How important is CC to you when booking?

[NokOnHarts]

I wrote your exact post in 2013 before our very first cruise. We were looking at a cruise on the Wonder out of Galveston and it wasn't going to stop at CC. I asked your same question!

We did the cruise, and we absolutely loved every minute of it! We were happy to go to Falmouth, GC and Cozumel.

We sailed again the next year on a 4nt Double Dip, so we got two days at CC! We loved that cruise also!

But, here is how I truly feel. I would pick a 7nt over a 4nt without hesitation. So, if the 7nt didn't stop at CC but the 4nt did, I would skip CC and take the longer cruise.

Do you think you will be able to sail DCL again soon after this? If so, then you will probably get to CC at some point.

Good luck! I know exactly what you are feeling!

Thanks for your thoughts, that is the cruise we are considering that you took. Our plan would be to book again on board to get the savings and then hopefully sail again in 1.5-2 years but it won't be super frequent as we are West Coast (Gotta save up for airline miles! ) I think my concern is a hassle trying to get to a decent beach for the kids to hang out on - we wouldn't be doing excursions really.

 

[GeneralTso]

It was quite important to me. I've heard fabulous things about it and really look forward to a day there.

 

[NokOnHarts]

Like many here, it's not a priority when picking our sailing. We do love Castaway Cay - it is a really easy beach day and the service is great because it is the ship crew. So it's fun to know the team on the island. But we sail the Caribbean less and less so go to Castaway Cay less and less. Do we miss it on an Alaskan or European cruise - nope. Those cruises are very different and so much about the destination that you don't think about what's not on the itinerary. You are too busy enjoying what is planned for it to even cross your mind.

But OP, you indicated you were comparing an itinerary that included CC to one that was less expensive. So let me ask you this - how would you feel if you went the more expensive option and then you weren't able to port in CC anyway? A lot of that depends on if you are "go with the flow" kind of people or what your financial means are or other traits we wouldn't know. Chances are good that if you pick the sailing including CC you will make it there. But I think you should consider the "what if" when making your choice, perhaps even more than other people's opinion on if CC is a make/break port.

My DH and I have talked about that, I think I'd be bummed to say the least! But I know it's possible. I can be "go with the flow" when I know that is needed (laughing at myself).. I'm a saver naturally so spending what it costs regardless kinda makes me choke but it is a pretty big difference. Around Nov., we could do Galveston for about $3,800 (6 night) or $4,400 (7n.) and out of FL for about $5,100-5,300 (7 n.)... a bit more than a few bucks difference.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

My DH and I have talked about that, I think I'd be bummed to say the least! But I know it's possible. I can be "go with the flow" when I know that is needed (laughing at myself).. I'm a saver naturally so spending what it costs regardless kinda makes me choke but it is a pretty big difference. Around Nov., we could do Galveston for about $3,800 (6 night) or $4,400 (7n.) and out of FL for about $5,100-5,300 (7 n.)... a bit more than a few bucks difference.

What ports does the cruise leaving Galveston stop at? I think I'd like to save $1K and do a 7 nt. When we did EC and WC itineraries out of both Galveston and PC, all beaches were an easy and cheap cab ride to a free beach or beach where you can rent a chair or buy a drink and get free beach access. We brought our own snorkels and masks and had great beach days all over the Caribbean for not very much money or trouble.

 

[NokOnHarts]

What ports does the cruise leaving Galveston stop at? I think I'd like to save $1K and do a 7 nt. When we did EC and WC itineraries out of both Galveston and PC, all beaches were an easy and cheap cab ride to a free beach or beach where you can rent a chair or buy a drink and get free beach access. We brought our own snorkels and masks and had great beach days all over the Caribbean for not very much money or trouble.

Both cruises out of Galveston would stop at Grand Cayman and Cozumel, with the 7 night adding Jamaica. I don't particularly care for getting off at Jamaica however. There is also a cruise that leaves Galveston and DOES stop at CC but it's right after Thanksgiving / early Dec. (not sure if I want to go that late in the year) that does Key West, Nassau and CC.

 

[DCLDVC1]

We love it and wouldn't book a Caribbean or Bahamian cruise that didn't stop at CC. It's the highlight of every cruise for us.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Both cruises out of Galveston would stop at Grand Cayman and Cozumel, with the 7 night adding Jamaica. I don't particularly care for getting off at Jamaica however. There is also a cruise that leaves Galveston and DOES stop at CC but it's right after Thanksgiving / early Dec. (not sure if I want to go that late in the year) that does Key West, Nassau and CC.

Our two favorite WC destinations are Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We did a beach day in Cozumel (twice) and an amazing experience on a 40' catamaran sailing to Sting Ray City and Starfish point with outstanding snorkeling in between (twice). Both weren't the free beach days I was referring to, but they were amazing excursions we planned on our own. We've done the free to little cost beach days at St Maarten, St Thomas and Costa Maya. I would choose to save $1K for the earlier cruise and sail out of Galveston personally. I don't think we would get off at Falmouth either but we haven't been.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We are from the West Coast also so I understand about the airfare. There definitely are great beaches you could get to. In Falmouth you might want to book a day at a resort so that you can have access to fun water park type features for the kids and access to the beach. That would be fun for your whole family.

 

[NokOnHarts]

Our two favorite WC destinations are Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We did a beach day in Cozumel (twice) and an amazing experience on a 40' catamaran sailing to Sting Ray City and Starfish point with outstanding snorkeling in between (twice). Both weren't the free beach days I was referring to, but they were amazing excursions we planned on our own. We've done the free to little cost beach days at St Maarten, St Thomas and Costa Maya. I would choose to save $1K for the earlier cruise and sail out of Galveston personally. I don't think we would get off at Falmouth either but we haven't been.

Do you have any thoughts on end of Sept vs. early Nov? I was kinda wanting early Nov. as I guess I'm thinking it's less risk of Hurricane interruption without being smack damb in the busy holiday season (Compared to early Dec.) The other WC and EC we're considering that are in the $5,000 range and would include CC are late Sept (EC) or late Oct (WC).

 

[NokOnHarts]

Thanks, saving the extra is tempting!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Do you have any thoughts on end of Sept vs. early Nov? I was kinda wanting early Nov. as I guess I'm thinking it's less risk of Hurricane interruption without being smack dab in the busy holiday season (Compared to early Dec.) The other WC and EC we're considering that are in the $5,000 range and would include CC are late Sept (EC) or late Oct (WC).

I've never cruised in hurricane season (yet) but will next month. I've been told it is exceedingly rare for your cruise to be cancelled; it will most likely be re-routed to go around bad weather. Honestly, I would choose the cheapest 7nt you can do and spend the extra money on another cruise or excursions. Remember, itineraries are always subject to change. We've had two cruises with DCL cancelled altogether (once for last minute dry dock and once for complete itinerary change with change in port). I think the probability of missing CC is highest in late Sept or late Oct (of your choices; but of course it can happen at any time); late Oct seems to be when most hurricanes have impact but I don't have personal experience with that on a cruise (just on land!).

 

[phinz]

I don't think we would get off at Falmouth either but we haven't been.

My favorite part of Falmouth was the beef patty stand. We had homemade beef patties and a Ting, stopped by Margaritaville for free wifi and then hit the rum shop. That was enough for us. Next time I'm doing Be Our Chef, so I won't be getting off the ship until after 2, so it will be a beef patty, a Ting and the rum shop, without the Margaritaville stop.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

I've never cruised in hurricane season (yet) but will next month. I've been told it is exceedingly rare for your cruise to be cancelled; it will most likely be re-routed to go around bad weather. Honestly, I would choose the cheapest 7nt you can do and spend the extra money on another cruise or excursions. Remember, itineraries are always subject to change. We've had two cruises with DCL cancelled altogether (once for last minute dry dock and once for complete itinerary change with change in port). I think the probability of missing CC is highest in late Sept or late Oct (of your choices; but of course it can happen at any time); late Oct seems to be when most hurricanes have impact but I don't have personal experience with that on a cruise (just on land!).

The peak of Atlantic Hurricane season is September, with decreasing percentages of having major storms in October and November, though they can still form and become a problem (See Matthew in October 2016). I wouldn't schedule based upon that though - it is much more likely that you will have great weather than a hurricane. Missing CC is related to currents and wind - we have missed twice in Mid-March but were also successful 3 times in March and once in mid-October. You will find the majority of opinions in here go with "the longer the cruise the better" so the cheaper 7 night is probably going to win out.

 

[Piper23]

I know there will be a variety of answers, but curious how important Castaway Cay is to you when booking your cruise? I have never been on a Disney Cruise and part of the draw for me would be seeing CC, as well as having my kids have a safer beach to explore. That said, some of the cruises out of TX are a much better deal (naturally) and most do not hit CC. DH and I are going back on forth on if the savings is worth skipping CC, as much as we want to see the island! Is it top priority for you? Thanks for your thoughts...

If this is the one and only cruise you think you will do- it sounds like you may want to see it!

Our first cruise was Western Caribbean out of Galveston, and didn't include CC. Next was Bahamas- which did have CC, and I know I'm in the minority here, but we went on, did the 5k, sat on the beach a bit- and were back on the ship before they even started serving lunch. I could definitely skip it, and it is not top priority for us. (just me and my daughter, age 16 for Western Caribbean, and 19 for Bahamas)

I think it depends on: are you 'beach people'? how old are your kids? how many times do you think you will cruise?

 

[cmwade77]

Honestly, we are now Gold and we haven't been to CC once and only one of our cruises was scheduled to do so. But we live on the West Coast, so the Wonder is almost always the most affordable option for us since we don't need airfare to do it.

 

[Mimirdh]

Don't skip the beach at Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach is truly the most beautiful beach...CC is my favorite part of the cruise. I love the beach and it is a fabulous day!

 

[NokOnHarts]

Don't skip the beach at Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach is truly the most beautiful beach...CC is my favorite part of the cruise. I love the beach and it is a fabulous day!

What is the best/safest way to get to 7 mile beach with kids?

 

[Mimirdh]

What is the best/safest way to get to 7 mile beach with kids?

Take a taxi. I consider Cayman a safe island...no one heckling you or trying to sell you stuff. Check with The Marriott and see if they offer day passes.

 

[muse7mom]

It's my #1 priority. My dream cruise is a double dip on Dream or Fantasy.

We've done the Double Dip on the Dream twice. It is literally a dream for me. I've never been a beach person but I feel safe and connected while I'm at Castaway.

 

[ElenaRN]

We love CC & a double dip sounds awesome. We are booked on a NYC- Bermuda itinerary in 2018 with no CC. So not really a deal breaker but we were a little sad.