When we went 2 years ago in 2012. The water was cold at
Castaway Cay but it was a gorgeous. We didn't have to wear coverups and it was the perfect 80 degree weather outside.
The pools on board are not cold, I believe they are even heated and the decks on the pool level are wind protected so it was wonderful.
This past year, 2013 when we went to Castaway Cay it was overcast. So the snorkeling water was cold and it was windy on the beach. It was I believe 70 degrees and windy so it wasn't that pleasant for sunbathing. Most of us wrapped up in towels on our lounge chairs. The pools on board were perfect and since the decks were wind shielded and it wasn't overcast any other day of our 7 day cruise except for Castaway cay day...it was gorgeous. A lot of people sunbathed and swam.
Crowds...it was not bad at all. Dinners, every table is full but you don't feel crowded, nor do you wait on service for anything. We got into every thing that we wanted to participate in.
The only thing that was crowded were embarkation and debarkation.
When we were boarding...the port was packed with people wanted to get on. We went to the port at 11am...using a limo from the resort so that we could board earlier than last year. 2012 we used Disney bus from our resort at AKL and because of Disney Marathon traffic we barely boarded before 3pm...so this year we wanted to get there early and have the advantage of more time on the boat that day.
We are not going to do that again...there is not much seating while waiting at the port and it is very crowded and loud. You are best to wait for your Disney bus transportation instead of arriving so early.
Now...debarkation in 2012 was a breeze and super easy. Disney put us in a small 8 person bus back to our Wilderness Lodge resort for the rest of the Dream Sammwich tour (Parks, Cruise, Parks).
Debarkation in 2013 was kind of a nightmare. Someone had a heart attacked and passed away on our Castaway Cay day. So we'd been delayed leaving Castaway Cay waiting on Bahamas authorities to release the boat. When we actually got back to Port Canaveral and it was debarkation day...Port canaveral authorities delayed our boat because of having to come on board to retrieve the body from the freezers and process all the paperwork before anybody could get off the boat. There were Foreign travellers who were literally screaming at Cast members because they had missed their flights and weren't allowed off the boat. We fortunately had planned well ahead and didn't have a flight departure until 5pm.
So recommendations:
Weather is nice...but if it is windy and overcast..Castaway Cay is still pleasant and has lots to do...go for a bike ride...sightsee or beach lounge...just remember to pack some kind of wind breaker or get extra towels from the dispenser.
I would personally recommend using Disney transportation. If everybody did...I have a feeling that there wouldn't be long lines or loud crowds. Because some people like to board early as possible (which I understand), it does throw a spanner in the works and can make the process rather intense.
Lastly...make sure that you plan your return flights late enough in the day so that you aren't worried about any delays. They do their best to make sure that everybody gets off the boat in time...but nature always likes to put their 2 cents into it and try to understand. Sometimes weather can make the boat travelling fast to return treacherous...so weather can cause delays. Sometimes there are instances (vacationers who pass away unexpectedly) and Disney does their best to try and ease those processes. They rebooked those people and provided them places to stay and car rentals if needed and other amenities. Disney can be absolutely wonderful...their customer service is top notch...but don't make your timelines for flights too early in the day. I would say after 1pm....would be safest. Who books a 9am flight...when the ship doesn't dock until almost 5am or 6...and their are ship docking and customs handling at Port Canaveral that by Homeland Security and TSA rules that have to be processed. Save yourselves the hassle.
Also remember...that if you book early dining for the cruise...that means you have early dining on departure day...which means you eat breakfast at 6 am...and are expected to be off the ship by sometime around 8...so book a later flight...in the day but expect to have some waiting either onboard or at the airport. Try to pack activities or some books or something to do while you wait either at the port or at the airport. The nice thing about MCO (Orlando Int'l Airport) is that they do have wonderful shopping!!!
We are getting so very close to making our reservation so I wanted to go ahead and get a group started so I could start passing the days by chatting with fellow cruisers.
Looks like we already have to make changes to our trip.
. In January we plan on taking our adult son and his girlfriend and our seventeen year old son (wants one more cruise where he can still go to Vibe). I am so exited, I love vacations with my kids but it has been so hard with my older son's schedule since he and his girlfriend are in College and I don't think we could afford the summer cruises. We plan to do a couple of days at the World prior since my son's girlfriend has never been (part of my excitement will be seeing her during all the firsts...)
