When Do You Think Castaway Cay Will Reopen?

[ChicosWife]

According to DCL's website, Castaway Cay is currently closed:
All is well at Castaway Cay. Due to the tropical storm conditions the island experienced, we have some cleaning up to do related to landscaping and will need to make minor repairs to the roof of one small covered pavilion area. We also need to evaluate the pier and ship channel, as is required after any storm, before we are able to reopen Castaway Cay to guests.

Based upon your experience, when do you all think it may reopen?

 

[TFM1980]

It will really depend upon how badly messed up the seafloor is--remember that the Cat 5 storm surge was much more impactful than the winds. This means while the top of the islands sustained only moderate damage, they might have to dredge the cruise ship docking area and also inspect all underwater parts of the beaches. If everything underwater is okay, Im guessing 3 weeks. If there are serious problems, 3 months.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Several weeks, minimum. They also have to sort out, in addition to what TFM1980 listed, is who will be coming to Castaway and from where to help with some of the staffing and offer excursions. I am sure their regular vendors need the work, but if they have no shelter or food, I would think they would need to get that sorted out first.

 

[Dug720]

Several weeks, minimum. They also have to sort out, in addition to what TFM1980 listed, is who will be coming to Castaway and from where to help with some of the staffing and offer excursions. I am sure their regular vendors need the work, but if they have no shelter or food, I would think they would need to get that sorted out first.

If the island is operable, they can open it without the excursions (which often do not run anyway) or the Bahamian goods shops. The rest of the team (lifeguards, food, etc.) is DCL people.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Legally, they have to have the pier inspected before it can reopen. They can't just eyeball that.

 

[Dug720]

Legally, they have to have the pier inspected before it can reopen. They can't just eyeball that.

Yes, that I understand.

I was just saying that no excursions would not prevent them from reopening. Out of 6 cruises, I have only seen a morning where any excursions left - they were cancelled by about 11. Also, the Bahamian shops are not necessary for opening.

 

[Garyjames220]

When have Disney said it's closed until at the moment

 

[ladyofthetramp]

If the island is operable, they can open it without the excursions (which often do not run anyway) or the Bahamian goods shops. The rest of the team (lifeguards, food, etc.) is DCL people.

Right- agreed

 

[tcufrog]

WE're going on a 3 night Dream cruise October 11. If CC isn't open, what are they likely to do on that day? I'd be happy with a day at sea (assuming programming's added) but I know my kids would be disappointed.

 

[mmouse37]

Most likely a day at sea. We are on the October 27th NY to Bahamas cruise and not holding my breath. If we get there great but I am not getting my hopes up yet.

MJ

 

[Mommb]

WE're going on a 3 night Dream cruise October 11. If CC isn't open, what are they likely to do on that day? I'd be happy with a day at sea (assuming programming's added) but I know my kids would be disappointed.

On a 3-night cruise, there aren’t many other options if the ship can’t stop at Castaway Cay. If you get a sea day, there will be plenty of on-board activities. You can get an idea of possible programming by looking at Navigators from 4-night cruises that have a sea day.

 

[NickC]

We will be there at the beginning of November. I am hoping it will be open by then.....However, a day at sea in lieu of CC wouldn't work for us. I get sea sick and am already a bit nervous about being on the ship at night and between ports. If we can't get off during the day, I'm not sure I would want to go through with it. Would I be able to cancel the trip?

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We will be there at the beginning of November. I am hoping it will be open by then.....However, a day at sea in lieu of CC wouldn't work for us. I get sea sick and am already a bit nervous about being on the ship at night and between ports. If we can't get off during the day, I'm not sure I would want to go through with it. Would I be able to cancel the trip?

You can cancel in accordance with DCL's cancellation policy, and get any applicable assistance via your travel insurance that you signed up for.

You won't get a special pass from Disney to cancel penalty-free because you're prone to seasickness & don't like the elimination of a port, though. Ports are always subject to change & cancellation on cruises.

 

[otten]

We will be there at the beginning of November. I am hoping it will be open by then.....However, a day at sea in lieu of CC wouldn't work for us. I get sea sick and am already a bit nervous about being on the ship at night and between ports. If we can't get off during the day, I'm not sure I would want to go through with it. Would I be able to cancel the trip?

Doubtful. Ports aren’t guaranteed and it is always possible that one will be substituted with a day at sea for reasons ranging from weather to civil unrest at the port.

Have you been on a cruise before? Even if you get sea sick on smaller vessels you may well find that you don’t have a problem on a large cruise ship.

 

[NickC]

I've never been on a cruise ship. I only realized that I got seasick after we booked. I've never had an issue on boats until recently, and they have all been smaller vessels. I think I'll be okay based on tips and advise from others. It just would have been easier knowing that there was some land time each day. It's only 3 days, so I'm not overly concerned.

 

[lklgoodman]

We will be there at the beginning of November. I am hoping it will be open by then.....However, a day at sea in lieu of CC wouldn't work for us. I get sea sick and am already a bit nervous about being on the ship at night and between ports. If we can't get off during the day, I'm not sure I would want to go through with it. Would I be able to cancel the trip?

I've never cancelled a cruise before, but I believe you have to cancel before the PIF date to get a full refund. I also get sea sick, so I understand the want of being able to get off the ship. I bought some pure ginger candy for our last cruise. Whenever I started to feel sick, I sucked on the candy and felt better. I can't do the patch but even with bonine I get ill. I would think CC would be open before Nov, only because Disney has the money to make it happen. Best of luck.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I've never been on a cruise ship. I only realized that I got seasick after we booked. I've never had an issue on boats until recently, and they have all been smaller vessels. I think I'll be okay based on tips and advise from others. It just would have been easier knowing that there was some land time each day. It's only 3 days, so I'm not overly concerned.

You probably have nothing to worry about. A lot of people, myself included, easily get seasick on small boats, but have absolutely no problem with cruise ships.

 

[lanejudy]

If the island is operable, they can open it without the excursions (which often do not run anyway) or the Bahamian goods shops. The rest of the team (lifeguards, food, etc.) is DCL people.

I agree with this. Assuming the pier and/or channel do not require significant work, DCL will likely resume operations soon.

DCL is very important to the Bahamian tourism industry. To that end, even if channel or pier work is needed, I think it will happen as soon as they possibly can. Every day that DCL can’t port at CC, the Bahamian government loses the standard port fees/taxes, VAT taxes, and the workers lose income - all of which will help the country’s recovery.

 

[T & R]

I only realized that I got seasick after we booked. I've never had an issue on boats until recently, and they have all been smaller vessels.

You'll be fine. I get sea sick easily but have never had an issue on the cruise ship. No meds or anything. The problem arises when we're on excursions like stingray city or snorkel stuff, when they take you out on those small boats. That's when I realize this may not have been such as good idea.

One weird side note is the land sickness thing (if there is such as thing). I've noticed when I get back home (especially off of the Fantasy when they are longer cruises) that I sway in the shower like I'm still on the ship. On the ship I notice the boat sways when I'm in the shower and at home I kind of rock even though I'm on land and there is no sway. Usually goes away in a day or two but thought that was odd that the body has to adjust to being on land.

 

[avengerspoilerer]

You can cancel in accordance with DCL's cancellation policy, and get any applicable assistance via your travel insurance that you signed up for.

What insurance is going to pay because of seasickness and a cancelled port?