Eating on Castaway Cay

[Mulljac]

Hi all,
We're going on our second cruise on Aug 21st. Just wondering which place has better food on Castaway Cay. The first time we ate at Serenity Bay. We had lunch a little late and it seemed like there wasn't too much food left. Is it better to eat over at the family beach? Is there a better choice of food over there?
Thanks.

 

[kcashner]

There's more variety at the standard buffet (Cookie's BBQ). However, I found the quality better at Serenity Bay and enjoyed the adults only atmosphere.

 

[wdwa1]

What do you mean that the quality was better at SB? Were they better burgers, etc. ?
I also read that the ribs are only available at Cookies. Is this true?
We are an all adult traveling group, so we like the adult only beach, but we want to eat at the lunch buffet with the best food.
Also is there a beach bar at SB, or is it only at the family beach? It seens strange that the adult beach would not have a bar, but I have never read anything regarding a bar on the adult only beach.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've eaten at both places. Being a vegetarian, I've been able to get veggie burgers at each location. Hubby likes Cookies better because he loves the lobster burgers. If I had to choose, though, I'd pick Serenity Bay buffet because it's closer to the beach we're hanging out at anyway AND there are no kids.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by wdwa1
What do you mean that the quality was better at SB? Were they better burgers, etc. ?
I also read that the ribs are only available at Cookies. Is this true?
We are an all adult traveling group, so we like the adult only beach, but we want to eat at the lunch buffet with the best food.
Also is there a beach bar at SB, or is it only at the family beach? It seens strange that the adult beach would not have a bar, but I have never read anything regarding a bar on the adult only beach.

Serenity Bay is 18 and older, so no kids are there. There is a bar at SB on the left side after the bathrooms once you're entering the beach area. I may have a picture of it...if I do, I'll come back and post it.

OK:
Conched Out Bar near family beach:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/107281600/107283887LhvaHm

Entrance to Serenity Bay Beach -- Bar is on left right after bathrooms (you could actually see one of the umbrellas in the bar seating area. You get a great view of the ocean here, as well:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/107281600/107284361uzCXah

Bartenders who will deliver drinks to you on the beach:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/107281600/107284570ofyglM

Buffet at Serenity Bay:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/107281600/107284319zwpzQK

 

[kcashner]

The day I was there, they had salmon at Serenity Bay, which was not available at Cookies. The smaller quantities at SB may have meant that they hadn't sat out as long....or maybe I was just lucky. Everything was hot, fresh, and wonderful at SB.

 

[webray]

Gotta love the fresh grilled salmon at serenity bay. The coleslaw and potato salad are very good, the fresh fruit. The grilled chicken, burgers. All is very good.

 

[Mulljac]

Thanks for everyone's input. Guess I'll just see where we land up at lunch time. We had lobster tails at SB lunch 2 years ago. Like I said, we got there late and at first they told me that there weren't any tails left. Then I saw people who came in after me with the lobster. So I went back up to the grill and they put one on for me. I don't know why they said they didn't have any, it got me annoyed. Anyway, does anyone know if they still serve lobster tails?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Mulljac
Thanks for everyone's input. Guess I'll just see where we land up at lunch time. We had lobster tails at SB lunch 2 years ago. Like I said, we got there late and at first they told me that there weren't any tails left. Then I saw people who came in after me with the lobster. So I went back up to the grill and they put one on for me. I don't know why they said they didn't have any, it got me annoyed. Anyway, does anyone know if they still serve lobster tails?

In three cruises, we've never seen lobster tails at SB. You may have been very lucky!

 

[wdwa1]

Thanks for the photos! I really like the CM balancing the tray of drinks on his head!

Does anyone know if the ribs are served at SB? We are big fans of ribs and that will definitely factor in our choice of buffets.

 

[flexsmom]

I know you'll hear here over and over about how wonderful the food is on CC, but our experience at Cookies wasn't that great - I'd have to say that for the 4 adults and 2 kids we had, all agreed it was their least favorite meal on the cruise. That said, maybe we were just having a bad day - DD had gotten "lost" (ie, wandered alone to the oceanfront, giving us absolute fits - yes, you can lose a child in the blink of an eye), I had fallen and hit my head, it was very crowded and we hadn't read these boards to know to keep going down the beach to a less crowded area - so we were all in a pretty rotten mood. The food was just "OK" - we thought the food on board was fabulous, so take this with a grain of salt! This time we're going to hit the beach early and return to the ship for a lite lunch and enjoy the less crowded atmosphere. Again, we're most definitely in the minority here.......

 

[lotsofboys]

I agree with Flexsmom, CC was our least favorite meal on the cruise. Our first one we didn't know any better, but after our second cruise we all agreed (4 adults, 3 kids) we would rather eat lunch on the ship. But not wanting to miss a minute of CC we will probably still eat there on #3 coming up.

 

[tigger53]

we have always eaten at SB and ended up being lucky once to have gotten lobster tails. these past two cruises though we headed back to cookies as the selection there is much better and i too love the ribs, their the best i've ever had, nice and meaty. the selection at SB is very limited and i personally didn't care for all the bar-b-q smoke blowing in our direction as we ate.

 

[swandiverpatt]

We've eaten at both and prefer the selection at Cookie's (especially, well, the cookies!!! ... not to mention the ribs), but the atmosphere at Serenity Bay. We ate at Cookie's on the way back to the ship. At Cookie's, you can also get freshly prepared caesar salad. I wasn't thrilled with the lobster burgers (one of the reasons we chose Cookie's that time), but I think we'll be eating at Cookie's from here on out.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I have to agree with flexsmom and lotsofboys. Cookies was our least favorite meal of the 7 day cruise. It seemed like a counter service WDW meal. That said, every dinner on the ship was delicious! We had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back.

Tink

 

[mmouse37]

I am another who just tolerates the CC food.....the food on the ship is much better!!!!

Do love that soft serve ice cream though....

MJ

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by mmouse37

Do love that soft serve ice cream though....

MJ

ok, wait a sec... there is soft serve on CC? I knew about Scoops, but heck, I didn't see any ice cream on CC. If so, that changes things.

Tink

 

[mmouse37]

It has been there for about a year or so...there is a machine near under the pavillion near the picnic tables....I believe it is frozen yogurt instead of actual ice cream..but it is soft serve.

MJ