Tips for planning a day at Castaway Cay?

[shosh1530]

We went to Castaway Cay for the first time last summer on an Eastern Caribbean cruise (Fantasy). My DS (age 13, neurodivergent) did not enjoy things at all, so much that he is saying he doesn't want to get off the ship on our upcoming Western Caribbean cruise in early June.

Part of the problem I think was just poor timing. The ship didn't dock until 10:30, we went snorkeling first and lost track of time. By the time we went to get food the lines were so long, the ice cream, fruit, and cookies were all gone, and the food options for him were very limited (he's very picky and doesn't eat meat and did not want to eat the cold impossible burger we had pre-ordered, which was truly awful). So he basically didn't eat at all and had a meltdown. We did manage to get one slide down Pelican Plunge and then he decided he wanted to do Edge stuff and but was disappointed that it was done for the day. We also missed all the character meet and greets because they started after we were already snorkeling and were done by the time we walked back (and it felt too far and too hot to go back and forth).

So I want to be better prepared this trip (if he actually will go). Any tips for how you stage your day at Castaway Cay? This cruise should get in much earlier (8:30 I think), so I'm hoping we can maximize morning time before it gets to blazing hot and would plan to get to the food right when it opens (is that 11?). Curious if those with young teens enjoy the Edge activities on the island? He does enjoy the Edge club on the ship for short bursts.

Thanks for any tips! Usually he does better the second time going somewhere, so hoping it will be a better day this time.

 

[DCL58]

Just sailed a western cruise on the Treasure. We were on castaway at 8:30 Friday. Lunch started at 11:30.

 

[croschek05]

Just sailed a western cruise on the Treasure. We were on castaway at 8:30 Friday. Lunch started at 11:30.

Mind me asking what port adventures you did at each stop and if you liked it?

 

[Kit Jackson]

If you want to meet characters (who will be in special Castaway Cay outfits), do those first and then go to the beach area. If you want a better way to keep track of time to ensure that you get to the food earlier, consider setting an alarm on your phone or get a cheap waterproof digital watch with a timer.

 

[DCL58]

Mind me asking what port adventures you did at each stop and if you liked it?

We only did one excursion in Grand Cayman - we did the starfish and mangroves excursion. We enjoyed this excursion - only 11 people on our boat. Plus it was only 3.5 hours - we don’t enjoy all day excursions.

As far as enjoying the Treasure, we did not like it as much as the Fantasy. We have sailed 12+ weeks on the Fantasy - it is hard to beat. We did not enjoy the adult only area on the Treasure at all. Zero shade and loud, plus you could smell cigarette smoke on one side from the smoking area right above. We enjoyed the bars and restaurants. We thought the entertainment was better than what is offered on the Fantasy.

We have one more cruise booked and paid for on the Treasure in October. Probably won’t book another one until there is a shade option in the adult only sun deck.

 

[Dug720]

All the times for character greetings will be in the app - look at that the night before so you have an idea of timing. Ditto Edge or Vibe activities - really ANY activities. That could have saved a lot of the timing issues the first time - knowing when those things are so you don't snorkel or anything else while they're going on.

I agree with setting an alarm on a phone or a watch for lunch time. I haven't done the pre-order of food, but I'd imagine that it will be the hottest and freshest when lunch begins - or when you say you're going to want lunch, not sure if you specify that when you pre-order.

 

[5Texans]

Maybe just flip it and snorkel last? We are usually pretty wiped out after snorkeling and ready to go back to the ship. If you don't care about getting a chair/umbrella on the front row, Id get off, take character pictures, family pictures, shop, play in the water/pelican plunge until lunch, then snorkel and head back to the ship. If on the treasure, I'd try to catch the Moana matinee. You can take the tram back and not worry about trying to catch the characters.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Would he prefer an activity there vs. just hanging around the crowded beach? We did the hike+kayak excursion at CC and really enjoyed it. It took about 2.5 hours maybe. There were only 14 or so people, and we got to hold starfish, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, conch.

Depending on when something like that is offered, you could do that in the morning, grab a snack of ice cream, cookies, or fruit, have a bit of time to swim and/or explore, and then get back on the ship for a late lunch. (The food on the island is not all that good regardless of how early you line up for it, I also don't eat meat, and agree the fake burger is not good there at all).

 

[sponica]

My kids are younger with their own little quirks, on our cruise, I scoped out the character times the night before, they're all in the morning on the path to the beach. We took some photos and went to the beach and then once the foodwas available we ate it. It's not great, but my kids are happy with ice cream and snacks. I think we got back on the boat around 2?

My older kiddo is still kids club aged, and she has made it clear on the next cruise she does not want to go to the kids club on CC. She absolutely hated it.

 

[unrequited23]

If your son will eat dry cereal you can bring the sealed mini boxes (from room service or Cabanas) off the ship to stay ahead of getting "hangry." My kids are early risers and seem to be "starving" by 10:30 am if we are anywhere out of the house. We are the family at Cookies within 15 minutes of opening at 11:30 am.