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castaway cay bahamas

A Visit to Disney’s Island “Castaway Cay”

If there’s one thing we can be sure of it’s that Disney do nothing in small measures. This goes for their movies, their theme parks and especially their cruise line. While visiting the States earlier this year my wife and boarded a brief 4 night cruise that stopped at Nassau, Key West and Disney’s own Castaway Cay: A spectacular tropical oasis hidden from the world, accessible only by a Disney Cruise liner.

Synonymous with cruises in general in an excess of food, cocktails and sitting by the pool. Disney takes this to the next level with 3 pools for various ages, more food than you can imagine at each meal plus takeaway food basically anytime normal people are awake. For me though, the feature that screamed “Disney” more than anything was a wall-sized mosaic of the little mermaid that took 5 women 5 months to create:Little Mermaid mosaic on Disney Wonder

 

The level of detail is just phenomenal
The level of detail is just phenomenal

The night entertainment was second to none, especially if you are a Disney fan. Which you are if you are on a Disney Cruise. The first night was a broadway style musical called “The Golden Mickey’s”. A show vaguely plotted around a fictitious awards show with the real interest being the show-stopping numbers including Under the Sea (Little Mermaid), I’ll Make a Man out of You (Mulan), Beauty and the Beast (really?) and Can you Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King). These came complete with over the top authentic costumes and incredible dance moves. 

This, however, was topped on the second night of the cruise with the stage adaptation of Toy Story. I was in heaven. I say heaven, but I actually felt like I was in Andy’s room when Andy leaves. They even added in some extra songs for extra authenticity. I have just found a video of the entire show on YouTube. If you have a spare hour, watch it here.

Toy Story the Musical

The highlight and cornerstone of the week is most certainly Disney’s own Castaway Cay. The ship spews out the thousands of visitors to an idyllic, remote location with white sand and a protected, turquoise bay. Adults can have cocktails delivered to your umbrella on Serenity Bay as you wonder the rest of the world are living. Being the only inhabitants on the island it was not even necessary to bring cash. A huge BBQ lunch is provided and for everything else, just swipe your room key.

Serenity Bay
Serenity Bay

After a morning of relative solitude we headed back to Castaway Cay to face the masses. Despite the onset of children and splashing, the scene was just a beautiful. And the view across the bay towards the ship was magnificent. I’ve seen some blue waters in my time but this just about tops the list. You can’t help but be relaxed when this is your view. It’s a strange thought, but you even feel bad for reading your book because every word your eyes skim is another second not taking in the surroundings.

Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay
Looking across Castaway Cay from the 'Heads up Bar at Pelican Point'.
Looking across Castaway Cay from the ‘Heads up Bar at Pelican Point’.

After a long day with this as my postcard it was time to able over to the ship to begin the nightly routine of eat, rest, eat, repeat. We had booked the adults only restaurant ‘Palo’ for a taste of high class. Generally when classy establishments like this don’t have prices on the menu you immediately begin to worry that your mortgage won’t be able to cover this meal. Not a problem on a cruise because you know you’ve already paid for it.

Disney Cruise lines pride themselves on everything have a Disney theme. With the exception of Palo, the regular restuarants are no exception. Mentioned earlier was Triton’s with the Little Mermaid mural, Parrot Cay was another, but my favourite of these was actually ‘Animators Palate’. A largely white room with sketches of Disney characters drawn in frames over the walls. Throughout the night the sketches evolved into a finished character.

Animators Palate aboard the Disney Wonder
Animators Palate aboard the Disney Wonder

These were some of the non-chronological highlights on my 4 night Bahamian Disney Cruise in April 2014. Cruises are great at the best of times, but Disney just take it to the next level, seamlessly combining child-like Disney fun with all out adult class. I would recommend this to families and couples alike. Even better, take the grandparents to babysit your kids while you enjoy the best of both worlds!

All 507 photos of the cruise can be viewed in my Flickr album.

Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise? I’d love to hear how your experience differed from mine. Post a comment below or link me to your own blog.


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