Who would vote to put Castaway first

[Tiiiigergirl]

Last September thanks to Hurricane Lili we were supposed to do a Western itin and instead got to do a mystery cruise. Well our first stop happened to be Castaway Cay. This was our 3rd cruise and I must say our most enjoyable stop at Castaway. Starting the cruise off on a tropical paradise was wonderful. We were completely relaxed to start. We got the great treat that time of getting to visit it at the end as well. But our reaction at the end is always the same. Since it is the last day, it always feels just a little bittersweet to us. We just loved feeling that first day. It set the tone for the trip. What does anyone else think?

 

[jeanneg]

When we cruised on the 4-day Wonder it was a Bahamian holiday on the regular Nassau day and so they switched the schedule around so that CC was the first day and at sea was the last day. It worked out very well since having the first day at CC "set the tone", as you said, for the rest of the trip. Having the last day as a sea day made it easy to catch up on your packing. Also, I'm always a little frightened that we won't be able to pull into CC due to bad weather....if you schedule it earlier in the cruise then at least you always have an alternate to fall back on if you couldn't make it on the original day.

 

[WDWLVR]

Well when we did the DVC Member cruise we had the best of both worlds and had Castaway Cay as both the first day and the last day. Having said that I voted to keep it at the end of the cruise. It was designed that way to save the best for last and then have a easy sail back to the port. I love having it to look forward to.

 

[dis4me]

I love the idea of stopping there first. On our cruises we wanted to do beaches on other islands but didn't want the kids to be too sunned when we got to CC, but we were afraid that if we didn't get to Castaway Cay then we would have missed all the beach opportunity.This way if we did Castaway Cay first we would know if we were going to get there or not.Also the last days would be at sea and it would help to do the last minute things,like paking Kids show etc, withouth havign to be burnt out from a day in the sun.

 

[Mjasp]

They would never put it on the first day purposefully. After CC who wouldn't want to rebook. They save the best for last.

Although I owuld like it on the first day, since as one of the posters stated it sets the mood for relaxation.

 

[PiperG]

I voted for leaving CC on the last day. That means the final day is all magic and pixie dust, leaving me with a major "warm and fuzzy."

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

I would DEFINATELY like it the first day. We had a mystery cruise also, and did Castaway first and last days, both. We had a GREAT time the first day, and we didn't even get off the last day, due to the last minute rush of washing laundry, packing, and all that junk one must do to get off the boat bright and early the next morning... PLUS, you have to be ready for dinner (too early IMHO) since you can't miss the last nights dinner, to pass out tips!

 

[moinab]

Just got back from the July 17, 3-day. I was on CC a mere 24 hours ago! I decided that, for the 3 and 4 day cruises, they should skip Nassau, open more shops on CC, and spend 2 days there. (Think about it Disney! All that souvenir money spent in Nassau!) I know it will never happen, but that would be my ideal. There just wasn't enough time on CC!

 

[BeanoC]

I certainly understand your 'bittersweet' reaction to CC... after a few Disney cruises, CC becomes synonymous with "I'm going home tomorrow".

That said, I still strongly vote to keep CC as the last day. On your mystery cruise, you were extremely fortunate - you got to visit the island twice. If that was always the case, I would definitely vote for going there right away... but since it's not, then CC should be the last stop.

On a 'normal' cruise, you go to your various ports-of-call, and you go-go-go, shop-shop-shop, see everything in a few hours, etc. Then comes Castawya Cay... laid back, relaxing, beautiful. Take a deep breath and enjoy! Tomorrow will be a day at sea before returning home. I consider it the perfect ending to a magical vacation; a chance to truly unwind before going back to that dreaded reality!

Disney knows what they're doing - it ain't broke, so let's not try to fix it!!

Just "MHO"




'Beano'

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I voted to keep it on tha last day. It gives me something to look forward to that I know I am not going to be disappointed in. Although....first AND last would be good too!!!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Ah I see for those on a 4 day cruise with day at sea it is not the last day. I had forgotten that. THat would make a difference. I guess I should have been specific to the 7 day.

 

[BethC1952]

It really doesn't matter to me. I'm one of those people who thinks CC is very nice, but it isn't really the highlight of my cruise. I know I'm in the minority, but I live at the beach all year round, so there are many other activities on the cruise which I enjoy more--including doing absolutely nothing sometimes!

Stopping there first would set the tone, but for those people for whom it's the highlight, it would take away all of that anticipation. Stopping there last is nice too for everyone who really looks forward to that day, and I would bet that the rebooking desk is much more crowded after the stop!

Either way, I still love my Disney cruises!

Beth

 

[jrabbit]

I have been to CC and Nassau and on the Eastern and Western cruises. Any by far I enjoy CC more than any other port (I'm not into shopping or being "accosted" by folks wanting to sell me something or take me on a tour of the island). I do enjoy the beaches and snorkeling and wandering around the town where we are docked. But CC is the highlight.

On our first cruise IF we went to CC first then Nassau - I'm not sure the memories would be be that great. After Nassau, almost anywhere is a big step up.

Having spent a day on Orient Beach on St. Maarten and another beach day at Cozumel - I would say that CC is by far the best beach around. Disney knowing this, saves CC for last because they don't want people grumbling on the ship - which would probably happen after doing CC first and going anywhere else later. They want the last big memory to be the brightest and best.

I too really don't like CC last because I know that the next day they'll be prying my fingers off the railings as they pull me off of the ship. And it does make for a busy evening getting packed and ready for dinner after spending that Magic-al day on CC.

There are a couple of reasons why CC is such a nice beach. There are people there only 3 days per week which really helps keep the minimal infrastructure in working order and helps keep the beaches clean and fresh. The "Islanders" have a chance (two days) to make everything right for the next cruise. Also there are no street vendors hawking their wares (you can shop in the few stores if you choose).

If we really got to stay there for two days on each cruise the infrastructure will take a hit, and I really believe that the beach would suffer much more from the extended use.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by PiperG
I voted for leaving CC on the last day. That means the final day is all magic and pixie dust, leaving me with a major "warm and fuzzy."

PiperG, that is exactly how I feel!

 

[CGC33A]

I'd like CC on the first day b/c I would look better in my bathing suit (before eating so much for so many days). My only solace is that everyone else is in the same boat (pun intended) & bigger toward the end of the cruise than at the beginning!