Castaway Cabana's?

When can you book a cabana on castaway?

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Same time you can book excursions, depending on your castaway level. Platinum 120 days out (which is usually when the cabanas sell out) gold 105 days and silver 90 days. (If I remember correctly.)

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Unless you are concierge, you are unlikely to get a cabana initially. They are often gone before they even get to platinum guests as concierge as a "pre-reserve" system. However, it is totally possible to get one later! Many people reserve one and then think better of the price or whatever. They can cancel on line up to 3 days before embarkation, so if you happen to look at the right time, you can snag one. Also, check with the "Port Adventures" desk after boarding; if someone wants to give one up, they are happy to resell it to you.

Unless you are concierge' date=' you are unlikely to get a cabana initially. They are often gone before they even get to platinum guests as concierge as a "pre-reserve" system. However, it is totally possible to get one later! Many people reserve one and then think better of the price or whatever. They can cancel on line up to 3 days before embarkation, so if you happen to look at the right time, you can snag one. Also, check with the "Port Adventures" desk after boarding; if someone wants to give one up, they are happy to resell it to you.[/quote']

 

 

This is true for the family beach, but two years in a row now, I've found availability for the adult beach (Serenity Bay) at the 120 day mark, sailing on the Dream in May/June.

Keep trying even once you get on board. We got One the day before Castaway Cay and we were not concierge level or platinum. We were total pest though. We either stopped by or called the desk at least once or twice a day.

Keep trying even once you get on board. We got One the day before Castaway Cay and we were not concierge level or platinum. We were total pest though. We either stopped by or called the desk at least once or twice a day.

This is exactly what I meant with my comment above about checking at the Port Adventures desk after boarding. They SHOULD agree to take your name and cabin number and call you if anyone wants to cancel a cabana...but checking back never hurts.

Obviously it is easier to get one on the classic ships (same number of cabanas, fewer guests).

If you aren't able to book one....don't fret! There is PLENTY of shade or sun...your choice! Loungers are everywhere....there really isn't a NEED for a cabana....you can have a lovely day without one!

This is true for the family beach, but two years in a row now, I've found availability for the adult beach (Serenity Bay) at the 120 day mark, sailing on the Dream in May/June.

Yep. Various factors at work: Classic vs. Dream Class in terms of number of people period; number of concierge guests who WANT a cabana (not all do); number returning cruisers in each category ahead of yours.

I got a cabana on Serenity Bay for my parents and myself as a Silver Castaway Club member - but we were on the Magic on a family-heavy (145 kids under the age of 3 alone!!) cruise over Presidents' Week...and it was a 4-night (most of the higher level cruisers tend to like the longer cruises and only do the short ones as a last resort - not all, but most seem to, at least most of those on forums). It was nice, especially since my dad is going to have hip replacement surgery in a month so walking long distances is an issue. But we all agreed that under regular circumstances, it's 100% NOT necessary for us. (Of course, we also defy the "never go back to non-concierge" so-called logic as well, so...)

Do note that you CANNOT take under 18s to those, even if you never plan to use the Cabana. I've seen that question come up before, so that is why I bring it up. You HAVE to be over 18 to go to ANYTHING on Serenity Bay.

Do note that you CANNOT take under 18s to those, even if you never plan to use the Cabana. I've seen that question come up before, so that is why I bring it up. You HAVE to be over 18 to go to ANYTHING on Serenity Bay.

And this is one of the more enforced areas. I've seen kids biking with their parents who were allowed to get a drink from the food area, but that is not on the beach. I've also seen a family with two infants removed from Serenity Bay. In fact, it was quite interesting as the family pretended to not speak English, so a CM who spoke their native language was dispatched to explain that children were not permitted on Serenity Bay. I speak enough that I could follow most of the conversation--they argued that this was a "family" vacation and the infant nursing would bother no one; the CM continued to politely insist that the infants would be welcome on the family beach but that they would have to leave Serenity Bay. Interesting, but I also saw a similar situation in the nightclub area. The ACD actually stopped the show until the infant was removed.

Odd that some people think that the "18 and over" or "adult only" policy doesn't apply to infants.

And this is one of the more enforced areas. I've seen kids biking with their parents who were allowed to get a drink from the food area' date=' but that is not on the beach. I've also seen a family with two infants removed from Serenity Bay. In fact, it was quite interesting as the family pretended to not speak English, so a CM who spoke their native language was dispatched to explain that children were not permitted on Serenity Bay. I speak enough that I could follow most of the conversation--they argued that this was a "family" vacation and the infant nursing would bother no one; the CM continued to politely insist that the infants would be welcome on the family beach but that they would have to leave Serenity Bay. Interesting, but I also saw a similar situation in the nightclub area. The ACD actually stopped the show until the infant was removed.

 

Odd that some people think that the "18 and over" or "adult only" policy doesn't apply to[b'] infants[/b].

Or "quiet well-behaved" teens. I see that one all the time.

"She's only 14, but she looks older and is very mature and quiet." and variations on that theme.

BUT until she is 18, she is NOT allowed in the adult areas. (Theoretically it could be a boy, but I'd say at least 98% of the time I see the argument it's a girl.)

Then there is "Oh, but it doesn't apply on embarkation day." Where does it say that? Yes, the spa allows kids to tour with their parents on embarkation day, but that doesn't mean that the Cove Cafe or Quiet Cove pool area ...or Satellite Falls are open to children just because it is embarkation day. But the bar tenders want their tips, so they are not willing to throw out the offenders.

Then there is "Oh' date=' but it doesn't apply on embarkation day." Where does it say that? Yes, the spa allows kids to tour with their parents on embarkation day, but that doesn't mean that the Cove Cafe or Quiet Cove pool area ...or Satellite Falls are open to children just because it is embarkation day. But the bar tenders want their tips, so they are not willing to throw out the offenders.[/quote']

 

 

Exactly.

 

I did see a server card two girls who looked borderline 18+ at the Quiet Cove pool on the Magic a couple of weeks ago. One "didn't have" her card...they opted to leave. It was done very discreetly - I just happened to see it happen while looking for my dad (all adult party, me and my parents). I was very pleased to see it though.

I've seen legit 18s carded too. After a time or two, the CMs know them and don't ask again. But I've also seen a "ballpark" 6 year old fished out of the adult pool after I reported him. The parents argued that there was "no room" in the family pool. At least they were there.

The funny think is that I haven't seen this problem on other lines. There, "adult only" places are "adult only" and I don't notice kids or families trying to break the rules. Of course, there are typically fewer kids on these cruises than on DCL. I guess you can't too much blame the kids for trying to get away with it, but the entitlement parents really get on my nerves.

I've seen legit 18s carded too. After a time or two' date=' the CMs know them and don't ask again. But I've also seen a "ballpark" 6 year old fished out of the adult pool after I reported him. The parents argued that there was "no room" in the family pool. At least they were there.

 

The funny think is that I haven't seen this problem on other lines. There, "adult only" places are "adult only" and I don't notice kids or families trying to break the rules. Of course, there are typically fewer kids on these cruises than on DCL. I guess you can't too much blame the kids for trying to get away with it, but the entitlement parents really get on my nerves.[/quote']

 

 

Yeah...I usually advise people who "look young" to make sure they have their cards just in case.

 

You have to shake your head at the entitlement some people feel (the 6 year old - or more specifically his parents).

 

The only other time I've seen it was on RCCL's Radiance of the Seas Alaska Southbound. The Solarium area (adult pool) WAS open to all on limited hours because it was indoor - also if the weather was really bad, the Captain *could* open it to everyone. There was one family that tried to pull the "No speak English" thing and again, a crew member who spoke their language was summoned to tell them. They tried to fuss, but eventually did leave. Of course the issue gets confusing because there is a cafe in there that kids are allowed to eat from, so they end up sitting on the side eating. Kind of defeats the purpose of an "adult only" area. Sort of like how on Dream Class the concierge area dumps into the Adult Area on DCL...only RCCL put tables in there.

The Celebrity Infinity also has a covered pool which on an Alaskan cruise had family hours. We never had any issues with kids there other than during the posted family hours. There was a small food bar just outside the pool area. I'm guessing kids could eat there, but since it was the "healthy options" I really don't know. I never saw a child there, but I loved the choices.

We did meet a few families in this area during the specified hours--I made a point of talking with them about the kid programs on board as my family had "aged out" of kid stuff by then. BUT these were always well behaved kids with at least one parent in attendance.

On Princess, I was in a hot tub in the family area when 2 kids asked if they could join me. My response was that if it was OK with their mother, it was OK with me. And a mom showed up within 5 minutes--again an adult keeping an eye on her children, which I always view as positive.

On DCL, I see lots of kids running around, swimming, having fun, and sometimes misbehaving with no adult anywhere that I can see. I'd like to believe that the misbehavior would not be happening if a parent were supervising. The parent's idea of "old enough" does not always correlate with the behavior of the child.

The Celebrity Infinity also has a covered pool which on an Alaskan cruise had family hours. We never had any issues with kids there other than during the posted family hours. There was a small food bar just outside the pool area. I'm guessing kids could eat there' date=' but since it was the "healthy options" I really don't know. I never saw a child there, but I loved the choices.

 

We did meet a few families in this area during the specified hours--I made a point of talking with them about the kid programs on board as my family had "aged out" of kid stuff by then. BUT these were always well behaved kids with at least one parent in attendance.

 

On Princess, I was in a hot tub in the family area when 2 kids asked if they could join me. My response was that if it was OK with their mother, it was OK with me. And a mom showed up within 5 minutes--again an adult keeping an eye on her children, which I always view as positive.

 

On DCL, I see lots of kids running around, swimming, having fun, and sometimes misbehaving with no adult anywhere that I can see. I'd like to believe that the misbehavior would not be happening if a parent were supervising. The parent's idea of "old enough" does not always correlate with the behavior of the child.[/quote']

 

 

Agreed 100%.

we violated the 18 year old rule one time...

we ate brunch at palo - DD was 20, but DS was only 17 (though he looked about 27)..

DCL of course knew how old he was when they booked us into the palo brunch, but we were in a royal suite, and it's become clear to us that there are different rules for the royal suites.

But that was the only time we violated the age rule.

.

You know, we've had all sorts of nice, special things happen in our 30+ DCL cruises, but I don't post about them as I know they are not the norm and don't want other people to expect them or try to get them.

Yes, there are different rules if you book what I still refer to as the Walt or Roy suites. The basic rule is that DCL will go out of their way to never say "No" to you on anything and will offer lots of things. So sad that they removed the piano! But it's probably not a good idea to post many of those things.

We once saw a teen group in the private dining room in Palo. It was a Disney Channel "star" and her entourage. But they were in the private room where they didn't disturb other guests. That doesn't mean that the typical DCL guest can book the private dining room in Palo with their teens. On the other hand, I'm well aware of another situation where a well known guest staying in the most expensive suite on the ship was involved in substance abuse that was quite obvious due to her behavior--security intervened.

we were in the walt suite and it still had the piano (which is why i booked it)...

that was the only time we were in that level suite..

we've been in 1 bedrooms a few times..

but now we travel steerage... ;p

this past summer, DD was on the magic in the med...

she said there was a family that she was guessing must have been in one of the royal suites and some sort of serious VIPs, as they were being escorted all around the ship, put at the front of every character line, (that is, they would walk in when the line already existed and were escorted straight to the front of every line).

she didn't know who they were though she was guessing they were saudi royalty of some sort...

Why did they get rid of the piano?

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It was a real piano (not electronic) and they said that it required tuning between each cruise due to the motion of the ship. I can't verify that this is true--as you know, Disney as stories/excuses for everything. My logic is that if this was the real problem, they would have replaced it with an electronic version as they have with those used by the entertainment people on board.

It was a real piano (not electronic) and they said that it required tuning between each cruise due to the motion of the ship. I can't verify that this is true--as you know' date=' Disney as stories/excuses for everything. My logic is that if this was the real problem, they would have replaced it with an electronic version as they have with those used by the entertainment people on board.[/quote']

 

that's not the excuse we heard, but for the life of me i can't remember the excuse they gave...maybe someone else in the family remembers..

we were in the walt suite way back in 2003 or 2004....so the piano was there then....i don't remember exactly when they took it out...

as for tuning - it was very well tuned......and it was very cool having a piano!!!...i really really really really really enjoyed that suite!!!! i pretty much never wanted to leave it.....if not for DD wanting to go around and do stuff on the ship, i probably would never have left it except for meals and the theater shows.. :D