Castaway Cay Advice

There are usually a couple cruises that will stop for more than one day at Castaway Cay. From what I understand, they book up very quickly.

I like cruising because it's the only place that I can really relax. Why? Because I don't want to pay the crazy internet fees so I'm forced to disconnect and take some time off. I am *so* sold on cruising after taking just two. My Disney Cruise was just a three day and it wasn't nearly enough time for me.

I didn't spend the whole day on Castaway Cay, but I would love to go back! And that's coming from someone who hates sand and is afraid of fish. We chose to go back to the ship after our Jet Ski excursion. OMG, that may have been the most fun I've had EVER. Next time I'll explore the island and maybe get a massage in one of the private cabannas on the the adults only side.

I can't speak to Castaway Cay, but I LOVE cruising. But then, I'm the boring sort that enjoys just staring at the water! I second what Kristen says. I unplug because I have to. And that's likely the only way I will.

While I haven't been to Castaway, I have been to Holland America's (Carnival's actually I think) Half Moon Cay, and it's breathtaking. Beautiful water, hammocks, snorkeling right off shore. I haven't done excursions because frankly, sitting with a good book and ear buds, staring at the ocean, is enough for me. But then, I am a beach person

I hope you give it a go sometime. I'd really like to do a Disney cruise to compare/contrast. Just have to get Hubs on board (no pun intended.)

Castaway Cay has great snorkeling including hidden Mickey and other fun too explore sunken treasures. The island lunch was AWESOME. There are two water slides and water cannon areas on CC for us big kids and our mini counterparts, there are biking trails, sting rays, parasailing, you name it it can be done. There are lifeguards posted for safety and there's an adults only beach if you want to get away. The Konk cooler is delicious...we added a little more rum -the torched cherry rum we brought onboard and spiced them up. We also enjoyed a bucket o beers and just basking in the sun.
The Disney ships are beautiful, comfortable and fun. There are so many activities to do and areas to explore plus first run movies! I've cruised Disney and non-Disney ships and I prefer Disney. yes, there's some sticker shock Initially but you don't have to be nickel and dimed after you get onboard like some other cruise lines. You also get to eat and drink 24/7 the three main dining rooms are included and for $20 Palo was THE best Italian dinner I've had in a long time and The service is excellent!
I don't know you so I can't guarantee a perfect vacation. I just know for me it was great and I prefer DCL over all others.
Dee

I've only been on one cruise, it was a Disney cruise and it was free. I was skeptical about cruising; I'm more of a "traveler" than a "vacationer", and I thought I would be bored. I wasn't bored at all! I enjoyed the port days as wells the days at sea, equally. I know I'll cruise again.

I really loved Castaway Cay. It just seemed like a really special place....for no real reason. It was incredibly relaxing. It's also less time consuming to get on and off the ship as compared to other ports. We weren't traveling with kids and spent all our time at the adult beach. If you are kid-free, I recommend that. Also, the advice we got is that if you are going to the adult beach, hot-foot it over there first thing off the ship in order to claim a beach chair and possibly a hammock, I think I remember a few hammocks- I second that advice. The weather was really sketchy while we were there, in fact, the ship almost couldn't make it into port. DCL cancelled all the shore excursions and made all the equipment rentals free. All we did was get air mattresses and float around...it was heavenly.

That being said, if I didn't have a kid now, I don't know if I would go on another Disney cruise. I was mostly disappointed in the food (except for Palo) and I thought the nightlife was lacking. I also seemed to be plagued by cigarette smoke and I felt like I was often moving, noticing it, or avoiding certain parts of the ship because of it. I don't know if that's typical of other cruise lines, but it struck me as bizarre for a Disney cruise.

My cruise was already 7 years ago, so my experiences were awhile ago. But I definitely recommend trying a cruise (Disney or not) at least once!

1. If you want to get away from the noise (as in "children"), hop onto the shuttle and get to Serenity Bay. It is less manic, and you get to spend hours and hours sitting in front of the ocean on sandy beaches doing nothing. You may have your lunch here, or go back to the general public beach if you want a wider selection. But for my money, I'd rather stay at Serenity Bay.

2. Rent a bike. No matter how long you have it, they'll only charge you for an hour. This is the best way to explore all the Guest area on Castaway Cay. Ride to the tower that gives you the highest overlook point on the island and look at your Disney cruise ship as if it is floating on the tree tops. {See my December trip report for photos}

P.S. If you look at the last video that I listed in that trip report, you'll see quite a bit more of Castaway Cay, especially shots of us doing the bike-ride tour.

Zz.

I think if you were to go on one of the new Dream Class ships that you would be happier with the experience. The bigger the ship, the less you feel it moving. They also have really fantastic adults only areas and two adults only restaurants instead of just one. I never once noticed anyone smoking either.

LOL....Kirsten- I meant that I was moving to a new location to avoid smoke or noticing cigarette smoke, not noticing ship movement. I felt the ship move all the time! We cruised during hurricane season, in fact, smack dab between hurricane Katrina and Rita. Luckily I don't get seasick. There were a lot of sea sick people on board and I know the captain adjusted the route a bit to avoid other storms.

Glad to know you didn't notice any cigarette smoke during your cruise. Sounds like it's less of a problem on the bigger ships? I'm waiting for DS to be a couple years older and then I'll be lobbying DH for a cruise.

Castaway Cay is gorgeous - this was the island my husband was looking forward to least on his first cruise, and once he got there he was hooked. Now when we do a Disney cruise that doesn't stop there (like the Canada cruise we're doing next month) all he talks about is how he wishes we were going to Castaway.

We love spending the day a Serenity Bay - so calm and peaceful. Sometimes the characters will stop by for a surprise visit with the adults. The food is good on the island, and we love snorkeling with the stingrays - that's a must do experience at least once!