Princess cay bungalow

Two of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, the Caribbean and the Bahamas might seem similar enough at first glance. However, these neighboring collections of sunny islands off the southern tip of Florida stand apart in more ways than one.If you’re trying to decide between a Caribbean vs Bahamas cruise, or one that visits both, read on to learn which cruise is the right choice for you.Call to Book Your Next Cruise Now: 1-855-228-5584!Caribbean vs. Bahamas Cruise: What’s Better?What’s the Difference Between the Bahamas and the Caribbean?To start, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an island nation, with its own flag, currency, and prime minister. The Lucayan Archipelago consists of roughly 3,000 islands, islets, and cays in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamian capital of Nassau is one of the busiest ports of call in the world.The Caribbean is a subregion of the Americas located in the Caribbean Sea. Consisting of more than a dozen countries, these island nations are typically divided into three categories: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Southern Caribbean. Like the Bahamas, each island in the Caribbean has its own unique culture and characteristics. Popular ports of call in the Caribbean include St. Thomas, USVI; St. Maarten/St. Martin; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.Notably, while Bermuda is at times on a Caribbean cruise itinerary, the British island territory is not part of the Caribbean. Bermuda itineraries are often listed separately by cruise lines.Perks of a Bahamas CruiseDeparting from cruise ports like Miami or New York, Bahamas cruises are great for travelers seeking short cruise getaways. Able to reach the islands of the Bahamas within hours, cruise ships calling on the warm-weather ports of Nassau or Freeport is a no-brainer. Cruise line Margaritaville at Sea (formerly Bahamas Paradise) has built an entire business on two-night sailings from West Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island and back.Beyond the officially recognized ports of the Bahamas are a slew of private islands and private ports. These destinations offer cruisers an exclusive resort-style experience ashore. Most cruise lines, including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC and Norwegian, all offer their own private islands in the Bahamas. These include Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Great Stirrup Cay, among others. Virgin Voyages has a private beach club accessible only to cruisers on the island of Bimini.Often, the Bahamas is lumped into longer sailings that also

Disney Cruise Line's exclusive island, Castaway Cay, has been open since 1998 and has a well established history with Disney cruise guests. Disney just recently opened their second island, Lookout Cay, and we were among the first to see the new island!Since Castaway Cay has been a Disney Cruise Line staple for over 25 years it's expected that many guests will end up comparing the two of them which is something I found myself doing during my first visit to Lookout Cay. If you are planning an upcoming Disney Cruise, especially with the newest itineraries just released, you might end up choosing which Disney island is the best fit for your cruise.I have visited both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay and have enjoyed the Disney Cruise Line experience on regular cruise and a themed Marvel Day at Sea. I also experienced both these islands with family to get multiple perspectives of the offerings of theses islands. Keep reading for the full comparison of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. Planning a Disneyland Vacation?Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter! Disney Islands Offer Similar Locations Yet Different ThemesDisney Cruise Line Islands Deliver on Great Disney ExperienceCastaway Cay Is More EstablishedLookout Cay Offers More Community ExperiencesLookout Cay Provides Unique EntertainmentCastaway Cay Feels Like an Easier ExperienceWhich Disney Cruise Island Is Best?Plan Your Disney Vacation Today!Disney Islands Offer Similar Locations Yet Different ThemesLookout Cay building designsJust like Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is located in The Bahamas. It is located on the island of Eleuthera and its within close proximity to Castaway Cay. This means it is reasonable to find a cruise itinerary that will visit both islands on the same voyage!The architectural designs around Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are very much inspired by the island of Eleuthera. You can see the resemblance of different plants and shells through the beautiful colors and shapes that were used for the different structures and buildings. Rather than a fictional storyline on Lookout Cay, the island instead honors Bahamian culture.Decor hanging from the ceiling of the Castaway Cay pavilionsAt Castaway Cay, the island is themed after the storyline of a shipwrecked castaway community. Most of the buildings are themed to look like they have been put together after a shipwreck. This theme carries throughout the island with snorkeling off the beach that allows guests to see the remains of this fictional shipwreck.There are numerous other differences between the two islands, some good and some bad, let's breakdown all these different comparisons to see what island is the best choice for your cruise.🌴Read our first initial thoughts reporting live from the new

Disney Lookout Cay island!Disney Cruise Line Islands Deliver on Great Disney ExperienceHammocks at Castaway CayLookout Cay & Castaway Cay provide a similar Disney Cruise Line experience which means the islands are an extension of the inclusive offerings, Disney standard of customer service, and options for adult only secluded areas.Both islands offer the same separation of family beaches and adult only beaches with different cabana spaces and eating locations. There are similar youth activities offered on the island that carry over form the youth groups on the cruise ship.As for food options, both islands offer all-you-care-to-enjoy lunch buffets. There will be BBQ themed food items included, with Lighthouse Cay offering a few more unique Bahamian-inspired dishes, which are part of your all inclusive lunch. Both islands also have locations to purchase, at additional cost, themed beverages and alcoholic drinks.Lookout Cay beachSince both islands are in the Bahamas, you will have the same beautiful crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. These islands are both stunningly unique and breathtaking in their own way. The waters at Castaway Cay feel a bit more calm, since the beaches are nestled within a cove, while the waters at Lookout Cay offer a bit more waves.Lookout Cay is also the same to Castaway Cay in that the cast members working on the cruise ship debark the ship to provide services on the island. The processes and methods all continue to work the same way making it a seamless experience for your island visit. I always felt that Castaway Cay is simply an extension of the Disney Cruise Line ship and I had that similar comforting feeling on Lighthouse Cay. In some ways, that is the most important part of the success of Lighthouse Cay as a new port stop in the Disney Cruise Line itineraries.Castaway Cay Is More EstablishedThere are some key differences between Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay but none are significant enough to drastically change your enjoyment.The biggest caveat that guests need to keep in mind is that Castaway Cay has been an established place within the Disney Cruise Line itineraries since 1998. That's over 25 years to grow to perfection and for the cast members that work on Disney Cruise Line to become accustomed to the island. Since Lookout Cay is so new, we will see some initial growing pains as the island continues to improve over time. Castaway Cay likely wasn't perfect from day one and Lookout Cay won't be either.With that disclaimer in mind, let's get into the differences that I think are more impactful to the guest experience and not so much things that come across as nit picky!🐠Read our full guide to Castaway Cay to see why we love

It so much!Lookout Cay Offers More Community ExperiencesThe main difference currently are the recreational opportunities and port adventures offered at both islands. Currently, Castaway Cay retains a more elaborate selection of water rentals that include kayaks, paddleboards, aqua bikes, and more. All of these recreational rentals take place in a separate space from the family beaches in still water right near the cruise ship making for a picture perfect experience. Guests can also rent snorkels to view the hidden underwater Disney items that further incorporate that storyline of a cruise wreck. There is also a devoted section for bike rentals to explore the island which is located right where the Castaway Cay 5K takes place. In short, there is plenty of recreation available on this island.Initially, Lookout Cay only has regular snorkeling (no hidden underwater treasures… yet!) along with kayak, bike rentals, and banana boats. I imagine we will see more offerings grow over time so it's hard to fault the island quite yet. But until that happens, Castaway Cay offers a more elaborate option of recreational sports options.Lookout Cay does have an edge over Castaway Cay when it comes to the port adventures! Since Lookout Cay is located within a larger community, on the island of Eleuthera, there is far more selection for exploration. One of the port adventures includes a cultural tour around the island communities that culminates in a stop at the famous caves of the island, a visit to the nearby Junkanoo workshops, local shopping and dining, and other natural wonders. Nothing like that is offered on Castaway Cay since that island is largely underdeveloped outside of the area Disney occupies.Lookout Cay Provides Unique EntertainmentSince Lookout Cay was so heavily inspired by Bahamian culture, not necessarily just a fictional storyline, the entertainment on the island itself was made to reflect that.Junkanoo is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated carnivals featuring colorful costumes, dance routines, and street parades. Disney Imagineers worked closely with local Bahamian designers and locals to bring Junkanoo to life in an accurate and respectful way.RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration features dancing, elaborate costumes, and music all created to bring the celebration of Junkanoo to Lookout Cay. And of course, there's a bit of Disney mixed in as well as you will see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy all in their Junkanoo inspired costumes taking part in this celebration.This is one way that Lookout Cay stands out as unique as there is no specific entertainment option offered on Castaway Cay aside from character meet and greets.Castaway Cay Feels Like an Easier ExperienceAnother difference between these two Disney islands is the way that Disney Castaway Cay just feels like an easier experience as compared to Lookout

I’ve sailed with Disney Cruise Line nearly 10 times and Castaway Cay is my favorite port of call.The best part about Castaway Cay is that everything you need for the day is available on the island so you won’t have to go back to the ship for anything.Here are the best things to do on Castaway Cay along with what is and isn’t included when you visit Disney’s private island. Storytelling takes center stage on Disney Cruise Line (DCL), and not just onboard its cruise ships. Disney’s original private island in the Bahamas, called Castaway Cay, is part of the enchantment as well. On most Disney cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including the three- and four-night sailings of its newest ship, the Disney Wish, you’ll stop for a day at Castaway Cay. And on super special sailings throughout the year, you can spend two days at Castaway Cay during an itinerary. Whether you’re traveling with kids or without, there’s plenty to do on Castaway Cay, including snorkeling in crystal clear water, swimming with stingrays, zipping down water slides, sipping cocktails on the beach, enjoying a lively BBQ, and even running a 5K. Here’s what is (and isn’t) included when you visit Castaway Cay on a family cruise with Disney Cruise Line, plus ideas about which activities are best for everyone in your group. Editor’s note: In June 2024, Disney began sailing to a second private island destination, called Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera. Read all about Lookout Cay here.ROMANCE AT SEA: 7 Best Cruise Lines for Couples (and Their Most Romantic Voyages)Castaway Cay’ has both paved paths and a tram, which makes it easy for everyone in the family to enjoy all that the island has to offer (Photo: Disney Cruise Line)While Disney