It wasnt long before they tired of the limited snorkeling attractions and decided they wanted the sand toys. They built roads and hills for the trucks to drive on, and created shakes and pies for the workers to snack on. I decided to get in on the action and build a sandcastle fort. As the construction progressed, DNS2 kept making sure that I was leaving a spot for the cars to drive in and park. It started getting very hot and I was afraid that the structure wouldnt withstand the help that it was starting to receive, so I didnt make it nearly as elaborate as the original plans called for. DD also built a much more serene castle with manicured grounds and informed us that there were no roads to drive on. She insisted that you had to walk through the gardens to get to the castle.
As we neared completion of our sand creations, the other adults started showing up. The neighbors roll up with DND in a wagon and looking much better. They report that the ship doctor said she probably had a heat rash or ate something that didnt agree, but nothing contagious or to worry about.
He went ahead and gave them some antibiotics just to be safe. DW shows up a few minutes later looking very relaxed and relays that the cabana massage was great. She said she was exhausted by the time she made it, but it was well worth it. 
They gave her a little bit of ribbing for being late and unfortunately couldnt give her the full time since they have appointments stacked all day. That is kind of bummer since it was the ships fault that we were late in the first place. I guess that is a lesson not to schedule something for first thing on the other side of the island. 
She did get almost the full time and the guy ended up only charging ½ price, so I guess that is something.
The kids and I were hot and sweaty from all the building, so we decided to get back in the water. Everyone else agreed that this was a great idea. Even though we had brought some small floaties with us, DD noticed that a group of people beside us had a huge pile of tubes and wanted to know where we could get one. I explained that you had to pay for them, but maybe she could borrow one for a few minutes. She walked over to ask and the people very graciously let the kids use several of them for the rest of the afternoon.
As the day wore on, we actually started having quite a collection of tubes that nobody was sure where they came from. I have heard other people report this phenomenon, but wouldnt have believed it without actually seeing it.
As we horsed around in the water and on the beach, DW made another attempt to mail her postcards. She returned unsuccessful as the attendants were on lunch break.
One of the CMs at information told her that if she couldnt catch someone, she could still send them from the ship that evening. She neglected to mention however, that they would not have the Castaway Cay stamp. 
Bummer, we did get them really quick though. We pretty much just went to lunch in shifts, but every time we asked DD if she was ready for lunch she would reply not yet. What???? What have you done with my daughter as she never turns down food. 
Too much fun in paradise I guess. I cant blame her as I wasnt overly interested in food either. As it was nearing closing time for lunch, we finally decided along with DNH that we had better get some nourishment. We loaded up on the traditional and yummy BBQ and I also snagged some couscous. DD asked what the funny looking rice was and agreed to try a little (she is actually pretty good about at least trying something once). She loved it and still tries to get us to fix it as often as possible. 
I cant believe we never thought to fix this as she is also a big fan of rice and pasta. We decided to top off the meal with some creamy frozen goodness, but just like last time the machine broke down just as we were nearing the front of the line. DNH decided he didnt need ice cream that bad but DD and I stuck it out. Soon they had freezer maintenance out to fix the machine just as the other machine broke down. 
This was not looking good but we held our hope that they would soon solve the problems. And they did and we celebrated with a double helping. 
With our hunger conquered, we returned to the frolicking on the beach with the rest of the crew. DW mentioned that she hadnt seen the giant sandcastle from last time so we decided to go search it out. The neighbors said they were good with the kids, so we made it a leisurely search. On the last cruise we had noticed a giant sandcastle near Castaway Rays that we had assumed was just for decoration. We learned later that they actually let the kids destroy it and stored that bit of information for a later trip. As we stroll the various areas between family beach and teen beach, we dont notice a sandcastle anywhere. We end up asking the CMs at Castaway Ray about it and they reply that the person who used to build them no longer works on the island so no castle. Bummer, good thing we didn't say anything to the kids about it. You know I just realized that I have said that several times during this report. Dont get me wrong, we still had a blast and plan on returning even though we had a few minor setbacks.
We returned to the beach to find everyone still having a blast and asked if anyone was ready for a bike ride. The kids all replied with a hearty Yay, so we were off on our next adventure.
The bike rentals were something that confused me a little in the beginning as you can reserve them online as an excursion. The confusing part was that there was no start or end time, so what happens if they run out of bikes. My question was answered as we approached the rental kiosk and saw all of the bikes. Wow, I think they have enough for everyone on the ship and part of the neighboring islands. 
They also have all kinds of sizes for male grownups, female grownups, kids, training wheels, and bicycle seats for toddlers. DND was starting to act a little fussy so DNW and DNH decided to pass on the bike ride and stay in the shade or maybe even head back to the ship. No problems, well catch up with you later. One thing I would suggest if you plan on going on a bike ride. Dont do it with a wet bathing suit. 
I ended up getting a rash on the insides of my legs that was quite painful. Luckily we had baby power with us that helped ease the sting. 
The twins quickly selected their transportation and were ready to zoom off down the road. DD was in one of her mellow moods and wanted to take things casual. She gets these often on walks and hikes and likes to stop and smell the roses, every one of them.
So DW stayed with the guys and their Tour De Castaway while DD and I sauntered along. One of the first things you come to on the ride is the runway. You are clear for takeoff on runway 32, pretty cool. Seriously.
As the speed demons came flying back in for a landing, we decided to take the loop out to the observation tower. Although the paces were very different, we seemed to end up at the tower at about the same time. Maybe the guys made a couple of laps before actually stopping.
I would give the observation tower a big thumbs up as you can see the entire island including the ship anchored on the other side.
After goofing off for a while, DW asked if I wanted to go with the guys and work off some energy. I replied that DD and I were doing good as she reminded me that it was good to take it slow sometimes so you could enjoy the scenery. So profound for a 6-year-old.
As we neared completion of our sand creations, the other adults started showing up. The neighbors roll up with DND in a wagon and looking much better. They report that the ship doctor said she probably had a heat rash or ate something that didnt agree, but nothing contagious or to worry about.
He went ahead and gave them some antibiotics just to be safe. DW shows up a few minutes later looking very relaxed and relays that the cabana massage was great. She said she was exhausted by the time she made it, but it was well worth it. They gave her a little bit of ribbing for being late and unfortunately couldnt give her the full time since they have appointments stacked all day. That is kind of bummer since it was the ships fault that we were late in the first place. I guess that is a lesson not to schedule something for first thing on the other side of the island. She did get almost the full time and the guy ended up only charging ½ price, so I guess that is something.The kids and I were hot and sweaty from all the building, so we decided to get back in the water. Everyone else agreed that this was a great idea. Even though we had brought some small floaties with us, DD noticed that a group of people beside us had a huge pile of tubes and wanted to know where we could get one. I explained that you had to pay for them, but maybe she could borrow one for a few minutes. She walked over to ask and the people very graciously let the kids use several of them for the rest of the afternoon.
As the day wore on, we actually started having quite a collection of tubes that nobody was sure where they came from. I have heard other people report this phenomenon, but wouldnt have believed it without actually seeing it.As we horsed around in the water and on the beach, DW made another attempt to mail her postcards. She returned unsuccessful as the attendants were on lunch break.
One of the CMs at information told her that if she couldnt catch someone, she could still send them from the ship that evening. She neglected to mention however, that they would not have the Castaway Cay stamp. Bummer, we did get them really quick though. We pretty much just went to lunch in shifts, but every time we asked DD if she was ready for lunch she would reply not yet. What???? What have you done with my daughter as she never turns down food. Too much fun in paradise I guess. I cant blame her as I wasnt overly interested in food either. As it was nearing closing time for lunch, we finally decided along with DNH that we had better get some nourishment. We loaded up on the traditional and yummy BBQ and I also snagged some couscous. DD asked what the funny looking rice was and agreed to try a little (she is actually pretty good about at least trying something once). She loved it and still tries to get us to fix it as often as possible. I cant believe we never thought to fix this as she is also a big fan of rice and pasta. We decided to top off the meal with some creamy frozen goodness, but just like last time the machine broke down just as we were nearing the front of the line. DNH decided he didnt need ice cream that bad but DD and I stuck it out. Soon they had freezer maintenance out to fix the machine just as the other machine broke down. This was not looking good but we held our hope that they would soon solve the problems. And they did and we celebrated with a double helping. With our hunger conquered, we returned to the frolicking on the beach with the rest of the crew. DW mentioned that she hadnt seen the giant sandcastle from last time so we decided to go search it out. The neighbors said they were good with the kids, so we made it a leisurely search. On the last cruise we had noticed a giant sandcastle near Castaway Rays that we had assumed was just for decoration. We learned later that they actually let the kids destroy it and stored that bit of information for a later trip. As we stroll the various areas between family beach and teen beach, we dont notice a sandcastle anywhere. We end up asking the CMs at Castaway Ray about it and they reply that the person who used to build them no longer works on the island so no castle. Bummer, good thing we didn't say anything to the kids about it. You know I just realized that I have said that several times during this report. Dont get me wrong, we still had a blast and plan on returning even though we had a few minor setbacks.
We returned to the beach to find everyone still having a blast and asked if anyone was ready for a bike ride. The kids all replied with a hearty Yay, so we were off on our next adventure.
The bike rentals were something that confused me a little in the beginning as you can reserve them online as an excursion. The confusing part was that there was no start or end time, so what happens if they run out of bikes. My question was answered as we approached the rental kiosk and saw all of the bikes. Wow, I think they have enough for everyone on the ship and part of the neighboring islands. They also have all kinds of sizes for male grownups, female grownups, kids, training wheels, and bicycle seats for toddlers. DND was starting to act a little fussy so DNW and DNH decided to pass on the bike ride and stay in the shade or maybe even head back to the ship. No problems, well catch up with you later. One thing I would suggest if you plan on going on a bike ride. Dont do it with a wet bathing suit. I ended up getting a rash on the insides of my legs that was quite painful. Luckily we had baby power with us that helped ease the sting. The twins quickly selected their transportation and were ready to zoom off down the road. DD was in one of her mellow moods and wanted to take things casual. She gets these often on walks and hikes and likes to stop and smell the roses, every one of them.
So DW stayed with the guys and their Tour De Castaway while DD and I sauntered along. One of the first things you come to on the ride is the runway. You are clear for takeoff on runway 32, pretty cool. Seriously.
As the speed demons came flying back in for a landing, we decided to take the loop out to the observation tower. Although the paces were very different, we seemed to end up at the tower at about the same time. Maybe the guys made a couple of laps before actually stopping.
I would give the observation tower a big thumbs up as you can see the entire island including the ship anchored on the other side.
After goofing off for a while, DW asked if I wanted to go with the guys and work off some energy. I replied that DD and I were doing good as she reminded me that it was good to take it slow sometimes so you could enjoy the scenery. So profound for a 6-year-old.
I am standing in cool water, on a beautiful sun-drenched island, with a cold beer in my hand, and too stunned to notice that she has a green bracelet on. DW hollers out that it was very brave of the lady to hand me a beer and recognizes that she is someone from our cruise meet. We chat for a little while and are surprised that we have not crossed paths until now. 
Since this was the last night, there was lots of chatting with the servers and the parade of all servers and chefs.
She quickly changed her mind though as the characters started coming out and mingling with the crowd. This was a pretty cool event as you get to just hang out with the different characters although of course a few lines formed for the more popular ones. We had Minnie Mouse walk right up to us and one of the best was hamming it up with Ensign Benson.
It should be a riot.
