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A Disney cruise is a vacation like no other. It really brings together the magic of Disney without all of the hassle of lightning lanes or dining reservations. I remember being so worried about our very first cruise. I hadn’t cruised since I was very little, so I had no idea what to pack or what to wear. If you need help with what to wear, we do offer outfit planning services that can help plan each day of your cruise so you don't have to worry about packing too much like me!Â
If you happen to struggle with ADHD like myself, I would recommend making a packing list for your island days and sticking it in your bag while packing for your entire cruise. That way, on the day you embark for the island, you have it ready to go and can quickly cross off your items in the morning so you don’t forget anything you might want or need!
Lookout Cay & Castaway Cay
If you are headed on a Caribbean Cruise, one of your stops along the way might either be Lookout Cay or Castaway Cay. Both are island destinations that are stunning and fun for the entire family, but they are a little bit different. While we typically stay on the ship at ports like Nassau, we don’t like to miss Castaway! Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. It’s a full beach day that can either be used to relax, or you can fill your time with activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, biking, and yes, even running a 5K. There is also a kids club located on the island, as well as waterslides and an entire water playground for kids. Lunch is also provided on the island, and there are shops and specialty treats. If you’re sans kiddos, there is also a beach that is adults-only.Â
Your ship will port right next to the island where you can either walk to find a beach spot, or take a tram that will drop you a little closer to some beach activities. If possible, we highly recommend walking when you get off of the ship in the morning. You’re likely to find some characters along the way, and the scenery is just beautiful. The walk is pretty quick, and there is plenty of shade along the way. You can almost immediately start enjoying what the island has to offer within minutes of leaving the ship.Â
Lookout Cay is not a private island, and while it is not owned by Disney, it still very much brings Disney to the island. Disney worked with local artisans to create structures and activities that blend the culture of the Bahamas with a touch of Disney magic. Instead of a water playground for kids, there are more splash pad types of activities. Disney characters greet guests and perform at the Play-Play Pavilion. Lunch is still provided, and there are plenty of bar and snack options that are located throughout the island. It really offers the same type of beach day with just one exception...the walk off of the boat.Â
Due to conservation efforts, the Disney ship is not allowed to port close to the island like it is able to on Castaway. To protect the sea life on the ocean floor, Disney decided to build a pier that connects you to the island. There has been a lot of discussion about this choice. Currently, the walk is about 10-15 minutes without shade. Cooling towels are provided for you once you reach the end of the walkway. If you have a disability where you are unable to walk the distance of the deck, please let Disney know before you disembark so they can provide assistance to you. This is not guaranteed, but it might be an option depending on your situation. Once you reach the end of the walkway, you will need to take a tram to your final destination. The tram is about a 10 minute ride, and you get to learn about the history of the island along the way. All in all, it could take you about 20 minutes to get started with your beach day once you disembark for Lookout Cay.
Types of Beach Bags
Before we start packing your bags, let’s talk about what type of bag you might need. I would highly recommend packing something that folds easily. Leave those Bogg Bags behind, as you don’t want to take up too much space in your luggage. We’ve listed a few options in our Amazon Storefront that would work well. Dry bags are also a great option. This is something that I wish I would have purchased before the trip. They are a great way to keep items like your phone from getting wet and sandy. It’s also a great way to keep your phones from overheating.
What to Pack In Your Beach Bag
I am not really a beach person, so I wasn’t sure what I would need for this day. I packed a couple of items I thought were necessities, but I wish I would have packed a little better for this day. So, if you’re not typically a sand in the toes kind of person, I’ll share a few things that might help make your day a little easier!
Medicines
Getting off and on the ship can take a lot of time from your island day. So, make sure you have your important items like medicine. Itineraries can be different and subject to change, but most Castaways days board the ship around 4:45. Even if you decide to embark for just a couple of hours, I would go ahead and pack it because you never know what you might want to do once you get to the island, and your plans may change. Instead of taking our big pill container, I grabbed a smaller one so I didn’t risk losing a full week’s worth of medicine at the beach. Don’t forget to also grab any epi pens or inhalers! We stick those in a ziploc bag to keep them clear of water and sand!Â
Autograph Books and Pens
Meeting characters on a cruise ship is a little different than in the parks and can be a little tricky if you're looking for a particular character. So, if for some reason you haven’t had a chance to snap a photo or grab an autograph with your favorite pal, this is a great place to do so! We spotted Goofy, Pluto, Mickey, and Captain Jack Sparrow on our short walk off of the ship on Castaway. If you aren’t going to bring a dry bag, I would highly recommend sealing these in a ziploc back to keep them from getting wet throughout your day.
Sand/Water Toys
If your kiddos are joining you on this vacation, packing some sand toys is a great way to keep them busy in one spot. While you can’t bring your own tubes or rafts, you can bring your own goggles, sand toys, and snorkel equipment! The sand toys are perfect for keeping your littles busy in one spot so you’re not chasing them around the island. To keep your packing easy, I would recommend some foldable options for your day. This way, they won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage or beach bag.
Flip Flops/Water Shoes
You might be thinking, why on earth would you not already be wearing flip flops if you’re headed to the beach? Well, my friends, this made the list because my husband did not bring his flip flops off of the ship. He decided that he wanted to run the 5K that’s available on Castaway. But, when he was finished and was ready to hit the beach, he quickly realized that he was stuck in his tennis shoes for the day. And it was…gross. This is also important to note because some people may plan on wearing their tennis shoes for the walk from Lookout Cay, as it is a bit more lengthy than what you might be used to on Castaway. So, if you forget to pack them, you’ll either be stuck putting your wet foot inside your sweaty shoes, or you’ll be walking barefoot on the hot paths along the island to get to lunch or just explore the shops. Water shoes are also a good option for the day!
Lanyard or ID Holder
Unlike most port stops on a cruise, you do not need your passport for Castaway or Lookout Cay. You just need your I.D. and Key to the World Card to return to the ship. To make sure you don’t forget these important items, we recommend putting them in a lanyard or a waterproof I.D. holder to keep them safe and easy to find in your bag! If you are traveling with children under 15, they will not need I.D. to return to the ship.
Towel Clips
We mentioned packing these over on our packing blog post, thanks to TikToker, @thetravelingtwinmom. With the beach comes the breeze, so these are handy to keep your towels in place on your chair while you enjoy the water. If you go with bright and colorful ones, they might also help you find your seat in a sea of white towels on chairs. 😆You can bring your own towel if you please, but Disney provides white towels for you on the island so you don’t have to worry about them taking up any space in your beach bag.
Refillable Water Bottle
Throughout each island, you can find complimentary beverages such as lemonade, tea, and soft drinks. However, we found it handy to bring our water bottles to make sure we were staying hydrated throughout the day. It’s so easy to forget to drink water while you’re playing or lounging in the water, so this was an easy way to keep track of our water intake! If you haven’t jumped on the Stanley craze and are looking for some other options, we love Simple Modern. Not only do they have plenty of cute Disney prints, but they truly are leak-free! Thermos brand is also a wonderful option for kiddos!
Honorable Mentions
A waterproof disposable camera is purely a fun extra to bring. If you plan on snorkeling while on the island, there are fun things to see on your underwater adventure. Bringing a waterproof disposable camera to capture the special Disney touches is a fun way to add a little nostalgia to your trip. It’s also a great way to capture moments without the stress or worry of dropping your phone in the water!Â
Sunscreen might seem like a no-brainer, but this is just your friendly reminder to pack it! Sunscreen is available on the islands, but you don’t want to get stuck paying Disney prices to avoid getting sunburned. And trust me, getting sunburned is a quick way to ruin any vacation. We bought ours, but didn’t reapply enough times, and my husband and I paid the price. After sun and aloe are also available on the ship, but we found out the hard way that it can sell out fast. And while we’re thinking about it, add the aloe and after sun to your cart too!Â
Even if you don’t like the beach, I would still suggest giving these two islands a try. As a girl who prefers the fall season and layers, I still really enjoy our Castaway Days.Â
I hope you find this helpful, and it makes your trip a little less stressful. Disney Cruises are truly a wonderful way to relax and embrace the Disney magic. Let me know in the comments what you like to pack in your beach bag for these days!
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