Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Guide to Visiting Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's Private Island

disney cruise castaway cay

You will find many sunken ships and other artifacts along the way. If you search far enough you will find one ship with Captain Mickey at the helm. Snorkeling in Castaway Cay is one of the boys’ favorite things to do on the island. Not only can you see some amazing fish, but there is also plenty of Disney Magic in the waters. Having said that, if you do want to stay on the ship it is one of the best times to experience the Aquaduck.

disney cruise castaway cay

How much does it cost to go to Castaway Cay?

There is a variety of offerings that cruisers of all ages can enjoy, from adult-only areas to activities designed with little ones in mind. A delicious all-you-can-eat barbecue lunch and unlimited soft-serve ice cream are also included in your visit. With the new Disney Wish cruise ship, Disney Cruise Line now offers passengers another cruise ship with exciting Caribbean and Castaway Cay itineraries. Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wish cruise ships all sail to Castaway Cay on Disney cruises from Florida. Disney Wonder is the only Disney cruise ship in the fleet that does not currently stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Between the family beaches and the dock is the boat beach.

Recreation & Port Adventures

After all, cruising from California or Alaska all the way to the Bahamas would be quite a lengthy voyage. However, most Disney Cruise Line itineraries heading to the Caribbean, Bermuda or, of course, the Bahamas do include a stop at Castaway Cay. I enjoy seeing the Disney characters on the ship, but love seeing Mickey and his pals even more at Castaway Cay. Fortunately, the island has a complimentary tram that I always use to get around the island.

Serenity Bay cabanas

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Along the way, keep an eye out for splashes of underwater pixie dust, including Hidden Mickeys and submerged statues of Dumbo and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. Bring your own snorkel equipment for complimentary access to these sunken treasures, or rent your own for the day for $34. Originally known as Gorda Cay, Disney’s Castaway Cay is located just west of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. Sprawling 1,000 acres in size (though only 55 acres are actually developed), this enchanting island oasis is chockful of fun activities, as well as a fascinating history. There's also the adults-only lunch spot where I always enjoy a beachside barbecue. My favorite things on the lunch menu are the ribs and macaroni salad.

Castaway Cay: A guide to Disney Cruise Line's private island

Castaway Cay is about 1,000 acres — though not all of it's developed — so it can take a while to talk to and from the ship to different spots on the island. I hate taking tender ships, which can feel like a bit of a time sink, so this is a big bonus to me. One of the biggest perks of Castaway Cay is that the ship docks right at the island.

Serenity Bay is a great place to kick back and just relax in paradise. If you want to actually do something, though, Serenity Bay is your worst option on the island. Beyond simply relaxing, eating, and a limited set of activities like massages and cabana rental, there is not much substance to Serenity Bay.

Sports Beach

The Grand Family Beach Cabana can add up to 6 guests for an additional $50 per person up to 16 guests. You can add extra guests to each Castaway Cay Cabana for an extra fee. If you want more than 6 in the Family Beach Cabana there are charged at $50 per person up to 10 guests. The Family Beach Cabana is $549 and accommodates up to 6 guests, the Grand Family Beach Cabana is $899 and will accommodate up to 10 people.

What's Not Included in a Castaway Cay Cabana

However, if conditions are too dangerous for the captain to safely dock, your call might be canceled or rescheduled. Average high temperatures are in the low 80s in winter and low 90s in summer. The Bahamas is subject to hurricane season, which runs June through November. The peak time for tropical storms and hurricanes is August through October. Some Disney employees do live on Castaway Cay to take care of the island.

Just remember to bring some cash for Bahamian stamps, as your Key to the World Card won’t be accepted. What could be better than meeting some well-loved Disney characters in paradise? From Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their beach gear to everyone’s favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, Castaway Cay is a unique meet-and-greet spot worth waiting in line for. On the bright side, the lines tend to be on the short side, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. Castaway Cay also boasts its own aquatic play areas, both just a short walk from Castaway Family Beach.

Castaway Family Beach is the central hub of activity with a stunning Bahamian beach and lots of loungers and umbrellas. Swim in the water, snorkel in the lagoon or enjoy activities, music, and dancing. I appreciate that these adult-only spaces felt elevated and not overly Disney, while still featuring hints of Disney magic.

Research shows travelers may enjoy planning their vacation more than the actual trip. You can read more about Disney Cruise Line on CruiseDirect.com. I also suggest buying The Unofficial Disney Cruise Line 2024 guidebook. It’s packed with helpful tips for making the most of your time at sea and in ports of call. The most important item to bring to Castaway Cay is your stateroom key.

Some of the activities are free such as Pelican Plunge on the Family Beach. This is a 2,400 square foot floating platform that has slides and water canons. Our Disney cruise tip is to go to Guest Services when you board the ship and ask to be put on the waiting list. You may get very very lucky and get a last-minute cancellation of a Castaway Cay Cabana.

Because it's the last in the row on the Family Beach, it's very private. Visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is an unforgettable and magical experience. Castaway Cay has something to offer everyone, from family-friendly activities to adult-only seclusion.

I’ll give you context to some of what you see, and make the experience more enjoyable. Alternatively, you can take the walking trail to fully explore Castaway Cay, which has its own touches of Disney details. Passports are not needed to visit the island, but you will need to have your stateroom key on hand to return to the ship. You can also use your Key To The World card to purchase drinks and souvenirs on the island. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Start planning your Castaway Cay day once you book your Disney cruise.

Towels are conveniently provided as you head off the ship, and complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas are already set up for you to enjoy the turquoise-water beaches. The Conched Out Bar and Sand Bar are the main beachside bars along the family beach, serving beer, cocktails and frozen drinks. The Heads Up Bar serves the same, but is located atop Pelican Point, the rocky breakwater between the two halves of the family beach. Its patio is occasionally the setting for on-island weddings. Castaway Cay offers 20 cabanas on the farthest end of the family beaches, just around the corner from Serenity Bay.

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Finishers can visit Guest Services to collect a (rubber) medal, and merchandise is available to purchase. Disney Cruise Line will soon honor Castaway Club members who have sailed with the cruise line 50 or more times with a new commemorative display on Castaway Cay. In terms of souvenirs, if you want something to remember your visit to Castaway Cay by, you’re pretty much stuck buying something here at the typical souvenir prices. Castaway Cay logo items are only available on Castaway Cay, and cannot be purchased on the ship. We found the selection to be fairly good for Castaway Cay logo items, with some neat items and a good mix of classic and ‘trendy beach’ designs.

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