Castaway Cay....why not tender when not able to dock?

[aan1701]

I don't know about anyone elese but if an 80,000+ ton ship can not dock at cc, I sure do not want to be in a little boat in those waters I will stay on the ship.

 

[SueEllen]

Originally Posted by TheTexasKid

I will say that at one time, passengers were tendered at Castaway Cay. And that was when a hurricane destroyed the pier, where the cruise ship docked.
And to get people to the island, the cruise ship dropped anchor off the island, and they tendered tne people to the island. But, once the pier was rebuilt, so the ship could dock there, they went back to docking at the island.

Does anyone else remember this, I don't recall reading about tendering ever at Castaway Cay.

I think that TheTexasKid may be confused and thinking of when the dock at Cozumel was destroyed and guests were tendered to Cozumel.
Castaway Cay's dock has not been destroyed by a hurricane requiring tendering into the island.

 

[allears]

I think that TheTexasKid may be confused and thinking of when the dock at Cozumel was destroyed and guests were tendered to Cozumel.
Castaway Cay's dock has not been destroyed by a hurricane requiring tendering into the island.

I was thinking the same thing, I don't believe they've ever tendered guests on CC, but I do remember hearing about tendering in Cozumel after a hurricane.

 

[beachblanket]

Good point

Rob

No, not good - two words to DCL: wireless connectivity

You do NOT need a hardwired connection to securely transmit and receive charge data. And that's been true for the last 12 years.

DCL, get with the program....

 

[Mickeyhugger]

No, not good - two words to DCL: wireless connectivity

You do NOT need a hardwired connection to securely transmit and receive charge data. And that's been true for the last 12 years.

DCL, get with the program....

There you go Disney just needs to get an upgrade :


Rob

 

[KarenP99]

Does anyone else remember this, I don't recall reading about tendering ever at Castaway Cay.

I think there may be confusion. Our first cruise was in 1999 and the pier at CC had been damaged by hurricane, they sent us to Key West instead.

Thankfully it was our first cruise so we didn't realize what we were missing!

 

[MarkRG]

No, not good - two words to DCL: wireless connectivity

You do NOT need a hardwired connection to securely transmit and receive charge data. And that's been true for the last 12 years.

DCL, get with the program....

And how do you suggest they wirelessly transmit the multiple skids of foodstuffs and other consumables, or the large amount of crew who work the island? The bottom line folks, the ship HAS TO dock to be able to provide the guest experience you're expecting at CC. This isn't like other cruise lines, you've seen the island, the ship and her crew are the main source of support, they share it with nobody, which is part of what makes it such a good experience. Any kind of tendering would limit that experience, which turns it into a no-win scenario as then DCL would get complaints about say, no Cookies BBQ, or bars running out of drinks, etc...or, even worse how about as wdwlvr said, get marooned there and be eaten alive by the millions of bugs that come out after dark?

 

[beachblanket]

Everyone regails Castaway - until the sail Holland American and go to their private island, Half Moon Cay (photos below). It's naturally lush foliage and six mile long natural crescent beach makes Castway look like a fabricated, tiny, stripped-down (and very crowded) wading pool.

Yes, the water really looks like this:

Given the size and length of nice, wide lagoon beach, this is about as crowded as any given area ever gets:

Amenities include:

Two large, dedicated tenders that continously shuttle back and forth between the anchored ship and the island (taking all of five minutes). Hence, easy access and no big ugly concrete pier spoiling the scenery:

Wedding chapel:

Horseback rides:

Private waterfront cabanas that can be reserved:

Musicians at the dining pavillion:

 

[awatt]

And how do you suggest they wirelessly transmit the multiple skids of foodstuffs and other consumables, or the large amount of crew who work the island? The bottom line folks, the ship HAS TO dock to be able to provide the guest experience you're expecting at CC. This isn't like other cruise lines, you've seen the island, the ship and her crew are the main source of support, they share it with nobody, which is part of what makes it such a good experience. Any kind of tendering would limit that experience, which turns it into a no-win scenario as then DCL would get complaints about say, no Cookies BBQ, or bars running out of drinks, etc...or, even worse how about as wdwlvr said, get marooned there and be eaten alive by the millions of bugs that come out after dark?

Other cruise lines tender in their staff, food and drinks. They don't run out, and tendering the supplies and staff does not limit the experience. And several other cruise lines have their own islands that like CC are not shared. Have been to 3 or 4 (I forget, LOL) other private islands and it has always been a great day. Of those that I have been to, so far CC has the best facilities and is the biggest. But the whole tendering thing doesn't limit the others supplies etc. It's just not as easy as walking off the dock.

Looking at the pictures of Half moon Cay above ,have to say that looks like CCs equal or maybe even better. Would gladly take a tender for that one!

 

[awatt]

I am not positive, but I am pretty sure that the authorities do not want cruise ships to use their life boats for routine situations.

Also, keep in mind that taking a life boat right down to the water is not a pleasent experience and can be dangerous. It's not something you want to do lightly.

Jason

Lifeboats are indeed used as tenders. On the Regent Navigator we used lifeboats to tender into St Bart's. There was no way the ship could have docked in the small Gustavia harbor.

We were not lowered into the water in the lifeboats. Crew did that before we got off the ship so it was just like getting onto any other tender.

 

[MarkRG]

Other cruise lines tender in their staff, food and drinks. They don't run out, and tendering the supplies and staff does not limit the experience. And several other cruise lines have their own islands that like CC are not shared. Have been to 3 or 4 (I forget, LOL) other private islands and it has always been a great day. Of those that I have been to, so far CC has the best facilities and is the biggest. But the whole tendering thing doesn't limit the others supplies etc. It's just not as easy as walking off the dock.

Looking at the pictures of Half moon Cay above ,have to say that looks like CCs equal or maybe even better. Would gladly take a tender for that one!

Most other cruise lines don't have an exclusively private island. HAL is probably still the exception, not the rule.

And in the case of those others, I seriously doubt everything is brought from the ship. Some has to be shipped in separately and stocked locally. Without despoiling the island to provide power for refrigeration and warehouses to stock it, what do you suggest? I don't doubt if DCL really, really wanted to they could find a way. But even you said it, CC is more extensive than most other lines in what they provide for an island experience, they'd have to cut back to make tendering a reality, and they sure don't want to cut the guest experience back in any way.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

As mentioned if you cannot dock on the ship, then its very likely the tenders will be to dangerous as well.

Remember its not just the transit in high winds or waves, but transfer to /from the ship at the tender station.

At Cabo San Lucas we missed the port due to high winds and waves and couldn't tender.

Princess cruises have their island Princess cays, and the last two times I cruised they would have tendered in, and on one of those it was abandoned due to slight winds.

We are lucky CC has a dock.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I don't know about anyone elese but if an 80,000+ ton ship can not dock at cc, I sure do not want to be in a little boat in those waters I will stay on the ship.

I would think that a strong current or high wind would not affect a small boat such as a tender as compared to a cruise ship...due to the amount of surface area the current/wind has to impinge on....how's that for some fancy talking.

I'm sure the logistics would not be feasible, but the ideal situation would be to have a sheltered lagoon in which the ship could enter....would have to be much larger than the present dock area.

interesting conversation....I'm sure that all the things shared in this thread have been discussed by DCL.

 

[beachblanket]

Most other cruise lines don't have an exclusively private island. HAL is probably still the exception, not the rule.

More "exceptions:"

NCL: had Great Stirrup Cay, their exclusively private island long before DCL even existed. Latter has dedicated tenders that bring food and other provisions ashore from each visiting ship. Unlike CC has a nice natural lagoon and great unrestricted, open water snorkeling.

Princess: Princess Cays -- their exclusively private island -- is generally viewed (in terms of overall ambience) as the epitome of a cruise line run private beach resort (incredible landscaping, including a huge grove of palms with hammocks ). Like NCL and HAL, tenders are used so there is no big pier ruining the prisitine, natural feel. Almost all provisions are tendered in.

RCI: has an exclusively private island in the Bahamas (Coco Cay) as well as a cordoned off, private beach compound (Labadee) on the northern coast of Haiti. Coco uses tenders, no pier, same as Labadee (which actually offer the most amenities -- in terms of watersports facilities, food and shopping -- of any cruise line private destination). Supplies are tendered in at both.

Haitian Flea Market at Labadee:

Jet Ski Marina at Labadee:

CC is more extensive than most other lines in what they provide for an island experience

Does DCL offer...

Horseback riding in the surf ? No, but some competitors do.

A wedding ashore in a dedicated, permament chapel? No, but some competitors do.

Jet ski rentals? No, but some competitors do.

Marketplaces staffed by locals, featuring work by artisans and craftsmen? No, but some competitors do.

Unrestricted, open water snorkeling (not the CC roped-off, neophtye snorkeler nanny experience)? No, but some competitors do.

Private cabanas? No, but some competitors do.

Nightime ashore with live music and dancing? No, but some competitors do.

Multiple dining venues? No, but some competitors do.

The ability to use hiking trails to take you anywhere on the island? No, but some competitors do.

Boat rentals that even in some cases even allow you to fully circle the island in a kayak or catamaran? No, but some competitors do.

Don't misunderstand. CC is a very nicely structured, packaged experience. They've done good job at taking an area that was a relatively barren piece of beachless scrubland and making it appear and feel tropical. Add all that up and yes, the cruise line does a great job at efficiently providing guests with a "Caribbean beach day." But until you've experienced what the competition offers, don't assume the Disney version of a private island is the most highly evolved, knock-down, slam-dunk be-all end-all. Because it isn't.

Or put another way, the beauty of the cruise industry is the plethora of options offered. And yes Virginia, some of them do actually exceed what DCL offers.

 

[Epperbiker]

Just as a little tidbit of useless information, Half Moon Cay is officially known as Little San Salvador Island

 

[ga9497]

Everyone regails Castaway - until the sail Holland American and go to their private island, Half Moon Cay (photos below). It's naturally lush foliage and six mile long natural crescent beach makes Castway look like a fabricated, tiny, stripped-down (and very crowded) wading pool.

Yes, the water really looks like this:

Given the size and length of nice, wide lagoon beach, this is about as crowded as any given area ever gets:

Amenities include:

Two large, dedicated tenders that continously shuttle back and forth between the anchored ship and the island (taking all of five minutes). Hence, easy access and no big ugly concrete pier spoiling the scenery:

Wedding chapel:

Horseback rides:

Private waterfront cabanas that can be reserved:

Musicians at the dining pavillion:

I love, HMC and those private cabanas - we really enjoyed it when we had one
I enjoy Castaway Cay for what it offers
Princess Cays was beautiful

I really didn't like Great Stirrup Cay from NCL at all
Yes they did have one of the first private islands but it really isn't that nice

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I see your point and it is a personal thing.Please note, all of the above I would not want, thankyou very much, most of the horses are scabby things that stress me out watching numptys trying to ride(check out the pics) and jet skis makes an annoying noise all day, roped of area is good if you have kids, some islands have tons of accidents.
Thats what you call choice I suppose and I will choose CC thanks very much.

 

[Joan1]

Does DCL offer...

Horseback riding in the surf ? No, but some competitors do.

A wedding ashore in a dedicated, permament chapel? No, but some competitors do.
Not a dedicated chapel but they do weddings ashore

Jet ski rentals? No, but some competitors do.
Personally I don't mind this because I hate the smell of the fumes from them

Marketplaces staffed by locals, featuring work by artisans and craftsmen? No, but some competitors do.
Not a marketplace but they do have some stands - no big deal for me as I am not a shopper

Unrestricted, open water snorkeling (not the CC roped-off, neophtye snorkeler nanny experience)? No, but some competitors do.

Private cabanas? No, but some competitors do.

Nightime ashore with live music and dancing? No, but some competitors do.

Multiple dining venues? No, but some competitors do.
I would love to know more about this. I haven't been to a private island where it wasn't more then a buffet. CC does have two buffets one in the regular area and one at Serenity Bay

The ability to use hiking trails to take you anywhere on the island? No, but some competitors do.

Boat rentals that even in some cases even allow you to fully circle the island in a kayak or catamaran? No, but some competitors do.

Don't misunderstand. CC is a very nicely structured, packaged experience. They've done good job at taking an area that was a relatively barren piece of beachless scrubland and making it appear and feel tropical. Add all that up and yes, the cruise line does a great job at efficiently providing guests with a "Caribbean beach day." But until you've experienced what the competition offers, don't assume the Disney version of a private island is the most highly evolved, knock-down, slam-dunk be-all end-all. Because it isn't.

Or put another way, the beauty of the cruise industry is the plethora of options offered. And yes Virginia, some of them do actually exceed what DCL offers.

I do think that DCL has to offer much more for the suite guests then they currently do because it doesn't even come close to what others offer

 

[MarkRG]

Does DCL offer...

Horseback riding in the surf ? No, but some competitors do.

Do they tender these in? I wouldn't want a cabin near that part of the ship.
(that's known as joking people, I don't do it very often so treasure it for your very own)

A wedding ashore in a dedicated, permament chapel? No, but some competitors do.

No, but they definitely hold weddings there. They simply are being very careful about how much they build up the island.

Jet ski rentals? No, but some competitors do.

Two words: Eco Tour. Can you just ride it anyplace? No, and that's a good thing, the open ocean is no place for any unaccompanied rider of less than expert experience.

Marketplaces staffed by locals, featuring work by artisans and craftsmen? No, but some competitors do.

Yep, they do this, or at least the last time I looked, you need to walk over toward the adult beach more. They also bring over locals for hair braiding.

Unrestricted, open water snorkeling (not the CC roped-off, neophtye snorkeler nanny experience)? No, but some competitors do.

Yep, you REALLY need to get over to the adult beach more. Snorkeling out there is one of the more fun things, and nope, nothing other than an outer marker of the deep water and ropes on the one side so you don't swim into the crew beach.

Private cabanas? No, but some competitors do.

C-a-b-a-n-a M-a-s-s-a-g-e. C'mon I know you can say it with me.

Nightime ashore with live music and dancing? No, but some competitors do.

They steadfastly and rightly refuse to mess with the ecosystem by using pesticides to make the island habitable at night. And I *do* agree with this. During the day they do have the dj and on special occasions they have been known to bring live stuff in.

Multiple dining venues? No, but some competitors do.

Um.. Cookies at the Family beach and another buffet at the Adult beach, I think there's also a limited grill over there too. Multiple meant two or more last time I looked.

The ability to use hiking trails to take you anywhere on the island? No, but some competitors do.

The only part of the island you can not hike thru is the part used by the people that live on the island, the rest is preserved mangrove forest, and will never be disturbed by anyone, which is also the right thing to do. There's enough trail to satisfy the casual hiker, the longer going all the way to the far side of the island.

Boat rentals that even in some cases even allow you to fully circle the island in a kayak or catamaran? No, but some competitors do.

Agreed, they don't, and don't think it's necessary, there's sure enough else to do.

And gee, do they tender in the fuel for these too? I wouldn't want a cabin near that part of the ship either. They got to have some stinky tenders.
(also joking-don't go getting riled over my mediocre attempts at levity)

 

[allears]

So what if some people think CC is the greatest thing since sliced bread, or so what if other lines have other options. Readers, remember most everything expressed on the boards is personal opinion and subjective perceptions.

I personally have very little, okay no experience running a cruise line, whether it has two or twenty ships, so I figure the folks that do might have a clue and have worked out all of the angles to come up with the system that works for their company. So CC is not set up for tendering.

Us, we like CC, and don't really much compare to anyone else's island since we choose to sail with DCL because we love the DCL product. As unexposed as we are to the other options, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be big fans of the line we choose. Conversly, sure there are other experiences out there that for others can be better, again all subjective.