As an avid cruiser of over 30 years, I've gone on more than 15 trips on most of the major cruise lines, and can understand why people love cruising so much.
I only book a Disney cruise if it's going to the company's private island, Castaway Cay
13.04.2024 - 14:49 / insider.com / Mickey Mouse
Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record highs this year, but not all itineraries are created equally — especially if you're looking to sail with Disney Cruise Line.
Over the past decade, I've taken eight Disney cruises with my family and friends. When I book, I always make sure Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, is on the port of call.
Here's why you might want to do the same.
One of the biggest perks of Castaway Cay is that the ship docks right at the island.
Some other cruise line's private islands, like Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay, don't have a dock, so cruisers must take tender ships (small boats) from the cruise ship to the island.
I hate taking tender ships, which can feel like a bit of a time sink, so this is a big bonus to me.
Castaway Cay is about 1,000 acres — though not all of it's developed — so it can take a while to talk to and from the ship to different spots on the island.
Fortunately, the island has a complimentary tram that I always use to get around the island.
The tram takes cruisers from a station near the ship to two other tram stops for the family beaches, and one tram stop at the adults-only beach.
This makes getting around the island with all of my beach gear easy.
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Speaking of gear, at Castaway Cay, cruisegoers can borrow free towels as soon as they get off of the ship. There are plenty of towel-return stations around the island, so I also never have to carry wet, sandy towels back on the ship.
I enjoy seeing the Disney characters on the ship, but love seeing Mickey and his pals even more at Castaway Cay.
Characters usually meet in the morning from around 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., but exact times can always be found on the Disney Cruise Line app.
The best part about seeing the characters is that the lines to take pictures with them are never long. On a recent sailing, I saw Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto all in 30 minutes. That would never happen in a Disney park.
And if you're a fellow character hunter like me, Mickey and the gang all have Castaway Cay exclusive outfits, which are adorable and make for great family photos.
One thing I love about Disney Cruise Line and Castaway Cay is that there are plenty of adults-only spaces where kids are strictly not allowed. On the island, that spot is Serenity Bay Beach.
This peaceful chair-lined beach is a quiet spot away from the family beach, where I can sit back and enjoy the view or take a chair down to the water and let the waves crash over me.
Plus, just off Serenity Bay Beach is a fun beachside bar serving up drinks and snacks.
There's also the adults-only lunch spot where I always enjoy a beachside barbecue. My favorite things on the lunch menu are the ribs and
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