EXTRA Day at Castaway Cay instead of Nassau?

[3DisneyNUTS]

We just returned from the 11-18 wonder trip. We loved it so much we are about to to book bring family on the 4 night. My only thing is Nassau doesn't thrill me. How many of you would rather have an extra day at Castaway Cay and forget Nassau?
and here is the link to our cruise report.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=689549

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

wow it is looking like people agree with me. I wonder why they don't offer this as a cruise. Docking overnight at Castawy Cay would be awesome. Even just doing a 4 day with the day at sea being a Castaway Cay day would be amazing! It would even keep Nassau in the itinerary.

 

[ivanova]

They don't do it for several reasons.

First & foremost, the BUGS on Castaway Cay are horrid. Cast Members supposedly run for the indoors before it gets dark. The ship would have to leave the island and return the next morning ... being at the dock overnight would expose guests to the unpleasant bug experience.

Also, the Cast Members who work on the island have limited time. As it is now the Wonder docks twice a week (once for the 3 day and once for the 4 day) and the Magic docks once. Typically there is one "clean up" day for each day a ship is docked (3 days docked, 3 days cleaning up) and the CMs only get one day off a week as it is. Adding a 2nd docking for the 4 day Wonder would be a bit much ... especially considering they will have two dockings of the Magic for a few of the Western itineraries in 2006.

Maybe DCL will consider a different Bahamian port, like Freeport in lieu of Nassau once in awhile....

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

They don't do it for several reasons.

First & foremost, the BUGS on Castaway Cay are horrid. Cast Members supposedly run for the indoors before it gets dark. The ship would have to leave the island and return the next morning ... being at the dock overnight would expose guests to the unpleasant bug experience.

Also, the Cast Members who work on the island have limited time. As it is now the Wonder docks twice a week (once for the 3 day and once for the 4 day) and the Magic docks once. Typically there is one "clean up" day for each day a ship is docked (3 days docked, 3 days cleaning up) and the CMs only get one day off a week as it is. Adding a 2nd docking for the 4 day Wonder would be a bit much ... especially considering they will have two dockings of the Magic for a few of the Western itineraries in 2006.

Maybe DCL will consider a different Bahamian port, like Freeport in lieu of Nassau once in awhile....

Ahh well bugs are a definite nono but how is freeport compared to Nassau? I did not really like the feel of Nassau. Too city for me.

 

[disneygatorfan]

I am in the minority and would want to keep Nassau. Not that it's my favorite port, but I enjoy shopping, and maybe a little gambling, as well as some beach time...I have found the public beaches in Nassau to be very nice as well, and there seems to be a lot to do on them, and the locals have always been very nice. Maybe somewhat aggressive with sales pitches, but then again, that is how must countries are really.

I love castaway, but I would miss the opportunity to get to do some non-beach stuff.

 

[ivanova]

I agree with you Shelley.

Although Nassau probably wouldn't be my "favorite" location I do think it has something to offer ... I like the change of pace, change of scenery, ability to visit "some place different" ... I didn't get off the ship last year in Freeport so I cannot compare the two, and I'm not sure how many other ports are within a reasonable distance for a 3 or 4 day cruise.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I would pick almost anything instead of Nassau (or Freeport as once was on the alternating 4-day itinerary). Although, CC would definitely be #1 on my list of choices.

 

[DisneyBill]

They don't do it for several reasons.

First & foremost, the BUGS on Castaway Cay are horrid. Cast Members supposedly run for the indoors before it gets dark. The ship would have to leave the island and return the next morning ... being at the dock overnight would expose guests to the unpleasant bug experience.

Also, the Cast Members who work on the island have limited time. As it is now the Wonder docks twice a week (once for the 3 day and once for the 4 day) and the Magic docks once. Typically there is one "clean up" day for each day a ship is docked (3 days docked, 3 days cleaning up) and the CMs only get one day off a week as it is. Adding a 2nd docking for the 4 day Wonder would be a bit much ... especially considering they will have two dockings of the Magic for a few of the Western itineraries in 2006.

Maybe DCL will consider a different Bahamian port, like Freeport in lieu of Nassau once in awhile....

Speaking of this, what did they do when the Magic and Wonder both did less than 7 day voyages?

 

[two-foxes]

I love CC, but you can only do a limited amount of things there and only buy DCL stuff (with the exception of those small Bahamian shops.) DH and I dive, like to pick up a bottle of liquor, (even though it isn't that much cheaper in Nassau), DH loves to gamble...none of those things can be done at CC! Just my 2 cents!

 

[TiggerKing]

I love CC, but you can only do a limited amount of things there and only buy DCL stuff (with the exception of those small Bahamian shops.) DH and I dive, like to pick up a bottle of liquor, (even though it isn't that much cheaper in Nassau), DH loves to gamble...none of those things can be done at CC! Just my 2 cents!

I agree wholeheartedly Two Foxes. CC was fun, but I can't imaging two full days there. I am not the type to just sit in a chair on the beach all day, and the activities could be financially draining when trying to fill up two days.

Also, you have to keep in mind that DCL has certain commitments because of its Bahamian registration, and I don't think CC fulfills any of those requirements.

 

[KMovies]

I don't think that they need a full day to clean Castaway Cay because of this:

Currently the Magic goes there on Friday.
The Wonder goes there on Saturday and Tuesday (in the event of bad weather the Wonder captain may choose to do a day at sea on Tuesday and Castaway Cay on Wednesday).

When both ships did the 3 and 4 night cruises, the Magic sailed one day after the Wonder (it left on Friday's and Monday's) so it was at Castaway the day after the Wonder. Wonder - Saturday and Tuesday; Magic - Sunday and Wednesday.

There just isn't enough to do to go to Castaway 2 days in a row. In 2006, the Magic will go twice on select cruises but at least that is one day at the beginning and one day at the end - so that should be OK.

 

[hig4s]

I couldn't choose,, I really like Castaway Cay, and would love an extra day there,, but would want one day somewhere in the Bahamas.

 

[logan1_2000]

Re: the suggestions to try Freeport as an alternative--I was so thrilled when DCL stopped going there. My first DCL in 5/2002 was a 4 day with the Freeport Day instead of Day at Sea. Yuck! Nasty industrial port with a cheesy little artificial little "market" and other than that nothing as far as they eye can see. Wished we'd stayed at sea.

I have been told about the bugs at night by CM's too, so the observation that docking overnight is impossible is sadly true.

 

[ahoff]

We, we would love to go for an extra day. We didn't get to do all we wanted to before we had to go back. I understand the DVC cruise goes for two days, but not sure if they are in a row.

 

[GoofyFD]

We love CC so much we are booked on the 7 night cruise. 2 days at CC on the special Western in 2006.

 

[dizney-cruiser]

what is the date of your sailing in 2006? is that for thanksgiving?

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Disney Wonder 4-night 10/99 AND 2/00
Disney Magic 7-night 10/00 Eastern
Disney Wonder 3-night 11/01 AND 4-night 12/01
Disney Magic 7-night 10/02 Western
Disney Wonder 3-night 1/03 AND 4-night 10/03
Disney Magic 7-night 10/04 Eastern Special Itinerary

I see you did both cruises 3-4night in a row. How was that? Did you have to go through the whole process again of disembarking and then the paperwork then a new room? How did you like that? We were thinking of doing that.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Disney Wonder 4-night 10/99 AND 2/00
Disney Magic 7-night 10/00 Eastern
Disney Wonder 3-night 11/01 AND 4-night 12/01
Disney Magic 7-night 10/02 Western
Disney Wonder 3-night 1/03 AND 4-night 10/03
Disney Magic 7-night 10/04 Eastern Special Itinerary

I see you did both cruises 3-4night in a row. How was that? Did you have to go through the whole process again of disembarking and then the paperwork then a new room? How did you like that? We were thinking of doing that.

oops I just reread you went twice in one year I gotcha!

 

[KMovies]

3 Disney Nuts - yes, had to combine some lines to keep the signature within the guidelines.

From what I have seen on the boards, most of the time when you do a back to back, you are allowed to stay on board. You just have to leave your stateroom and hang out in a common area such as one of the lounges or the deck. I don't think you can use the pools as those are drained and cleaned and all. So, yes you get to stay on board but there isn't anything to do.

I know some people have done a back to back 3 and 4 night - but I'd just rather do the 7 day. Less repeats and all that way, and no hastle with the inbetween cruises situation.

 

[two-foxes]

Did you have to go through the whole process again of disembarking and then the paperwork then a new room? How did you like that? We were thinking of doing that.

We did back to backs on the Magic. As long as you are a US citizen, you are permitted to stay on board during the turn around in port. We had the same stateroom, thank goodness, or else it could have been a hassle. We did laundry, took lots of photos when the ship was empty and did lots of wandering. Parts of deck 10 and 4 were closed due to fueling, but other than that, we were welcomed everywhere! We had to check in at guest services for #2 shortly after 1200, got our new KTTW cards and that was that!