You can't bring back shells from cruise??

[jel0511]

Beth, you are not mistaken. The announcement is made on the tram, there are signs along the walkway and if anyone still has their literature from the cruise, check out the backside of the Castaway Cay map. Under Friendly Reminders it states that "due to our commitment to the environment, we ask that seashells, coral and other natural treasures be left undisturbed at Castaway Cay for all to enjoy". For whatever reason, I'm thinking that I heard it announced a number of times when we were on board.

Tammi

YEP!!! I actually went into my memory box from our Nov cruise and checked the back of my Castaway Cay map. And it is worded exactly as stated above!

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Well, we never did use the trams, only walked, and we did not see the signs either. I guess they need to tell people before leaving the ship because we did not know and took 5 shells and a little bit of sand from the adult beach. There were others doing the same thing, so we thought it was okay. Now I feel bad! Now I know for the next time we visit. Thanks for the info!

Laura

 

[Honu]

There are two predominant varieties of sea shells. Gastropods are single shell, like the kind you would see a snail (conch) or crab occupying. Bivalves are actually 2 shells that are hinged and clams & scallops occupy these.

There are many beaches where it is illegal to remove anything, including a container of sand. Please make sure you are in a "take" area, as opposed to a "no take" area, before removing any items.

If you are in a place that allows collection, PLEASE limit what you take and take only the abandoned bivalve/clam shells. It is often very difficult to tell if a Gastropod is occupied. If it isn't occupied now, it someday will be if you throw it back in the water. The critters need the shells more than we do.

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

 

[BethC1952]

I got a bit of a chuckle out of the idea of bringing home a bit of sand. I live extremely close to the beach, and I spend a great deal of time trying to get the sand OUT of my house! I tend to forget, since I've lived in New Jersey all but three of my 50+ years, that there are people who have never seen the ocean before their cruise! I guess I'm just too provincial!

Beth

 

[dreamflight99]

I can honestly say that I didn't see any signs at Castaway Cay OR heard any announcements. I had no idea and my son did take about 10 shells, most of which were broken old flat shells, but two of them are nice.

If Disney doesn't want you to take the shells, they should make a better attempt at letting people know. Neither us, nor the family we were travelling with, heard or saw anything about that policy.

We saw someone carrying a large Conch shell from the adult beach when we last cruised. As they placed it in a beachbag to conceal it, DH assured me they would probably be caught by the boarding/security staff...as all bags are X-RAYED via machines (remember?) before entrance on the ship is permitted. We actually saw someone being detained in Grand Cayman, because of something in their bags. It was something which resembled a shell of some kind. I know a lot of these locations have moratoriums on fishing certain shellfish *(for reproductive purposes to insure survival once the counts reach a certain LOW #). I would never take a chance and/or try to take something from any destination we visit. I'm always afraid of being stopped for possessing something LEGAL...let alone, ILLEGAL!

 

[dreamflight99]

It is often very difficult to tell if a Gastropod is occupied. If it isn't occupied now, it someday will be if you throw it back in the water. The critters need the shells more than we do.

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

Even the TINIEST ones are occupied on Castaway Cay. We looked with our masks on, and even lifted some out of the water for observation. At first, the creatures inside are too frightened to stir, and retreat inside. But...if you do not disturb them for several minutes, they will become active and edge out of the shell. We were literally amazed at how the most minute shells actually contained LIVE creatures. So, please, heed the wise words of Honu, and honor the requests of Disney. Leave everything behind...but the wonderful MEMORIES.

 

[tvguy]

Never took the tram, never say the signs, but never saw any shells on Castaway Cay, so it wasn't an issue.

Funny though, my father-in-law lived southeast of Houston, shells are considered a nuisance to be cleaned up on the beaches there. Instead of a gravel driveway, he had a shell driveway!!!!

(and no, I never checked to see if any of THOSE shells have creatures in them!!!!)