What makes Castaway Cay so great?

[AlexandNessa]

Everyone seems to Castaway Cay!

Please tell me what you love about it so much, and I'm also wondering if anyone has been to another cruise line's private island and how Castaway Cay compares.

 

[lindakmonty]

For one, did you know Disney is the only line that has an island you do not have to tender to? Yep... the barbecue is awesome, the beach is wonderful and there is nothing like laying in a hammock in Castaway Cay drinking a nice adult beverage!!! That is relaxing... esp. going to Serenity bay !!!

 

[goofymama]

I don't know how it compares to any other cruise line's private island ... but it is just wonderful. There is nobody on the island except for CMs and passengers, so no poor people begging for money (which I find very depressing while on vacation), no harrowing taxi cab rides - you can just walk off the ship to the beach or jump on the little shuttle, the island itself is very quaint and tastefully "decorated", their is a kids club on the island that has lots of cool activities for the kids so you can enjoy some quiet adult time if you choose, etc..., etc..., etc...

Try it, you'll like it

 

[JSCTRico4]

Just last night, while shopping at Lowe's, my DS out of the blue said, "I miss the big island cookie", and then we went in to a rant about the Mickey Bars, and Pluto's, and little does he know he is going on the August repo in just over 3 weeks!

So, I would have to say the big island cookie, and the different ice cream they serve were great! We too also enjoyed knowing that it was only the people off the ship there. The shopping is great too, there is merchandise that is exclusive to CC. DH and myself got our souvi t-shirts there. Have fun!

 

[TootyJane]

I don't know how it compares to any other cruise line's private island ... but it is just wonderful. There is nobody on the island except for CMs and passengers, so no poor people begging for money (which I find very depressing while on vacation), no harrowing taxi cab rides - you can just walk off the ship to the beach or jump on the little shuttle, the island itself is very quaint and tastefully "decorated", their is a kids club on the island that has lots of cool activities for the kids so you can enjoy some quiet adult time if you choose, etc..., etc..., etc...

I agree with goofymama. It makes for a relaxing day. I have been to one of Royal Caribbean's private islands (Labadee). Yes, you tender in but it's no big deal. It had parasailing, waverunners, kayaking, and a floating aqua park. They had a wonderful barbecue which I thought was just as good as CC - perhaps slightly better). We found it just as nice as CC. HTH

 

[Contrariwise]

It's so clean!! Disney really knows how to keep things looking fresh and new. But, a con (or a pro, depending on how you look at it ) is- it's much bigger than I thought. Don't listen if a castmember says it's just a short walk & it's unnecessary to take the tram It really takes it out of you right from the start!

 

[Jsme]

We have been to Castaway Cay and Coco Cay (RCCL's private island). While I enjoyed both, CC is just my favorite. I like the fact we dock at the island. I like the family beach and the predator nets. I love the BBQ. Although I really enjoyed the BBQ at RCCL's island. I love the private islands on both CL's. I can not put my finger on the difference or why CC is just better...it just is.

 

[Nat&NatesMom]

I've not been to any other cruiseline's private island, but after going to CC I don't care to!! It was the most fun, relaxing, unbelievable day on a beach anywhere - the kids loved the clear water, and snorkeling, and we loved being able to sit on the lounge chair and have the waiter come right up to you to bring your drink! It doesn't get any better than that!

 

[nzdisneymom]

But, a con (or a pro, depending on how you look at it ) is- it's much bigger than I thought. Don't listen if a castmember says it's just a short walk & it's unnecessary to take the tram It really takes it out of you right from the start!

I didn't know they had a tram at CC. What is it like? And where does it take you?

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Two words...KONK COOLERS!

 

[slindamood]

Relaxing, clean, nice landscaping, great burgers, no worry about money, no panhandlers, and everyone over the age of 2 wore a swimsuit.

Have not been on an island for another cruise line, but could not believe how much more relaxing CC was than the other beaches we visited in St. Thomas and St Marteen. Just an edge of tension getting to those other beaches, watching our stuff, finding food, etc.

Going on a CC double dip cruise December 2006. Two whole days of relaxing in the sun.

 

[Jsme]

Most other private islands are the same. I said I have only been to one other I was wrong I have been to two other islands.

I think one of the big deals is the fact you do not have anyone trying to sale you something (as mentioned before) and the fact you are waited on if you want to be is a great plus. But the other private islands are the same. It is still just magical.

 

[clten]

I have not personally been to other cruiselines private islands but we went on the May repo cruise with my parents. They have cruised with just about all the major cruiselines. My dad had nothing but praise for Castaway Cay, he said it was the best private island he's ever been to -- and if you had to listen to him complain about everything else on the cruise for two weeks you would know that this was very high praise.

He said it had a nicer stretch of beach than most private islands -- well kept and clean, good service (with the bar staff from the ship giving their great service on the sand!) and the food at the BBQ was in his words "top notch". In fact since we stopped at Castaway Cay first, it ruined him for the rest of the cruise! Castaway Cay was so nice that we almost had him talked into doing the double dip with us Nov '06, even though he has sworn his traveling days are over.

I just find it to be relaxing. It is as active as you want it to be. If you just want to relax on the beach, the beaches are great. If you want to burn off some energy (or calories), there is biking, walking, watersports. Plenty of activities on the family beach and plenty of quiet over on Serenity Bay. I don't know if it is all the fresh air and sun but for some reason, the food at Cookie's BBQ is just the best. If someone just tells you what's on the menu it doesn't sound great but when you are there, it sure tastes great!

 

[goldz]

Castaway Cay is just the most awesome part of the cruise. First of all, there is a family beach, an adult beach, and a kid beach. The food area is absolutely unbelievable. There's ribs, chicken, burgers, etc. My personal favorite was the cookies and cream custard. The island is beautifully themed. I'm purposely going on the 8/19/06 cruise because it stops there twice.

 

[Contrariwise]

I didn't know they had a tram at CC. What is it like? And where does it take you?

Not far enough! It takes you to the start of the family beach. You still have a short walk to get to it from the boat and from it to the other stuff on the island (places like Grouper Pavilion seem miles away as the day goes on).

I honestly don't think the food was as spectacular as described here. When you spend a day at the beach like that anything tastes amazing! Oh, I ate the stuff like crazy- but thinking back... eh. It was just your average BBQ ribs etc. We were just so hungry!

 

[lbgraves]

It is simply the most perfect beach there is. Everything...bathrooms, food, drinks, the ship...are within walking distance from the beach. The best part about the kids is that I can sit in my chair & just relax while watching them play. They don't go in above their waist if that far and there are no rip currents!!!! Here in NC if we go to the beach I have to be right in the water with them & constantly on alert.

 

[JSCTRico4]

I didn't know they had a tram at CC. What is it like? And where does it take you?

The tram pics you up a few steps off the ship, and takes you to where the action begins by the gift shops. It is about a 10 minute walk without the tram. I walked it a few times, and took the tram a few.... just depends on what you are in the mood for.... but, it's not a SHORT walk.

 

[jrabbit]

First of all the beach is very well maintained by the CM and mother nature (except for when she sends in a hurricanne or two).
There are only about 7,500 guests per week that visit for about 8 hours.
Bathroom facilities are very clean and effecient for beach use
Nice lunch is included - and you still don't have to carry any money around.
It's in the Bahamas and the water is wonderful - even in the winter time it's warmer than the Pacific ocean in the northwest ever is!!!
The Disney CM's are there still trying to make your vacation very magical
enough chair to go around (I think - we've never had a problem getting a chair)

 

[Big MacK]

While or kids went parasailing, my wife and I headed to serenity bay.
There were only 10-12 people there. There were more staff people wanting to serve us drinks than there were guests.
We took our lounge chairs into the water and ordered some Konk Coolers.
Greatest time of the cruise. We looked like that couple you see on the beer commercials.

 

[Contrariwise]

Oh, and the photographers everywhere! We were so excited to see the great shots of the kids at the beach the next day at Shutters. Posed and candid- it was so great not to have to worry about our camera at the beach.