Disney's Castaway Cay vs. Half Moon Cay

[auntieluncher]

Hi everyone! DH and I will take our first Holland America cruise in February 2005 on the Zuiderdam. We have been on Disney twice and love Castaway Cay, especially Serenity Bay. It's adult only, has wide open sand with chairs as far as you can see, and it's own buffet lunch. I know that HAL won't have nearly as many kids and teenagers so this may be a moot question but I wanted to ask anyway. Has anyone done both Castaway Cay and HMC, and if so, what is your preference? We're looking for something without all the husstle and busstle of a kid beach where we can just leave our stuff on a chair and enjoy the ocean with peace and quiet. I noticed that you have to pay a fair amount for the cabanas on HMC. Is that they only way to keep away from kids? Any input is appreciated!

[SANDY BEACH]

Sorry, I haven't been on Disney yet but have been to Half Moon Cay. I don't believe you will find many children in Feb. We sailed in Nov and July and Nov cruise had very few children. The beach is beautiful and the sand is the softest I have ever felt. I grew up in Miami and have been to many beaches and believe me, this is one of the nicest. When you get to the beach I would suggest you keep walking past the first few sections where you can enter the beach. This will probably give you more privacy but in order to get complete privacy you will have to travel quite a ways down the beach. There are chaise lounges everywhere. Good luck finding your piece of paradise. We are also traveling in Feb but on Celebrity and we chose this month to get away from lots of children. Hopefully we will both be pleased. Enjoy!

[chimera]

We have never been to Castaway, but we have been to Half Moon many times. Considering the HAL demographic combined with a cruise while kids are in school means that for all intent and purposes it will be an adults only beach. There are plenty of chairs. There are only a handful of cabanas and bookinbg them is first come, first served. For the cost you get assured shade and air conditioning- air conditioner in the back wall while the entire front is open to the beach and water. Chaise lounges on your own porch. Fruit, soft drinks, vegetables with dip are provided. Alchoholic beverages were available. There is a refrigerator to keep items cold. Of course, you are not too far away from the BBQ. While eating at the group tables is fine, eating with good friends in the cabana was wonderful. We even had company- one of the native birds, fearless of humans, hopped around the table sharing our food. I think you can guess what our preference on HMC is.

[imsulin]

One big difference you will find is that you can dock right at Castaway Cay, while at HMC, you must tender in. HMC is truly the ultimate in a beautiful beach!! I absolutely love being there, and am looking forward to my 5th time there next April.

[Peggy Sue]

we've been to both and have enjoyed both islands. Upon approach, they both have a beautiful cresent beach..crystal clear water, great sand and relaxation. Same type luncheon set up. HMC shopping is in a cluster area near the tenders as opposed to the shops scattered around CC.

Disney is convenient with the docking right there..but the tender trip is quick and painless

We've booked a cabana for our upcoming November cruise.

I'm sure you will enjoy HMC as much as you've enjoyed CC. One thing you'll immediately notice about the HAL experience is a lot LESS kids in general..If you're not traveling during the February school week holiday (President's week) you should be fine.

I agree with a previous poster..just walk down the beach .. put some distance between you and the water sports area, and you should have no trouble finding a nice quiet area to enjoy your day!

Have fun!!

Peggy Sue

[JSeals4316]

I have been to both Half Moon Cay and Castaway Cay. I was disapointed with Castaway. Disney claims they are taking you to such a beautiful island and I didn't find it to be better than the other beach party islands I have been too. Half Moon is the best. The only one that came anywhere close was Palm Island in the Grenadines. I like the white sand at HMC, and the mist tents, to cool off, when you walk to lunch. The little shopping village is also a nice touch. I didn't see the adults only beach at Castaway. I did enjoy the characters on Castaway. I have been to HMC on Summer cruises and I have never had a problem with the children

[doone]

When in February are you sailing????? In Massachusetts, anyways, I know alot of schools are closed for a week in February for school vacation week.

[auntieluncher]

When in February are you sailing????? In Massachusetts, anyways, I know alot of schools are closed for a week in February for school vacation week.


We are going Feb. 8 - 12. It's a school break down here (Texas) but that was the only way we could go. Mom is keeping DD (20 months old) and she gets that week off. It's not that we don't like kids, we're just ready for some quite time!! Thanks for all your posts, I appreciate them. We'll take the advice for heading further down the beach.

[auntieluncher]

I didn't see the adults only beach at Castaway. I did enjoy the characters on Castaway. I have been to HMC on Summer cruises and I have never had a problem with the children


You have to take the tram ride to get there, or it is a very long walk. They don't allow anyone under 18 in the area so it's extremely peaceful. Sorry you missed it. It's one of the main reasons we agreed to pay Disney's high prices the second time!

[cruisen4fun]

We are just off the Zuiderdam this morning... We went to Half Moon Cay yesterday... We were at Castaway Cay in June onboard the Magic...
Comparing the two... The beach and sand at Half Moon are much nicer than Castaway... I couldn't believe how turquoise blue and clear the water at Half Moon was... The sand is just about the prettiest I have ever seen... It is like powder and almost white in color... There was absolutely nothing on the bottom (no rocks or vegetation) like there is at Castaway...
We went about 25 yards past the yellow cabana... And there were very few people around... It was however, very crowded at the area where the bar and clamshells are... If you don't mind walking a little ways it is well worth the peace and quiet... I rented a blue mat and just floated around all day...
I have to give the rest (eating area, shopping, tropical atmospere) and just the all over island appeal to Castaway... Disney is just good at what they do and look at all the details...

[Ziggy7]

We are just off the Zuiderdam this morning... We went to Half Moon Cay yesterday... We were at Castaway Cay in June onboard the Magic...
Comparing the two... The beach and sand at Half Moon are much nicer than Castaway... I couldn't believe how turquoise blue and clear the water at Half Moon was... The sand is just about the prettiest I have ever seen... It is like powder and almost white in color... There was absolutely nothing on the bottom (no rocks or vegetation) like there is at Castaway...
We went about 25 yards past the yellow cabana... And there were very few people around... It was however, very crowded at the area where the bar and clamshells are... If you don't mind walking a little ways it is well worth the peace and quiet... I rented a blue mat and just floated around all day...
I have to give the rest (eating area, shopping, tropical atmospere) and just the all over island appeal to Castaway... Disney is just good at what they do and look at all the details...
cruisen4fun,
never mind saw your other post thanks!

[texkat]

We've visited both Castaway Cay and Half Moon Cay, twice to each. They are both gorgeous islands... if you enjoyed one, you'll also love the other.

We were on HMC this June, and we really didn't even notice many children or hustle-bustle.

As others have said, the beach at HMC gets even more quiet as you move further from the main areas where the rental huts are located. If you go past the last cabana, you'll likely have a nice chunk of beach all to yourself. :)

[superstein61]

I have been to both Castaway Cay and HMC. Castawy Cay IMO is far better.

1. You dock instead of tender in (and no chance of not missing the stop because of inability to tender)

2. Castaway Cay has lots more seating variety (ie hammocks, etc) that you don't have to pay for.

3. Castaway Cay has much more in the way of trees on the beach area

4. Castaway Cay has better snorkeling.

5. Both have very soft sand and crystal clear water

[doone]

Auntieluncher, I think you should see very few kids, if any, that week of your cruise. Enjoy.

[sail7seas]

Very sadly for Disney and for all the pax who loved their private island, it is completely destroyed and it will be a long time until any ship can pull in there again.

Princess suffered far more damage than HMC but not less than Disney.

We were at HMC on Friday and we had a wonderful day there.

It did suffer some damage but not really drastic. I will post more comments when I get to my post about Zuiderdam in the next few days.

[roohound]

Very sadly for Disney and for all the pax who loved their private island, it is completely destroyed and it will be a long time until any ship can pull in there again.

Princess suffered far more damage than HMC but not less than Disney.



That's interesting...I have a friend of mine who was on the 10/2 Magic cruise and said she made it to Castaway Cay, Cruise Critic reports that only Princess is still not going to their private island, and I saw a post on the disboards dated today from someone who said they are currently docked at Castaway Cay. My understanding is Castaway Cay is as in as good shape as HMC. It certainly wasn't "completely destroyed."

And for the record, I like Castaway Cay a bit better than HMC. Altho now that HMC is supposed to be adding the new enhancements that might help it be as good as CC.

[texkat]

Reports from the past couple of Disney cruises indicate that Castaway Cay is up and fully operational. Cruisers have said that the foliage is brown from the salt water damage, but that's about the only remaining sign of the hurricanes.

[sail7seas]

Clearly reports we heard aboard Zuiderdam re: Castaway were mistaken. A crew person rode the tender to HMC with us and he was very free with descriptions of the 'hit' that Castaway took. Obviously, he was wrong and I am happy to hear that. I never want to hear anyone/any company suffer such losses.