When I’m planning a Disney Cruise Line itinerary, there’s one thing I always try to make happen: a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. And if I can swing it? I book a cabana.
I’ve rented a cabana at Serenity Bay (the adults-only beach) a few times now, and every single time it has felt like an absolute treat. That said, it’s not a small splurge — so let me walk you through everything you need to know before you decide whether it’s worth it for your trip.
What Is a Castaway Cay Cabana?
A cabana is a private beach hut you can rent for the full day at Castaway Cay. There are 27 cabanas in total, split between two locations on the island:
Family Beach – 20 standard Family Cabanas + 1 Grand Family Cabana (the big one!)
Serenity Bay – 6 adult-only cabanas (everyone in your party must be 18+)
Each cabana is about 325 square feet, with an indoor shaded area and a private outdoor deck. They’re open-air wooden structures. Think charming beach hut, not luxury villa, but the perks more than make up for the rustic vibe.
What’s Included in a Castaway Cay Cabana?
This is where things get good. Here’s everything included with your rental:
Mini Fridge
Stocked with soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero), water, and a bowl of fresh fruit. There are also cold towels in there — an absolute lifesaver when the Caribbean sun is beating down. Bags of chips and granola bars round out the snacks. And yes, your cabana host will restock it if you run low.
Safe
Having a safe nearby just makes everything easier. I’ve never had a problem on the beach, but it’s genuinely nice to lock up my camera, stateroom key, and ID while I’m in the water. No stress, no second-guessing.
Cabana Host
There’s a call button on the wall, and I genuinely love this feature. Need the fridge restocked? Push the button. Want a golf cart lift to the lunch buffet? Push the button. Want to add some adult beverages from the bar to your tab? You guessed it — push the button. These folks work incredibly hard, so please tip them at the end of the day.
Shade, Sunscreen & Hammock
Your own little hut with comfy chairs is the best place to escape the midday sun — or duck into if there’s an afternoon shower. A selection of sunscreen (both spray and lotion) is included, along with your own private hammock. I’ll be honest: getting into that hammock is harder than it looks. Worth every ungraceful attempt.
Bike Rentals & Snorkel Equipment
This one surprises a lot of people! Bike rentals and snorkel equipment are included with your cabana. Normally, bike rentals run about $19 per person per hour, and snorkel equipment is around $44/day for adults — so if you’re planning to use these anyway, the savings start to add up fast.
*Note: Snorkel equipment is not included in Serenity Bay cabanas — just the family beach ones.*
Floats, Rafts & Sand Toys
Tubes, floats, and (on the family beach) sand toys are all available to cabana guests. No hauling gear off the ship.
Bluetooth Speaker
New since I wrote my original post — there’s now a Bluetooth speaker in each cabana so you can play your own playlist. A small touch, but a fun one.
Changing Area & Outdoor Shower
There’s a small curtained changing area inside — especially handy if you’re running the Castaway Cay 5K and need to change into a swimsuit. The outdoor shower is great for rinsing off before heading back to the ship. There are also power outlets inside, so bring a phone charger.
Private Beach Section
The area of beach in front of the cabanas is reserved exclusively for cabana guests. It is noticeably less crowded, and the lounge chairs are set up for you. No fighting for a prime spot, it’s just yours.
How Much Does a Castaway Cay Cabana Cost?
Pricing has increased over the years (I know, I know). Here’s the current breakdown:
Family Beach Cabana is $963 for up to 6 guests. Maximum capacity is 10 guests
Grand Family Cabana is $1,375 for up to 10 guests with a maximum of 16
Serenity Bay Cabana is $523 for up to 4 guests with a maximum of 10 guests
Grand Serenity Cabana is $963 for up to 10 guests. The maximum capacity for this one is 16 guests.
Additional guests (beyond the base) are currently charged at $56 per person. Children ages 0–2 are free on family beach cabanas.
The Family Beach and Serenity Bay prices in my original post were out of date ($798 and $493) and I had to update this post. As with everything, prices have risen, so please don’t book based on old figures you see floating around the internet! Prices and inclusions are subject to change and you should always verify current details at https://disneycruise.disney.go.com before booking.
How to Book a Castaway Cay Cabana
Here’s the honest truth: cabanas are incredibly hard to get. There are a limited number of them, and the ships carry a LOT of guests. Even with the pricing, demand far exceeds supply.
Booking opens through the Port Adventures section of the Disney Cruise Line website, and access is tiered by loyalty status:
Concierge guests can book 125 days before sailing
Pearl Castaway Club members can book theirs 123 days out
Platinum Castaway Club members can book 120 days out
Gold members can attempt to book 105 days before sailing
Silver members can try their luck 90 days before their cruise
My honest thoughts – if getting a cabana matters to you, consider booking a concierge stateroom. The early access is one of the real perks, and it’s how many first-timers finally land one. When we sailed concierge it was how we got ours!
If you didn’t get one don’t give up! On embarkation day, head to Guest Services and ask to be put on the waitlist. Cancellations do happen, especially if people start thinking about what they have spent!
Is a Castaway Cay Cabana Worth It?
This is the question, isn’t it? “Worth it” is very subjective.
For me, it comes down to group size and how you plan to spend your day. If you’re a larger group planning to rent bikes and snorkel equipment anyway, the value can add up. If you’re going to be on the island all day and just want a stress-free, no-decisions base to return to (like me) then it’s absolutely worth it. Having a home base, shade, cool drinks and a comfy chair is an amazing added luxury on an already fabulous island.
That said, when it’s just my sister and me, the price is harder to justify. I love the experience, but $523+ for two people for one day is real money. I’d rather save it for some souvenirs I can take home from the gift shop on baord.
Hey, if you can – you should splurge on a cabana at least once. It’s the kind of Disney experience that makes you feel genuinely pampered and bougie!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Castaway Cay cabana cost?
Family Beach Cabanas start at $963 for up to 6 guests. Serenity Bay (adults-only) cabanas start at $523 for up to 4 guests. Additional guests are $56 per person. A Grand Family Cabana starts at $1,375. Pricing can change and should be confirmed at https://disneycruise.disney.go.com
What is included in a Castaway Cay cabana?
Your cabana includes a stocked mini fridge (soft drinks, water, fruit, cold towels), snacks (chips, granola bars), a safe, sunscreen, floats and rafts, a private hammock, bike rentals, snorkel equipment (family beach only), a Bluetooth speaker, a changing area, outdoor shower, power outlets, and a dedicated cabana host reachable by a call button.
How do I book a Castaway Cay cabana?
Book through the Port Adventures section of the Disney Cruise Line website. Access opens based on your Castaway Club loyalty tier, starting 125 days before sailing for Concierge guests. Cabanas sell out extremely fast — book the moment your window opens.
Is a Castaway Cay cabana worth the price?
For families or groups who plan to use the included bike rentals and snorkel equipment, yes the value adds up. For smaller groups, it’s more of a luxury call. It’s a genuinely special experience worth doing at least once.
What’s the difference between the Family Beach and Serenity Bay cabanas?
Family Beach cabanas accommodate up to 10 guests and are on the main beach where kids are welcome. Serenity Bay cabanas are on the adults-only beach (18+ required) and start at a lower base price, though they don’t include snorkel equipment.
Can you get a Castaway Cay cabana last minute?
It’s rare, but not impossible. On embarkation day, ask Guest Services to put you on the waitlist because cancellations do happen. Your chances improve if you’re sailing on a smaller ship.
Do cabana guests get a private beach?
Yes! The section of beach in front of the Family Beach cabanas is reserved exclusively for cabana guests. Serenity Bay cabanas share the beach with other Serenity Bay guests, but it’s still the adults-only area.
If you’re weighing other ways to upgrade your Disney cruise experience, check out my post on whether concierge is worth the expense here: https://pixiedustfan.com/disney-cruise-concierge-worth-expense/
