You know the ship is going to be empty when….

[diznee princess]

yup! I’ve had my bookings for awhile, but just added Palo brunch a few days ago. Now, if only a cabana on Castaway would open up…

Is a cabana worth the $400-to $700 charge? We can't get one as they are booked. But we would love one. I just think it is a lot of extra money to have someone bring you a drink and have a fridge. If the ship is so empty you would be able to find a shaded chair on the beach near one of the food areas. Float rentals are cheap enough. I'm just wondering what justifies what they charge? Especially the $700+ ones. Yet people pay it.

 

[iloveeeyore]

You score Palo brunch at 8 days out.

 

[Starwind]

Is a cabana worth the $400-to $700 charge? We can't get one as they are booked. But we would love one. I just think it is a lot of extra money to have someone bring you a drink and have a fridge. If the ship is so empty you would be able to find a shaded chair on the beach near one of the food areas. Float rentals are cheap enough. I'm just wondering what justifies what they charge? Especially the $700+ ones. Yet people pay it.

We have had a cabana on several of our DCL cruises, including our first. For our family it is worth it. We are both sun-sensitive and the cabana provides quite a bit more shade than the umbrellas do [beach umbrellas don't provide as much protection as one may think, because there is also a lot of sun being bounced at you from the ground/sand even when it looks like you are in the "shade"]. We also like having the convenience of a hammock and shower right there. The privacy is nice, the fridge and safe appreciated and used. Also, more than once we have had rain for part of the day that has caused many of the other guests to head back to the ship, while we waited it out (dry) in the cabana and then enjoyed nice weather once it cleared, allowing us ot have a full day on the island. And, on one trip, I was able to set up with my laptop working on my dissertation in the cabana.

YMMV.

 

[MomOTwins]

Is a cabana worth the $400-to $700 charge? We can't get one as they are booked. But we would love one. I just think it is a lot of extra money to have someone bring you a drink and have a fridge. If the ship is so empty you would be able to find a shaded chair on the beach near one of the food areas. Float rentals are cheap enough. I'm just wondering what justifies what they charge? Especially the $700+ ones. Yet people pay it.

For some, $700 isn’t that big of a deal (after all, concierge is thousands more than regular and people happily pay it for some extra luxury).

For others, it is a splurge/bucket list thing. That is where I am. I think I will do it eventually. After all, there are many DCL excursions that cost that much for our family of 5. I like the idea of a golf cart transfer so we don’t have to mess with the shuttle trolley and can stay on the island until the last minute. Having some comfy cushioned seating with dedicated shade instead of the usual plastic loungers and umbrellas that you have to move to get in the shade. If it rains, I can sit in my cabana snd watch the ocean instead of huddling in a shop to stay dry. Somewhere safe and dry/non sandy to leave my phone and kindle reader when I go for a dip in the sea. Having the float tubes and snorkel gear right there so you don’t have to wait in line for pick up or lug it back to return at the end of the fay. Don’t get me wrong, the “regular” castaway cay experience is my idea of heaven, but a cabana seems like it would smooth over all the little edges and make it even better.

 

[HiStitch626]

You know the ship will be empty when 4 days before the cruise 12 cabanas open for booking (4 SB and 8 Family)

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

You know the ship will be empty when your Silver booking window opens and every single alcohol tasting AND Palo brunch is available.

 

[Lizgistix]

You know the ship is going to be empty when….

You book a last-minute and they still have tastings and Palo brunch available.

The cruise I was on had tastings still available on the day of.