If you haven't read my previous post on this cruise, be sure to read it here!
Day 4: Leaving Tortola
The evening after departing Tortola was Pirate Night! Disney is the only cruise line that is able to set off fireworks at sea. It's quite an experience! This is a special evening where guests young and old really get into the pirate spirit. Staff and guests alike don their best pirate costumes for a Pirates in the Caribbean menu followed by a night of festivities. On our sailing, Muppet Treasure Island was shown on Funnel Vision (a large screen on the pool deck). Later in the evening Captain Jack Sparrow joins his pirate crew for a singalong ending in a firework show. Yo, Ho is the theme song of the night and you'll have more than one chance to join in on the singing. Don't dash away too quickly after fireworks; you'll want to join a dance party on the pool deck. This is a really fun way to end the evening!
Day 5: St. Thomas: Snorkeling and Jeep Exploring
Our second port day was at St. Thomas, USVI. There is a large contrast between Tortola and St. Thomas. Roads are larger, American chain stores and restaurants are more readily seen, and tourism in general is on a larger scale here. This still very much feels like a Caribbean island though! You'll certainly find a slower pace and laid-back vibes. Our arrival at this port was so fun! Gorgeous sailboats and catamarans set against a mountainous backdrop made for quite a view. After stepping off the boat we were greeted by live music and smiling faces.
The first stop of our day was Sapphire Beach. This is a gorgeous stretch of powdery sand and turquoise waters. The view of St. John and offshore cays makes this a memorable scene. The snorkeling here is known to be top-notch and it didn't disappoint. There are several restaurants offering typical beach food at restaurants along the shore.
Our second and last stop of the day was Megan's Bay. This area was really interesting to me. It has the feel of an American state park with an entrance and bathhouses. The shore forms a horseshoe shape providing a protected area for sea turtles. We were even lucky enough to see a couple while snorkeling! While the landscape here was gorgeous, the water wasn't quite as clear as at Sapphire Beach. We may have just hit it on an off day because this area is known for its incredibly clear, bright blue waters. Overall I would say that Sapphire Beach had the best snorkeling and also had a livelier, almost Florida beach atmosphere. Megan's Bay had a more nature-focused feel to me.
Just like Tortola, the views while driving around St. Thomas were gorgeous! The hilly terrain makes for some great overlooks. On both islands, we elected to rent a Jeep and explore on our own. This was a great fit for us, but we were also very strict with ourselves as far as timeline. When you book shore excursions through Disney they guarantee that they will help you get back to the ship in the event that your excursion runs late. When you explore independently the ship will leave if you don't board by the stated departure time. Once we knew the re-boarding deadline we planned to be back at the ship around two hours prior. To us, an extra hour on the island isn't worth the stress of worrying.
Because I wasn't confident that we would have cell service on the islands, I mapped out our route on each island before leaving home. We were using paper maps to navigate Tortola which did prove interesting in areas that didn't have road signs! On St. Thomas my sister-in-law had cell service so we were able to use GPS. Our rental on St. Thomas was from Falcon Jeep Rentals. I cannot recommend them enough. They are a small company that has just a few Jeeps. They offer free port drop off and pick up as well as free car seats that arrive installed in the vehicle.
Again, renting a Jeep worked out well for us as a group of five adults, but I wouldn't recommend it for families who really value peace of mind. Clean restrooms, restaurants, and even grocery store access are somewhat unpredictable on these islands. I imagine that adventuring on your own without a guide, while having children with you, could be a bit stressful.
St. Thomas is a breathtaking island that I would love to visit again in the future. As I said in my first post, Tortola is beautiful but small. Typical American amenities are, for the most part, not readily available, which is why I think it's a great day stop on a cruise rather than an extended stay destination. St. Thomas just feels more livable for most guests. There are a few resorts, a few more upscale dining options, and of course, St. John is just a short ferry ride away! I think we'll make a trip to the national park on our next visit! This is of course just my opinion. Everyone has different likes and dislikes, so go experience it for yourself and then you'll know for sure.
Day 7: Castaway Cay: A Dreamy Day in Paradise
We had one day at sea after leaving St. Thomas before arriving at Castaway Cay for our final island day. Michael says that this was his favorite stop. In true Disney fashion, this island is designed for families. Everything is well laid-out, easy to access, and very aesthetically pleasing.
There is a great kid's play area called Pelican Plunge, featuring in-ocean water slides and there are some fun ropes courses at the nearby Family Beach swimming area. This section in and of itself provides hours of entertainment.
We spent a lot of time snorkeling around the 22-acre lagoon area. If you're nervous about snorkeling with kids, this is a great place to test it out. Guests are required to wear lifejackets while snorkeling, and there is a lifeguard stand in the center of the lagoon. I was a little confused by the lifejackets at first, but once we began swimming out from the beach I realized that the depth drops off pretty quickly. There are sunken Disney statues and even a sunken ship that you can view while underwater. Snorkeling gear is available to rent, but we had brought our own with us. Lifejackets are free to all guests.
A Beach BBQ lunch is served on the island at Cookie's BBQ locations and is included in your cruise fare. I thought this lunch was great. There are a lot of options and the food all tasted very fresh.
On the side of the island opposite the pier is Serenity Bay, the adult section of Castaway Cay. Between the family and adult areas is a nice walking/ jogging path for guests and 5k participants. As of now, you can still complete the 5k and get a medal but it's on your own time as there is no longer an officially organized race. The path is very pretty; I enjoyed seeing the variety of plants and landscaping.
There is a tram that runs between Serenity Bay, the family beach, and the ship making it easy to access the major areas of the island. To take the tram to Serenity Bay, you'll need to transfer trams. The beach at Serenity Bay is very calm and there are definitely fewer people than at the Family Beach area.
These are just a few of the offerings on this fun-filled island! If you'd like to learn more about Castaway Cay don't hesitate to reach out to me!
As I said, this was our last stop before heading back to Miami. We enjoyed a nice final dinner at Royal Palace. On the morning of departure, guests are given the option to eat at Cabanas during their open hours or enjoy a sit-down meal at a specified dining time. Ours was 6:30 so very early. We decided to eat at Cabanas and then retrieve our luggage from our room (we had to be out of our room with luggage by 8:00am). If you choose to do the sit-down meal, you are instructed to bring your luggage with you since your breakfast will likely last a while. Once the ship is cleared at port, you can disembark carrying your own luggage. If you want Disney to handle your "checked bags" you have to have your bags in the hall outside your stateroom the evening prior. The only downside to this is that you might have to wait a bit once off the ship for your luggage to get to you. We chose to carry our own luggage off the ship to save time. It worked out well for us since we are all adults who can each carry our own luggage. Every family is different with unique needs.
Finally, here are a few things you'll want to know about cruising with Disney:
If you've been considering a Disney cruise, I think you'll love it! We enjoyed ours SO much!
Look closely at the ports of call when choosing your cruise. Some stops lend themselves to family enjoyment more than others. Let me know if you'd like help deciding on an itinerary.
On port days, towels are handed out as guests disembark from the ship, so there's no need to bring beach towels with you on your cruise.
I would suggest that Main dining (early dining) is a good fit for most families with younger children.
The shows on board are wonderful, so definitely plan to get there a few minutes early and get a good seat!
If you love peace of mind and want an experience that is specifically designed for families, I would suggest a sailing that includes two stops at Castaway Cay! (Stay tuned - Disney has a new Bahamian Island, Lighthouse Point, opening in summer of 2024). Compared to other ports of call, this island is perfect for children and is relaxing for adults. There's really nothing to worry about! Everything is within walking distance of the ship. There are lifeguards in the water, and there are even kids' clubs on the island.
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