Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[Deb in IA]

If you have the means, yes. We had it both days of stops and well worth it, especially if you have 4 or more people, or little kids. Or like to nap like me.

It is pricey, but also think about the perks. Private beach area. The little cottage to relax in out of sun. You have your own showering area to rinse of sand. Hammock to nap in. Stocked fridge with sodas and Evian included (which they try to sell you as you leave the boat). Also snorkel gear. That might not seem like much, but at $25 bucks a person to rent, it adds up. Plus 1 hr bike rental.

And how could I forget your own personal call button to have someone bring you fruity cocktails

For our next cruise I will be up again at midnight on port excursion booking day to snag one again.

In addition:
Beach toys if you are in the family cabanas
Locked safe
Sunscreen
Refrigerated washcloths - which our son used as ice packs, as he had just run the Castaway Cay 5K

 

[RaglanRoad]

We had cabana 19 when we stopped at Castaway Cay off the Dream last December (2011). We have been to Castaway Cay a few times but this is the first cabana we rented. Since it was just me and my mom this trip and no kids with us we decided to rent in Serenity Bay. It was so nice to have some place just quiet and more private. I loved the hammock, having a shower and I really liked the private transportation by the cabana host!
We definitely agreed that we would do this again. Luckily it was warm enough to go out swimming since we were there in December so having the shower and floats was great.

I am doing a blog on my December trip including the cruise. I am about to write up my post on my Cabana stay and add more photos but I thought I would share here also.

You can see my post and all the photos here http://dis-n-that.blogspot.com when I finish it.

Cabana 19!!!

Great shot of cabana 19 from the beach side

picture with the loungers and inside shot

inside

we also liked having the fridge inside. the cold wet towels were great when coming out of the salty ocean after a swim

a shot from the deck

 

[YayDisney]

Do they ever become available later? They are all sold out for my cruise in a couple of weeks of course, but do people ever cancel? When do they have to pay for them by? I could stalk the computer around that time!! Ha ha. But really?? Do people cancel?

 

[traceyw]

You never know! I checked a week or so ago and there was a Serenity Bay one that had come available. I have 2 kids so that doesn't work for us. If it were a family cabana I would have grabbed it!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We had cabana 19 when we stopped at Castaway Cay off the Dream last December (2011). We have been to Castaway Cay a few times but this is the first cabana we rented. Since it was just me and my mom this trip and no kids with us we decided to rent in Serenity Bay. It was so nice to have some place just quiet and more private. I loved the hammock, having a shower and I really liked the private transportation by the cabana host!
We definitely agreed that we would do this again. Luckily it was warm enough to go out swimming since we were there in December so having the shower and floats was great.

I am doing a blog on my December trip including the cruise. I am about to write up my post on my Cabana stay and add more photos but I thought I would share here also.

You can see my post and all the photos here http://dis-n-that.blogspot.com when I finish it.

Cabana 19!!!

Great shot of cabana 19 from the beach side

picture with the loungers and inside shot

inside

we also liked having the fridge inside. the cold wet towels were great when coming out of the salty ocean after a swim

a shot from the deck

Thanks for posting this! DH & I booked cabana #19 for our short 9/27 Dream getaway to celebrate our 19th anniversary! Seemed fitting!

 

[Bear3412]

We are struggling with the cabana decision. It seems so costly. Yet I feel we would enjoy the experience.

We're not sure about committing to the cabana, as if anyone could, who is not platinum or concierge, irregardless of the hefty price tag.

I've heard there have been some complaints recently. I'll try to recap.

It appears the wood is graying on the private deck, walls, and structure. This diminishes the ambiance, and contributes to splitters.
The shingles were split in areas, creating vulnerability to weather.
The lush tropical vegetation that's filling in, prevents line of sight and communication between adjoining cabanas.
Even with Tram help, folks still had to walk 30 feet.
Sand was reported on the private beach chairs and loungers along the shore.
The umbrellas in several areas were not centered over the loungers.
Rust may have been spotted on the fridge that contains the chilled towels and fruit bowl.
Bird droppings were sighted in the mesh sun screen above the cushioned loungers.
The ceiling fan has only two speeds.
The piped in music can't be changed to your IPOD stream.
The hammocks may have had frayed lines in photo # 6 ?
The lock set in photo #12 in thread 53774548 looked displaced and non functional.
The entrance sign displaying the cabana info was leaning and not vertical.
Paint/stain was peeling at the base of the entry door.
Host failed to show in 5 whole minutes after THE BUTTON was pushed.
The palm tree blocked the view of the ship.
Water pressure in the outdoor shower was to high.
The float mats and tubes had sand on them.
The soft plush towels provided failed to clean sunglasses well.
The sun screen is only offered in two SPF's.
The Evian water misters were too cold.
The included sand toys looked used.
Some reported having to travel 1000 feet to get snorkel gear.
No bathroom in the hut.
Bathroom was 200 feet away.
No one reported a lage plasma or LCD screen.

I'm not sure I could commit, at this price level, with all these oversights in maintenance, design, and service. With these issues, would anyone book? It's amazing DCL reserves any of these huts. Why are they so popular considering all the flaws involved?

Did I get you? This is a counter post, which I feel is warranted.
This post is implied humor, to offset all the serious cabana discussions. Just trying to put the details into perspective.

For the newbies ignore my text as it is fiction. Like April Fools in July.

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

 

[rosermama]

Thats funny you put a lot of thought into that post I wish I had that kind of skill.

Good job

 

[YayDisney]

Gotta say though, for $500, I am truly surprised they dont have private bathrooms. Seems basic

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

We are struggling with the cabana decision. It seems so costly. Yet I feel we would enjoy the experience.

We're not sure about committing to the cabana, as if anyone could, who is not platinum or concierge, irregardless of the hefty price tag.

I've heard there have been some complaints recently. I'll try to recap.

It appears the wood is graying on the private deck, walls, and structure. This diminishes the ambiance, and contributes to splitters.
The shingles were split in areas, creating vulnerability to weather.
The lush tropical vegetation that's filling in, prevents line of sight and communication between adjoining cabanas.
Even with Tram help, folks still had to walk 30 feet.
Sand was reported on the private beach chairs and loungers along the shore.
The umbrellas in several areas were not centered over the loungers.
Rust may have been spotted on the fridge that contains the chilled towels and fruit bowl.
Bird droppings were sighted in the mesh sun screen above the cushioned loungers.
The ceiling fan has only two speeds.
The piped in music can't be changed to your IPOD stream.
The hammocks may have had frayed lines in photo # 6 ?
The lock set in photo #12 in thread 53774548 looked displaced and non functional.
The entrance sign displaying the cabana info was leaning and not vertical.
Paint/stain was peeling at the base of the entry door.
Host failed to show in 5 whole minutes after THE BUTTON was pushed.
The palm tree blocked the view of the ship.
Water pressure in the outdoor shower was to high.
The float mats and tubes had sand on them.
The soft plush towels provided failed to clean sunglasses well.
The sun screen is only offered in two SPF's.
The Evian water misters were too cold.
The included sand toys looked used.
Some reported having to travel 1000 feet to get snorkel gear.
No bathroom in the hut.
Bathroom was 200 feet away.
No one reported a lage plasma or LCD screen.

I'm not sure I could commit, at this price level, with all these oversights in maintenance, design, and service. With these issues, would anyone book? It's amazing DCL reserves any of these huts. Why are they so popular considering all the flaws involved?

Did I get you? This is a counter post, which I feel is warranted.
This post is implied humor, to offset all the serious cabana discussions. Just trying to put the details into perspective.

For the newbies ignore my text as it is fiction. Like April Fools in July.

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

Actually, your post is spot on - the only thing you left out was other cruisers ignoring the signs and staking claim to your private hammock. The cabanas have so many issues as of late I'm surprised anyone is even booking them anymore. They're really not worth the money.

 

[johnlatte]

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

This was the BEST post I have read on this board EVER. If this doesn't totally sum up what some of the pixie-dusters are thinking and posting here on this board nothing ever will. I did something like this on the Tervis cup thread, but nothing nearly as good as this. Great Job!!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

I got to: Even with Tram help, folks still had to walk 30 feet. before I caught onto the humor. Good stuff. Glad I've got our cabana booked for our upcoming 9/27 3-night Dream. It's gonna be awesome! I'm sure at least once that day I'll think of this post and

 

[rosermama]

Actually, your post is spot on - the only thing you left out was other cruisers ignoring the signs and staking claim to your private hammock. The cabanas have so many issues as of late I'm surprised anyone is even booking them anymore. They're really not worth the money.

I can understand some wear on them but since they cost so.much you think DCL would make repairs or fix them up between ships and right before a ship comes in. I also agree that I never would have thought any of this was possible and that if I paid for the Cabana it would be perfect all pixie dust. It jut reminds me of the reality of having a structre on a tropical ispand

 

[rosermama]

I can understand some wear on them but since they cost so.much you think DCL would make repairs or fix them up between ships and right before a ship comes in. I also agree that I never would have thought any of this was possible and that if I paid for the Cabana it would be perfect all pixie dust. It jut reminds me of the reality of having a structre on a tropical ispand

I meant island I was typing on my phone

 

[Chim]

Water pressure in the outdoor shower was to high.

And too cold! Look at my son! That is not him having fun, it is physical anguish! I should sue for his undoubted mental troubles he will have rest of his life!

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

Well played.....+1 for the win

 

[Chim]

In addition:
Beach toys if you are in the family cabanas
Locked safe
Sunscreen
Refrigerated washcloths - which our son used as ice packs, as he had just run the Castaway Cay 5K

I forgot all about these and the tubes/floats! What a deal!

Did I mention how nice it was to have blocked, private beaches.

 

[Deb in IA]

Do they ever become available later? They are all sold out for my cruise in a couple of weeks of course, but do people ever cancel? When do they have to pay for them by? I could stalk the computer around that time!! Ha ha. But really?? Do people cancel?

YES!!! I can attest to that!

We were originally booked for an adult cabana last year, because all the family ones were booked when my window (a lowly silver) opened. That meant our 17 year old son would be on his own that day, but we really wanted a cabana, so we booked the adult one.

Well, on the first night on the Dream, we got a call from Concierge Services. A family that had a family cabana somehow "did not make it on the ship" and their cabana was open, and they were calling us to see if we wanted to switch. Of course we did, and it was great!

 

[Chim]

YES!!! I can attest to that!


Well, on the first night on the Dream, we got a call from Concierge Services. A family that had a family cabana somehow "did not make it on the ship" and their cabana was open, and they were calling us to see if we wanted to switch. Of course we did, and it was great!

We had the same exact thing happen to us. Our response...."Duh. Yes."

 

[YayDisney]

We had the same exact thing happen to us. Our response...."Duh. Yes."

awesome! how did concierge know you wanted one? Is there a waiting list I can get on? should I just tell them when we get on board?

 

[Chim]

awesome! how did concierge know you wanted one? Is there a waiting list I can get on? should I just tell them when we get on board?

I am sure you could give them a heads up, but honestly we are just awesome people. I know that sounds egotistical, but I mean we were nice and treated them with respect. Having family and friends in service industries, we know how to NOT treat these people (Never treat them like you are better than them).

On day 1 we were interacting with them, treating them like people instead of servants. We were joking around and having fun with them. And always thanking them for all they do. This will get you far with them.

 

[gometros]

I got to: Even with Tram help, folks still had to walk 30 feet. before I caught onto the humor. Good stuff. Glad I've got our cabana booked for our upcoming 9/27 3-night Dream. It's gonna be awesome! I'm sure at least once that day I'll think of this post and

Same here. I started reading the post, then checked the post count. Almost believed it until I got to that 30 feet remark. The clincher was waiting 5 whole minutes for a host to appear.