Castaway Cay costs

[vacation disney]

We did get to CC, on the Wonder 3/9 but it was so windy that you really could not enjoy anything on the island. The wind was blowing the sand "into" your skin! We tried to snorkel ( $35 ) but it was so rough and the water was so churned up that we gave up after twenty mins. still had to pay the money, the ship stayed moored at cc for the entire day, all shore excursions were cancelled, ( did recieve refund ) and no alternate plans were offered. I think cc is way to weather dependant, that DCL should try to have alternate plans if their premire location is unusuable, and DCL should offer something in return if cc is unusable. I have mixed emotions about our cruise.......will definatly look into other lines ( RCCL ) before spending the premium money this trip costs!

 

[agirlinflorida]

I have to agree that Disney does charge too much for the floats, but you can bring your own with you to save money. It also makes it easier to keep track of them. Disney probably charges for floats to keep the number used to a minimum. Imagine if everyone on the ship had to have one. Where would you swim! The family beach is over crowded as it is! Also, I have gone to Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay and "checked out" sand toys to use at the beach. Anyone can do that, so you don't have to buy them. The last time we cruised, I bought some sand toys from Target before I left. We used them the whole week and we even took them to the Mickey pool.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

We did get to CC, on the Wonder 3/9 but it was so windy that you really could not enjoy anything on the island. The wind was blowing the sand "into" your skin! We tried to snorkel ( $35 ) but it was so rough and the water was so churned up that we gave up after twenty mins. still had to pay the money, the ship stayed moored at cc for the entire day, all shore excursions were cancelled, ( did recieve refund ) and no alternate plans were offered. I think cc is way to weather dependant, that DCL should try to have alternate plans if their premire location is unusuable, and DCL should offer something in return if cc is unusable. I have mixed emotions about our cruise.......will definatly look into other lines ( RCCL ) before spending the premium money this trip costs!

You know what is all based on the weather & out of Disney's control. What do expect WDW to do if they were hit by a hurricane or if it rained your entire vacation? Are they responsible for that too? While disappointing that you did not have fun at Castaway Cay DCL should not be held "responsible" it was not in their control. Of course you didn't think that it was deliberate?

FROM BEEN HAD>>>>>> I have been corresponding with DCL several times about this situation and they will not budge at all. We only asked for a discount on a future cruise and they are sticking to their high profit NO.

I have started a blog page and will publish it soon if no acceptable answer from DCL. As of now with our experience, I would say shop elsewhere.

Would you rather they dock when it isn't safe? Honestly you cannot think that they would purposely not dock at CC just to pull on over on the vacationers. Actually the crew would rather the ship dock to get people off the ship and take some nessessary breaks. I think I read here that the crew has to work overtime when CC is not accessible.

 

[wide awake]

I think DCL charges for floats and tubes so the customers don't let them float out to sea. People take care of things (for the most part) if they've paid for them.

 

[vacation disney]

Disney Nuts.........It did rain on our last day at sea, and no....I do not blame DCL for the weather. My issue is that their premire location is completly unusable from time to time because of the weather. Our day at CC the weather was not bad, only windy, and I am certain that the captain knew what the winds were going to do before getting there. Is it unreasonable to ask DCL to have some sort of backup plan if their island is unusable? ( alt port, additional activities, future credit on next cruise )We pay premium price for this company, there IS a problem with its premire location. We did enjoy the cruise, agreed that we would try another cruise next year, and booked a 7 day western while onboard ( for the discount ). I also just finished looking at a RCCL package out of the same port. You get a bigger boat with more things to do IF the weather gets bad, a slightly larger room ( sq. ft. ), better food ( from what I hear ), and a similar itenary for $1,000.00 less! (even with the discount ). I do not mind spending money on a vacation, but DCL needs to show me why it is worth it to spend the additional $$ on their boat. Please feel free to discuss this with me, as I havent cancelled my ressie. yet!

 

[noseybuddy]

Disney Nuts.........It did rain on our last day at sea, and no....I do not blame DCL for the weather. My issue is that their premire location is completly unusable from time to time because of the weather. Our day at CC the weather was not bad, only windy, and I am certain that the captain knew what the winds were going to do before getting there. Is it unreasonable to ask DCL to have some sort of backup plan if their island is unusable? ( alt port, additional activities, future credit on next cruise )We pay premium price for this company, there IS a problem with its premire location. We did enjoy the cruise, agreed that we would try another cruise next year, and booked a 7 day western while onboard ( for the discount ). I also just finished looking at a RCCL package out of the same port. You get a bigger boat with more things to do IF the weather gets bad, a slightly larger room ( sq. ft. ), better food ( from what I hear ), and a similar itenary for $1,000.00 less! (even with the discount ). I do not mind spending money on a vacation, but DCL needs to show me why it is worth it to spend the additional $$ on their boat. Please feel free to discuss this with me, as I havent cancelled my ressie. yet!

I agree with you totally. DCL is an expensive cruise. I read many times on these boards that people were not able to dock at CC. They need to come up with a backup plan. I thought many times about doing this cruise, but this one thing just keeps me from booking it.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

They do do more activities on the ship. It is very rare that they don't dock at CC so I would definitely not let this discourage you from cruising. While dissappointed alot of people who have not docked said the cruise is a blast anyway. Do a search in the DCL boards and you will see that.

There is a risk to sailing that is in all of the documentation. WHile I would be completely dissappointed if we did not dock in Sept I know it is a chance. The rest of my family has never cruised before and it would be sad for them not to make it but they all know it is a possibility.

 

[MrBill]

They do do more activities on the ship. It is very rare that they don't dock at CC so I would definitely not let this discourage you from cruising. While dissappointed alot of people who have not docked said the cruise is a blast anyway. Do a search in the DCL boards and you will see that.

You are right on the money there. While we all like to get what we paid for, and then some, it is not fair that when some get anything extra they just carry on, yet give them less and they raise the roof.

This comment was NOT directed at anyone in particular, just an observation.

 

[jeannief]

I have to agree that Disney does charge too much for the floats, but you can bring your own with you to save money. It also makes it easier to keep track of them. Disney probably charges for floats to keep the number used to a minimum. Imagine if everyone on the ship had to have one. Where would you swim! The family beach is over crowded as it is! Also, I have gone to Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay and "checked out" sand toys to use at the beach. Anyone can do that, so you don't have to buy them. The last time we cruised, I bought some sand toys from Target before I left. We used them the whole week and we even took them to the Mickey pool.

Good points. I didn't know you could check out sand toys! I wish we had known that!

 

[jeannief]

Imagine if you will, going to a water park, a large one with say 5, 6 or maybe even 10 slides, of all sizes and for all ages. Now imagine showing up, paying to get into the park, and then after you and your family get changed into your bathing suits, you stand in line to rent tubes for the slides. Hmmm, something tells me, that park would become less and less popular.

FYI Wild Water Kingdom in Brampton is a water park with slides and a lazy river. But if you want to float on the lazy river you will need to rent a tube. At least that's what they did when I worked there.

 

[sasser05]

I have been corresponding with DCL several times about this situation and they will not budge at all. We only asked for a discount on a future cruise and they are sticking to their high profit NO.

I have started a blog page and will publish it soon if no acceptable answer from DCL. As of now with our experience, I would say shop elsewhere.

Yes I think they should offer a discount on rebooking its fair. You are not asking for a refund just something off of coming back to them again. We would like the same thing we were on your cruise- if me contacting them will help us both I will.

 

[sasser05]

You know what is all based on the weather & out of Disney's control. What do expect WDW to do if they were hit by a hurricane or if it rained your entire vacation? Are they responsible for that too? While disappointing that you did not have fun at Castaway Cay DCL should not be held "responsible" it was not in their control. Of course you didn't think that it was deliberate?

FROM BEEN HAD>>>>>> I have been corresponding with DCL several times about this situation and they will not budge at all. We only asked for a discount on a future cruise and they are sticking to their high profit NO.

I have started a blog page and will publish it soon if no acceptable answer from DCL. As of now with our experience, I would say shop elsewhere.

Would you rather they dock when it isn't safe? Honestly you cannot think that they would purposely not dock at CC just to pull on over on the vacationers. Actually the crew would rather the ship dock to get people off the ship and take some nessessary breaks. I think I read here that the crew has to work overtime when CC is not accessible.

They made this island for this cruise ship- they made their big selling point the disney Island- then if its windy, or rough seas and you cant get on the island or its too windy to use it- yes as a cruise line that does this everyday they need a back up plan, it does happen monthly and they do need to have something in place, back up port, credit voucher for future cruise something, no the weather is not their fault but selling a cruise and say your going to this great island and then not is not acceptable, and as a cruiseline they should be prepared since it does happen enough to be a problem or we would not be talking about it. We are not saying do something unsafe or blame them we are saying they are aware this happens and coming up with a back up plan is normal, if you were to plan an outdoor wedding wouldnt you always have a place indoors as a backup well same goes, thinking ahead is not hard to do.

 

[zeldacruiser]

Does anyone have any actual figures on percentage of sailings per year ships cannot make it to Castaway Cay? I don't have any feel for how often this happens - certainly, if it's happening every other week, that would be unfair. We've sailed three times and gone ashore three times, although once was rainy and once was mostly cloudy. I would be bummed if we couldn't make it in, but I wouldn't expect compensation for any weather-related problems. When I sign up for a cruise, I realize I'm taking a risk that it could rain the whole time, be rough seas, whatever. If you go to Disney World and it rains the whole day, you do what you can and don't worry about the rest.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I am a first time cruiser and was wondering could I take my own blow up float I can but a walmart for $2.00. Would Disney allow this?

Thanks
Steven

 

[jillane88]

I am a first time cruiser and was wondering could I take my own blow up float I can but a walmart for $2.00. Would Disney allow this?

Thanks
Steven

That is what we are doing. You can also bring all your own snorkel equip so you don't have to rent theirs if you want.

Heather

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

They made this island for this cruise ship- they made their big selling point the disney Island- then if its windy, or rough seas and you cant get on the island or its too windy to use it- yes as a cruise line that does this everyday they need a back up plan, it does happen monthly and they do need to have something in place, back up port, credit voucher for future cruise something, no the weather is not their fault but selling a cruise and say your going to this great island and then not is not acceptable, and as a cruiseline they should be prepared since it does happen enough to be a problem or we would not be talking about it. We are not saying do something unsafe or blame them we are saying they are aware this happens and coming up with a back up plan is normal, if you were to plan an outdoor wedding wouldnt you always have a place indoors as a backup well same goes, thinking ahead is not hard to do.

They do have a back up plan. They add more activities on the ship. I understand that may not appeal to everyone but it is still a plan. It isa known possibility before you board and in all the documentation. I don't see why it would ruin a vacation. It sucks but it should not be a point to complain about, dissapointment yes. Like I said before the cast would rather dock.

 

[sasser05]

They do have a back up plan. They add more activities on the ship. I understand that may not appeal to everyone but it is still a plan. It isa known possibility before you board and in all the documentation. I don't see why it would ruin a vacation. It sucks but it should not be a point to complain about, dissapointment yes. Like I said before the cast would rather dock.

Adding activities is not a back up plan, diverting to another port as stated on their own web page in case of bad weather section that is a plan, but they do not do that, these cases of not getting on the island are not even cases of bad weather just wind and waves, they need to be prepared for it now that they know it is a constant problem. And not keep making excuses. I never claimed it ruined our vacation just that it happened and should be looked at by Disney for future cruises. And as far as the cast rather docking- you must work there to know so much. Give me a break

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Adding activities is not a back up plan, diverting to another port as stated on their own web page in case of bad weather section that is a plan, but they do not do that, these cases of not getting on the island are not even cases of bad weather just wind and waves, they need to be prepared for it now that they know it is a constant problem. And not keep making excuses. I never claimed it ruined our vacation just that it happened and should be looked at by Disney for future cruises. And as far as the cast rather docking- you must work there to know so much. Give me a break

Ok why so defensive? I am giving my opinion. If you see from my location I could not possibly work there and if you would look at my profile I am a SAHM PT event photographer here in NY.

You could not honestly think that Disney doesn't plan for this do you? Do you think they when they miss a port they scavenge around for a "plan"? This is well thought out by DCL and it must not be enough of a problem or people would not be returning.

There are two types of people those that accept disappointments and move on and others that complain about them. If this upsets you to the point of not wanting to cruise again so be it but there are obviously thousands of others willing to take that risk.

CC is part of a Disney Cruise not what the cruise centers around. Yes they do market the heck out of it but why shouldn't they? It is an awesome island owned entirely by DCL. You cannot get there on another ship so of course they will sell it. Unfortunately they don't always get there and if we miss it on our Sept cruise I will be dissappointed but will be perfectly happy with a day at sea instead. We will have fun regardless. DCL doesn't owe us anything if we miss it because of weather conditions and that means winds and waves also.

 

[sasser05]

Ok why so defensive? I am giving my opinion. If you see from my location I could not possibly work there and if you would look at my profile I am a SAHM PT event photographer here in NY.

You could not honestly think that Disney doesn't plan for this do you? Do you think they when they miss a port they scavenge around for a "plan"? This is well thought out by DCL and it must not be enough of a problem or people would not be returning.

There are two types of people those that accept disappointments and move on and others that complain about them. If this upsets you to the point of not wanting to cruise again so be it but there are obviously thousands of others willing to take that risk.

CC is part of a Disney Cruise not what the cruise centers around. Yes they do market the heck out of it but why shouldn't they? It is an awesome island owned entirely by DCL. You cannot get there on another ship so of course they will sell it. Unfortunately they don't always get there and if we miss it on our Sept cruise I will be dissappointed but will be perfectly happy with a day at sea instead. We will have fun regardless. DCL doesn't owe us anything if we miss it because of weather conditions and that means winds and waves also.

Yes Disney plans for it, but what they offer as a back up plan is not what is stated on their web page as I mentioned earlier which is diverting to another port if weather is bad. And since everyone is so willing to over look this as a problem why should they address it, if everyone spoke up when the missed it what they would like to see happen, instead of just posting messages maybe they would make changes. I am in contact with DCL and will handle our issue. I can handle the dissappoinment in missing the Island all I am saying is I will address it with the proper department and hope for change in the future. Since you are so willing to pay for a cruise that may or may not go where it is suppose to, they will continue to sell you cruises, you are their dream customer. There are 2 types of people for certain, those who take action and those that don't.
Good luck in Sept we live in Florida Hurricane season is a blast.

 

[wide awake]

There was a thread on this quite awhile back...someone did the stats and DCL misses CC 5% of the time or less...not "constantly". And I am very cheap, but I don't begrudge DCL the $6 for a tube...they're very nice big tubes and they're completely inflated...if I brought my own it wouldn't be as big or nice, and I'd have to blow it up. I posted awhile back that I think DCL charges for them to keep people from abandoning them to the waves...I don't think they're making a killing on them. We have a pool and I replace tubes and mats all summer. For any of you that are complaining about not docking at CC...when you find a cruise line that is willing to absolutely guarantee every port on their itinerary...post it.