Is the Castaway Cay double dip worth the extra $$?

[Memorymakerfor4]

We're booked for the double dip in March '22 but I keep side eyeing a trip a month earlier that is a CC/Nassau itinerary and $1500 cheaper. We hated Nassau so if we went we would stay on board, but loved CC on our last trip. Thoughts?

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Also, would there be a noticeable difference in temps February and March?

 

[AquaDame]

The nice thing about a double dip is if they cannot dock one day for any reason you have another shot at it. Only you can say if a second day is worth an extra $1500 though! My husband thinks going twice is silly... I liked the idea so I booked it, but we may switch to an eastern itinerary on the Fantasy instead as we haven't been to Tortola yet.

 

[HiStitch626]

I don’t know what you did the last time you were in Nassau, but there are a couple of options you might consider if you do decide to get off the ship. You can book a day pass at the colonial Hilton which is walking distance from the port. The day pass includes use of their very nice beach and their freshwater swimming pools and also has a food and beverage credit. The other thing you might consider is taking one of the excursions that goes to a private island like Blue Lagoon. You could have a nice beach day there. Of course staying on the ship can also be nice because so many people do you get off that you have a chance to really explore the ship with fewer people. We enjoy the spa and get a rain forest pass on the Nassau day because everything is just more accessible. Love CC, but don’t know that it’s worth an extra $1500.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We had very young children when we visited Nassau so we didn't do any excursions, just walked around. At the time, the ship warned us not to go past a certain area unless we went with an excursion. I don't know if it's still like that. We ended up back on the ship after an hour or so. Our favorite day by far was just relaxing on the CC beach with the kids, but I agree, just not sure it's worth that much for a second day. Hmm.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We did the double dip-and loved it. For us it was worth it. That being said, our trip was in July- perfect weather both days. Lots of time to relax and do some excursions we had been wanting to try (Sandbar and Kayak). Would I do it again? Maybe? Right now I would give anything for a trip to Castaway.

 

[mevelandry]

We're booked for the double dip in March '22 but I keep side eyeing a trip a month earlier that is a CC/Nassau itinerary and $1500 cheaper. We hated Nassau so if we went we would stay on board, but loved CC on our last trip. Thoughts?

What excursions did you do in Nassau? Update: I just saw that you didn’t do any, which IMO explains why you didn’t like it.

I’m not the biggest fan of Nassau itself but I feel like there are excellent excursions that can be done over there (like Blue Lagoon or Atlantis) that would cost you very little compared to the price difference of a double dip... And would completely change your experience for the best.

1500$ is a whole DCL cruise for two.

p.s.Or as others have said. Spend a whole day on the ship. It’s a very nice option as well.

 

[mevelandry]

We had very young children when we visited Nassau so we didn't do any excursions, just walked around. At the time, the ship warned us not to go past a certain area unless we went with an excursion. I don't know if it's still like that. We ended up back on the ship after an hour or so. Our favorite day by far was just relaxing on the CC beach with the kids, but I agree, just not sure it's worth that much for a second day. Hmm.

Ceci explique cela. Why not try an excursion like Blue Lagoon or Atlantis next time? Trust me, your experience would be quite different!

 

[Mitura]

YES!!!!! We have done the double dip and it was so worth it. Like you we find Nassau, meh. But the double dip was great and here is why.

It seems that not everyone gets off the ship for both. Its like 60% day 1 and 60% day 2. Its not like 100% and 100%. I don't know why. But it made the beach seem even more private.

For that reason alone its worth it.

 

[mickeymom22]

I would love a double dip at CC, but I am not sure if $1500 is worth it. We aren't a fan of Nassau either. To be fair, we haven't tried any excursions. In Nassau we always get off the ship and walk around a bit, but then we get right back on and enjoy the ship without so many others.

We have been in December and March...both times were chilly. Our December trip was actually warmer than the March one though! I don't think you can predict the temps that much during those months!

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I suppose “hated” was a strong word for Nassau. It was more “not a fan.” Trying an excursion is a great idea. Thanks for the thoughtful responses everyone!

 

[daedelus]

I suppose “hated” was a strong word for Nassau. It was more “not a fan.” Trying an excursion is a great idea. Thanks for the thoughtful responses everyone!

Most people have a port they're not fond of. I personally don't like Cartegena, Colombia. But some people love it. It's an opportunity to get a chair at the Quiet Cove pool!

 

[MomOTwins]

I like enjoying the lower crowds on the ship on port days. Plus you get a discount at the spa while the ship is in port. So for me, a port like Nassau where I don't feel the need to get off the ship is actually kind of value added.

Next time we stop at Nassau, though, I may have to try that new Pearl Island excursion!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

The $1500 is a lot (pretty much a 3-night cruise for two as mevelandry mentioned) so I personally would not book it as much as I enjoy CC. The secret has been out for a while that Nassau is a stationary sea day so enjoy your time on the ship.

CC is the highlight for most cruisers so i totally understand the appeal of the double dip no matter what the cost.

 

[sabrecmc]

What about doing a back to back and adding another 3 night onto the cheaper cruise for your $1500? Create your own Double Dip! We did a 5 night Double Dip and loved it. It was very leisurely and having a second shot at CC was really, really wonderful since that is just about my favorite place on earth. But, we were sort of locked into a certain timeframe due to school, work, etc., so we didn't have your flexibility.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

What about doing a back to back and adding another 3 night onto the cheaper cruise for your $1500? Create your own Double Dip! We did a 5 night Double Dip and loved it. It was very leisurely and having a second shot at CC was really, really wonderful since that is just about my favorite place on earth. But, we were sort of locked into a certain timeframe due to school, work, etc., so we didn't have your flexibility.

I hadn’t even considered a back to back - I’ll see what’s available!

 

[ajo]

Only you can really make that call. For us, the answer is yes. The double dips are our favorites!

I hadn’t even considered a back to back - I’ll see what’s available!

We've done the B2B twice. It's a great way to get two stops at CC. And it was really nice the last night of the first cruise to know that the next morning we were going to get right back on the ship!

 

[MomOTwins]

Another thought—March may be chilly at CC. I think the surcharge for the extra cc day is worth it more in the summer or fall when the water is nicer for swimming. Unless it is more about beach time than swim time for you, then March weather is great.

 

[bakerworld]

We've cruised in January and still enjoyed CC - pleasantly warm from not steaming hot. We did the CC DD in June 2019 and it was so hot you could feel the heat right thru your shoes when on the walkway. The sand was fine but the macadam was flaming.

We like the shorter cruises. We were booked on an April 3D into Nassau. When DCL cancelled the cruise we rebooked at the March '22 CCDD. We enjoy the island.

 

[ChiTownZee]

We're booked for the double dip in March '22 but I keep side eyeing a trip a month earlier that is a CC/Nassau itinerary and $1500 cheaper. We hated Nassau so if we went we would stay on board, but loved CC on our last trip. Thoughts?

Is this on the same ship for the same amount of nights? We did a double dip in July 2019 and loved it. But I don't think there was a $1500 difference between what we did and other 5 nights on the Dream around the same time. (though I don't recall was the difference was). For the same amount of nights I'd go in February if I were able. Could be the difference is March starts spring break time.