It was a very breezy morning pulling into Disney’s Castaway Cay, but Captain Vukonic did a fantastic job of guiding the ship into dock. We got the all-ashore call right on schedule at 10 a.m., which is a little later than usual, with an all-aboard time of 4:45 p.m.
With temperatures in the 60s and the breeze making it feel cooler, we debated whether to go ashore or stay on the ship to enjoy the peace and quiet. Ultimately, our daughter decided she wanted to head to the beach with her friends, so I ventured out with her, as minors cannot leave the ship without a parent.
Once out of the wind, it wasn’t too bad of a day. The sun was shining, and it felt pleasant enough, so I decided to stay ashore and explore until lunch service began, rather than heading straight back to the ship.
Disney’s Castaway Cay
It seems every cruise line advertises their “private island getaway.” Generally, this means they have a section of an island exclusively for their use—like Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera. Interestingly, Eleuthera is also home to Princess Cruise Line’s Princess Cay, situated just up the beach.
Castaway Cay, however, is truly Disney’s own. It is an uninhabited island leased from the Bahamian government through 2096. At about 1,000 acres, it remains largely undeveloped, with only around 50 acres used along the beach.
There are approximately 150 Disney cast members stationed on the island to provide support and services. Upon docking—and before guests are allowed ashore—crew members offload the day’s supplies, such as beach towels and the ingredients for lunch.
We’ve covered a lot over the week about what sets Disney apart from other cruise lines. Here’s another standout feature: Castaway Cay was the first “private island” of any cruise line in the Bahamas to feature a dock, eliminating the need for tender ships to go ashore!
Once you’re cleared to go ashore, you have two options for navigating the island: grab a tram or walk. There are two family beach areas a short walk from the dock—Scuttle’s Cove and Pelican Point—which end in private cabanas available for daily rent. The third beach, Serenity Bay, is reserved for guests 18+. To get to Serenity Bay, you can transfer to a separate tram from Pelican Point or walk down the old runway.
There are more than enough beach chairs and umbrellas spread out at each beach, but if you want a prime location, it’s best to head out early to snag it.
Lunch at Castaway Cay
Lunch is served at each of the three beaches, so you won’t have to worry about leaving your shady spot to grab a bite. All locations offer the same buffet spread, which includes:
- Burgers, ribs, and chicken
- Assorted potato and pasta salads
- Fresh fruit
- Desserts like brownies or jumbo chocolate chip cookies
It’s solid comfort food with plenty of variety to satisfy everyone. There are also self-serve beverage stations and ice cream dispensers.
Pro tip: Grab two chocolate chip cookies and make yourself an ice cream sandwich!
If you’re craving a tropical drink with a “punch,” bar areas are available at each location, and servers walk the beach to deliver drinks right to your chair.
Of course, this is Disney, so don’t expect to reach the beach without passing by a few merchandise locations!
After spending a few hours at the beach and enjoying lunch, we decided to head back to the ship around 2 p.m. We were greeted at our room with the rudest thing imaginable—our luggage tags! Just what we needed: a reminder that this was the last day before heading home.
Taking the hint, we began packing up a bit before dinner so we wouldn’t feel rushed afterward. Unless you opt for express checkout (where you take all your luggage with you in the morning), you’ll need to have your suitcases set outside your stateroom by 10:30 p.m. for the room host to collect. The luggage will then be offloaded and arranged in the terminal for you to collect in the morning.
I’ll cover more on the disembarking process in tomorrow’s wrap-up.
Another Enchanted Evening
We finished the week with our second evening in Enchanted Garden for dinner. It’s always a bittersweet night, knowing the adventure is coming to an end—although my stomach is probably relieved the indulgence is about to stop!
Luckily, while still a solid offering, this menu is a little lighter on the “must-haves,” so I didn’t feel the need to overindulge.
I started off with the Garlic and Parsley Sautéed Shrimp on Jambalaya Rice, while the rest of the table enjoyed the Enchanted Garden Platter, Lentil Soup, and a house salad.
All straightforward selections. The Jambalaya rice had a nice flavor but could have used a bit more kick for my taste. This one falls under the “cooking for the masses” mentality of not using too much spice—but if that’s the worst thing I can say, it’s still a win.
For our entrées, I opted for the New York Strip Steak again, while the rest of the table enjoyed the Oven Roasted Turkey Breast. The Strip, once again, was a thinner cut than I’d prefer, and unfortunately, one end was cooked closer to medium-well. Fortunately, the majority of the steak was still medium to medium-rare, and the peppercorn sauce saved the day.
The turkey was a nice homage to Thanksgiving dinner, complete with all the comforting flavors you’d expect.
No meal on a cruise is complete without dessert and tonight is no different.
We had an assortment of desserts to finish the meal: chocolate chip cookies, Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Sacher Torte, and a Chocolate Decadence (borrowed from Animator’s Palate).
I have to admit, my appetite was dwindling after so much wonderful food. Even my wife commented, “Wow, you only ordered one entrée tonight!”
Disney Cruise Line Dining Room Dress Code
Before I dive into the evening entertainment, let me address a popular question frequently asked by first-time cruisers: Do you have to dress up for dinners?
While there are “formal nights” promoted onboard, there is absolutely no obligation to take part in them. For the main dining rooms, the only real restrictions are no swimwear and wearing a shirt. Even on formal nights—which, for this cruise, fell on New Year’s Eve—it is 100% optional.
Sure, many guests enjoy dressing to the nines in formal evening gowns and tuxedos, but you do you. It’s common to see a table fully decked out like they’re attending a state dinner at the White House, sitting right next to a family in shorts and T-shirts—and everything in between.
My standard attire for the main dining rooms is golf shorts and a polo shirt—nothing more, nothing less. The exception is for Palo and Remy, where pants and collared shirts are required.
Remember, Disney is all about the family and isn’t about to force you to wrangle your littles into full formal gear to eat chicken tenders and fries off the kids’ menu. So, go all out or go for comfort—it’s entirely up to you.
Disney’s Believe
To wrap up the week’s stage performances, prepare to Believe.
This show was written exclusively for Disney Cruise Line and cannot be seen anywhere else. In this adventure, we follow scientist and botanist Dr. Greenaway on a journey to help him remember what it’s like to believe that magic is real on his daughter Sophia’s birthday. Guided on this quest by the whimsical Genie, he visits some of your favorite Disney characters, singing those classic tunes that make our hearts soar.
This show has all the feels, especially when Dr. Greenaway finally realizes “What Makes the Garden Grow.” Another absolutely fabulous performance that you have to sea to believe. (Yes, I really just did that!)
Now it’s time to finish packing up and prepare for the inevitable disembarkation. Check back tomorrow for a final wrap-up and the details of the disembarking process.
Thank you again for taking the time to follow along!
