What makes Castaway Cay so special?

[Frwinkley]

We are considering DCL for the first time this summer (either 3 or 4 nights). We are not really beach people, (love the look of the ocean but could live without the sand and water), but have been to many beach destinations that have provided other things to do besides water activities.

Everyone raves about Castaway Cay. Besides sitting in the sun or being in the water, what else can we expect to do?

 

[phinz]

What makes it special for me? Not much except the fact that the ship is empty.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are considering DCL for the first time this summer (either 3 or 4 nights). We are not really beach people, (love the look of the ocean but could live without the sand and water), but have been to many beach destinations that have provided other things to do besides water activities.

Everyone raves about Castaway Cay. Besides sitting in the sun or being in the water, what else can we expect to do?

Special for me is there are no "wanna buy....." peddlers in my face every moment I'm ashore there. And, recently, the more empty ship to enjoy.

 

[Gigi22]

Castaway Cay is the only private island that I know of where the ship docks at the island, avoiding the whole hurry up and wait business with tenders. Since you are docked, you can go back to the ship for lunch, get something you forgot, take a child back for a nap, etc. It is just a lot less stressful than a day at other islands. To my eyes, it also appears that DCL made a larger investment at CC than other cruise lines. The transportation system is better, more thought has gone into the planning.
Oh, and Konk Coolers, can't forget those!

 

[mjfisherdc]

The best part of Castaway Cay is the empty ship! We go onto the beach first thing in the morning...then head back to the ship for lunch. We are not beach people either, but the kids enjoy the slides and swimming in the ocean for a short time.

 

[Winston Wolf]

Castaway Cay is the only private island that I know of where the ship docks at the island, avoiding the whole hurry up and wait business with tenders. Since you are docked, you can go back to the ship for lunch, get something you forgot, take a child back for a nap, etc. It is just a lot less stressful than a day at other islands. To my eyes, it also appears that DCL made a larger investment at CC than other cruise lines. The transportation system is better, more thought has gone into the planning.
Oh, and Konk Coolers, can't forget those!

Though not really an "island", RCI's Labadee on Haiti is really the only thing that compares in that regard.

 

[Trera]

It just has a nice safe resort feel to it. Between the bikes, floats, snorkeling, volleyball, eating, slides, etc................there is always plenty to do. Or you can just relax on the beach.

I think best of all, it is very clean. We hate going to the beaches that have bottles, cans, and trash all over it.

Just show up and enjoy!!

 

[wcw57]

imnsho, it's pretty and clean....other than that, meh. unless you are from KS (or some other landlocked location) in which case, the beach is GREAT!!!

 

[surran12]

It just has a nice safe resort feel to it. Between the bikes, floats, snorkeling, volleyball, eating, slides, etc................there is always plenty to do. Or you can just relax on the beach.

I think best of all, it is very clean. We hate going to the beaches that have bottles, cans, and trash all over it.

Just show up and enjoy!!

This to me sums it up perfectly.

 

[2prettygirl]

It is just a very unique island! It is so peaceful and so much to just walk around see and do. It's a Disney island, not your average island to visit, highly suggest it! Bikes are available to ride and tour the island.

I have never visited the adult only side but I have heard it's really nice, quiet and relaxing. The beach at Castaway is special too, Disney created it to be shallow for kids and the way they built it up keeps big waves from crashing in. It's definitely a place to visit at least once!

 

[Quellman]

As people have mentioned, there are some unique excursions you can consider, like parasailing, kayak trips, fishing, glass bottom boats, bicycle rentals, a 5k race, crab races, youth activities, a private adults only beach. I think what makes it enjoyable is that it is tropical, you can get on and off the boat wicked easy, and everything meets Disney standards (no peddlers, good food and drinks, fun activities). There are those who do not care for the island and instead enjoy the emptiness of the ship which still has activities going on, movies playing, etc. So it won't be a wasted day for you and your family.

 

[Sir William]

I'm not a beach person and could easily give CC a miss in return for an additional sea day, but DW loves the beach so I go ashore to keep her happy (meaning that staying on the ship is not an option). I spend most of my time reading and occasionally snorkeling. I've little interest in most of the water oriented activities so entertain myself as best I can. We usually go to the adult beach but if it becomes too windy we head over to the more protected family beach.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here: I'm actually looking forward to staying on board the ship when we dock in Nassau.....by far by very least tropical destination.

 

[kiford]

We're not big beach people either. Occasionally we might do one of the excursions, like parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking or the stingray swim but mostly we go out just before lunch, have a drink at Serenity Bay (adults only beach), have lunch there and then head back to the ship. We do like that you don't need to tender, there's no one else on the island and it's clean and safe. But we'd rather spend time on the ship.

 

[Shanti]

Run the Castaway 5K & earn a medal, ride bikes on the old airstrip & look out from the observation tower over the island, waterslides, and more, more, more. It's beautiful, clean, safe and peaceful, a geniune retreat from the real world. What's not to like?

 

[dclpluto]

I thought castaway cay was special until I went to aulani. So much better.

 

[Amunet]

For me, it was the 5k ^_^

Now, it's because of the Frozen Shack with olaf! Only place you can get those fun drinks, I believe

 

[ladypiph]

I am not a "beachy" person either however DS and DH are practically fish so we do get off at CC and I think it is worth seeing at least once. The characters are dressed up differently and you see some characters that you may not necessarily see on the ship they have a little party where a couple characters come out and dance with everyone. The food is good (and included) the hammocks are nice to lay in and relax. We always walk to the family beach right from he ship just to take pictures and sight-see. Overall it is a unique experience that I would recommend you try.

 

[bumbershoot]

Castaway helped me remember that I *am* a beach person.

If you aren't and truly know you aren't (instead of just thinking you aren't), then it probably won't hold much appeal.

IMO you can't really "explore" the island; you can explore it as much as you can explore WDW or DLR. You can see what they have put out there for you to see, you can see where they made paths. You can bike along the asphalt path, not all over.

I love the 5K, I like a lounger, I like just sitting there, not thinking about much. I like that DH tends to go and get food for me.

Castaway itself is an island with Disney on it. I had never been to an island like it (only island I had been to was in WA state...weather is a bit different!), and it opened my mind to it.

 

[Bishoparc]

My wife and I went on our first Disney Cruise last September. We live in Pensacola so we're less than 20 minutes from a beautiful beach however we never go. I've maybe been 20 times my entire life lol. We aren't "beach" people but we absolutely loved Castaway. We don't have kids so we went to serenity bay and I could've stayed there all day. The peace, quiet, and tranquility was worth the price of the cruise just about lol.