Getting off the boat is an enormous a part of cruising! We had one island we beloved 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. For those who’d wish 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 want 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 an enormous 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 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 an enormous “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 tune horn competitors later that afternoon. So cool!
On our reverse facet had been some enormous ships from different cruise corporations.
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 go to Atlantis, which we thought could be nice for the youngsters. 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 in addition 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 bunch. Everybody was placing on sunscreen and given directions on when to return. The entire means 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 children wished to swim a bit of, however there have been no chairs, no towels, and no shade, so we wished to arrange some other place earlier than they bought dripping moist. We lastly satisfied them to go to the seaside (after they bought 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 depart 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 nevertheless it was manner longer than we thought it will be and we felt dangerous we made them wait so long as they did (about 25 minutes!).
Youngsters 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 anyplace. Birch was ravenous, so I waited in a really lengthy line to get him a pizza (The remainder of us crammed 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 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 stated it wasn’t value it.
Cove Seaside
After we all reconvened, we walked to Cove Seaside in an try and do some snorkeling. There have been no chairs, so we put our towels within the sand and simply sat within the solar. Not ultimate for such a steep day go 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 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 he or she simply shrugged at me. I ended up spending $15 on bottled water. I additionally bought 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 a whole bust. A part of this was us being unprepared, and a part of it was that the resort was simply too large and too crowded for our style. Had we recognized it will be crowded, we’d have stayed on the boat and saved $1000. It was fairly, and Mazen at the least had a good time, however we received’t be going again.
Island Two: Castaway Cay
The following day we awoke docked in Castaway Cay! That is Disney’s personal island that they’ve leased for 100 years from the Bahamas. It’s important 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 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 seaside. 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 had been so glad when the solar got here out!
The play fort within the water was so cool, and I beloved that they’d lifeguards in all places 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 a number 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 youngsters 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 seaside that I think 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 Youngsters 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 lots 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 had been within the children membership, the adults bought drinks! I used to be so glad that my marg was solely $8.75. What a terrific value!
Strolling Again
We needed to be again on board the ship round 4:00, so we took the lengthy sandy stroll again. I all the time really feel so glad 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 accomplished. It’s the perfect bang to your buck and in addition the perfect seaside 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 ignored. I discovered it so useful to learn blogs earlier than we left.
xx,
Kath
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