A go to to Castaway Cay is a spotlight of any Disney cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean. The island is the unique beach-day playground for Disney Cruise Line visitors, and cruisers can take pleasure in a enjoyable, hassle-free day of sunbathing and water sports activities on the island.
Your day on Castaway Cay is idyllic as a result of it’s a must to make only a few preparations. You’ll be able to stroll off the ship and head proper to the seaside. Seaside chairs, umbrellas, towels and a scrumptious lunch are all supplied to you. Your greatest choices will likely be if you wish to guide a shore tour, which can go away from a handy location simply steps from the ship, and which seaside you and your loved ones wish to take a look at first.
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The island is themed round a shipwreck, as if you’re the castaways and your mates have used the crates and driftwood which have washed ashore to construct the island’s constructions. You may additionally discover lots of your Disney buddies ashore of their finest seaside apparel, so the cruise ship magic continues on island.
Castaway Cay, like all issues Disney, focuses on household enjoyable, nevertheless it nonetheless reserves some on-island spots for drop-off youngsters actions supervised by the ship’s youth workers and adults-only rest. Teenagers get their very own secret hangout.
You’ll be able to select your personal journey on Castaway Cay and a go to right here is rarely the identical twice. Plan your good non-public island day within the Bahamas with our information to Disney’s Castaway Cay.
Be aware: Costs for actions and leases can range based mostly on sail date and whether or not they’re booked pre-cruise, on board or on shore.
The place is Castaway Cay?
Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay is positioned within the Bahamas, close to Nice Abaco island. It is 225 nautical miles from Port Canaveral, dwelling port of a number of Disney cruise ships. Disney leases the island from the Bahamian authorities.
The 1,000-acre island is roughly 3 miles lengthy by 2 miles large, however solely 55 acres are developed. You will get an amazing view of the undeveloped areas of the island from the remark tower on the best way to Serenity Bay, the adults-only seaside.
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Which cruise ships go there?
All Disney Cruise Line ships besides Disney Wonder will go to Castaway Cay. It is a staple on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries, which is the place nearly all of Disney ships journey.
Ships visiting Castaway Cay on upcoming cruises embody:
How do you get to and round Castaway Cay?
Castaway Cay was the primary cruise line non-public island to function a pier the place ships can dock. One ship at a time can go to Castaway Cay, and passengers can stroll straight off the ship and onto the island.
It is a first rate stroll from the ship to the primary part of seaside. To accommodate all cruisers, Disney runs a tram from the top of the pier to stops by Scuttle’s Cove and Pelican Level, on both finish of the principle household seaside, and from the Pelican Level space to Serenity Bay.
Be aware that the Serenity Bay tram is separate from the principle tram between the ship and the principle seashores. A sort driver saved me from getting into circles as a result of I believed the Serenity Bay tram would take me all the best way again to the pier.
Paved paths all through the island will take you wherever you wish to go. I walked all the best way to Serenity Bay down the bike path (which doubles as an air strip), and it isn’t a brief stroll. You’ll be able to take a detour to loop across the paved nature path that results in the remark tower.
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Disney additionally offers seaside strollers and wheelchairs for passenger use.
What are the Castaway Cay seashores?
Castaway Cay’s predominant strip of seaside is sheltered by a rocky breakwater, making the water calm and ideal for swimmers of all ages. The seaside is split into three sections: Boat Seaside, the place you may discover water sports activities leases, and two household seashores, together with a seaside space unique to cabana visitors.
An adults-only seaside, Serenity Bay, is on the adjoining facet of the island, open to the ocean, and separate from the household seaside.
Castaway Cay’s three predominant seashores are:
Castaway Cay household seashores
Castaway’s household seashores are divided by Pelican Level, a rocky breakwater, the place the Heads Up Bar sits. Each seashores have loungers, low-to-the-ground upright seaside chairs and seaside umbrellas which can be free to make use of. Many adults like to pull the upright chairs right down to the water’s edge and dangle on the market, watching their youngsters frolic within the waves.
Each seashores have lifeguards and racks of life jackets out there for visitor use.
The closest household seaside to the ship is close to the Scuttle’s Cove youngsters space and tram cease. It has a swim-out floating ropes course. The farther seaside is nearer to the Pelican Level tram cease. Its spotlight is the Pelican Plunge floating water play space, with a splash space and dump bucket, water cannons and two slides (a tube slide and an open slide).
Strains can get lengthy for the slide, and smaller sliders must put on life jackets. The tube slide is way quicker and shorter than the open slide. Be able to get water up your nostril, as it is a drop from the top of the slide into the water.
For your best option of lounge house, you may wish to get off the ship early and trek to the farther ends of the seaside. It was onerous to seek out out there chairs after we moved mid-afternoon from one facet of the household seaside to the opposite to make use of the slides.
The farthest finish of the seaside is lined with cabanas and reserved for cabana visitors.
Boat Seaside
The primary seaside you come to in your means from the ship is Boat Seaside. That is the place you may discover all of the bigger water sports activities gear out there to hire, reminiscent of water bikes and kayaks. (A separate shack rents out snorkel gear).
Nobody sunbathes on Boat Seaside.
Serenity Bay
The adults-only Serenity Bay is unique to cruisers ages 18+. The seaside is on the opposite facet of the island from the household seashores and an extended trek (or tram trip) from the Pelican Level space.
The seaside itself has the identical lounge chairs, low upright chairs and umbrellas as the opposite Castaway Cay seashores. There are cabanas for hire right here, too; they lurk behind the principle seaside and share the sand and sea with common visitors.
As a result of Serenity Bay is an extended haul from the Pelican Level tram cease space, it has its personal amenities: barbecue pavilion, loos, bar, float rental and therapeutic massage hut.
I visited Serenity Bay at lunchtime, and the seaside was not crowded in any respect. Loads of loungers had been unclaimed — seemingly as a result of nearly all of Disney cruisers had been spending time collectively as households. Additionally, the water was not as clear or calm on this seaside as a result of it doesn’t have a breakwater to guard it from the waves, so some adults would possibly choose the household seaside space for swimming.
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What are the very best Castaway Cay issues to do?
Splashing and sunbathing should not practically the one issues to do at Castaway Cay. Its small developed space has loads happening, each on land and within the lagoon.
Designated areas on each side of the household seashores are reserved for snorkeling. The principle snorkeling lagoon is between Boat Seaside and the household seaside, conveniently positioned by Gil’s Fins and Boats, which dispenses snorkel gear, in addition to tubes and floats for hire. Rumor has it that you will discover a shipwreck and even some hidden Mickeys, in addition to attention-grabbing sea creatures.
You may also decide up snorkels, floats and tubes at Flippers and Floats (positioned between the 2 halves of the household seaside) and The Windsock Hut at Serenity Bay (float leases solely). If you happen to hire an interior tube, do not let it out of your grasp. I noticed a number of of those floating out previous the ropes marking the top of the swimming space. The crew should have to return out on boats on the finish of the day to spherical all of them up!
The floating ropes course and Pelican Plunge water slides are additionally enjoyable diversions for households and offers you one thing to do apart from swimming that does not contain spending cash.
Scuttle’s Cove is the beachside extension of the shipboard Oceaneer Membership. Dad and mom and caregivers can drop off their youthful youngsters to play within the sand beneath youth workers supervision with a purpose to snag a while at Serenity Bay or within the snorkel lagoon. As with the onboard youngsters membership, the service is complimentary.
Scuttle’s Cove embody the Monstro Level whale dig website (the place youngsters can play archeologist and dig within the sand for bones), a small splash pad and an space for sand video games.
Between the Scuttle’s Cove and Pelican Level tram stops, In-Da-Shade Video games presents basketball, ping pong, billiards, big checkers, foosball and desk video games in an open-air wood pavilion.
Over by the Pelican Level space, a seaside sports activities space presents tetherball, volleyball and soccer, and the Spring-A-Leak moist play space is enjoyable for littles who wish to get moist with out the waves. A motorbike rental station rents bikes for youths and grownups; I did not see trail-a-bikes, however they did have grownup bikes with little one seats on the again. One-hour bike leases value $15 (for ages 3+).
The total bike path, from the rental space to Serenity Bay and across the loop to the remark tower is 1.5 miles. If you happen to choose to run, doing the path out to the grownup seaside and again once more (together with a second tower loop) is 3 miles or 5K.
Disney used to host an official race referred to as the Castaway Cay 5K. At present, it isn’t provided as a gaggle exercise, however you are able to do it by yourself, in your honor, and decide up a medal again on the bike rental sales space. If you happen to’re not racing, the remark tower is a pleasant cease for views of the island.
A couple of water stations are set out alongside the race course.
Teenagers have their very own secret hangout referred to as The Hideout, tucked away behind the seaside sports activities and bike rental space.
Adults can guide 50-minute solo or {couples}’ massages on the therapeutic massage cabana on the adults seaside.
If you happen to’re fascinated with water sports activities, Disney presents a collection of leases on Boat Seaside.
Leases embody:
- AquaTrike, $30 for half-hour
- Chiliboats Waterbikes, $30 for half-hour (ages 14+)
- Float or tube, $15 for the day
- Paddle boat, $20 for half-hour for 2-seater boats or $25 for a 4-seater
- Sea kayak, $20 for half-hour on a single kayak (ages 14-plus) or $25 for a double kayak
- Snorkel tools, $22 (ages 5 to 9) or $38 (ages 10-plus) for the day
- Stand-up paddle board, $20 for half-hour (ages 14-plus)
The shore excursions desk assured me that it is easy to hire water sports activities gear on the island in the event you’re undecided you wish to commit prematurely.
If you happen to’re an energetic household, contemplate the Castaway Cay Getaway Bundle. The three-in-one rental package deal contains snorkel tools and a float or inner-tube for the day, plus a one-hour bicycle rental. The package deal is valued at $52 for little youngsters or $68 for anybody ages 10 and up, however prices $30 or $50, respectively, saving you $18 to $22.
The Castaway Cay Getaway Bundle is just out there for reserving on-line pre-cruise or aboard the ship; you can not guide it as soon as on the island.
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Can I meet Disney characters on Castaway Cay?
A favourite Disney cruise pastime is assembly Mickey Mouse and buddies, princesses, superheroes and pirates, and you’ve got these alternatives on Castaway Cay. The island has quite a few spots arrange for images, and all through the day, numerous characters will make an look of their beachwear to pose for images. On my cruise these included Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Examine your Navigator app to seek out out which character will likely be at which station at what time. The put up workplace, Marge’s Barges, Mt. Rustmore and the seaside throughout from Scuttle’s Cove are standard picture spots for the characters. If you’d like the seaside spots, plan to line up and get your images early earlier than your loved ones will get all moist and sandy.
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What are the excursions at Castaway Cay?
If you happen to’re searching for a little bit greater than only a seaside day, you’ll be able to guide a handful of Castaway Cay excursions. The out there excursions are predominantly guided water-based actions going down in or across the island’s waters.
On my cruise, the next excursions had been out there:
- Banana boat trip, $45 for half-hour (ages 10-plus) or $39 (ages 8 to 9)
- Castaway Cay Fishing Journey, $219 for a 3-hour tour (ages 8-plus)
- Castaway Ray’s Stingray Journey, $59 for a 1-hour tour ($48 for ages 5 to 9)
- Castaway Snorkel By Boat Journey, $95 for a 3-hour tour ($79 for ages 6 to 9)
- Glass Backside Boat Scenic Voyage, $59 for a 1-hour tour ($39 for youths beneath age 9)
- Parasailing, $140 for 1 hour (ages 8-plus)
- Strolling and Kayak Nature Journey, $73 for 3.5 hours (age 10-plus)
As well as, the Excessive Getaway Bundle combines a one-hour stingray journey with snorkel tools, bicycle and float or inner-tube leases. The fee is $95 for youths and adults ages 10 and up or $73 for youths ages 5 to 9.
Most of the boat-based excursions (reminiscent of parasailing and fishing journeys) depart from the Marge’s Barges and Sea Charters dock on the finish of the cruise pier. The stingray journey meets on the Castaway Ray’s Stingray Journey hut on the finish of Boat Seaside farthest from the ship; the protected stingray lagoon is simply offshore.
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Does Castaway Cay provide cabanas to hire?
Sure, Castaway Cay cabanas can be found to hire each on the household seaside and at Serenity Bay. From what I noticed, the household seaside cabanas could possibly be an effective way to have a extra stress-free, much less crowded expertise on Castaway Cay. The Serenity Bay cabanas appeared much less of an improve, on condition that the seaside was empty and all of the providers are so shut.
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Household Seaside cabanas
Castaway Cay presents 20 cabanas on the farthest finish of the household seashores, simply across the nook from Serenity Bay. The cabanas line a stretch of seaside that’s roped off, so common cruisers can’t go there. They’re numbered 1 to 21 as there is no such thing as a cabana #13.
The 325-square-foot cabanas are tucked away beneath the palm timber. They’re outfitted with indoor seating, a ceiling fan, drinks fridge, secure, plush towels and cooling face cloths, magazines to learn and complimentary sunscreen. Transportable cribs can be found on request for visitors with infants.
Recent fruit and light-weight snacks are supplied, as are limitless soda and bottled water. Servers will come round to take alcoholic drink orders. You’ll be able to press a button in your cabana to name them in the event you do not see anybody and wish to order a drink or get your soda, water or snacks restocked.
Exterior the cabana, visitors have entry to lounge chairs, a hammock and a freshwater bathe. The cabana rental comes with entry to snorkel tools, sand toys and floats or interior tubes, plus a one-hour bike rental.
Cabanas are similar with two exceptions. Cabana #16 is wheelchair accessible; it can’t be booked on-line. Cabana #21 is known as the Grand Household Cabana, and it is outsized at 650 sq. toes.
On my cruise, cabanas value $797.50 for an eight-hour rental for as much as six folks. You could possibly add as much as 4 extra folks, for a complete of 10, for $56 further per individual. For teams bigger than six folks, youngsters beneath 3 should not charged; nevertheless, they depend towards the utmost variety of folks allowed on the rental.
The Grand Household Cabana value $1,127.50 for as much as 10 folks and will accommodate as much as 16, with every further visitor charged $56 per individual.
Serenity Bay cabanas
The six Serenity Bay cabanas are solely out there to visitors ages 18 and up. They’re numbered 22 via 27 and are positioned behind the adults-only seaside and its rows of lounge chairs.
The cabanas are the identical dimension and include practically the identical inclusions because the household seaside cabanas. The distinction is that snorkel tools isn’t supplied as a result of there is no such thing as a snorkeling lagoon at Serenity Bay.
Regardless of being the identical dimension, Serenity Bay cabanas are priced for simply 4 visitors at $493.90 for the day; further visitors as much as 10 whole can pay $56 every over the bottom price.
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Is meals included on Castaway Cay?
Sure, a number of venues serve a complimentary barbecue lunch on Castaway Cay. The principle venues are Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too BBQ, however a small lunch buffet can be out there by the Serenity Bay tram cease so adults on that seaside do not must trek again to the Pelican Level space to eat.
All three venues serve the identical meals, buffet type, in open-sided pavilions with outside picnic tables, some shaded, for consuming. Lunch is often served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The principle occasion is every kind of grilled meat: burgers and sizzling canine, Cajun-spiced hen, salmon and barbecue brisket and pork. Vegetarian chili and veggie burgers are additionally out there (the latter on request).
Sides embody cole slaw, potato salad, corn and bean salad, macaroni salad, chips, corn on the cob and corn bread. Dessert choices embody a wide range of fruit, wonderful chocolate chip cookies, chocolate and strawberry-cheesecake mini desserts and soft-serve ice cream. Professional tip: Take the cookies to the soft-serve machine to create a DIY ice cream sandwich.
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Cookie’s BBQ. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Self-serve mushy drink machines dispense complimentary soda, water, sports activities drinks, iced tea and lemonade.
Strains can get lengthy, so plan accordingly, particularly you probably have sizzling and hungry little ones in tow.
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Are there bars on Castaway Cay?
Even this family-friendly island has loads of bars serving extra-fee drinks and frozen concoctions. You may discover them all through the island. You may must pay a la carte for drinks bought at Castaway Cay’s bar as a result of Disney Cruise Line doesn’t provide an all-inclusive drink package.
The Conched Out Bar and Sand Bar are the principle beachside bars alongside the household seaside, serving beer, cocktails and frozen drinks. The Heads Up Bar serves the identical, however is positioned atop Pelican Level, the rocky breakwater between the 2 halves of the household seaside. Its patio is often the setting for on-island weddings.
You may also discover stands promoting smoothies and drinks outdoors the lunch pavilions. I noticed many cruisers carrying drinks in memento coconut-shaped cups.
Proper by the Pelican Level tram cease, Summertime Freeze serves up smoothies and alcoholic frozen drinks in “Frozen”-themed memento cups.
Out at Serenity Bay, the Castaway Air Bar, housed in what appears to be an airplane hangar, retains adults refreshed all through their seaside day. It is bought a wood deck with snug seating for anybody who desires to relax with a drink with out getting sandy.
Is there buying on Castway Cay?
Castaway Cay has a number of outlets promoting the whole lot from Castaway Cay unique Disney merchandise, native Bahamian crafts and souvenirs and seaside gadgets you might need forgotten (hats, sunscreen, sun shades, sand toys, and so forth.).
She Sells Sea Shells and Every thing Else by the Scuttle’s Cove tram cease and Purchase the Seashore by Pelican Level are your go-tos for Disney merch and sundries. Halfway between the 2 are a few Bahamian stores grouped collectively.
The one accepted methodology of cost is your Key to the World cruise ship card, even within the Bahamian-run outlets.
If you happen to’re a Disney fan hoping to purchase some swag not discovered wherever else, you may be joyful looking the Castaway Cay outlets. Costs on seaside gadgets, nevertheless, are extremely marked up, so in the event you neglect to carry toys or a hat, attempt to decide them up at an earlier port or go with out.
Can I get married on Castaway Cay?
Disney’s Fairy Story Weddings division can completely assist {couples} plan a marriage on Castaway Cay throughout cruise itineraries that go to the island. (Weddings may also be held on board the ship.) You’ll be able to select from ceremony venues on the seaside or at Wedding ceremony Pointe (the deck that juts out over the water by the Heads Up Bar).
Be aware that the majority Castaway Cay weddings happen within the morning, and the reception will likely be held again on board. In case of inclement climate or the ship’s failure to dock on the island, your marriage ceremony would possibly must be rescheduled to an onboard location.
Additionally, Castaway Cay weddings should not authorized weddings. You’ll need to file paperwork and get legally married in your house state. Your island ceremony will likely be purely symbolic.
What further facilities will I discover?
Crew members are readily available at a number of stations handy out towels as you are leaving the ship. Towel return bins are positioned all through the island, however I did not see wherever by the seashores to swap out a moist towel for a dry one.
Loos and seaside showers are discovered all through the island, as are loads of rubbish and recycling bins.
A First Support station is positioned by Scuttle’s Cove. Island data kiosks can be found at each Scuttle’s Cove and Pelican Level tram cease areas.
Seaside wheelchairs and strollers can be found to borrow.
Disney’s Wi-Fi isn’t out there off the ship at Castaway Cay, so in the event you want to use your telephone, you may must have a plan that works within the Bahamas.
Are you able to keep in a single day on Castaway Cay?
Some Disney workers do dwell on Castaway Cay to maintain the island. Nonetheless, passengers would not have the chance to spend the evening.
If you happen to love Castaway Cay, search for “double dip” itineraries that function two calls at Castaway Cay. Even when the visits are on consecutive days, you continue to should reboard the ship within the afternoon and can’t keep late on the island.
What is the typical climate like ?
You will discover nice climate within the Bahamas year-round. Common excessive temperatures are within the low 80s in winter and low 90s in summer time. The rainiest months are June, August and September. The Bahamas is topic to hurricane season, which runs June via November. The height time for tropical storms and hurricanes is August via October.
Which means it’s going to seemingly be both nice or sizzling throughout your go to to Castaway Cay. Make use of these complimentary seaside umbrellas and shaded trams when journeying out to Serenity Bay. Apply and reapply sunscreen (select the reef-safe manufacturers) in the event you’re spending the day on the seaside or biking across the island. It is easy to burn.
It is also good to remain hydrated throughout your day on island. Combine up your water consumption with among the sports activities drinks on the soda machines to maintain your electrolytes up.
Castaway Cay has a pier, so your go to seemingly will not be canceled on account of wind that may make tendering unwise. Nonetheless, if situations are too harmful for the captain to securely dock, your name is likely to be canceled or rescheduled.
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Can I see a Castaway Cay map?
Positive! Here’s a map of the island that can assist you plan your day.
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