Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay--Day 2 of a Double Dip--July 2017

Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay

What's better than one day on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in The Bahamas?  Two gorgeous days!

On our 8th Disney Cruise, we sailed on the Disney Dream's 5-night "double dip" Bahamian itinerary that included two stops at Castaway Cay.  Just click on this link to read about our first day on Castaway Cay.

Now that the boy is a teenager, he can participate in the teen club on the ship, Vibe.  Teens who are a part of Vibe can participate in the teen's only excursion on Castaway Cay that includes a speed boat ride, snorkeling, bicycle riding, and lunch--click here to read more about the Wild Side Teen Adventure.  The boy wanted to go so we signed the release, added the price for the excursion to our ship board account, and dropped him off with his Key To The World card at Vibe that morning after having breakfast together and the husband and I exited the ship and headed straight for Serenity Bay, the adult's only beach at Castaway Cay.

Smiling at Serenity Bay!

Upon arriving at Serenity Bay, we staked out lounge chairs along with a nearby hammock.  Just like on the family beaches, I snagged the low beach chair and headed to the waters edge.

The sand along the shore line at Serenity Bay is lovely.  Fine sand, great for walking.  But as soon as you step into the water, there are many small rocks and pieces of coral.  We highly recommend wearing some sort of water shoe or sandal if walking in the water.

See those chairs near the water line?  Those were our chairs! It was time to take our float and head out into the crystal clear water.

Float and tube rentals are available at Serenity Bay, just like on the family beaches.

On all of the beaches on Castaway Cay, beverage servers are available to take your orders and deliver them to you. . . on your lounge chair, in your hammock, wherever you might have meandered in paradise.  Adult beverages were brought to us in our beach chairs while our feet were in the sand.

Ice cream machines!  Four flavors!  Desserts are to the left.

After a couple of lovely hours on Serenity Bay, it was time for lunch.  There are three locations on Castaway Cay that serve lunch.  Two near the family beaches, Cookies and Cookies, Too.  At Serenity Bay, the same food is served at Serenity Bay BBQ which also neighbors the Castaway Air Bar.

We dined on grilled salmon, grilled burgers, fresh fruit, coleslaw, chips and drinks.  There is also a selection of desserts and ice cream.  In fact, our meal began and ended with ice cream as there were multiple flavors!

Notice the china plates, silverware, and cloth napkins for our picnic style lunch on a tropical island!

This bird was nearby during lunch.

We had agreed to meet the boy at the family beach, Pelican Point, when his excursion was over.  We arrived first and waited for him.  He arrived within 30 minutes and we enjoyed some more time on the island together.

Olaf on Castaway Cay!

The boy after his teen's only excursion.  The cup is one we brought from
home via Dollar Tree that he filled with ice and water.

All too soon, we made our way to the tram stop and headed back to the ship.  It had been another fantastic day on a Castaway Cay.

Hints and Tips to make your day at Castaway Cay:

• Get up and out early!  No sleeping in on Castaway Cay day!
• Take a look at the map of the island left in your stateroom the night before or research the island online so you have an idea of the layout.
• Prioritize what you want to get out of the day.  A relaxing day on the beach?  An active day of snorkeling?  Fishing?  Character meet and greet?  
• Know that there are kids clubs on the island, just like on the ship.  Hours are in the Personal Navigator and be sure to pick up your child(ren) before the clubs close on the island.
• A waterproof camera is helpful.
• A waterproof watch is also helpful.
• Sunglasses, hats, visors, and sunscreen!
• Be sure to drink plenty of water.  You can purchase water on the island or on the ship and bring it with you.  We bring big cups with lids of ice with us off the ship in our bag.
• Rinse the sand and salt off before heading back to the ship either at the outdoor showers near the restrooms or at the showers located near the ship's gangplank.
• Bring cash for tips for excursions.
• Have your Key to The World Card and photo ID for anyone over 18.

For us, a Disney Cruise isn't complete without a stop at Castaway Cay.  It was one of the things we missed during our West Coast sailing.  There's a reason Disney Cruise Line saves the stop for later in the cruise itinerary.  You know, saving the best for last!