Castaway Cay

[Dadof4bz]

We have some freinds sailing next week on the land and sea. They were told no kids under 5 are allowed on the Island. I just cant believe this anyone have any insight on this? I can only imagine she is misinterpreting something!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

While I don't have any firsthand knowledge of this, not having kids under 5, I am certain that this is not true. I've seen may kids on Castaway Cay who were younger than 5. The ship has activities for kids 3 and up, and has facilities to care for those under 3, so I can't believe that they'd exclude those kids from the island, which for many is the highlight of the trip.

 

[Dadof4bz]

Thank you Senor, We sailed 2 years ago and that was the case for us too. We told her that but she was on the phone today with a disney rep and they basically told her that the small children were not allowed off the ship! It seems like a joke to me but she has assurred me it is not. Maybe some new security measure?

 

[disneyohbear]

My SIL and Brother sailed last year with a 2 year old and had no problem. This year we will have 2 under 5 in our group. I certainly hope they haven't changed this. We had not heard anything like this but our TA is not very helpful either....LOL

The kids would be extremely disappointed as this is the one stop they are looking forward to.

 

[tbuot]

This was not the case in our experience. We did the 7 night Western on 11/23/02 and both of my boys 2 and 5 went with us to Castaway Cay and I saw lots and lots of little ones all over the island.

Hope this helps

 

[outahere]

Unless it's changed since September......

There were no restrictions on children on the island. The Oceaneer Club and Lab are not even open on the ship while it is docked at Castaway Cay. They move their programs to the island.

I can't imagine any rationale for limiting access to those over a certain age. If there is a restriction, I would love to hear their reasoning.

 

[Melrosgirl]

That's not true!

We were there last week and our five year old was there as were a bunch of kids! (hundreds in fact, lol)

Maybe she was told that no kids under 18 were allowed on the adult section of the beach.

 

[mmouse37]

That's nuts because there is even a kids club area for them on the island....someone is just misinterpreting something.

My sis and her two children under 5 were on CC in January.

MJ

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Although we all know this isn't the case! For her peace of mind she might want to call DCL again. If another rep gives her the same information - specifically that children under 5 are not allowed off the ship - she should not only speak to a supervisor for confirmation but also ask for when this policy was changed and the rationale.

I bet she'll find out that something was being misinterpreted. As others have said kids are all over the place and the kids programs move to the island. But if some wacko change like that HAS taken place the full information needs to be posted HERE - then the winds of change should see it revert pretty quickly!

Deb

P.S. I just had another thought! I read in the Passporter that while kids under 18 are not allowed off without parent/guardian permission in any other ports they ARE allowed to get on and off at CC without it. It might be this that the CM was referring to - kids under 5 don't have that ability.

 

[Michelle]

NO, NOT TRUE!!!

EVERYONE is allowed on the island. There is no BABYSITTING service on the island, but there is Scuttle's Cove for kids 3-12. That's where the children's programming is that day, there IS no programming on the ship on Castway Cay day. If those under 5 had to be left on the ship they'd be ALONE.

I think your friend may have been confused with the minimum age allowed to SNORKEL, that is age 5.

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

I wonder if they were referring to some of the excursions or rentals??

 

[Dadof4bz]

I just found out it was the "excursions" but when she called to inquire she was led to believe it was the entire island! Not knowing any better, she of course was scared she couldn't take her family off the boat. I assurred her she will have a great time assuming of course the ship can dock!