We woke up this morning on the Disney Dream excited for Castaway Cay. The sky looked fine, the waves didn’t seem too choppy, and we were ready for a glorious beach day. But, for the second time this year, our stop was cancelled.
The winds were at around 24 knots, which isn’t all that strong compared to some days at sea. From our balcony, we could see the captain giving it a real try. The ship nudged toward the dock more than once, then pulled back. It almost felt like we might make it, but just before 9 am, the announcement came that we wouldn’t be able to spend the day on the island.
We were in Cabanas having breakfast when the announcement was broadcast, and it was sad to hear all of the disappointed families, especially the little ones, whose first visit didn’t get to happen. Of course, it’s disappointing. Castaway Cay is always a highlight of any Disney cruise, and missing it never feels great. But we always appreciate that the captain waited until the last moment and made several attempts to dock before calling it off. Knowing they tried hard almost makes the news a little easier to take.
Once the decision was final, the crew switched gears right away. More activities were added around the ship, and things still felt upbeat despite the disappointing change. We are spending the day exploring, enjoying some downtime, and making the most of an unexpected sea day. We even made pedicure appointments at Senses Spa!
Sure, we missed out on the barbecue, the beaches, and that island vibe you only get at Castaway Cay. But we also had the chance to enjoy the ship in a more relaxed way. And in the end, that’s part of cruising – you never know when plans will change, and it’s all about rolling with it.
If your Castaway Cay day gets cancelled, don’t let it ruin your cruise. Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for new activities, grab a dining reservation you couldn’t get earlier, or treat yourself to something special like the Rainforest Room or Palo. A missed port is never fun, but the ship still has plenty of magic to offer.
5 Things to Do When Castaway Cay is Cancelled
Book the Rainforest Room for a relaxing spa day.
Grab a dining upgrade at Palo or Remy if spots open.
Enjoy the AquaDuck with shorter lines since more people are onboard.
Catch a movie in the Buena Vista Theatre or a show in the Walt Disney Theatre.
Join activities you skipped earlier, from trivia games to animation classes.
Have you ever missed Disney’s Castaway Cay during your cruise?
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