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It appears that practical improvements have been made, giving Lighthouse Point a greater sense of fun and luxuriousness, along with the increased emphasis on authenticity. That’s just my impression based on the concept art and press release, though. “Mabrika” means “welcome” in Taino, the language of the Lucayans, who are considered the indigenous people of The Bahamas. While the language is no longer used, a few words remain – one of them being “Mabrika.” At this colorful arrival point, guests will immediately experience the warmth of Bahamian culture. For fitness enthusiasts, one of the most beloved complimentary activities is the Castaway Cay 5k.
Guide to Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island
Paved paths throughout the island will take you anywhere you want to go. I walked all the way to Serenity Bay down the bike trail (which doubles as an air strip), and it's not a short walk. You can take a detour to loop around the paved nature trail that leads to the observation tower.
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Are there any bars on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island?
However, if conditions are too dangerous for the captain to safely dock, your call might be canceled or rescheduled. Average high temperatures are in the low 80s in winter and low 90s in summer. The Bahamas is subject to hurricane season, which runs June through November. The peak time for tropical storms and hurricanes is August through October. Disney's Wi-Fi is not available off the ship at Castaway Cay, so if you wish to use your phone, you'll need to have a plan that works in the Bahamas. Island information kiosks are available at both Scuttle's Cove and Pelican Point tram stop areas.
Another Disney island destination is in the works
Tender boats are not always accessible to travelers with mobility difficulties. Serenity Bay is an adults-only (18+) beach on the opposite side of the island from the dock. There’s plenty to do on the island beyond splashing around three swimmable beaches (including an adults-only beach). You can spend the day snorkeling, dining, and even shopping for exclusive merchandise you can only find here, or opt for an excursion like fishing or parasailing.
What is Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island?
I’m delighted to share that Serenity Bay will be a relaxing retreat exclusively for adults 18 years of age and older. For those of you who have sailed with Disney Cruise Line before, you might recognize Serenity Bay as a must-visit location on Disney Castaway Cay! At Disney Lookout Cay, Serenity Bay will feature a tranquil beach experience with a dining area and private cabanas available for reservation. Around the island, there’s plenty of adult-centric fun to be had — including at the over-the-water Head’s Up Bar, my personal favourite. Located on a spacious boardwalk at Pelican Point, it offers sweeping views of the ocean and your cruise ship in the distance, making it the ideal place to sample the island’s signature cocktails.
You Can Even Get Married on Castaway Cay
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Everything is taken care of to make your time on Castaway Cay very special. Ultimately, Lighthouse Point looks like it’ll be a fantastic destination for Disney Cruise Line guests. The environmental issues it poses do give me pause, and I hope Disney wasn’t just paying face to these issues in order to secure approval. While the company’s track record with Aulani is good, this is a bit different in nature.
I always stop to see the Disney characters in their cute beachwear
The same goes for Taino Bay in the Dominican Republic, which is the latest private area developed for cruise passengers. Royal Caribbean exclusively uses Labadee, a beach area in Haiti, as a private location reserved for its passengers only. Because Labadee occupies only part of an inhabited island, access to the island is not exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers, but access to the Labadee area is. A tram will take you wherever you'd like to go on the massive 125-acre island, which now features a dock so tendering is no longer required.
Castaway's family beaches are divided by Pelican Point, a rocky breakwater, where the Heads Up Bar sits. Both beaches have loungers, low-to-the-ground upright beach chairs and beach umbrellas that are free to use. Many adults like to drag the upright chairs down to the water's edge and hang out there, watching their kids frolic in the waves. It offers plenty of beach areas with loungers, including a family beach area, as well as private beach villas for cruisers booked in Norwegian's The Haven.
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There are two nature trails, and you can stop to climb the island’s observation tower, a somewhat remote stop with unspoiled views of Castaway Cay. Mouse magic meets tropical bliss on Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. Located in the Bahamas, you can expect Mickey’s white-glove treatment here thanks to Disney’s signature excellence in theming, hospitality, and dining. The picturesque island is home to crystal-clear waters and sparkling white-sand beaches — and only Disney Cruise Line guests can visit.
Guests embark for a day of beachy fun and can choose from lounging by the clear, blue Caribbean water, hitting the water slides, playing water sports, bike riding and more. Basic food and drink are included as part of your Disney Cruise Line dining package, so you only need to pay for specialty items and alcoholic drinks on Castaway Cay. Lunch is provided at Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too BBQ by the family beaches, as well as at Air Bar BBQ by Serenity Bay.
It's operated mainly by Princess Cruises — hence, the name — but Carnival Cruise Line (which shares the Carnival Corp. parent company with Princess) also calls there. We’ve been served up a line of cabanas with boldly colorful roofs, nestled beside some remarkably clear blue water. It looks like the two on the left (red and yellow) are larger grand cabanas with smaller standard cabanas falling in beside them.
Passports are not needed to visit the island, but you will need to have your stateroom key on hand to return to the ship. You can also use your Key To The World card to purchase drinks and souvenirs on the island. And while itineraries can change year to year, most Disney cruises sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean will include a stop at Castaway Cay. Depending on your ship’s specific itinerary, you can expect to have around eight hours to explore the island during a typical stop.
That includes two beach areas for families, complete with shallow water and a floating submarine attraction. But don't set your standards too high for your private island escape. That's especially true if you're on a megaship or if there are multiple ships calling on the same day. If you can't hack it in the sun all day, there isn't as much else to do compared to calling on a port that's open to the public. There will also be 20 premium family cabanas available to rent near the family beach, including four double cabanas that accommodate larger groups and offer massage services. Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure is another Disney Cruise Line favorite.
The roof-like shades are designed to resemble sea shells and are painted underneath with images items from nature. “Mabrika” means “welcome” in Taino, the language of the Lucayans, the indigenous people of The Bahamas. While the language is no longer used, a few words remain – one of them being “Mabrika.” At this colorful arrival point, guests will experience the warmth of Bahamian culture. However, whilst you will definitely want to make the most of your day, sometimes the thing to do is to plan to do very little. If you aren’t the sitting down on a beach type of person, then you will have plenty of options to enjoy. The food is barbecue style – and you can choose from three different locations.
