Update on Castaway Cay?

[Sconny]

Is the snorkeling open? We leave on Saturday for our first cruise and were hoping to snorkel.

Yes the Snorkeling is open...lots of people out there having fun...We did not go out that far but it looked shallow as we could see people standing way out where I thought it to be normally deeper...But I am at Serenity Bay normally (except for this trip, see previous post) so I am not the best judge of what it was like before the Hurricane this Sept.

My thought if this is your 1st cruise to CC you wont notice anything different and will have a blast snorkeling...just remember to apply Sun Screen and drink lots of water

 

[plumedeb]

Just wondering if Castaway is noticeably less crowded when the Wonder/Magic dock vs. Dream/Wonder?

 

[Weedy]

Just wondering if Castaway is noticeably less crowded when the Wonder/Magic dock vs. Dream/Wonder?

I would think so since the Magic and Wonder have around 2700 guest and the Dream and Fantasy 4000 guest

 

[awilliams4]

Just wondering if Castaway is noticeably less crowded when the Wonder/Magic dock vs. Dream/Wonder?

Yes.

 

[Dug720]

We were on the same cruise and got to Serenity Bay at 10:30. All lounges and umbrellas were already taken and the beach too narrow to safely set up our shade tent. We did our cabana massage, had lunch and went back to an empty ship.

Pretty sure shade tents (or tents of any kind) are not allowed anyway...

 

[Haley R]

We were on this cruise as well (10/26 CC day). Once on board we were told by one of our great Bartenders that the cruise did not have many Kids on it. Since this was an 8 night on the Fantasy the cruise was full of Adults with no kids (or did not bring them). I believe he said about 400 kids when its normally well over 1000 for the average Fantasy 7 night cruise. Also the amount of repeat Cruisers I want to say was 2500-3000...The Gold/Platinum event held in the theater was packed...

So with that said we did not even go over to Serenity Bay and just stayed by the Family/Snorkeling beach and boy did we make the right choice. The people I knew on the cruise said there was not a chair to be found since so many Adults were there and it was very crowded for lunch time. Our lunch place was empty at 1145-1200 when we ate (Cookies 2 I think, dont know the family ones like Serenity Bay).

I have been to CC 9 times and this was the 1st time I did not spend the day at Serenity Bay which was weird but I have noticed that the one off cruises (not the normal 7 night Fantasy or Dream 3/4 Nights) seem to have lots of Adult passengers with no kids and those cruises Serenity Bay can be packed but you can always find a chair just have to walk further down the beach.

So sometimes you have to figure out whos on the boat for your cruise to figure out where to go. Same thing was true for the pool area...Adult pool area and Satellite Falls were very crowded for the sea days, could not find chaise loungers open etc...other Cruises you can go up there and not even see many people at times.

Also the Island was in good shape for just having a CAT 5 hurricane so near...I was expecting more Brown leaves and signs like that but I could not even tell there was anything that happened.

Bummer about it being so crowded. We leave Saturday for our 7 night cruise. I’m hoping it isn’t just adults. We’re going for our babymoon so wanted to relax. I guess we’ll see what happens

 

[Haley R]

Yes the Snorkeling is open...lots of people out there having fun...We did not go out that far but it looked shallow as we could see people standing way out where I thought it to be normally deeper...But I am at Serenity Bay normally (except for this trip, see previous post) so I am not the best judge of what it was like before the Hurricane this Sept.

My thought if this is your 1st cruise to CC you wont notice anything different and will have a blast snorkeling...just remember to apply Sun Screen and drink lots of water

Did you notice any mosquitoes? I’m planning to wear a long sleeve swim shirt just in case since I’m pregnant but didn’t know.

 

[keiichiz28]

Did you notice any mosquitoes? I’m planning to wear a long sleeve swim shirt just in case since I’m pregnant but didn’t know.

it's highly recommended to wear bug repellant in carribbean still for both of you, at least according to CDC

 

[Haley R]

it's highly recommended to wear bug repellant in carribbean still for both of you, at least according to CDC

I’m planning on spraying all over my legs and neck. My upper body will be completely covered by my shirt.

 

[cvjw]

Did you notice any mosquitoes? I’m planning to wear a long sleeve swim shirt just in case since I’m pregnant but didn’t know.

No mosquitos on Saturday the 26th.

 

[Sconny]

Did you notice any mosquitoes? I’m planning to wear a long sleeve swim shirt just in case since I’m pregnant but didn’t know.

I did not notice any mosquitoes...Only once did we have those sea flies or whatever they call them at Serenity Bay but that was a couple years ago now.

But we do bring deep woods off with our sun screen to every port just in case, so using to be careful would be advised. Normally there is a nice gentle breeze on Castaway which helps keep bugs at bay, at least in my opinion.

As for going to Serenity Bay and being worried about it being over crowded I would not worry at all, go and enjoy. Like I said this was the only cruise we did not go there based on all the Adults with no kids on our boat, but that is not the norm at all. Most of the time we show up after my wife runs the 5K (around 10 am) and there are plenty of good seats and loungers with umbrellas that are available with no issues.

Have a great cruise!!!

 

[Haley R]

I did not notice any mosquitoes...Only once did we have those sea flies or whatever they call them at Serenity Bay but that was a couple years ago now.

But we do bring deep woods off with our sun screen to every port just in case, so using to be careful would be advised. Normally there is a nice gentle breeze on Castaway which helps keep bugs at bay, at least in my opinion.

As for going to Serenity Bay and being worried about it being over crowded I would not worry at all, go and enjoy. Like I said this was the only cruise we did not go there based on all the Adults with no kids on our boat, but that is not the norm at all. Most of the time we show up after my wife runs the 5K (around 10 am) and there are plenty of good seats and loungers with umbrellas that are available with no issues.

Have a great cruise!!!

We’re gonna take our backpack with bug spray and snacks to the ports so I’ll be spraying a lot. We live in Florida and I have to spray every night here since it’s been buggy on our nights walks. Dh and I are planning on doing the 5k and I’m excited! I may have to walk it because I have knee problems but I want to try and run some of it

 

[Sconny]

We’re gonna take our backpack with bug spray and snacks to the ports so I’ll be spraying a lot. We live in Florida and I have to spray every night here since it’s been buggy on our nights walks. Dh and I are planning on doing the 5k and I’m excited! I may have to walk it because I have knee problems but I want to try and run some of it

Have a Great First Cruise and please report back to how it all goes for you (5k, Serenity Bay and bugs) I am always curious how it is from week to week there. The 5K is a nice way to see the Island from a different perspective, so walking can be nicer for taking in the sights of the run/walk.

 

[Haley R]

Have a Great First Cruise and please report back to how it all goes for you (5k, Serenity Bay and bugs) I am always curious how it is from week to week there. The 5K is a nice way to see the Island from a different perspective, so walking can be nicer for taking in the sights of the run/walk.

I think we plan to rent bikes too

 

[gometros]

I thought serenity bay was supposed to be quieter with less people

Somehow, this never got posted yesterday.

Normaly it is, but our cruise had a much higher adult to child ratio than normal. You could see the impact on board and at Serenity Bay. The Tube was packed every night as was the quiet cove pool area and Satellite Falls.

 

[gometros]

Pretty sure shade tents (or tents of any kind) are not allowed anyway...

There's nothing that I could find that says they aren't.

 

[cvjw]

AND serenity bay only has half the normal amount of loungers and umbrellas right now. It may be crowded on other cruises until the beach is fixed and the other loungers and umbrellas are put back into place.

 

[Dug720]

There's nothing that I could find that says they aren't.

Given that hammocks and air mattresses are not allowed, I would err on the side of NOT taking one or being prepared to have it confiscated.

 

[gometros]

Given that hammocks and air mattresses are not allowed, I would err on the side of NOT taking one or being prepared to have it confiscated.

Since it is neither a hammock or air mattress, I do not see the problem.)

 

[Dug720]

Since it is neither a hammock or air mattress, I do not see the problem.)

If you're willing to risk it... Just don't set it up so that it blocks the view or access of people who are using the provided chairs and umbrellas. I'd expect complaints if you do. Personally I wish they would ban them. They got so bad at the beach my family has gone to for years (without feeling the need to set up a tent) they ARE banned there as people could not find space for simple chairs and towels. My guess is if they DO become a problem at Castaway, they will end up on the banned list.