We just got back from our second cruise aboard the Disney Magic. As before, my favorite part was our day spent on Castaway Cay (pronounce key). I'm in better health this time around (yay!), so we tried more things. We got the package deal on snorkeling, tubes, and bike rental. Here are a few thoughts on our island experience.
1) Snorkeling
Getting out there early definitely helps in terms of visibility, as there is less debris in the water from the other swimmers. The father out you swim, the more you will see. This was the highlight of the day and well worth the cost of the rental. I'd never tried it before, and I adored it.
If you're a beginner, plan to spend some time practicing putting your face in the water and breathing with the mask before you try to swim. It does feel really weird at first, and you might get a panicky feeling until you get used to it. Be warned: there is no instruction or supervision aside from the lifeguards. You're expected to pretty much figure it out for yourself, and to watch and help your kids.
This also goes for inflating the life vests. Nobody is going to show you how to do it. You have to push down on the valve into order to breath into the tube to inflate it. There aren't really any visible instructions on the valve.
2) Bicycling
Biking around the island was enjoyable. It doesn't take long, and you don't have to be some kind of Lance Armstrong. I bike a quarter mile per day total, to and from my child's school, and it was an easy ride for me. They are fixed gear bikes, and the path is smooth and level, quiet and peaceful. The lookout tower is a nice place to stop for a quick rest and some pictures. The bikes are in okay shape, but they are not exactly pristine, so I would look yours over before heading off for adventure.
3) Tubes
Our son had a ball playing in the water with the float. The husband and I were not as interested in the inner tubes, unsurprisingly. I think if the weather had been balmier it would have been more enticing. As it was, I wanted to stay warm on a beach chair, and dear husband wanted to snorkel some more.
4) Lunch
The outdoor buffet is always enjoyable. Ribs and the eponymous cookies are the highlight for me, along with the fresh fruit. And you can always make yourself a Coke float with the soft serve ice cream.
5) Returning to the ship
It's so nice to come back to ice water and chilled towels after the bright sunshine on the beach, but it is so sad to leave the island. We like to clean up and then watch the departure from either Deck 4 aft or Deck 10 aft outside Palo. It's a great opportunity for some final photos, and I get a kick out of the dock workers waving goodbye with their Mickey gloves. There aren't usually a lot of people out there, either, so you will have the deck mostly to yourself.
Disney Cruise Line is smart to schedule Castaway Cay on the last day for so many of its itineraries. It always leaves you wanting to book another cruise. Happy sailing!
1) Snorkeling
Getting out there early definitely helps in terms of visibility, as there is less debris in the water from the other swimmers. The father out you swim, the more you will see. This was the highlight of the day and well worth the cost of the rental. I'd never tried it before, and I adored it.
If you're a beginner, plan to spend some time practicing putting your face in the water and breathing with the mask before you try to swim. It does feel really weird at first, and you might get a panicky feeling until you get used to it. Be warned: there is no instruction or supervision aside from the lifeguards. You're expected to pretty much figure it out for yourself, and to watch and help your kids.
This also goes for inflating the life vests. Nobody is going to show you how to do it. You have to push down on the valve into order to breath into the tube to inflate it. There aren't really any visible instructions on the valve.
2) Bicycling
Biking around the island was enjoyable. It doesn't take long, and you don't have to be some kind of Lance Armstrong. I bike a quarter mile per day total, to and from my child's school, and it was an easy ride for me. They are fixed gear bikes, and the path is smooth and level, quiet and peaceful. The lookout tower is a nice place to stop for a quick rest and some pictures. The bikes are in okay shape, but they are not exactly pristine, so I would look yours over before heading off for adventure.
3) Tubes
Our son had a ball playing in the water with the float. The husband and I were not as interested in the inner tubes, unsurprisingly. I think if the weather had been balmier it would have been more enticing. As it was, I wanted to stay warm on a beach chair, and dear husband wanted to snorkel some more.
4) Lunch
The outdoor buffet is always enjoyable. Ribs and the eponymous cookies are the highlight for me, along with the fresh fruit. And you can always make yourself a Coke float with the soft serve ice cream.
5) Returning to the ship
It's so nice to come back to ice water and chilled towels after the bright sunshine on the beach, but it is so sad to leave the island. We like to clean up and then watch the departure from either Deck 4 aft or Deck 10 aft outside Palo. It's a great opportunity for some final photos, and I get a kick out of the dock workers waving goodbye with their Mickey gloves. There aren't usually a lot of people out there, either, so you will have the deck mostly to yourself.
Disney Cruise Line is smart to schedule Castaway Cay on the last day for so many of its itineraries. It always leaves you wanting to book another cruise. Happy sailing!
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