Castaway Cay--Thanksgiving Cruise

[Ladyhawke10]

We had to reschedule our Western Caribbean cruise for the Thanksgiving cruise, and we're very disappointed to learn that that week they are skipping Key West. I had originally decided on the Western Caribbean b/c of Key West (Hemingway's house, the coral reef, historical/ cultural tours, trolley). However, this is the only time I can get everyone together again and I don't know if it is worth it to forget the cruise entirely b/c we can't go there. Instead of Key West, we spend two days at Castaway Cay. It looks like just a beach spot on the website (no sightseeing, cultural stuff). Is Castaway Cay like being on Hawaii (I have never been to the Caribbean, but go to Hawaii every year)? I'm considering canceling the whole trip but if it is worth it w/o Key West, I don't want to regret it. I have never cruised before. Thanks for any help . Marilyn

 

[mickeyboat]

Don't say it too loud that you are one of the lucky ones who get to go to CC twice! You may have stowaways in your luggage. CC is the whole reason I am dying to go DCL again! It was the best day of our cruise.

It is basically a beach area. It has the most beautiful and relaxing beach known to man. It has bike rentals, parasailing, glass bottom boat rides, banana boat rides, float and tube rentals, snorkel trails, walking trails and bike trails. (There may be more but we didn't do much more than sit on the beach).

The island is small and uninhabited. There is no local culture or shoppng other than the gift shop and a few local Bahamian craft shops and hair braiding stations. DCL provides a free lunch buffet and there are two bars on the island.

If a two beach days are not for you, consider staying on the ship for one day. A lot of people enjoy exploring the ship and using the pools when it is not so crowded.

Look at it this way, the only way you can get to CC is on DCL. You could possibly get to Key West another time.

I hope you enjoy whatever you decide. Consider me one of the jealous ones.

Denae

 

[jel0511]

Castaway Cay is NOTHING like Hawaii, or the entire Caribbean for that matter. Hawaii has tan corse sand, with azure blue water, usually with waves. The Caribbean usually has white to light tan sand with little to no waves, and the water is a light blue to blue/green. Hawaii is VERY tropical with palm trees and flora near the beach, where as Castaway Cay is a very arrid (dry) island, with the exception of DCL planted landscaping. Castaway Cay is a beautiful island, but don't go in expecting Hawaii, because it is very different. Would I personally give up Key West for two days in Castaway Cay, probably not. We travel to the Caribbean all the time, and Castaway Cay is a beautiful beach, but it isn't the best the Caribbean has to offer. Now, I personally prefer any Caribbean beach to the beaches I've seen in Hawaii (Wailea and North Shore of Kauai). They are MUCH more user friendly and are just so tranquil. The water is MUCH warmer in the Caribbean (think around 80 degrees) than Hawaii, but the scenary around a Hawaiian beach is second to most Caribbean beaches (sorry St. John is the best place on earth!!) If you've never been to the Caribbean, and only to Hawaii, Castaway Cay could be a complete disappointment based on the scenary around it, but could be a complete suprise as to how great the sand and water are. Only you can make the decision as to whether it's worth it to you. If it were me, and it's the only cruise I could get everyone to agree on, I'd have to think about it seriously. Since I've already been to Castaway and to several different Caribbean Islands, Castaway is a nice place, but not a very special place IMO. Again, since I have a lot to compare it to (we've traveled the Caribbean extensively) that's why I give it a not so special review. Those who haven't been to the Caribbean as much as I, probably think it's one of the best places on earth, and if I hadn't I'd probably agree with them.

 

[tvguy]

I think by now you get the idea that a lot of us wish we were in your position.

I have never been to Key West, we did the Eastern on the Magic, but I think basically Key West is a nice Florida City.
Castaway Cay is a DESTINATION.
You could always add some days to your vacation and fly to Key West. But, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED in going to Castaway Cay twice.

 

[WDWLVR]

Key West was fun and interesting, but I would give it up for a 2nd day at Castaway Cay. You are one of the lucky ones who get to start their vacation there. For most of us CC is the last day and that means vacation is almost over. Having it at both ends of your trip sounds like fun. We did CC twice on the DVC Member Cruise and had a blast.