Christmas on Castaway Cay

[inkkognito]

Just got off the Wonder, and cruise #35 was fantastic! One of the highlights was the Christmas decorations on Castaway Cay. They are new this year, and hubby got lots of photos to post. I especially enjoyed the reindeer horns on the tram
As you leave the ship, there are several photo opportunities on the island, including Santa's sleigh with a sign reading "S. S. Kringle" and a huge Christmas tree. Depending on the weather, it might even snow! "Cheeseburger in Paradise" has been replaced with Caribbean-style Christmas songs, and the crew members are all wearing their candy-striped winter hats and scarves. I wouldn't have believed it, considering I was on a tropical island, but it really put me in the Christmas spirit! And just before you sail away, the CC tree is lit by the Captain. It was a great experience. The rest of you sailing this holiday season are in for a real treat.
There are several other changes, such as earlier embarkation, a cute new embarkation photo backdrop, some tweaking of the menus, new selections in the wine package, a 60's party, and a few changes to Golden Mickeys (all of them for the best). That is still my favorite show, although hubby still loves Disney Dreams best. Our favorite change was the Christmas cards you can now buy at Shutters. You select a photo and they use it to make cards from a selection of patterns. The prices were quite reasonable, considering that they are customized with your name and greeting too...we got 25 cards for $24.99, and larger quantities are also available.
I'll be posting a full report, but I wanted to post some info. about the Christmas fun on the island. And of course the ship is as lovely as ever in its Christmas decs.
More later!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[WDWLVR]

Sounds fantastic Barb - can't wait to see the pictures. Hope they get good feedback on it so they will continue it next year when we cruise!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Now you just made me more excited for my cruise!! I am sooooo glad they have christmas cards now - I will be on the Magic, so I hope they do the same for that ship. Do they discount for a greater quantity like the photo stores do? I usually send out 100 cards. I was going to take a pic on the cruise, bring it home, and then have it made up into cards. Now I don't have to YEAH!!!!!!! I am not even going to tell my dd about Castaway's decorations. Let it be a surprise. What's better than a pic of a christmas tree on a beach!

Can't wait for your trip report and pics.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

thanks for the great information barb. cant wait to see what the ship looks like. heck cant wait to see what CC looks like

 

[inkkognito]

Yep, I think there were discounts for greater quantities, and if I remember correctly, there are three styles to choose from. We chose one with our photo in an ornament with a drawing of the ship at the top. Hubby will scan it and post it on my site. I'm sure they will have the same ones on the Magic, and probably even more photo opportunities so you'll have lots of good pictures to choose from. We used one of us standing in front of the Christmas tree in the atrium. The photographers were out there every night taking "tree shots." The Castaway Cay backdrops would also make great Christmas cards. Take all the photo ops you can throughout the cruise so you'll have lots to choose from. The photographers told us there would still be time to have the cards made even if we used a photo from CC, but we got the tree one because we really liked it.
And by the way, another cool new offering: YOGA CLASSES! I've seen people ask about that a lot, and it just started a couple of cruises ago. They are free, and there is even one on the adult beach at Castaway Cay. Talk about a great way to start your day.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I am on the Magic right now, I can't wait until Friday to see the island. I haven't been up to shutters yet, I know it will be costing me a pretty penny, since this is the first time I have cruised with one of the kids....

 

[Verandah Man]

Can't wait to see your photos Barb!!!

 

[Dancind]

Thanks for the info, Barb. I'm actually as excited about the Yoga classes as anything else. Did you try it? Diana

 

[4nana]

Barb and Tony ~

Glad you had a great cruise. I remember how much we enjoyed cruising during the holidays and to have Christmas on a decorated CC would be really special. Glad they finally got the contract to do photo Christmas cards too!! Can't wait to see your pix!! As always, thanks for all your great info!

~ Sandie

 

[dzneprincess]

Those Christmas cards sound neat!

 

[inkkognito]

Yep, I did try the yoga. I described it briefly in another post, but I'll give a synopsis here too. There are several classes offered, but the one I did was the yoga on the adult beach at Castaway Cay. It starts at 9, but you meet in the spa at 8:15 so you have time to go as a group to CC. We had 7 people in our class. There probably would have been more, but it was windy and the sky looked threatening. I would say the class was suitable for any level. It lasted about 40 minutes and consisted of some basic moves such as warrior pose and sun salutes. It was a great way to start the day (especially since I had a massage booked for right afterwards).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Hurray and post those pictures - the suspense is killing me!!!!!

 

[westjones]

Wow this all sounds great! I hope they offer the Christmas card option at Shutters in September when we go on our cruise. I would love to have cards made up then for next year's Christmas!

We are sailing in December 2004, so we will get to see all the beautiful decorations next year. I can't wait to see your pictures, Barb!

DJ

 

[dclwdwlover]

Originally posted by Favorite Auntie
I am on the Magic right now, I can't wait until Friday to see the island.

FA-Would you be able to ask how long they actually leave all of the decorations up on the island - or for that matter, the ship, too, please?? We're sailing right after the C-mas holiday next year (1/4/05) & I'm wondering whether the decorations still still be around. Hope so!

 

[DisneyCruisin']

We are going on the 12/6 Magic cruise.....what time is embarkation now that they have changed it (we don't have docs - we have to pick them up at the pier!).

Thanks!

Kim

 

[inkkognito]

Embarkation started at 11:45 a.m.
Spa and Palo ressies both started at 1 p.m. so if you get to the port early, you will have plenty of time to eat first. If you arrive later, you can still get in line in time to get good ressies and then have lunch afterwards.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Barb - thanks for your post -- you have all of us on the 12/20/03 Magic cruise thread salivating!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I cannot wait to see your photos --- also can't wait to take some of my own in a couple weeks!

So happy to hear about yoga --- now I know how I'll be starting my day every morning! YEAH!

 

[disneyfanzz]

Barb,
That sounds so fun. We will be there soon and I can't wait to see Castaway Cay decorated for Christmas.
We were hoping we could find a good spot on CC to take a Christmas Card photo. This is great! My dad is a professional photographer and will be on the cruise with us. The sleigh sounds so fun. Please post photos soon.

 

[jlawall]

Hey FA, best wishes for great weather at CC....let us know about the YOGA!!!!!