History
The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area “baja mar”, which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.
Disney purchased the island – formerly known as Gorda Cay – in the 1990s, and spent over $25 million fixing it up, including dredging out the harbor so that the large Disney cruise ships could dock directly on the island without a tender.

Things to Do
There are so many things to do on Castaway Cay – from exhilarating water sports to relaxing cabana massages. Lunch is served right on the island at Cookie’s BBQ, so there’s no need to stop your fun to refuel. There’s also an adult-only lunch served at Castaway Cay Air Bar-B-Q, located at the adult-only beach at Serenity Bay. (There is also a teen-only beach, so there is truly a patch of sand for everyone!) While on the island, rentals are available for bicycles, floats and snorkel gear, and there is also parasailing and banana boat rides to enjoy. Various sports and games – everything from volleyball and shuffleboard to billiards and ping-pong - abound. Disney characters make photo appearances on Castaway Cay, and there is a supervised playground at Scuttle’s Cove for the kids.

 

Getting Around
Getting around Castaway Cay couldn’t be easier – you simply walk right off the boat down the path to the beach area – or you can hop on the tram to take you to the main guest areas, or further on to Serenity Bay, the adult-only area.

Weather
They say that it’s ‘better in the Bahamas’, and concerning the weather – they are generally correct! Temperatures in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes. Be sure to check the current weather conditions below.

 

Books and Guides
Before you depart, you’ll want to check out the books below, although you can’t go wrong on Castaway Cay with just some sunscreen and a hat!

   

For complete cruise schedules,itineraries and prices to the Bahamas for all cruise lines for 2008, click here.