedboat

Chart your own course and take a walk on the “wild side” of the island as counselors lead you on this fun-filled outing.

On this adventure you will...

• Bicycle along the Castaway Cay airstrip and bike path by Serenity Bay to the northern side of the island.
• Board rigid-hull boat for a thrilling, high-speed ride on open waters.
• Debark and bike back to the Family Beach, where a snorkeling adventure awaits. First-timers and avid snorkelers alike will enjoy a 22-acre snorkeling lagoon featuring beginner and advanced trails—and loads of exotic sea life!
• Head to the Teen Hideout, where you can join your friends and counselors for lunch or meet up with your family.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Are there kid's club activities on Castaway Cay? Could he check into those? He actually turns 12 the week after the cruise, so I've been rounding up when thinking about his maturity level, but he will still be 11 at the time we sail.

There is a kids club for kids up to age 12 on the island, Scuttles Cove, but it is away from the water and the 12 year old may find it too young. My 12 year old DD feels too old for it even though she enjoys the Oceaneers Lab/Club onboard. I know the Edge has activities planned for CC, but they don't have their own place to hangout. Do the 14 and 17 year olds include the 11 year old in their activities? If they get along well and you trust them to stick together and handle themselves appropriately, maybe skip the excursion for the older ones since the 11 (almost 12 year old) wouldn't be able to go and have the kids all hang out together without an adult. Set a place to meet up once every hour or two to check in. A couple of responsible 17 year olds can certainly make sure the 12 and 14 year olds stay safe.