Castaway cay or stay on board?

[YayDisney]

We are leaving on our first Disney cruise in a couple of weeks and I had no idea things booked up the way they do! Anyway i was reading a thread on Cabanas on CC and thought that sounded nice, but of course they are all booked up for both days we will be there. So are pretty much all the other "things to do" on CC. We are from Florida and a beach in and of itself is not that big of a deal to us or the kids - though the private cabana beach would have been nice. So, a few questions - do people cancel cabana reservations? Might one open up? If not, what free stuff is there to do on CC besides just looking for a lounge chair on the beach? Characters? Activities? Is there stuff going on onboard while we are there? Help!

 

[Torimom]

This is my first Disney Cruise too and I have heard that Castaway Cay is a MUST! They have the Pelican Plunge, watertrikes, cycling, 5K race, character meets, and you can mail your special postcard from the post office.

 

[Otimon]

Personally, never heard of anyone staying on the ship at Castaway Cay unless there was an illness involved or some such. For most, it is the highlight of the cruise.

It certainly is possible cabanas may be cancelled for one reason or another although I would imagine the chances are slight. However, keep checking as you never know! Also, activities you're interested in may have a cancellation. Keep checking.

Just having the opportunity of being on this beautiful island is wonderful in itself, even if the activities you want most are filled. You can always rent a bike and hit the trails or walk if you prefer in such a unique setting. You can look forward to a wonderful lunch as well. Water activities for adults and youngsters (floats always available) are always fun. Do a bit of shopping for items found only on the island and not sold on the ship.

Activities on the ship continue as well.

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

[BestDadEver]

I realy enjoyed the slides on the barge . I also thought CC was the best stop on the trip the island if very big . And you dont want to miss the bbq it was great

I dont see the big deal about the cabana the boat is pretty close if you want to go back . But I am not one to lay on the beach . I doing like sand .

My suggestion would to be to stay on the boat on the bahamas . There are not many events planned on dock days but you wil be able to take advantage of next to nobdy on the boat especially at the pools .

 

[fredgirls]

We're not a 'sit-on-the-beach' family or shoppers, but had a wonderful time at CC. The island is so beautiful to just walk around. We played volleyball, tetherball, snorkelled, stopped for a cocktail at Pelican point (no-one else there..great view), kids played on pelican plunge slides, had a great lunch, swam in the ocean and the second time hired tubes for the kids to float in the ocean. Relaxing but lots to do. Not just a regular trip to the beach!
We were actually glad we hadn't booked anything specific, because there was so much to do.

 

[lwake]

I can't imagine staying on the ship rather than getting off at Castaway Cay! MY DH and I loved CC. Keep in mind that the Cabanas are off by themselves. Sure you get some privacy, but you also are away from the excitement. It was cloudy the day DH and I docked at CC, but a blast we did have! Rent snorkeling equipment, bike the island, do Pelican Plunge, or just "people watch." All in all, it is cheaper than the cabanas. Not only that, I don't recall that the restaurants are open on the ship when docked at CC. I do, however, think that one of the buffets on the pool deck is open. If this is your first cruise, then by all means, you are doing yourself no justice by just staying on the ship. Get off that ship and be adventurous!

 

[carpenta]

I can't imagine staying on the ship rather than getting off at Castaway Cay! MY DH and I loved CC. Keep in mind that the Cabanas are off by themselves. Sure you get some privacy, but you also are away from the excitement. It was cloudy the day DH and I docked at CC, but a blast we did have! Rent snorkeling equipment, bike the island, do Pelican Plunge, or just "people watch." All in all, it is cheaper than the cabanas. Not only that, I don't recall that the restaurants are open on the ship when docked at CC. I do, however, think that one of the buffets on the pool deck is open. If this is your first cruise, then by all means, you are doing yourself no justice by just staying on the ship. Get off that ship and be adventurous!

Completely agreed!!!! Of all the private islands that cruise lines have and we have attended CC is far and away THE BEST.....It has all you expect...that Disney attention to detail. Stay on board in Nassau if you have to stay on board any port. Happy Cruising!

 

[YayDisney]

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't really want to stay on board, but wasn't sure what else there was to do while there. I agree the cabanas seem super expensive but if the alternative was scouring a crowded beach to get available lounge chairs, it might have been worth it for a day. I appreciate all the ideas - I am definitely looking forward to it now- seems like there is plenty to do after All. Are there characters out and about?

As for Nassau, we were planning on doing the catamaran snorkeling trip. A much cheaper alternative to Atlantis, plus we were at Atlantis last year for a few days and the kids are still too small to do most of the slides

 

[rantnnravin]

I live on Long Island - with Fire Island (considered one of the top 10 beaches in the world - the sand is so fine, it's like powder) just a short 10 min boat ride across the bay. Yet, I've never been a "lay on the beach" kind of person. I get bored easily - especially when it comes to beaches in other places. Family members were so excited to take us to the beach in Tampa during a visit a few years ago and I was like...ho-hum and OUCH those rocks!
That being said, there is so much to do on the island that I love, love, love Castaway Cay. The breeze, the hiking trails, the bicycling, the characters, the tiki bars ( the WAITERS bringing you cool beverages from those tiki bars), BBQ lunch, palm trees, ocean breezes, the view of the ship across the turquoise cove, floating in the crystal sea, snorkeling and searching for the sunken mickey, grabbing a hammock on the beach and taking a siesta in the salty air...
But if you'd rather stay on the boat, that's just one more empty hammock for ME

 

[Melissa S]

My parents are also from Florida and we (my brothers and I) sent them on their first cruise in May for their anniversary. When they were packing I told them that 90% of the cruise would be spent by the pool and on the beach on the private island (they sailed with RCCL). They said "We live in Florida and have a pool. we won't be doing that." Well when they came back they told me I was right that they spent 90% of the time by the pool and beach. The atmosphere by the pool and beach is much different than back home and they really enjoyed the music, cocktails, etc.

That being said we visit my parents often and go to many Florida beaches but they do not compare to Castaway Cay which was the highlight of our last trip (our first cruise could not dock). The beach is pristine and peaceful. The BBQ is awesome, especially the ribs. And there are so many activiites.

We are cabana people too but couldn't justify the cost for two adults and a toddler. So our plan was for my husband to run the 5k while I sat with our daughter on the beach and swam a little. We then planned to head back to the ship, hang out, shower, and then go back rent some bikes, and then head back to the ship by 3pm and put our daughter down for a nap. THEN we got to the island and all of our plans changed. We were on the island as soon as it docked and were one of the last people to leave. It was so awesome and we look forward to be back in March. We were so disappointed that there were no double dips in 2013 and pray they will be back in 2014.

I would say don't be too bummed out that you didn't get a cabana. This is not your typcial crowded Florida beach. There are food, beach side drink service, showers, and bathrooms everywhere so you will be comfortable and feel pampered. The activities are great so you'll be entertained. Have a great time!

 

[Nette]

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't really want to stay on board, but wasn't sure what else there was to do while there. I agree the cabanas seem super expensive but if the alternative was scouring a crowded beach to get available lounge chairs, it might have been worth it for a day. I appreciate all the ideas - I am definitely looking forward to it now- seems like there is plenty to do after All. Are there characters out and about?

As for Nassau, we were planning on doing the catamaran snorkeling trip. A much cheaper alternative to Atlantis, plus we were at Atlantis last year for a few days and the kids are still too small to do most of the slides

Granted I've only been to CC on the smaller ships, but there have always been plenty of chairs. Hammocks are harder to come by. And if you can possibly get your kids to agree to a couple hours with the club on the island you could check out Serenity Bay... that's my happy place.

 

[YayDisney]

Thanks very much. Is there a 5 k every time there? Or is it on particular weekends?

 

[shandrananette]

We had a cabana for our first trip, and I have to say, I think we kind of missed out on a lot. It was nice and secluded, but I had no idea there was a lot of that other stuff to do. We decided not to do one for the next trip, and I think we're going to be pleased with the decision - it seemed like there were plenty of chairs, and DS wanted to hang out at the splash pad most of the time anyway.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm not a beach person, so a few hours at Castaway Cay plus the BBQ are plenty for me. I go back to the ship after lunch and watch a movie. I learned after my first DCL cruise that a double dip at Castaway Cay was not in my future!

 

[Chim]

We are from Florida, and we don't do the beach much. With that said, a couple weeks ago we cruised and hit CC both days, and LOVED the beach and surroundings. The sand is real fine compared to the broken shell stuff we have in South Florida. We had a cabana both days, and worth every penny. The snorkeling was awesome, and we even had a mini feeding frenzy of tropical fish. (Not that I condone feeding fish hot dogs from Cookies, however another snorkeling party did, and I was grateful for it). My 12 yr old loved the slide on the barge, and my 2 1/2 yr old loved playing in the surf. EASILY the best times we had off the ship.

So overall, get off the ship

 

[OKW Lover]

We were just on the Dream for a 5-night "double dip" cruise a couple of weeks ago. Double dip means two stops at Castaway Cay. We did get off the ship the first day, but on the second day we were happy to just stay on board the ship. I can tell you that lots of people do stay onboard as the pools and slides were still active.

 

[wendyoconnor]

Thanks very much. Is there a 5 k every time there? Or is it on particular weekends?

The 5K is every time. It's not a timed race.

 

[Magic3forme]

Castaway Cay is my favorite part of the cruise (and on Earth) ! We were one of the first ones off the ship, and one of the last ones back on board. We swim, snorkel, play volleyball, and just hang out. We dont put the kids in the club or go to the adult beach..

the double dip cruise was our favorite!!

 

[princesscinderella]

We are from south florida too and im not a big beach person but loved our time on CC. Our kids especially love the hermit crab races, they get to name a crab and then watch it go a few rounds and they get like 4 winners and do a final heat amongst the winners for the winning crab. It is listed in the navagators and I think it is done twice once by cookies and then by cookies too. I dont think there is that much programing on the ship on CC day as most of the entertainment staff is on the island doing activities.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

Thanks very much. Is there a 5 k every time there? Or is it on particular weekends?

It is a 5k run, not a race. They have a timing clock, but it is for the benefit of the runners.

The way it has been working recently:

Runners check-in @ 9am in one of the on board lounges (we met in O'Gill's on the Fantasy). Runners receive a bib at check-in (no timing chips). Once check-in is complete, you leave the ship as a group and walk to the start line (near Pelican Point). Goofy was waiting to high-five the group as we came down the gangway. Once at the start, the CMs do a quick review of the course, a character (we had Donald on the Dream and Daisy on the Fantasy) shows up and a group picture is taken. The character starts the run and away we go. The course is flat, but VERY HOT. There is no real shade to speak of.

The course starts at the bike rental, continues out onto the runway and diverts around the bike loop. Once you finish the bike loop, it's down to the end of the runway (by Serenity Bay) for the turnaround. From the turnaround it's the reverse of the course out back to the start.

The CMs pass out DCL "WINNER" medals to all the runners at the finish line for about 45 minutes and many of the runners hang out at the finish to cheer on the other participants. I understand that those who do not finish while the CMs are still there receive their medals in their stateroom that evening. The gift shop next to the bike rental sells CC5k t-shirts.

It's a fun time.