On June 7th 2024, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opened as a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line (DCL) guests. Since then, cruisers have been splashing in the waterplay areas, digging their toes in the sand, and exploring the new sights and sounds of DCL’s second island destination.
Having just completed a 4-night Bahamian cruise with a stop at Lookout Cay, here are my 5 takeaways of items worth noting for your next trip:
- The Dock – The Island’s Most Discussed Topic on the Ships and Social Media
To minimize the impact on the island’s natural environment, DCL built its dock away from the island’s edge. The dock runs approximately ½ mile from the island and is noticeably further than cruisers are used to at Castaway Cay. The ½ mile walk takes between 9-15 minutes and is a comparable distance as the walking path guests take from Disney’s Bay Lake Tower to the Magic Kingdom.
The biggest issue with the dock is that guests are in direct sun the entire walk, making the distance much harder to do on hot or sunny days (which, since Lookout Cay is in the Bahamas, that’s most days). To combat the strain the walk along the dock is placing on guests, DCL has begun offering wagons to pull to and from the ship; little cruisers can ride in the wagon, and guests can place their beach bags in the wagon.
DCL has also placed water stations at the start, midway point, and end of the dock, but honestly, more needs to be done.
I recommend that DCL give guests a bottle of water to carry with them as they walk along the dock, provide each guest a UA umbrella to use during the walk, or add shade sails to the pier. Shade sails are successfully used at Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, and would provide a much-needed break from the sun; greatly reducing the negative impact guests are currently experiencing.
- The Food – Lots of Options to Enjoy and No Issues with Flies
This is an area where DCL has upped their game.
At each of the dining locations; True-True BBQ, True-True Too BBQ, and Serenity Bay BBQ, the buffets offer traditional items such as burgers, hot dogs, potato salads, coleslaws etc…, along with an expanded variety of dishes like; Bahamian inspired marinated snapper, yucca fries, fried plantains, and chicken or seafood rice bowls. The expanded menu was a great surprise, giving more options for guests to enjoy.
During the initial sailings, social media posts came out stating the dining locations were overrun with flies. I’m relieved and delighted to share that DCL has resolved that problem! I did not have an issue with flies in either instance of serving myself at the buffet or eating in the seating areas. I want to give DCL credit for hearing the feedback from guests and resolving the fly problem so quickly.
- Areas to Play – Things to Do with No Additional Cost
Rush Out Gush Out is a family water play area that offers guests a spot to play in the sun, zip down water slides, and have fun with the whole family. It’s a fun space for kids and those of us who are kids at heart to make memories together.
Sabastian’s Cove is a waterplay area specifically designed for guests ages 3-10 years old. Younger cruisers can splash their way around statues of Sabastian conducting his orchestra of Under the Sea friends while water pops up from the ground and rains down from flower petals. The Cove is a cute space for younger guests to play, with less intense water features.
The Play-Play Pavilion offers a spot to stay dry and try your hand at games. Be it giant Jenga, Cornhole, or Ring toss; there are a bunch of activities for everyone to enjoy. During our time on the island, this was the perfect place to visit while a rain cloud passed through, and it gave us a chance to test our gaming skills amongst the family.
- The Characters – New Outfits for our Favorite Disney Friends and a New Bound Inspiration for Me
Theodore Elyett, an acclaimed Bahamian designer, created new looks for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Pluto to wear on Lookout Cay. These colorful pieces are inspired by the Bahamian culture, especially the vibrant colors of the traditional Junkanoo style, and ensure that each of our Disney friends is ready for their day on the island.
Mickey’s got conch shells on his shorts, and Minnie has a fantastic green dress with a giant green bow in her hair.
My personal favorite is the bold contrasting colors of Daisy’s ensemble. Her outfit inspired me to do a Lookout Cay bound.
Bound Details:
- Tan sunhat with blue trim and blue bow
- Royal blue swimsuit with white piping
- Electric blue shrug
- Coral skirt
- Yellow, coral, orange, and sky-blue fabric bracelets
- White sunglasses
Character Meet and Greets on the island happen throughout the day (times and locations can be found on the DCL Navigator App). You can also see characters in their new outfits during RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration and the Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash.
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- The beaches – the Best I’ve Seen on a Cruise Line’s Private Island
Serenity Bay and the Family Beach shorelines have crystal clear water, and the sand is smooth – no pebbles or rocks to avoid stepping on. I did not have the chance to try the beach area in front of the Mabrika Cove Cabanas, yet I imagine it’s just as nice as the two areas we explored.
The beaches are lined with umbrellas and loungers for guests to use. Further back from the water, and behind the sand dune, is another set of loungers, so if guests don’t want to be so close to the water’s edge or prefer to be closer to the island activities, they’ve got options.
On the day we visited, it stormed in the morning, and even with high winds during the storm, the water was clear for our afternoon swim (not a lot of seaweed or debris washing up on shore). When comparing the beaches of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, I’d choose Lookout Cay every time!
The opening of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a welcome addition to DCL’s Bahamian and Caribbean cruises. While some areas of concerns still have room for improvement and hopefully will be addressed over time, my overall takeaway is that this new destination offers a relaxing day for cruisers with beautiful beaches, good food, and Disney magic mixed in.
~Kelly