Non-Beach Things to Do?

[IowaGirl86]

I went on a Disney Cruise with my ex in 2018. It was a NIGHTMARE, he is my ex for a reason, but let's just say he had a problem with alcohol and cruising made it worse. Anyway, my one cruise experience wasn't great. I have anxiety so his drunken behavior caused me to go into a full week of panic attacks and I just stayed in bed. I'm now married to an awesome man (who doesn't drink) and we have a 14 month old daughter. We're going to WDW in November, but I saw a Youtube video pop up for a Disney Cruise and I thought about giving it a second try. Our 2026 is pretty jam packed already but I thought we could fit in a cruise in January. I'm looking at the Disney Wish Jan 16-19 2026 cruise. It's three nights and visits Nassau and Castaway Cay.

My biggest reservation is my husband is NOT a beach guy. He wears jeans and a flannel shirt over a t-shirt even in 100 degree weather. I've never been to Nassau, although I do believe there are things to do that are not "beach" there. I don't think Castaway Cay really has anything that isn't "beach" there. I only briefly came off the ship there but I didn't see anything non-beachy. My husband doesn't drink so hanging out at a beach lounge or bar isn't something he'd do. I was thinking he could hang back on the ship, but the only thing I could think of for him to do there is watch movies at the theater, and he doesn't like commercial films (he's an art house film director and musician so he's got a very specific style he likes). Any advice of things for a non-beachy person to do?

 

[Geomom]

Castaway Cay has bike rentals, so you can ride around the island. I believe there are a few boat excursions from here as well.

Link to Disney Bahamas port adventures:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/

 

[sponica]

Nassau I just stay on the ship.

Castaway Cay is going to be outdoorsy, even if not necessarily beach-y. On the ship, most people just hang out on the pool deck and enjoy the shorter lines on the aquamouse or watch a movie.

 

[Mommb]

It's true that on Castaway Cay day, most of the "ship" activities take place on the island, but you don't need to get in the water. In addition to the bike path, there will be live music and characters around the island. Just watching your daughter play in the sand could be fun. Onboard, especially in the afternoon as people come back onboard, there may be crafts and trivia.

Nassau has a small zoo that my kids enjoyed. We also enjoyed the chocolate-making excursion, though that might not appeal to a toddler.

Be aware that not drinking alcohol shouldn't stop you and your husband from visiting the bars onboard the ship for games, music, and just hanging out. If you're asked whether you want a drink and just say no, you won't be asked again. There are also mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages available.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Be aware that not drinking alcohol shouldn't stop you and your husband from visiting the bars onboard the ship for games, music, and just hanging out. If you're asked whether you want a drink and just say no, you won't be asked again. There are also mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages available.

agreed! If you find a non busy bartender, strike up a convo with them and they could whip you up something amazing without alcohol!

 

[Amunet]

There's the 5K in Castaway too. Im also not a beach person but the 5k was cool and I like getting Castaway specific merch (like the sippers or pins). I go on the island but only long enough for those activities. Im not a big beach/sun person, I use a UV parasol everywhere!

 

[Scalemaster34]

If you husband can just relax, and read a book... he'll be fine. If not you might want to reconsider if this is something he'll enjoy. Everything is laid out on the Disney website, you both should look it over and consider if it will work for you both or not.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Have you talked with him about it? He may actually like the idea of taking his daughter to the beach/ocean, especially if she's never been there before. You could always just do a couple hours at the beach together and then get back on the ship and explore.

I never felt like they pushed any alcohol drinks at any point. They have smoothies and frozen lemonade type drinks by the family beach. We enjoy trying a drink of the day together and they also have a nonalcoholic one of those each day.

Would he enjoy the musicals? For us a big part of the fun is watching how our daughter reacts to those things, we took her on the Fantasy for her birthday and when Elsa made it snow in the theatre she audibly gasped, "WOW". Watching her get hugs from all the princesses and characters she met was also a blast.

I will say that it will probably be too cold to do anything in the water at the beach. My 4 year old wouldn't touch it in early February.

 

[onesam319]

Nassau has a place called the Queen's Staircase. He might enjoy an excursion that goes there and explains the history of the place. Another excursion goes to the Atlantis, that has an indoor water park. We've never been to Castaway Cay in January, but mid-February the water can give you an initial cold shock, but you'll get used to it after a while. You can rent a bike to see the whole island, including a tower on a loop trail off the runway. On either day, staying on the ship can be a great day to enjoy the ship with fewer guests.

 

[Lesverts]

A more general answer and things everyone not looking for a beach in the Caribbean.

- cultural tours
- military history
- sailing (much more common in the Dutch and French speaking islands)
- natural history, caves/waterfalls/mountains/volcanoes

 

[Flossbolna]

There is also a glass bottom boat excursion which might be not beach enough for him as it’s just a boat trip with nice views.

 

[IowaGirl86]

There's the 5K in Castaway too. Im also not a beach person but the 5k was cool and I like getting Castaway specific merch (like the sippers or pins). I go on the island but only long enough for those activities. Im not a big beach/sun person, I use a UV parasol everywhere!

I do like 5Ks, and I haven't done one since prior to having my daughter. It would give me something to get back in shape for.

If you husband can just relax, and read a book... he'll be fine. If not you might want to reconsider if this is something he'll enjoy. Everything is laid out on the Disney website, you both should look it over and consider if it will work for you both or not.

My husband doesn't really "relax". He has to always be doing something. But, he does consider reading doing something, and he does devour books. He also could take his computer with to play games.

Have you talked with him about it? He may actually like the idea of taking his daughter to the beach/ocean, especially if she's never been there before. You could always just do a couple hours at the beach together and then get back on the ship and explore.

I never felt like they pushed any alcohol drinks at any point. They have smoothies and frozen lemonade type drinks by the family beach. We enjoy trying a drink of the day together and they also have a nonalcoholic one of those each day.

Would he enjoy the musicals? For us a big part of the fun is watching how our daughter reacts to those things, we took her on the Fantasy for her birthday and when Elsa made it snow in the theatre she audibly gasped, "WOW". Watching her get hugs from all the princesses and characters she met was also a blast.

I will say that it will probably be too cold to do anything in the water at the beach. My 4 year old wouldn't touch it in early February.

I haven't really talked to him about it, because honestly I know he doesn't want to go. He's willing to go to spend time with me and our daughter (and it's a week before my 40th Bday and I want to do something Disney for my bday) but he'd rather go somewhere to explore art. history and architecture. Which we are doing some other trips in 2026 that align more with his interests. My husband doesn't know any of the Disney musicals and isn't really a musical fan in general. He does like nature though (specifically animals), as long as it's not too many bugs or too hot. I think he might enjoy a glass bottom boat.

 

[IowaGirl86]

Thank you everyone for all the ideas. I think in Castaway Cay we'll try to see what we can maybe do on the water. I'll talk to him about boats, or we could just walk around the island and see the flora and fauna.

 

[cdoc29]

If he fishes there is a fishing excursion at Cast-Away cay, bonus it leaves from right next to the ship so you don't even need to walk far to get to it. It is a limited group size and my son (the fishing fanatic) loved it.

In Nassau, Adastra Gardens (the zoo) has the marching Flamingo's and lots of interactive animal exhibits. Enjoyable for kids and adults. I have also walked up the Queen's Staircase it doesn't seem like a lot but it is. At the Top is Fort Fincastle. It is neat to walk and explore but if you have tour guide I am sure it would be a lot more interesting.