As the snow piles up outside our home in the Northeast, memories of our Disney Dream cruise keep us warm.
The ship itself is a work of art and we were also captivated by Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas.
Being a few shades paler than white, my family and I aren’t really sunbathers. We love exploring the coast but lounging in a tropical paradise is not our usual vacation preference. And yet, we fell for Castaway Cay and it may replace Negril as my all-time favorite Caribbean beach getaway.
Once again, the family-friendly kid amenities and the enthusiasm of the “cast” won us over.
Highlights of our all-too brief port of call:
1. The little touches of Disney Magic:
This super-cool spot is Mt. Rustmore. Just like on the Disney Dream, you’ll find unexpected, clever touches of Disney at Castaway Cay. (This is the point at which I feel compelled to point out I am pregnant in this picture.)
2. Partying with Mickey (and Minnie and Pluto)
For my toddler son, the highlight of the trip was knowing that he was visiting Mickey’s home and then taking Mickey’s ship to Mickey’s vacation island. To see Mickey in his island casual outfit, leading a dance party, was a real treat!
3. Kids’ Clubs
Just like aboard the Disney Dream, there are kids clubs on Castaway Cay. Children ages 3 and up can play, supervised by Disney counselors, at Scuttle’s Cove. Younger kids can enjoy the area with parental supervision. As usual, my kids ran right for the sprinklers but there were also organized activities and plenty of toys to keep children of all ages occupied.
We also checked out the game area that drew the older kids and some families. My children loved the over-sized Connect Four.
4. The Food
Just like aboard the ship, the food was delicious and plentiful. Although the options were more beach club than gourmet, there were some delectable surprises–like the smoothie bar.
5. The Beaches
There are family beaches with activities appropriate for children. And port adventures for every age group, including, stingray interactions, glass-bottom boat tours, parasailing, fishing, jet ski tours and offshore snorkeling. There are also private teen and adult beaches.
My kids enjoyed the crystal clear water with large fish that swam right up to them.
And relaxing in a hammock is a great way to finish off a hard day of play.
Disclosure: The world’s cutest Mouse and his friends at Disney Cruise Line paid for my airfare and voyage on the Disney Dream so I could experience their newest ship. We paid for the rest of our party and other activities at the parks. All opinions are my own.
