Trip Log Day 3: 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami – Castaway Cay #DCLBlogCruise 2 – 2/22/2020

Trip log, day three. Castaway Cay.
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami 
February 22, 2020
Guests Ashore: 8:30 am Guests Onboard: 4:45 pm
Personal Navigator – Day 3

Stateroom TV Map Day 3 Magic Castaway Cay 20200222

Over a week ago, I received an alert from Windy.com about a wind alert at Castaway Cay for today. The forecast was not wrong, but thankfully it did not impact our ability to dock as Captain Robert had no problems docking on the first attempt.

A Magic Castaway Cay Arrival

Before heading ashore, we needed to grab a small breakfast before for the Castaway Cay 5k. Even though I know it was a bad idea to get the Mexican breakfast wrap pre-race, I couldn’t pass up my favorite Cabanas breakfast item. Plus, the presentation was so much nicer than simple wrap.

Cabanas Breakfast Castaway Cay

I cannot think of a better sign than a rainbow over Castaway Cay to signal an amazing day. I will confirm, we didn’t locate the pot of gold.

Castaway Cay Welcome Rainbow

On embarkation day, there was a mention of coffee on Castaway Cay, but very little details. Low and behold, an espresso machine as well as an Illy cold brew machine at Conched Out Bar.

The Castaway Cay 5k for this cruise met near Summertime Freeze to check in and sign the wavers. This was our first time running with this procedure, and I love it over the packing in to a lounge and walking off together.

Castawy Cay 5k Bib 2020

The meeting time was set for 8:50 AM. The start of the race was actually at 9:10 AM. The weather was perfect today for Trot with Scott and the loops were not the typical loops of misery.

We spent the morning having out in the Grand Cabana at the end of the family beach which was recently repaired following the devastation in the region by Hurricane Dorian.

We all have our favorite things in life and one my guilty pleasures is the spicy chicken sandwich between two slices of the garlic focaccia bread. Today’s bread was amazing.

Cookies Too Spicy Chicken Garlic Foccacia Sandwich

After finishing up the previous day’s trip report, I got in some light reading because I am contractually obligated by Derek Burgan to read the SATURDAY SIX anywhere I am in the world.

Castaway Cay Grand Cabana 21 SATURDAY SIX

Castaway Cay 5k + Lunch + beautiful weather + fresh air = nap time. I think it was warmer in Ketchikan over the summer than it was today in The Bahamas.

Castaway Cay Grand Cabana 21 Magic Nap Time

Sparkling grape juice Prosecco Pong was the afternoon group activity which is just a fancy version of beer pong someone picked up as an impulse one day as when spotted as an Amazon warehouse deal. Not to mention, another fine use of our new custom coasters from Sticker Mule!

We browsed the gift shops, but the selection was similar to the last merchandise update shared on the site. I am running low on data, so I cannot compare prices, but the latest prices on the Castaway Cay reusable shopping bags are currently $1, $1.25, and $1.50.

Castaway Cay Reusable Shopping Bag Pricing

As we were walking back to the ship, we noticed most of the island was empty nearly 45 minutes before all aboard time, the lunch hour down pour and brief afternoon sprinkles coupled with the air temps didn’t help keep guests ashore the full day.

Castway Cay Castaway Rays Stingray Adventure Magic

This led to empty photo ops, one of of which has a new sign.

Over at Mt. Rustmore, there is a new sign asking guests to NOT CLIMB on Mt. Rustmore. However, even with nearly most guests back on board there were multiple groups climbing on Donald and Goofy for photos.

See ya later, mon! The temps may have been cool, but it was an amazing day at Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay See Ya Later, Mon!

After a long hiatus, Bob Iger’s sign near Marge’s Barges is back. I know it has been back for a bit, but this is our first time back since the sign’s return.

Castaway Cay Captain Bob Iger Marges Barges Sign

See Ya later. Castaway Cay becomes a speck on the horizon as we sail off for the evening.

See Ya Later, Castaway Cay

Even with passing showers, the day was amazing. Here is a 3 minute look at our full day at Castaway Cay.

Isabelle spent the afternoon jumping into character meet & greet lines.

This evening we were back in Rapunzel’s Royal Table for Pirate Night dinner. While talking with our table-mates, I made the decisions to sorta skip dinner and indulge a bit at the Pirate Night buffet. I went with the rib salad which I’ve enjoyed in the past. However, this prep was meh, but given my decision to join others in our group at the pirate night buffet I wasn’t about to say anything because I didn’t need a replacement entree. Just saying this because I feel the food needs to be called out in a forum that does not negatively reflect the serving teams. They are working hard to serve the food, not prepare the food. We are guilty of leaving excellent feedback for dinner because we know this impacts the servers NOT THE KITCHEN. Sure the servers will work to make you happy, but every dish should be up to standards established when the dish was created. I will say that Emily enjoyed her salad and falafel and Isabelle enjoyed her salmon and baked potato. The treasure of the seas pasta was a delight as well.

The pirate night desserts we ordered were also meh. Emily and Isabelle skipped dessert to get seats for trivia. The bounty fruit cobbler had full slices of fruit that were not cooked down and the flan, per the menu, was supposed to be coconut – it just lacked coconut.

At the end of our dinner, we learned 1) the pirate night fireworks were between dinner seatings and 2) there was no pirate night buffet on this sailings. Turns out since the Marvel Day at Sea cruises have begun and the early sunset making fireworks in the early evening the buffet has not been offered.

Thankfully, the wings and nachos were out in O’Gills during 80’s Music trivia with Tony from Spain. Music trivia is not nearly has impossible as his trivia. We fared really well, and luckily David and Dana from our group came out on top. Jorge from Peru was at the ready and Emily ordered a Gin Tea Tonic.

Joe Creamer’s Elton John / Billy Joel set in the Promenade Lounge was a blast and afterwards, Joe spent a good 20-minutes chatting with the group. Great guy for sure. Also scored another win, Taittinger Rose, from the Sommelier Bin!

Pirate Night turndown service may be pirate themed, but I cannot unsee Zurg. What about you?

Stateroom Towel Blanket Zurg

Tomorrow, is our magical day at sea.

Complete Trip Log Index

7 Replies to “Trip Log Day 3: 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami – Castaway Cay #DCLBlogCruise 2 – 2/22/2020”

  1. Erin Augustyniak

    What a perfect day! Between that amazing breakfast (Mexican wraps are also my absolute favorite breakfast item), to that perfect view, to the pong in the cabana, to the coffee on the island! Fingers crossed I can now get my espresso martinis while sitting on the beach. September can’t come fast enough! Thanks, as always, for logging your days and taking us on this journey with you.

    Reply
  2. JP

    Such a fun trip report! We’ve done quite a few cruises with DCL, but I always learn something new from your reports. Where did you get the spicy chicken sandwich???

    Reply

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