So help me understand Castaway Cay cabana rentals

[Masonmj84]

We have an adults only cruise on the Fantasy in about a year.

My understanding is that the odds of getting a Serenity Bay cabana are better than one on the family beach, but given that we're silver status the odds of having one available 90 days out are probably not great.

So, assuming all of the cabanas are taken at our 90 day mark, the next steps are to: (1) keep checking regulary on the DCL website; and, if that doesn't work, (2) make a request once we board the ship (if so, where on the ship do we do that?)

I also understand that for the Serenity Bay cabanas, the base price includes 4 adults but you can add up to 6 more (for a total of 10) for the price of $50 per additional adult (I've read in some places that you can only add 2 adults for a total of 6 and, since we have 8 in our party, I wanted to make sure I have this correct).

I've also read that, if you have a Serenity Bay cabana, they will pick members of your group up in a golf cart and take them to the cabana (instead of having to get on a tram and then transfer to a second tram). Is this correct?

 

[Dug720]

You still have to transfer to a second tram to get to Serenity Bay. It's THERE that they will take you in a golf cart.

I think the base price is for 6 and you can add up to 4 more at $50/person (plus tax I'm sure).

Yes, with the Fantasy odds are pretty slim. But your technique is about all you can do when they are all taken.

I will just point out that unlike the family beach cabanas where they have their own beach, the ones on Serenity Bay are behind the rows of chairs and do not have direct beach access.

 

[ukintheus]

We have an adults only cruise on the Fantasy in about a year.

My understanding is that the odds of getting a Serenity Bay cabana are better than one on the family beach, but given that we're silver status the odds of having one available 90 days out are probably not great.

So, assuming all of the cabanas are taken at our 90 day mark, the next steps are to: (1) keep checking regulary on the DCL website; and, if that doesn't work, (2) make a request once we board the ship (if so, where on the ship do we do that?)

I also understand that for the Serenity Bay cabanas, the base price includes 4 adults but you can add up to 6 more (for a total of 10) for the price of $50 per additional adult (I've read in some places that you can only add 2 adults for a total of 6 and, since we have 8 in our party, I wanted to make sure I have this correct).

I've also read that, if you have a Serenity Bay cabana, they will pick members of your group up in a golf cart and take them to the cabana (instead of having to get on a tram and then transfer to a second tram). Is this correct?

If you aren't able to book a cabana ahead of time, you can ask to be added to the wait list at guest services once you board. The base price is for 4 people and you can add up to 6 more. The charges for the additional guests get added to the stateroom of the person that has booked the cabana. We have had 6 total before, not 8, but I'm sure the paperwork we got said up to 10, although 10 would be a squeeze.

You will need to take the tram out to SB to get to the cabana. We have been taken from the family cabana check in at Pelican Point a couple of times, but normally we have to take both trams. The golf cart that services SB only takes 4 people. When we had 6, two took the tram back and 4 rode in the golf cart. They did say that they could do two trips, but it would have taken way longer for the party of two to have waited rather than just ride the tram.

TIP: If you are lucky enough to find one available online just grab it while you can and don't worry about who is included. Unless you have people linked to your cabin you can't add them, and even then you can't add more than 4 online, you have to add the remainder when you get onboard.

 

[Marc D]

If you aren't able to book a cabana ahead of time, you can ask to be added to the wait list at guest services once you board. The base price is for 4 people and you can add up to 6 more. The charges for the additional guests get added to the stateroom of the person that has booked the cabana. We have had 6 total before, not 8, but I'm sure the paperwork we got said up to 10, although 10 would be a squeeze.

As for the cost, DCL will gladly spread the cost to different onboard accounts. By default, the stateroom that made the reservation will get the entire cost, but they’ll split it any way you want.

 

[Starwind]

Your steps are correct.

It is not impossible to get a cabana

Our first DCL cruise (Dream) we got one on Serenity Bay at 20 days out. I checked most days at least once a day.

On our third or fourth cruise (Dream) a couple sailing concierge that was in a FB group for the cruise offered if anyone wanted to share the family beach cabana they had booked. We took them up on the offer and split the cost. We enjoyed it and spent a pleasant day with them at the cabana.

On our fifth cruise (Fantasy) we got one on Serenity Bay at 67 days out. Again, I checked most days at least once a day.

SW

 

[smiths02]

This is pricing I just pulled up (directly from my cruise reservation page):
Serenity Bay Cabana 22

• 8 Hours,
• $428.93 (up to 4 Guests); $53.75 (each additional Guest, up to 10)

Family Beach Cabana 19

• 8 Hours,
• $590.18 (Sept. 25 - March 17, up to 6 Guests), $643.93 (March 18 - Sept 24, up to 6 Guests); $53.75 (each additional Guest, up to 10)
• Disney Castaway Cay

Family Grand Beach Cabana 21

• 8 Hours,
• $966.43 (up to 10 Guests); $53.75 (each additional Guest, up to 16)
• Disney Castaway Cay