Getting off the boat is a giant a part of cruising! We had one island we cherished and one other we didn’t. Right here’s the recap of our two Disney cruise islands. Take a look at my Disney Cruise overview and my recap of the meals right here. In case you’d prefer to see the video model, examine my Instagram spotlight.
Disney Cruise Islands
My favourite a part of a cruise is the boat. I like the coziness of getting every part we’d like at sea, and I additionally love the joys of being in the course of the ocean (so long as the climate is nice and the seas are calm!). However a giant a part of cruising is getting off the boat to see totally different spots. It’s so handy to maintain all of your issues on board and get off at a distinct island every day. Because of this we’re doing a European cruise this summer season – so we are able to see extra of Europe with out having to lug a suitcase to coach stations or airports.
Our cruise itinerary took us to 2 totally different islands. The primary was Nassau within the Bahamas and the second was Disney’s personal island, Castaway Cay. As a reminder, right here was our itinerary:
Itinerary
- Depart Port Canaveral
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Castaway Cay
- Day at Sea
- Arrive Port Canaveral
Not being a giant “cruise man,” I knew Thomas would wish to get off at each islands. And I needed to as effectively! So we deliberate a paid tour to Atlantis and to get pleasure from Castaway Cay the day after.
Once we have been docked in Nassau, we have been proper subsequent to the Disney Dream! The 2 ships ended up having a Disney track horn competitors later that afternoon. So cool!
On our reverse aspect have been some big ships from different cruise corporations.
Island One: Atlantis
For the reason that climate could be very hit and miss this time of 12 months, we didn’t wish to plan any snorkeling or boating adventures for our tour in Nassau. We determined to do a day move to Atlantis, which we thought could be nice for the youngsters. And so they have indoor / aquarium actions if it was chilly or wet. The draw back was that this was fairly costly, and the tremendous draw back was we actually didn’t have a good time. A part of that was on us for being disorganized.
My sister and her household and my mother and father all ended up staying on the boat. They didn’t wish to spend the cash and likewise knew the boat would have loads of actions. On the finish of the day, we want we had stayed on the boat, too. However you reside and be taught!
Disembarking
We met in one of many closed eating rooms to get off the boat in a gaggle. Everybody was placing on sunscreen and given directions on when to return. The entire means of getting off in a gaggle, strolling in a complicated line, getting on busses, signing waivers, and getting wristbands for the day was a little bit of a drag. It took us nearly two hours from breakfast ending to strolling by way of the Atlantis foyer.
Regardless of his face, Mazen was excited LOL
The sharks and turtles have been cool!
Whereas our plans have been to go to the waterpark, we determined to go put our toes within the ocean first, which ended up being a 30 minute detour that left us all a bit grumpy. The children needed to swim a bit, however there have been no chairs, no towels, and no shade, so we needed to arrange someplace else earlier than they obtained dripping moist. We lastly satisfied them to go to the seashore (after they obtained their toes moist and needed to de-sand their Crocs!).
River Rapids Trip
As soon as we have been heading again within the route of the waterpark, we stumbled upon the River Rapids journey which I might describe as a lazy river with rapids and wave options. We didn’t wish to decide to a $20 locker OR go away our bank cards, so we determined that Mazen and I might go and Thomas and Birch would splash round till we returned. The river was very enjoyable however it was method longer than we thought it might be and we felt unhealthy we made them wait so long as they did (about 25 minutes!).
Children Play Space
After that we settled into the youngsters splash fort in some chairs that had used towels on them. However there have been zero empty chairs wherever. Birch was ravenous, so I waited in a really lengthy line to get him a pizza (The remainder of us stuffed up on breakfast so we didn’t must eat).
Additionally they closed the fort down for some time for a cleansing inspection, so our timing this complete day was simply off! Birch by no means actually needed to go in and play.
Whereas Birch ate, Thomas and Mazen went to journey this slide that had a 35 minute line for a 35 second slide. They mentioned it wasn’t price it.
Cove Seaside
Once we all reconvened, we walked to Cove Seaside in an try to do some snorkeling. There have been no chairs, so we put our towels within the sand and simply sat within the solar. Not excellent for such a steep day move value. 🙁
Mazen ended up having a good time snorkeling along with his goggles. It was too deep for Birch to swim. Thomas and I each went for brief swims with Mazen.
One other main grievance we had was that all the water bottle refill stations have been out of order. After the third one I requested somebody if any have been operational and he or she simply shrugged at me. I ended up spending $15 on bottled water. I additionally obtained the adults some hummus to snack on.
The Cove Pool
Whereas Mazen snorkeled, Birch and I went to this pool for a swim. It was an enormous good pool and fortunately not as crowded as the opposite ones. However we have been principally prepared to return to the boat.
Our time at Atlantis was an entire bust. A part of this was us being unprepared, and a part of it was that the resort was simply too massive and too crowded for our style. Had we recognized it might be crowded, we might have stayed on the boat and saved $1000. It was fairly, and Mazen no less than had a good time, however we gained’t be going again.
Island Two: Castaway Cay
The subsequent day we awoke docked in Castaway Cay! That is Disney’s personal island that they’ve leased for 100 years from the Bahamas. You need to go on a Disney cruise to get there. It’s a real paradise! It’s additionally completely set as much as obtain the cruise company, and we LOVED it!
Sadly, we woke as much as rain! We delayed getting off the boat till most of it had handed round 10:30. The forecast seemed good for the remainder of the day, and the solar got here out proper after lunch.
The Seaside
Not like Atlantis, there have been TONS of chairs and umbrellas on the seashore. Even with the 3-4,000 cruise passengers getting off, there have been no traces and loads of chairs and towels to go round.
We have been so blissful when the solar got here out!
The play fort within the water was so cool, and I cherished that that they had lifeguards in every single place and loads of life jackets for younger swimmers.
Lunch Buffet
Additionally, lunch is supplied!! There’s a cookout-style buffet with burgers, rooster, BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, desserts and extra.
Additionally they had loads of complete and sliced fruit at a fruit stand
And the well-known ice cream machines with just a few totally different flavors!
And for sure, water bottle refill stations have been accessible. : )
Snorkeling
The one factor we paid for on the island was snorkel tools. We rented 3 units (2 adults, 1 baby) for $90. Thomas, Matt, Me, Mazen, and Emerson all rotated by way of to make use of them (typically the youngsters simply wore their googles). The snorkeling cove was so cool as a result of there have been Disney options beneath the water! They’d Dumbo, Mickey, the statue of Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid and extra. It was like a scavenger hunt!
Bars
There have been additionally a number of bars scattered about (and a secondary meals space that I by no means laid my eyes on). Additionally, an adults-only seashore that I believe was very nice!!! I might solely dream about spending the day there. : )
Within the second bay, that they had a water slide into the ocean that Thomas and Avery did!
The Children Membership
One REALLY COOL a part of Castaway Cay is that they transfer the youngsters membership onto the island! Birch and Avery went for about an hour and had a good time. I’m not even positive what was inside, however I believe it was loads of sand and sports activities actions. They used their identical wrist bands to get in that they introduced from the boat.
Tiki Bar
Whereas they have been within the children membership, the adults obtained drinks! I used to be so blissful that my marg was solely $8.75. What an ideal value!
Strolling Again
We needed to be again on board the ship round 4:00, so we took the lengthy sandy stroll again. I at all times really feel so blissful once I’m again on board.
In conclusion, I might suggest staying on the ship in Nassau and undoubtedly getting off at Castaway Cay! That’s what we want we had completed. It’s the very best bang to your buck and likewise the very best seashore expertise!
That wraps up my Disney cruise weblog posts for the week. Hope you loved studying about our journey! Be happy to ask me any extra questions on particular issues I’ll have missed. I discovered it so useful to learn blogs earlier than we left.
xx,
Kath
