What makes Castaway Cay so great?

[brack]

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

We are on that cruise also. The main reason for my DW and I both was the two days at Castaway Cay. It is our favorite port of call for all the reasons mentioned.

 

[PizzieDuster]

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

Besides agreeing with all of the above posters, I have to expand on Goofymama's comment about people begging for money.

But not only begging for money, on the other islands (especially Mexico) the sand merchants will stop at nothing to obstruck your view, annoy your day unless you look at their goods. You can count on at least saying "no thank you" 50 times a day. And if you do "look"...you may never relax in peace because they will surround you and relaxation ain't ever going to happen.

On Castaway Cay you do not have people standing in front of you with their silver jewlry case, or sarongs, or hats or toys or hairbraiders tapping your leg as you sleep to see if you want hair braiding. Then with astonishment, tap the leg of your DS15 who's sleeping to ask him the same question. And if your lucky enough to go to a resort that has a "no merchant line" don't think that it's a good thing. The merchants just stand at that line and block your view to the ocean with their goods.

Oh, and no jelly fish!

Boy did I miss Castaway Cay on our 6/25 cruise out of LA.

But head phones and a visor dipped way low works wonders! After approaching and shouting to me, they would move on.

Oh, and I just posted this response to someone asking about the ship's photographer:

#3
PizzieDuster
Mouseketeer


Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wonderful Sunny Orange County, California
Posts: 222 The DCL photographers have taken beautiful pictures of my kids. My favs are the ones at Castaway Cay. They grace the halls of my home as we speak.

I do have to say that I had to grab the photographer on all my pictures. I've never once gone into Shutters to see a surprise photo of my kids. (This does not include the photo opportunities where you line up.)

Just this last 6/25 cruise, my DH had to ask a photographer to take pictures of DD in the pool. They are all around, but there are also alot of people on board so don't be shy! When you see them, ask them to take a picture of your loved ones. They really are so happy to do so!

I have the cutest picture of my DS12 (the one that hates to have his picture taken). They gave him one of those life perserver thingys that hang on the wall by pools all over the world and it had DISNEY CRUISE on it. It's soooo cute. And I had them take pictures of my DS14 laying on the hammock and all 3 kids hanging on raft with the Magic in the background. Priceless!

 

[AOPI57]

My girlfriend just returned from A RCCL cruise. They went to RCCL's private island off Haiti. She said CC was much nicer- better food, better beach. She also did not like RCCL (but that's another thread!). Her DH now wants to cruise the Wonder in Aug- he missed CC so much!

 

[mmouse37]

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

You pick it up a short walk from the ship and it has a stop at the Family Beach....you can then take another tram to the adult beach.

 

[ragdoll]

Everything that everyone else said, plus the sight of the Magic or Wonder sitting at the dock. IMHO there is not another cruise ship that looks so beautiful.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Thanks for the responses. We have been to Holland America's Private Island, Half Moon Cay, several times, and the responses here are very similar to what I'd expect had I initiated this question about Half Moon Cay (HMC).

We love Half Moon Cay, and while we'll be keeping an open mind, I'm so afraid we'll miss our beloved cabanas. I was hoping to hear that Castaway Cay offered them, but from what I'm reading, they don't. At HMC, you may rent a cabana. This is a wonderful air-conditioned private unit with a table and chairs, fridge, and shower that you can rent and keep sand out of our things and cool off and get some shade.

A "cabana boy" will get your lunch for you so as to avoid waiting in lines at the buffet, and your fridge will come stocked with the beverages of your choice, and floaty mats and snorkel gear are included.

It so totally adds to our special day on the private island. It's so nice to avoid sand in all those unmentionable places and get some shade when you need it. And sometimes we're even dumb enough to add an expensive butler package add-on, where a butler will cart all your personal items to your cabana for you, all drinks and an up-scale lunch are included, and your every wish is their command.

Even if you don't want to rent a cabana, they have "clamshells" to rent for a measly $9, which offer shade and cover 2 lounge chairs. They offer excellent shade for those that just don't like to lie out. Does Castaway Cay offer anything like this?

 

[YippySkippy]

um.....

You sound like a Holland America shill.

 

[WDWLVR]

Sorry no cabanas or clamshells at Castaway Cay. However there are many many umbrellas for you to find and stay out of the sun if you want.

I think the main reason is that DCL has a younger demographic than HAL. They do offer massages in cabanas over at the adult beach.

What makes Castaway Cay special for me is what everyone else has mentioned. Being able to come and go as you please. A great selection of activities. Beautiful beaches. Good food. Great people. It just has that Disney touch!

 

[hawaii5o]

We loved casataway cay. My dd is 9 and doesnt really go into the water at the beach because of the waves, but the water at cc is so calm, and clear that she was in it all day swimming in it and snorkeled. It was just a really nice, relaxing, beautiful day. Just an fyi.... dont forget the sunscreen and drink plenty of water while you are there..... When we were there it was very hot hot hot......

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I have to agree with many of the others. The beaches are beautful, the theming is great, the food is wonderful; I wasn't expecting much but enjoyed it a lot and the landscaping is gorgeous. You're making me miss it as I read all these. We were last there in August of last year.

 

[Dreamer04]

I've been on other cruise lines' slands. There IS a difference. Its hard to put a name on it. For me, it seems like a more wholesome experience than other cruise lines. Same thing for the cruise itself. Just feels nicer.

 

[ericamanda01]

On our first DC there was a change in the stops and CC was the first stop. It was like heaven. We felt safe and it was so clean! Then we went to Nassau where I didn't feel safe at all. People kept asking my BIL ,who was 17 at the time, if he wanted to buy pot. It was not the way to end such a great cruise. On the second cruise CC was the last stop and after haveing seen it the other way, it really does make the end of cruise even better. We never worried about our safety, or leaving our things on our chairs while we went into the water. It's just the best! We are taking the double CC stop cruise next Sept, and I can't wait to stop there first and last!

 

[AlexandNessa]

um.....

You sound like a Holland America shill.

Not so much a Holland America shill, but definitely a cabana shill!

 

[krdisneybound]

Love Castaway Cay. Even if you don't want to go to the beaches, you can go over and sit in some of the rocking chairs and just watch everyone else come and go. Lots and lots of food to eat, which is never ending.

We almost didn't get to dock on our 7/7 cruise but after 6 hours Captain John was able to dock, even though it was late. He let everyone stay on Castaway Cay an hour later because of the late docking.

Some of the activities were canceled but for those that were not canceled, the fee was waived for the rest of the activities. Even the postage for postcards were free for the day for those who had mailings to go out.

So the Disney magic was all around us that day.