Well, a miracle happened and we snagged a Family Cabana within a week of our sail date (on Magic)! I have read a lot of the posts in this forum, but haven’t seen much from recent visitors to CC.
We are sooo excited and I would love advice, tips, observations, even complaints from anybody who cares to share but I do have a few specific questions:
1. Can I get a chuka (the coconut salted caramel drink) delivered to the Cabana?
2. Does the cabana have a power outlet?
3. I saw a video suggesting there’s a radio in the cabana—is it preset stations or can you hook up your phone/iPad?
4. I understand you cannot get lunch delivered, assuming true, can you bring lunch back from Cookies two (or the BBQ at Serenity Bay)?
5. Can you order from Olaf’s smoothie hut?
6. Which bars can you order from?
7. How much do you tip the attendant?
8. Anything and everything I’m not thinking of?
Thank you!
We just had #10 the week of the 19th of Aug.
1. - I believe you can order whatever you want but the servers coming by are hit and miss. You will need to use the call button. As we were advised by the person who met us at the cabana, order early if you know you want a drink.
2 - I don’t recall any power outlets but didn’t have a need for one So didn’t look.
3 - We didn’t notice the radio/volume control until later in the day when we were looking to turn down the music. I know we turned down the volume but didn’t notice channels as my DH found it, I never touched it. Just so you know, it was Inside a wall on the outside of cabinet/shelving behind the entry door, There is a plastic hard casing over it.
4. You can not get lunch delivered UNLESS you have an allergy specific menu which they only Serve at Cookies 1 (the main one). They will pick your food up and deliver your special diet prepared food to you. Yes, you can bring your food back to the cabana. Please know they, they will tell you to keep it covered or rid of it quickly as the birds will be all over it. You can indeed use the call button and they can send someone to retrieve your used things. We had someone come by once.
5 - You can order from anywhere you want but I’m uncertain if the bar team/servers will include that. It’s not a far walk at all. You can always just ask.
6. - I dont know that it matters the “bar”. It’s not like they have a lot on CC. It’s more about telling them what drink you want as there are no bar menus To view.
7. There are a variety of attendants. We didn’t have just 1. You have the golf cart drivers, the bar server (their tips are auto included in drinks remember and taxes are higher on CC than on the boat. 10% I believe I was told vs 8% on the boat). You have your head person who gives you the overview when you arrive at the cabana (Saw her maybe one other time). Then there’s the one who came around to pick up any dishes. If you need more water or soda, use the call button and they will deliver more.
8. * Please know that the beach right by the water was very slanted. Literally almost had to crawl up the lounger. LOL. We ended up moving our loungers up towards the cabana in the shade where the ground was level.
* Chairs/loungers are NOT allowed in the waters (other people were warned of this).
* The Water was VERY shallow which is great if you have small children. The sand under the water was very slimy/slippery.
* The view was blocked by the high rock wall so no ocean view unless you look to the left towards the boat.
* They provide 2 sunscreens - 1 sports and 1 for children. Large bottles.
* Fridge is stocked with canned Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Zero Sprite, Water.
* They will bring you a fruit basket with strawberries, grapes, plum and other items.
* the included snacks were 3 bags of chips you can get at Cookies, 2 Nature Valley granola bars and 1 other brand of a granola type bar.
* To get your snorkel equipment, you have to go to the check out stand not too far from the cabanas. You take your equipment back to the cabana when not in use and leave it there. They take care of it for you at the end of the day. They will also drive you back to the cabana if needed as carrying all equipment can be heavy (this was suggested by our greeter though we carried ours).
* The cabana check in is at Pelicans Point. When you get off, go to the right and it’s at the end.
* We didn’t do bikes (it was HOT) but of course that’s included. All you need to do is show your bands for bikes or snorkel.
* There is one bathroom just past Cabana….hmm….13 Or 14 I think? It’s for private use for those renting cabanas. They look like the other bathrooms, so nothing special, just more private.
* As you walk down the paved pathway the golf cart uses, there is a swing fence entrance to the “public” portion of the beach that connects.
Like yourself, we got lucky in snagging one. Now that we’ve done it, I don’t know that we’ll do it again unless we try it at the new island. I was disappointed in the view for one. Looking out was only that large wall. We found ourselves going more to other areas of the island which would have made use of the beach lounger areas over there more useful to be honest. The bottom of the beach felt gross and it was very rocky. I didn’t expect that. Had to wear water shoes in the water. We found ourselves missing the other areas of the island. Did I mention it’s very shallow? But you do have the floats to drift around on. Also, there is a lifeguard in that area as well if you have younger kids.
I did like that we could put our stuff down and not worry about anyone bothering anything (yes, we’ve had this happen where we came back and had squatters had taken over our chairs when there were PLENTY of open ones around - so odd to say the least). The shade was nice as it was hot.
For us, we’ve learned (now that we’ve tried it), we’re fine using that money on other things and doing as we always have, just snagging chairs at the beach. We have an area of the beach we enjoy that is centered around food, gift shop, etc. so will likely keep that area in our sights moving forward.
Am I glad we’ve experienced it? Sure. Do I feel the need to do it again? No. Regrets? No. It’s almost like an experience that once you’ve tried it, you’re good. Hope that makes sense. You know what they say about grass is greener.
Again, if I had very small children; especially napping age…this is likely ideal. Gives you The ability to keep them out of the sun, areas to sleep and rest. Our teen actually did get a nap on the couch so yeah…it was handy.
Hope that helps. I feel I’ve covered a lot for you. Have a great day and I just hope it doesn’t rain on you. Enjoy and safe travels.
One more thing….editing to add there was a small sand pail with small shovels.
