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. Try my Disney Cruise overview and my recap of the meals right here. In case you’d prefer to see the video model, verify my Instagram spotlight.
Disney Cruise Islands
My favourite a part of a cruise is the boat. I really like the coziness of getting all the pieces 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 sweet 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 unique island every day. That is why we’re doing a European cruise this summer time – so we will 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 need to get off at each islands. And I wished to as nicely! So we deliberate a paid tour to Atlantis and to take pleasure in Castaway Cay the day after.
After we had been docked in Nassau, we had been proper subsequent to the Disney Dream! The 2 ships ended up having a Disney music horn competitors later that afternoon. So cool!
On our reverse aspect had been some enormous ships from different cruise firms.
Island One: Atlantis
For the reason that climate will be very hit and miss this time of 12 months, we didn’t need to plan any snorkeling or boating adventures for our tour in Nassau. We determined to do a day cross to Atlantis, which we thought could be nice for the children. They usually 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 dad and mom all ended up staying on the boat. They didn’t need 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 study!
Disembarking
We met in one of many closed eating rooms to get off the boat in a bunch. Everybody was placing on sunscreen and given directions on when to return. The entire technique of getting off in a bunch, 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 means of the Atlantis foyer.
Regardless of his face, Mazen was excited LOL
The sharks and turtles had been cool!
Whereas our plans had 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 youngsters wished to swim a little bit, however there have been no chairs, no towels, and no shade, so we wished to arrange elsewhere earlier than they obtained dripping moist. We lastly satisfied them to go to the seashore (after they obtained their ft moist and needed to de-sand their Crocs!).
River Rapids Trip
As soon as we had been heading again within the path of the waterpark, we stumbled upon the River Rapids journey which I’d describe as a lazy river with rapids and wave options. We didn’t need to decide to a $20 locker OR go away our bank cards, so we determined that Mazen and I’d go and Thomas and Birch would splash round till we returned. The river was very enjoyable but it surely 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 children 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 have to eat).
In addition they closed the fort down for some time for a cleansing inspection, so our timing this entire day was simply off! Birch by no means actually wished 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 value it.
Cove Seashore
After we all reconvened, we walked to Cove Seashore 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 perfect for such a steep day cross value. 🙁
Mazen ended up having a good time snorkeling together with his goggles. It was too deep for Birch to swim. Thomas and I each went for brief swims with Mazen.
One other main criticism we had was that all the water bottle refill stations had been out of order. After the third one I requested somebody if any had been operational and she or he 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 by chance not as crowded as the opposite ones. However we had 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 huge and too crowded for our style. Had we identified it might be crowded, we’d have stayed on the boat and saved $1000. It was fairly, and Mazen at the very least had a good time, however we gained’t be going again.
Island Two: Castaway Cay
The subsequent day we awakened 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 visitors, 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 appeared good for the remainder of the day, and the solar got here out proper after lunch.
The Seashore
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 strains and loads of chairs and towels to go round.
We had been so completely happy when the solar got here out!
The play fort within the water was so cool, and I cherished that they’d lifeguards all over the place and loads of life jackets for younger swimmers.
Lunch Buffet
Additionally, lunch is offered!! There’s a cookout-style buffet with burgers, rooster, BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, desserts and extra.
In addition they had loads of entire and sliced fruit at a fruit stand
And the well-known ice cream machines with a couple of totally different flavors!
And evidently, water bottle refill stations had been obtainable. : )
Snorkeling
The one factor we paid for on the island was snorkel gear. We rented 3 units (2 adults, 1 youngster) for $90. Thomas, Matt, Me, Mazen, and Emerson all rotated by means of to make use of them (generally the children simply wore their googles). The snorkeling cove was so cool as a result of there have been Disney options underneath the water! That they had 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, they’d 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 children membership onto the island! Birch and Avery went for about an hour and had a good time. I’m not even certain what was inside, however I feel it was quite a lot of sand and sports activities actions. They used their similar wrist bands to get in that they introduced from the boat.
Tiki Bar
Whereas they had been within the youngsters membership, the adults obtained drinks! I used to be so completely happy that my marg was solely $8.75. What an amazing 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 completely happy after I’m again on board.
In conclusion, I’d advocate staying on the ship in Nassau and undoubtedly getting off at Castaway Cay! That’s what we want we had executed. It’s the very best bang on 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
