Castaway Cay cabanas.... am I just out of luck??

[Stuarotra]

I’ve been reading everything I can about renting a cabana at Castaway Cay and from what I can understand, if you don’t get to book it by 90 days, your chances are zero.
This is our first DCL cruise so I don’t know how to book one in the first place, but my reservation states that my booking window is 75 days before our cruise.
Do the options show up when your booking window opens?
I am looking under my reservations and I don’t even see where there is an option to reserve a cabana....
I will take any advice you can give.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I’ve been reading everything I can about renting a cabana at Castaway Cay and from what I can understand, if you don’t get to book it by 90 days, your chances are zero.
This is our first DCL cruise so I don’t know how to book one in the first place, but my reservation states that my booking window is 75 days before our cruise.
Do the options show up when your booking window opens?
I am looking under my reservations and I don’t even see where there is an option to reserve a cabana....
I will take any advice you can give.

IF (big "if") there are cabanas still available at your window opening, they will be under the Port Excursions for Castaway Cay. Chances are you'll see something like this:


BUT the cabanas may be grayed out (not available).

One tip - keep checking. At random times, random number of times during the day. There are people who do cancel a reservation before sailing.

 

[cedricandsophie]

There are always lots of shady spots on castaway cay. And waiters walking around taking drink orders. A cabana is not required to have a good time.

 

[lanejudy]

For the most part, the cabanas are taken by Concierge and Platinum CC who book at 120 days. But keep checking because people do change their minds and cancel it as you get closer to sail date.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[LoveMickey]

My experience is that most of the Cabanas are taken by concierge guests.

I’m Platinum (can book excursion early) and on my last back to back cruise, I was only able to get a cabana on the 3 day part of the cruise and not the 4 day portion.

BTW, I still get up before mid night to book everything.

 

[Stuarotra]

There are always lots of shady spots on castaway cay. And waiters walking around taking drink orders. A cabana is not required to have a good time.

Thanks, this makes me feel better. We want to be on the beach as much as possible but not in the sun the whole time. Knowing that there are plenty of shaded areas is a relief.

 

[Stuarotra]

For the most part, the cabanas are taken by Concierge and Platinum CC who book at 120 days. But keep checking because people do change their minds and cancel it as you get closer to sail date.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks so much!! I will keep checking.

 

[Stuarotra]

IF (big "if") there are cabanas still available at your window opening, they will be under the Port Excursions for Castaway Cay. Chances are you'll see something like this:
View attachment 280277

BUT the cabanas may be grayed out (not available).

One tip - keep checking. At random times, random number of times during the day. There are people who do cancel a reservation before sailing.

Thank you! Where can I find that page? Does it only show up when your window opens? On the my disney cruise website?

 

[vertigo235]

Keep checking and also add yourself to the waitlist once you board the boat if you are not able to snag one before the cruise.

We have been able to get a cabana on 4 occasions (3 times by checking regularly and someone canceled), and one time on the boat due to the wait list.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you! Where can I find that page? Does it only show up when your window opens? On the my disney cruise website?

It's only available once your window opens. It'll be under the "My Cruise Activities" tab. Click on the day you want to find excursions/activities for and the page opens for that day.

 

[vertigo235]

Also the page doesn't look like the screenshot above anymore, they recently updated it but it looks very similar.

 

[Stuarotra]

It's only available once your window opens. It'll be under the "My Cruise Activities" tab. Click on the day you want to find excursions/activities for and the page opens for that day.

Got it!!!

 

[Stuarotra]

Also the page doesn't look like the screenshot above anymore, they recently updated it but it looks very similar.

Thanks!! Good to know!!

 

[vertigo235]

Here is what a sold out cabana looks like right now (for our next cruise lol)

 

[vertigo235]

Here is what the top of the port adventures page looks like with port adventures that are not sold out.

 

[dcassetta]

Thanks, this makes me feel better. We want to be on the beach as much as possible but not in the sun the whole time. Knowing that there are plenty of shaded areas is a relief.

You really will be fine. We've never had a cabana, and I always get right off the ship and spend all day on the beach at CC. Never had an issue finding plenty of shade all day. There are plenty of trees and umbrellas.

 

[Stuarotra]

You really will be fine. We've never had a cabana, and I always get right off the ship and spend all day on the beach at CC. Never had an issue finding plenty of shade all day. There are plenty of trees and umbrellas.

That’s awesome!! Thank you!!

 

[Stuarotra]

Here is what the top of the port adventures page looks like with port adventures that are not sold out.

View attachment 280288

Thanks for the update! Everyone has been super helpful!

 

[MUN]

I’ve been reading everything I can about renting a cabana at Castaway Cay and from what I can understand, if you don’t get to book it by 90 days, your chances are zero.
This is our first DCL cruise so I don’t know how to book one in the first place, but my reservation states that my booking window is 75 days before our cruise.
Do the options show up when your booking window opens?
I am looking under my reservations and I don’t even see where there is an option to reserve a cabana....
I will take any advice you can give.

Your chances of getting a cabana are greater than 0%, but not much greater. You can keep on checking, sometimes they open up.

 

[mmmears]

We're shade people (we burn very easily and just prefer to not bask in the sun all day). We had no trouble finding a set up with an umbrella or two for shade. On our 2nd trip to CC we lucked out - someone in our online cruise group decided to cancel a cabana and we ended up sharing it with another family in the same group. But there was nothing available when we were able to book our excursions. I know people here often say that having a cabana is so important to their Castaway Cay day, but honestly it's not a must-do for my family.