Castaway Cay Questions

[tlt]

1). How far is the adult beach from the ship and how far is it from the family beach?...can you walk or do you have to take the tram? Seems like I read somewhere that it is a 26 min. walk from the family beach...is it really that far?

2). Is the store opened the entire time we are there...do they tend to sell out of things or is it safe to hit the store on the way back onto the ship late that afternoon? Do they sell things that you can't find on the ship?

3). Does the family beach and the adult beach both have a lunch buffet...are they the same or is one better?

4). Can you snorkel anywhere...or do you have to stay within the snorkeling trails I have seen listed on the excursion stuff?

 

[ruvidu]

1). How far is the adult beach from the ship and how far is it from the family beach?...can you walk or do you have to take the tram? Seems like I read somewhere that it is a 26 min. walk from the family beach...is it really that far?

Yes, it is at the end of an old runway and I would guess the 26 min. walk to be quite accurate. Maybe even longer for us old folk. The trams do a great job of ferrying you from place to place with minimal waiting.

2). Is the store opened the entire time we are there...do they tend to sell out of things or is it safe to hit the store on the way back onto the ship late that afternoon? Do they sell things that you can't find on the ship?

The stores are open but don't expect much. One is just about 12X12 with all Castaway and DCL stuff. They have a good many things you can get nowhere else. There is also a little touristy shop where you can get souviners. We have found that some sizes sell out early. We usually leave the adult beach and eat lunch at Cookies and then shop. We then return to the adult beach until we are forced to leave.

3). Does the family beach and the adult beach both have a lunch buffet...are they the same or is one better?

Both had lunches the last time we were there. We haven't ate at the adult beach (see above). It is a pretty good picnic lunch.

4). Can you snorkel anywhere...or do you have to stay within the snorkeling trails I have seen listed on the excursion stuff?

I believe you have to stay within the trail at the family beach while you can snorkle anywhere at the adult beach. Someone will correct me if I am wrong I am sure.

Your visit to Castaway Cay will be a memory for life. I hope the skies are clear and the water warm.

 

[Dodie]

We were on the 4/20 Magic:

1). How far is the adult beach from the ship and how far is it from the family beach?...can you walk or do you have to take the tram? Seems like I read somewhere that it is a 26 min. walk from the family beach...is it really that far?

It's clear on the other side of the island - a 26 minute walk from family beach - about 30+ minutes from ship. Take the TRAM!

2). Is the store opened the entire time we are there...do they tend to sell out of things or is it safe to hit the store on the way back onto the ship late that afternoon? Do they sell things that you can't find on the ship?

We shopped at about 2:30/3:00 and they still had stock of everything. There are SEVERAL Castaway Cay specific shirts, souvenirs, etc., hardly any of which are available on the ship.

3). Does the family beach and the adult beach both have a lunch buffet...are they the same or is one better?

We ate at the smaller BBQ on the adult beach and it was really good. I think the food is exactly the same. Less crowded on the adult beach though.

4). Can you snorkel anywhere...or do you have to stay within the snorkeling trails I have seen listed on the excursion stuff?

DH was told that they don't "recommend" snorkeling off the adult beach because the area isn't supervised, but that he was more than welcome to go back to the family beach area, rent the equipment, and bring it back over to Serenity Bay to snorkel. He did this and he was DEFINITELY not alone.

 

[SeaDog]

Just a suggestion for your transportation to the adult beach... rent a bike... eliminates the wait for a tram and you can use it all day to make runs between the beaches...