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10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

January 5, 2019 by Jill 7 Comments

Castaway Cay (pronounced key) is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. Castaway Cay is a stop on many Disney cruises and let me tell you, it’s as pretty close to a little slice of heaven as you’re going to get on this earth. It’s literally the place on this earth that I’m the happiest.

Disney. Private Island. Bahamas. Cruise.

All of the above things point to the fact that Castaway Cay is a pretty sweet place to hang out. If you are Disney cruising to the Caribbean, chances are you’ll stop by Castaway Cay for a day. Some of the longer Caribbean Cruises include two stops at this beautiful island…but only Disney cruises. You won’t see Royal Caribbean, Carnival or anyone else…although the other cruise lines do have their own Bahamian island stops. They can’t possibly be as dreamy as Castaway Cay, though.

We just returned from a Disney Cruise that didn’t stop at castaway Cay and although the cruise was amazing, I really missed this port. 

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

Table of Contents

  • How to get the most out of Castaway Cay
  • Get your free e-booklet guide to planning a cruise with kids!
  • 1. Don’t think about not getting off the ship
  • 2. Don’t forget your Key to the World Card 
  • 3. Book your excursions and activities beforehand
  • 4. The kids club moves to the island and it’s the coolest thing ever
  • 5. Getting Around
  • 6. Photo Ops
  • 7. Eat Early!
  • 8. Serenity Bay has earned its name
  • 9. Shop ‘Til You Drop
  • 10. Do the Castaway Cay 5K – it’s free!
  • More Disney Cruise Tips:

How to get the most out of Castaway Cay

We are currently planning our next Disney Cruise…we’re scoping out a couple of different routes. We’re looking at a couple that have two stops at Castaway Cay which is pretty much my idea of nirvana. 

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

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I had the opportunity to take a cruise on the Disney Wonder as part of the 2017 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and again on the Disney Dream as part of the 2018 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I did pay a fee for each conference and my family’s travel to Orlando but the trip came with a ton of perks and discounts. I’m not being compensated to write this post and all opinions are mine alone. I’m sharing this solely in the interest of helping other families plan their vacation travel. And spreading a little love and pixie dust, of course.

Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazin and affiliated sites. This post may also contain affiliate links to other websites. If you make a purchase from one of my links, the seller pays me a small commission.

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Here are my top 10 tips on how to get the most out of Castaway Cay:

1. Don’t think about not getting off the ship

If you’re an experienced cruiser, you know that the ship’s amenities are wonderfully uncrowded when the ship is at port. You have your pick of deck chairs, spa appointments, and the lines are nonexistent.

Family of four with Asian children at Castaway Cay|10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

This is one of the most photo-worthy spots on Castaway Cay – don’t forget to get someone to snap your picture!

Get off the ship. Don’t miss Castaway Cay. You might just have to trust me on this one. When we were in the planning phase of our first Disney cruise, I mentioned to one of my Disney Cruise veteran friends that we “might just stay on the boat” while at Castaway Cay and the look of horror on his face was epic. Now that I’ve experienced the magic myself, I completely get that look.

Get off the ship.

2. Don’t forget your Key to the World Card 

Your Key to the World Card (AKA your room key) is your key (see what I did there?) to re-boarding the ship. You will also need your Key to the World Card to charge any purchases you make on the island. Food and most non-alcoholic drinks are free but there are charges for most everything else.

If you are a Disney pin collector or trader, there are Castaway Cay pins that you can only find on the island. Hardcore pin traders will oooh and ahh over your Castaway Cay pins so if you’re really into trading, snag a few extras.

Asian boy on beach at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas

The Oceaneer Club (the on board kids club on the Disney Cruise Line) moves to Castaway Cay when the ship stops here.


How to get the most out of Castaway Cay @DisneyCruise

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3. Book your excursions and activities beforehand

There are so many cool things to do on Castaway Cay. If you want to sit in a beach chair and zone out all day, that’s cool…that’s pretty much what I did and I have zero regrets about that.

But, if you’d like to be more active, you have your pick of options. Check them out here and then book before you sail. This includes spa treatments on Castaway Cay also…oh yes, they have them and they’re the BEST EVAH, although be prepared to pay a pretty price. My husband and I did a couple’s massage on the beach and it was worth every penny.

Alternatively, massages and other spa treatments on board might be easier to book when you’re in port. I hesitate to even mention that because I don’t think anyone should miss the awesomeness that is Castaway Cay.

4. The kids club moves to the island and it’s the coolest thing ever

Disney’s Oceaneer Club is the (super awesome) on board kids club. My kids absolutely loved all aspects of the Oceaneer Club and I can’t say enough good things about it.

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

If you want to know more about it, you can check out my comprehensive post on Disney Cruises  for more info. But THIS IS THE COOLEST PART: when the ship drops anchor at Castaway Cay, the Oceaneer Club moves to Scuttles Cove on the island. The wonderful staff keeps your small humans busy and entertained and, if they’re there during lunchtime, they’ll make sure they get fed. There is plenty of sand (a LOT of sand) and a water play area. You’ll probably want to pull your kids out to go swimming

5. Getting Around

Castaway Cay is about three miles long and two miles wide. There’s a free tram that runs around the island. You can also rent a bike.

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

The stops are clearly marked and the wait times for a ride are short.

20 Best Disney Cruise Tips|RIpped Jeans and Bifocals

Look, no kids! On our way back to reality from Serenity Bay, Castaway Cay’s Adult’s Only Beach

6. Photo Ops

The magic of posing for pictures with your favorite Disney characters doesn’t get old. I remember the first time I got my picture taken with Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom as if it were yesterday…and trust me, friends, it was way longer than yesterday.

Your favorite Disney characters are in nautical attire on board the Disney cruise ships – except for pirate night when they’re wearing…wait for it…pirate garb. If you’re visiting the Disney Parks before or after your cruise then you’ll get tons of amazing photos with your favorite Disney friends, but the pictures on board a Disney cruise are just extra special. Mickey, Minnie and your other favorites will be in bathing suits on Castaway Cay which makes for some really fun pictures you won’t get any place besides Castaway Cay.

Check your Navigator for meet and greet times and plan accordingly because there will be lines…although nothing near what you’ll see in the park.

7. Eat Early!

Food and non-alcoholic beverages on Castaway Cay are included in the price of your cruise. Check out Cookies or Cookies Too, or the food-service option near Serenity Bay, the adults only beach.

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

The restaurants close around 2 p.m. so when you see people start lining up for lunch, follow the herd. We love eating at Serenity Bay, the adults only beach. Our kids are pretty crazy about the  Oceaneer Club on the island so we use that as some time to connect and have “adult time.” We heard a rumor that they were serving grilled ribeye steaks and guess what? They were, and it was delicious!

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

There are still dining options on board the ship if you’d rather but the food on Castaway Cay was very good and I don’t recommend skipping.

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

Chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and fresh fruit? Um….yes.

8. Serenity Bay has earned its name

Serenity Bay is the adults-only beach on Castaway Cay. It. Is. Delightful.

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

There is a lovely family beach as well but our kids stayed in Scuttles Cove for most of the time we were on the island while my husband and I unplugged. Zero guilt, zero regrets. We had a ton of family time on this trip and taking a few hours just to be “us” was seriously the best part.


10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

9. Shop ‘Til You Drop

There are some really fun Disney souvenir options on Castaway Cay. The Castaway Cay merch is only available on the island, and, if you’re a pin collector, then you’ll want to get the exclusive pins that are only sold on the island.

Serenity Bay lives up to its name.

10. Do the Castaway Cay 5K – it’s free!

Check your Navigator for info on how to register (which is basically just showing up at a designated time) and other details. Don’t worry if you’re not a hardcore runner. There were plenty of people walking and even strolling. Costumes are optional but you’ll see lots of people in Disney-inspired running attire. The event is free and open to passengers 10 and up. You get a bib and a “medal” at the end which is actually made of rubber. I still display it with the rest of my race hardware, though.


10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

If you want additional memorabilia you can purchase Castaway Cay 5K tee shirts and such on the island. There is clock timing, water and the halfway point and there are lots to look at and lots of photo opps along the way if you want to stop.

Related reading: Review of the Disney Wonder

One advantage to running the Castaway Cay 5K is that you’re the first people off the ship. If you have kids that are too young to run the 5K (minimum age is 10) you can walk your kids off with you and check them into the Oceaneer Club/Scuttles Cove on your way to the start line.

The pictures in no way do this place justice. If you’re tantalized by the lovely white sand and crystal clear blue water, it’s a thousand times better in person.

 

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

 

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

PIN THIS POST to your favorite travel or vacation board!


 

More Disney Cruise Tips:

How to pack for a Disney Cruise

10 Tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

My Epic Disney Cruise Fails

14 Things that Are Awesome About a Disney Cruise

 


7 Comments

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    June 15, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    Castaway Cay sounds like a really awesome place! I have only been on one cruise in my life and I was young, so I would definitely like to do another one some time!

    Reply
  2. Kate says

    June 30, 2017 at 2:54 am

    This look so awesome…would be out of my hotel all day if i had the chance to go!

    Reply
  3. Shari @ Mom’s Plan-it Vacation says

    October 7, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Hi! Thank you so much for sharing such thorough information on Disney cruises. I read several of your posts, and you have some really great tips! Also, I was happy to read that someone else almost cried when being announced in the atrium on embarkation day. My husband made fun of me for tearing up. Ha! Thanks again for all the info and pictures!

    Reply

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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rippedjeansandbifocals

Freelance Writer & Travel Expert
Producer, Listen to Your Mother SA
💜 Mom via birth & #adoption
🐈 Human to @remusthebengalcat
🇺🇸 USAF veteran
📍#texas

Jill Robbins
"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

#thisisus #thisismarriage #loveandmarriage #happywifehappylife #marriedlife #mancrusheveryday #texas #texasstyle #rippedjeansandbifocals #marriagegoals #relationshipgoals #coparenting #parenting #momlifebelike #momlifeisthebestlife #ocd #ocdmomproblems #ocdmommy
Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the holidays and finally dug into it this weekend. Our box had a cold-weather theme which was perfect for this cold weather we're having (flurries in San Antonio can you believe it?!)

Each box contains three recipe cards, a culinary tool, an iron-on patch and Table Talk conversation starter cards. A shopping list is included and also emailed to you in advance in case you want to be ready to cook as soon as your box arrives. You buy all the groceries yourself. 

We made homemade chicken and dumplings this weekend and they turned out amazing. If you need modifications (i.e. gluten or dairy free) you can hop on to the @raddishkids website and go to the "Bonus Bites" section. You'll find modifications, food videos, extra recipes, parent info and more fun stuff. 

The price ranges from $20-$24 per box depending on what type of subscription you choose. Boxes are designed for kids 4-14+ with varying degrees of supervision needed depending on your child's skills and age. Kyle and i have done two meals from this box - we still have cookies left to make - and worked together about 50-50. It was a lot of fun. 

To order yours, here's my affiliate link https://raddish-kids-monthly-delivery.sjv.io/edoAr or read my full review (link in bio)

#raddishkids #raddishkidscook #raddishkidsrecipes #kidswhocook #kidchef
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