Is a cabana “worth it?” To me, this is a very subjective question. Considering that snagging a cabana on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is one of the most difficult “port adventures” to book, it appears many people do think it’s worth it. My husband, son, and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to book one in April 2014 on our Disney Cruise Line Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy.
View from Cabana #6 on Castaway Cay – Image from Mary Spina
Reserving our cabana
How did we manage to get one? We were sailing concierge-level. It was the first time we had ever sailed concierge (this was our fourth Disney cruise) and I hope that it won’t be our last. But that’s an article for another day. Being a concierge guest, our booking window for port adventures opens 120 days prior to sailing. We were able to get Cabana #6 (on the Family Beach) for our day at Castaway Cay! What made this even more special is that our day at Castaway Cay also happened to be our anniversary. What a way to celebrate!
Anticipation
The night before we docked at Castaway Cay, we had a special item sitting on our bed when we returned from dinner. Yes, there was a towel animal, just like every other night! We love coming in to our stateroom to see what our stateroom host has left for us. Along with the towel animal was another special presentation. It was a cardboard mockup of our cabana! It made us even more excited about the next day. Along with the tiny cabana was a map of Castaway Cay, wristbands for each of us to show we had a reserved cabana, and instructions about what to do in the morning. 
Our arrival
We docked at Castaway Cay on our anniversary, and couldn’t wait to get off the ship. When you dock at the private island, there are crew members on the dock with large supplies of towels. Since we had a cabana, we didn’t have to pick any up. They would be waiting for us in our cabana. We chose to hop on the tram to get to our cabana check-in. We took the tram to the second stop on the family beach (the same stop to transfer to the adult-only beach tram). Once we got off the tram, the check-in for cabanas is just a few steps away. In a matter of just minutes we were boarding a golf cart to take us to our cabana – our “home” for the day. 
Off we go, with our personal golf cart driver, to find Cabana #6. And there it was, waiting just for us. Our name on a little welcome sign – yes, it was ours for the day. 
The Cabana
Inside the cabana is ample comfortable seating, soft drinks in our own little fridge, snack bars and chips, sunscreen, towels, and a menu of frosty beverages if we wanted to partake. There is also a button, like a doorbell. Press that button and a concierge host/hostess will be there in minutes to help you. To be honest, we never had to use the button. There was a hostess there to check on us and make sure we had everything we needed. She popped in a few times during the day to ensure we were having a stellar day.
Amenities
As you walk into the cabana and look out the front, the view is amazing: the private beach, the Disney Fantasy off in the distance, more lounges and chairs, a hammock, outdoor shower, and beach toys for our use.
We had just arrived and I felt completely spoiled already. We walked out onto the sand walkway and headed to the beach where here were beach lounges and chairs waiting just for us. There are floats and inner tubes to use, a beach volleyball court, and lots and lots of space. 
My husband, Phil, and I headed to the beach lounges while our son, Jeremy, checked out the inner tubes and the volleyball court.
Service
In just a few minutes, a bar host came up and asked if we wanted anything from the bar. Okay, it was ALMOST noon and it was our anniversary … As they say “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” We decided to splurge and get a bottle of champagne. Champagne, private cabana, private beach – was I in paradise? Pretty darn close, I think.
Keepsake from our day in Cabana #6 at Disney’s Castaway Cay
Not included
The only thing the cabana does not have is a bathroom. But from Cabana #6, the restrooms are a very short walk. At lunchtime (yes, you have to get your own lunch), we ventured to Cookies Too, an open-air BBQ area, which is included in the price of your cruise. We opted to get our lunch and bring it back to the cabana to enjoy. We wanted to get the most use out of our cabana as we could!
Too soon, our day of luxury was over. Was it worth it? In every imaginable way possible. Is it pricey? Yes. But as a special occasion splurge, we were very happy that we had our cabana.
DIStracted Tip: If you are not able to reserve a cabana in advance because they are so popular, you can go to Guest Services on the ship and ask to be put on a waiting list. It doesn’t happy very often, but there may be last minute cancellations.
Pricing (subject to change)
On the family beach, the current price is $549 for the day for up to 6 people. You may have up to 10 total in a family cabana. It is an additional $50 per person. On Serenity Bay (adult beach), cabanas are $399 for up to 4 people. You may have up to 6 total for an additional $50 per person. You can split the cost with another family (or two as long as you are within the total occupancy limit) and Disney Cruise Line will split the cost between staterooms. As always, pricing is subject to change.
How much was the cabana?
On the family beach, the current price is $549 for the day for up to 6 people. You may have up to 10 total in a family cabana. It is an additional $50 per person. On Serenity Bay (adult beach), cabanas are $399 for up to 4 people. You may have up to 6 total for an additional $50 per person. As always, pricing is subject to change.
Hi there! Love your review! Can you tell me if the beach toys and sunscreen were yours to take home? Or do you leave them there? Thank you!
Thanks for reading my review! I’m glad you liked it. We opted to leave the beach toys (no room in the suitcase!) and sunscreen (it was our last day of the cruise). There are no signs saying that you can’t take them. So I’d leave it up to you. I hope you get to enjoy a cabana sometime. It really is an amazing experience!
This article makes me so excited for our first cabana on our June cruise! How many beach loungers are set up for each cabana? Can you get more?
I know there were two lounges and two chairs. There may have been more, but I honestly don’t remember. There is SO much space on the beach that I am sure you would be able to get more if needed. Part of what made it so amazing was the luxury of space on the beach! Congratulations on getting your first cabana! ENJOY!!
Great post, Mary! While I haven’t had the chance to book a Castaway Cay Cabana, we book them at the Walt Disney World Resort Water Parks and when staying at the deluxe resorts that have them and they are always worth the money!
Loved your post. I’m taking my daughter and sister on the 3 day Bahamas cruise on the Dream in May to celebrate my retirement. I booked a cabana on Serenity Bay. We are in a one bedroom concierge suite so was able to book early.
We are so excited about spending the day on the beach with the cabana as home base. It was good to hear that you enjoyed the experience.
Have a wonderful cruise, Linda! And congratulations on your retirement! Happy sailing!
Hi Mary. Thank you for all the information. How do you book the Cabana. It does not show up as an option online right now. Our excursions don’t open for a few weeks (120 days out) but it is not in the list of options for the private island? Is there some secret way to book? Thank you.
Hi Jennifer. Cabanas are booked similar to port adventures. When your booking window opens for excursions, cabanas will be one of the options listed under Castaway Cay. Since your booking window is 120 days out, you must be sailing concierge or be a platinum Castaway Cay member! Lucky for you since cabanas are extremely popular. If you are sailing concierge, you can submit a request to your shoreside concierge team (they will be in touch with you) and they can handle it for you. Or if you prefer to do it yourself or are a platinum member, I would strongly suggest being online as soon as your booking window opens. Cabanas get reserved quickly. Good luck and bon voyage!!
Can I ask how you were able to split the cost of the cabana between staterooms? Did you just call Disney and say “Hey, split it among rooms A, B, C, and D? I have the Grand Cabana for our upcoming cruise in May and have 3 staterooms I want to split the cost with. They are not familiar to me but are friends in our Cruise Facebook Group.
Hi Adam,
Good question. Once you are onboard, simply go to Guest Services and indicate who is joining you in the cabana and how the costs are to be split. They will split among staterooms for you. You don’t get charged in advance so you won’t be paying for everyone ahead of time. The Grand Cabana looks amazing! Have a fantastic cruise!!
Thanks Mary!
Turns out that I didn’t get the Grand Cabana. They had an IT issue (Disney? IT Issue? Go Figure). They had Cabana 14 set aside so I will be getting that. I am going to share with just one other stateroom as opposed to several with the Grand Cabana. I can swallow the $650 for the regular Cabana, but the $1000+ for the Grand was pretty hard to chew if everyone backed out. Being only our 2nd Disney Cruise, I am still in awe that I was able to get ANY cabana!
Thanks for your help!!
Any cabana is a good cabana!! You can still split the cost if you choose. Enjoy Castaway Cay. It’s my favorite port!!