Seashells at Castaway Cay

[momrek06]

I know the signs exist, but I think that they're sort off pushed back away from more traveled areas. I've seen them before....just can't remember exact locations now.

There's a bolded message at the top part of the back of the Castaway Cay map asking you to leave seashells there. It says, "Due to our commitment to the enviroment, we ask that seashells, coral and other natural treasures be left undisturbed at Disney's Castaway Cay for all to enjoy."

(this is from this weekend's Dream cruise, so it's a definite rule)

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe there is a rule BUT DH & I did not see any signs on our WONDER cruise at all. And the guests at our table for the 3 days (who became all our good friends from that cruise) said to us that evening "didn't you guys hear the announcement this morning", ugh, no we didn't. Ugh. But I will say, I picked up maybe 7 small shells and carried them right onto the Wonder and no one said a word to me. Had they said something, I would have gladly given them back. I did feel terrible that evening at dinner. I just was so mad that I did not hear that announcement.

SO in the future, anyone traveling to CC, please leave the shells on the beach. Or, you may end up with a TAG like mine!

 

[Twinprincesses]

I do not believe the ship does anything as the people in front of us walked right on the ship with water bottles full of shells. The type of shells that CC has cannot be reused by crabs as they were mostly the flat white ones.

 

[lbgraves]

In 8 stops at CC I have never heard an announcement made about this. Perhaps it is something the cruise director you had does on their own?

 

[momrek06]

In 8 stops at CC I have never heard an announcement made about this. Perhaps it is something the cruise director you had does on their own?

Possibly but I will say all the other 4 couples at our table HEARD the announcement that morning as I asked them WHEN was this announced.

But I do know it was hustle bustle as we all were getting ourselves ready for CC. As we were in port, DH & I were on the side of the ship facing CC … we were out on the balcony just gazing at all there was to see. Then getting ready to depart for the day, eating breakfast, people were all over the place hurrying to get off the ship to start their day. If that was when the announcement was made, we sure did not hear it. It was a fabulous, spectacular sunny warm Feb day on CC! If there was a sign posted, I was not stopping to read signs … it was CC for Me and DH!!!

But as another poster stated, CM's said nothing to us as we collected the shells and walked past DCL employees as we boarded back onto the ship.

Sooooooo …

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Possibly but I will say all the other 4 couples at our table HEARD the announcement that morning as I asked them WHEN was this announced.

But I do know it was hustle bustle as we all were getting ourselves ready for CC. As we were in port, DH & I were on the side of the ship facing CC … we were out on the balcony just gazing at all there was to see. Then getting ready to depart for the day, eating breakfast, people were all over the place hurrying to get off the ship to start their day. If that was when the announcement was made, we sure did not hear it. It was a fabulous, spectacular sunny warm Feb day on CC! If there was a sign posted, I was not stopping to read signs … it was CC for Me and DH!!!

But as another poster stated, CM's said nothing to us as we collected the shells and walked past DCL employees as we boarded back onto the ship.

Sooooooo …

This isn't directed at you, don't worry Just showing different paperwork.

This is a document from DCL in 2009:
http://www.disneycruisenews.com/Resources/pdf/2009%20DCL%20Environmentality%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20EXTERNAL%20_April%202009_.pdf

Page 3 says: "Guests visiting Castaway Cay also help the environment by honoring a "take only memories, leave only footprints" policy that deters guests from removing shells--which are often homes for marine creatures--from the island."

 

[inkkognito]

In 79 cruises I've heard the announcement a few times but cannot honestly say I've heard it every time. That just might mean I wasn't listening; I do know that I always see something in the Navigator, and Disney used to have a whole backstory about the "She Sells Seashells and Everything Else" souvenir store on the island that was supposed to emphasize NOT taking shells (something to the effect of that the store owner used to sell them, realized it's bad, crossed out that part of the store name and started selling other merchandise...I think the logo still has the first part crossed out).

I don't have strong feelings on the matter; I never take shells, but DH did take some sand on one cruise. But imagine if 4000 people each took some every week (and that's an under estimation since the ships come more than once a week). I supposed it could decimate things so that's probably why they discourage it.

 

[skiingfast]

If you think it is acceptable to take shells, wether from CC or buy from a seashell stand in a port of call I have a great reading suggestion.

It was published in 1971 and talks about how removing one item from an ecosystem destroys the whole thing. This book has saved millions of trees and the areas around them. It forced political change and inspired signs and notices like the one on the back of the CC map. It's a children's book by a children's author that was written for adults. If you know of this book you would feel guilty taking shells home. If not go visit your library and read "The Lorax".

"Unless someone like you cares a whole aweful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

If you think it is acceptable to take shells, wether from CC or buy from a seashell stand in a port of call I have a great reading suggestion.

It was published in 1971 and talks about how removing one item from an ecosystem destroys the whole thing. This book has saved millions of trees and the areas around them. It forced political change and inspired signs and notices like the one on the back of the CC map. It's a children's book by a children's author that was written for adults. If you know of this book you would feel guilty taking shells home. If not go visit your library and read "The Lorax".

"Unless someone like you cares a whole aweful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

 

[missj1975]

When I picked up seashells at Castaway Cay, I didn't realize Disney didn't approve. My bad. That being said, I might or might not pick up shells on upcoming trips. I still think picking up shells is a harmless activity.

Everyone has opinions and has sources to back up their opinions so here is my back-up for my opinion that beachcombing is a harmless hobby.

"Seashells are commonly found in beach drift, which is natural detritus deposited along strandlines on beaches by the waves and the tides. Shells are very often washed up onto a beach empty and clean, the animal having already died, and the soft parts having rotted away or having been eaten by either predators or scavengers.
Empty seashells are often picked up by beachcombers, and collecting these shells is a harmless hobby or study. However, the majority of seashells which are offered for sale commercially have been collected alive (often in bulk) and then killed and cleaned, specifically for the commercial trade. This type of large-scale exploitation can sometimes have a strong negative impact on local ecosystems, and sometimes can significantly reduce the distribution of rare species."

 

[Mr. Mouse]

HOpe you are kidding and not intending on going against DCl's wishes about collecting sea shells.

Just go buy them, no big deal, but then again I live on the coast and really find them almost annoying, especially when you step on them.

In case my DW doesn't get a chance to reply today, I wanted to assure that she was kidding. I put her up to the line about Shell Detection device. Just a little attempt at security humor from a person who goes though airport security often. The shells are safe from us.

 

[maplemouse]

It is sometimes tempting to take, but I have never taken any shells. I really think it's best not to. With the amount of visitors the island gets every week, if everyone was taking, taking, taking, it would soon be a different environment. I live close to the Great Smokey Mountains and in the park you are not allowed to take anything such as plants, rocks, etc. so that the park can be preserved for all to enjoy. I have even seen people on Serenity Bay picking up starfish and other creatures with the intent of keeping them.
If for no other reason, I wouldn't do it for the sign that is posted as you enter the port, which says you can be fined a very large amount if you bring it back into the country.

 

[Time2go2disney]

When I picked up seashells at Castaway Cay, I didn't realize Disney didn't approve. My bad. That being said, I might or might not pick up shells on upcoming trips. I still think picking up shells is a harmless activity.

Everyone has opinions and has sources to back up their opinions so here is my back-up for my opinion that beachcombing is a harmless hobby.

"Seashells are commonly found in beach drift, which is natural detritus deposited along strandlines on beaches by the waves and the tides. Shells are very often washed up onto a beach empty and clean, the animal having already died, and the soft parts having rotted away or having been eaten by either predators or scavengers.
Empty seashells are often picked up by beachcombers, and collecting these shells is a harmless hobby or study. However, the majority of seashells which are offered for sale commercially have been collected alive (often in bulk) and then killed and cleaned, specifically for the commercial trade. This type of large-scale exploitation can sometimes have a strong negative impact on local ecosystems, and sometimes can significantly reduce the distribution of rare species."

So with 3 cruise ships stops per week with thousands of people ...... We can only hope based on your post "Large Scale Exploitation" does not happen ......... Why do people always believe rules or request don't apply to them ............

I do believe most Disney visitors will honor Castaway Cays request to NOT take shells from the island so Others may enjoy the beauty for many years to come .........................

 

[suzyqn]

In my 4 DCL cruises I have missed any sort of communication on this topic. I am guilty of owning a handful of shells. I guess I could always bring them back.

Honestly, I have never thought of picking up shells anywhere as being a problem. I honestly just thought the ocean brought them to the beach and if people didn't pick them up then there would be hills of shells. I did make the mistake of picking up a shell once and putting it in back hatch of my new car only to have it stink up my car for literally years. (I guess that was nature getting back at me.)

Learn something new everyday.

 

[momrek06]

In my 4 DCL cruises I have missed any sort of communication on this topic. I am guilty of owning a handful of shells. I guess I could always bring them back.

Honestly, I have never thought of picking up shells anywhere as being a problem. I honestly just thought the ocean brought them to the beach and if people didn't pick them up then there would be hills of shells.

THIS!



I live in SoCal. We have miles and miles and miles of beach and DH & I walk on the beach every weekend. I pick up shells here and there. So when I went on the DCL cruise and spent the day at CC, I picked up a few shells.

CA has really strict rules posted on all our beaches but no where at all does it mention sea shells and whether or not you can take them from the beach.

 

[eurotrader]

So with 3 cruise ships stops per week with thousands of people ...... We can only hope based on your post "Large Scale Exploitation" does not happen ......... Why do people always believe rules or request don't apply to them ............

I do believe most Disney visitors will honor Castaway Cays request to NOT take shells from the island so Others may enjoy the beauty for many years to come .........................

What does the beauty of an island have to do with the shells? Personally, the nasty stench of dying sea creatures at low tide takes away from any beauty that may be there. Yes, those dead animals and seaweed baking in the sun sure do add to the ambience. If disney doesn't want the items removed, then they should post it clearly by the beach. Some of you refer to hidden signs, words on a map and also an announcement. Are you seriously arguing the point that a tourist on a vacation is going to read the fine print on a map, hearing every announcement or look for every hidden sign? Seriously?? You do realize disney has modified this island from its original shape. These arent wild beaches on some deserted island. Its all been "disneyfied". Castaway Cay has been modified from its original wild form. Don't argue environment when every part of Castaway Cay has been changed by Disney.

I think expecting people to follow rules that don't typically apply to florida or beaches of the bahamas is a big stretch, especially without signage. This isn't a normal place. Its a tourist only place. I have to ask what a prudent person would do in this situation. A line of words on a map is not enough.

So in this situation you will be a stickler on the rules(because in your eyes, you know the rules and want everyone else to know that you know them) and ask why people don't think rules apply to them (intentionally jabbing at someone with a snarky response). I'm sorry but the protectors of the shells may be in a majority on this board but not in the real world. Your response makes me want to grab a hefty bag full of shells just because of your accusatory tone overall. If its so important to you, next time you're there, let the shell collector know the rules and express your feelings. Just don't be surprised when you get a rude response.