What do you "pack" for your day at Castaway Cay?

[darnheather]

This and some small $ store toys are great. http://packablepails.com/

 

[bumbershoot]

We have three kids, so I'm wondering, do we pack sand shovels/toys ?

Can't hurt.

For parents with young kids, did you utilize the child care on Castaway Cay? Did your kids enjoy it?

Define "young". I see a 9 year old listed. My son was about 9 when he tried out Scuttle's Cove and he disliked it. He said that it was babyish and very boring for him. So your younger kids might like it, but the other one might not.

Does anyone know what the costs of the sand toys are at cc?

More expensive than I wanted. About the same cost as the exact same set (the castle set) cost at the Grand Floridian giftshop we'd seen before the cruise.

Talking of cleanliness, only on the Wonder have I seen communal sinks with running water and soap at the Cabana's entrance. The CM posted there now distributes paper towels to dry your hands, not the antibacterial wipes still given when entering MDR's. We thought it was a great improvement - we are freaks about hand washing onboard.

So cool. They have that now on the most recent ship we were on, Adventure of the Seas. A nice no-touch area with soap, water, and hand dryers. So much better than the chemicals of wipes.

 

[jk and ek]

always make sure to pack some baby powder. makes sand removal from dry limbs a breeze!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Sand toys from home? I say definately! They are light and much cheaper and more plentiful at home, and you can get the "good" ones. Sure they take up space, but since they are light, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Make a bag of sand toys the carry-on for one of your kids. The airline won't mind. Plenty of space in the stateroom too, since you can keep it out of the way until beach day. We brought a bag of sand toys and my son and I had a blast with them. Of course, he was 15, but why do you think he still likes building sand castles? Because we always bring good sand toys. Good sand shovels are a must, so you can dig up enough of that wet sand. For that matter, why do I still like making sand castles? Because my mother always made them with me growing up and she always brought some of our sand toys with us.

 

[asamklove]

I enjoy the treat of CC sand toys for the kids. The bucket is shaped like Cinderella's castle. I find them a fun souvenir that actually gets lots of use when we do beach days near our house, or in the sandbox! Kind of a pain to bring home, but we've made it work Just an option to consider.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! I find packing for the beach a daunting task anyway (even when it's a beach close to home), so having this CC day figured out a bit ahead of time eases my stress

 

[minorthr]

We took sunscreen, bug spray, Sand off mitt, camera , bottled water, sand toys, our own snorkeling gear (probably rent next time) and a waterproof watch. You'd be surprised how many people kept asking me what time it was.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

...and a waterproof watch. You'd be surprised how many people kept asking me what time it was.

Funny!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You'd be surprised how many people kept asking me what time it was.

Do what I do. Give them the old "Sundial Treatment."


Stand there, look up at the sun, adjust your position relative to it, look down at your shadow, look back up at the sun, then back at your shadow, maybe adjust your position one more time if you really have them hooked, (and at some point during this, look at your watch, you don't have to hide it, but it doesn't have to be obvious either, chances are they will never notice), then tell them the time, down to the minute.

It will often blow their mind. Even if they saw your watch, they will likely get a good laugh out of it.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

We took sunscreen, bug spray, Sand off mitt, camera , bottled water, sand toys, our own snorkeling gear (probably rent next time) and a waterproof watch. You'd be surprised how many people kept asking me what time it was.

Funny!

Do what I do. Give them the old "Sundial Treatment."


Stand there, look up at the sun, adjust your position relative to it, look down at your shadow, look back up at the sun, then back at your shadow, maybe adjust your position one more time if you really have them hooked, (and at some point during this, look at your watch, you don't have to hide it, but it doesn't have to be obvious either, chances are they will never notice), then tell them the time, down to the minute.

It will often blow their mind. Even if they saw your watch, they will likely get a good laugh out of it.

My DH and I have been on one cruise way back before kids. We traveled with some friends from college. Our friend, Jim, was the only one of us who wore a watch on the trip. That poor guy was SO annoyed by being the constant "time keeper" of the vacation and not just from us asking him, but other cruise passengers as well! HA. He still talks about that!! So, yes, having a watch can be a mixed blessing !

 

[bbel]

If you're planning on using Scuttles Cove on Castaway - remember your kids Oceaneer band! There are spares but its a lot quicker for everyone if you bring the one already assigned to them.

 

[Sytrace]

I pack the following for our CC day.

1. KTTWC and ID for adults and kids (of course since you need it to get off and on the ship)
2. sunscreen
3. book
4. camera
That usually takes care of it for our family of 4. I have two teens who like to float and snorkel, and a husband that likes to relax in the sun and have drinks...so all my kiddos are good to go and easy to pack.

ETA: towels from the dock.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Sunscreen, goggles, books, towel clips, waterproof camera. You can either bring your own sand toys of you packed them, or you can buy some in Castaway Cay.

 

[hardis5]

We always now bring a postcard to have mailed from the Bahamian post office on Castaway each time sent to ourselves to remind us where we'd rather be with a "Wish You Were Here" comment. The last we received almost 4 months after getting back from our cruise and we are now just over 2 months into waiting for our last one mailed in November. As OP's have said, sunscreen is the most important along with a few beach toys. We have found our youngest will make friends and his few toys get combined with other kids toys as they play together.

If able to snag a cabana on the family beach, both sunscreen and kids toys (along with all water floats, bike rentals) are provided.

 

[Michael2013]

We always now bring a postcard to have mailed from the Bahamian post office on Castaway each time sent to ourselves to remind us where we'd rather be with a "Wish You Were Here" comment. The last we received almost 4 months after getting back from our cruise and we are now just over 2 months into waiting for our last one mailed in November. As OP's have said, sunscreen is the most important along with a few beach toys. We have found our youngest will make friends and his few toys get combined with other kids toys as they play together.

If able to snag a cabana on the family beach, both sunscreen and kids toys (along with all water floats, bike rentals) are provided.

Do they sell post cards on Castaway Cay or do you need to buy your own elsewhere? I'd like to send a few Castaway Cay post cards.

 

[hardis5]

Do they sell post cards on Castaway Cay or do you need to buy your own elsewhere? I'd like to send a few Castaway Cay post cards.

I believe I have seen for sale at the shops at Castaway but the shops are nowhere near as the post office is right next to the dock, so you are literally walking by to get the tram to the beach AND if open when getting off the ship take advantage of such as its hours seem to follow island time (so it will not always be open). We use the one from our cabin with the stationary in the desk drawer and will pick-up a few wherever we are we see ones we like (the last time we made a few at the DVC photo booth at Vero Beach).

 

[Michael2013]

We use the one from our cabin with the stationary in the desk drawer and will pick-up a few wherever we are we see ones we like (the last time we made a few at the DVC photo booth at Vero Beach).

Oh that's cool, I didn't realize that there was one in the cabin, that will help. Thanks.

 

[Trera]

if you get a cabana it includes snacks, waters, sodas, sunscreen, and beach toys.......................so that really limits the packing to a minimum.

 

[Quellman]

I enjoy the treat of CC sand toys for the kids. The bucket is shaped like Cinderella's castle. I find them a fun souvenir that actually gets lots of use when we do beach days near our house, or in the sandbox! Kind of a pain to bring home, but we've made it work Just an option to consider.

We usually stuff socks or other clothes on the inside of it. That makes it easier for sure!

 

[cyndiella]

We took sunscreen, bug spray, Sand off mitt, camera , bottled water, sand toys, our own snorkeling gear (probably rent next time) and a waterproof watch. You'd be surprised how many people kept asking me what time it was.

How important is it to bring bug spray? How bad are the bugs on CC?? Biting and stinging bugs??? Clouds of bugs????