Serenity Bay Cabana...do you think it is worth the $$$

[jrapps]

So the wife and I are finally going on the Dream without the kids and I got lucky and there were Serenity Bay Cabanas still available when I booked my excursions last night so I grabbed it...but now having second thoughts. Its $400 for the day, seems a bit expensive for just a secluded place to lounge.

I also booked a couples Massage, that was $300 but no way I am keeping both. So what do you think, are the Cabanas worth it? Seems a bit over the top to me but I couldn't resits holding it just in case.

What would you do, the cabana, the massage...or just save the money and enjoy the beach?

 

[dclpluto]

The best way to figure if it is worth it to you take 400 dollars divide that by how much you make a hour after taxes and see how many hours it will take you to work to pay for the cabana. Than see if you like it or not. To me it's not worth it.

 

[Gigi22]

So the wife and I are finally going on the Dream without the kids and I got lucky and there were Serenity Bay Cabanas still available when I booked my excursions last night so I grabbed it...but now having second thoughts. Its $400 for the day, seems a bit expensive for just a secluded place to lounge.

I also booked a couples Massage, that was $300 but no way I am keeping both. So what do you think, are the Cabanas worth it? Seems a bit over the top to me but I couldn't resits holding it just in case.

What would you do, the cabana, the massage...or just save the money and enjoy the beach?

Not a beach person, so there's no way I would purchase a cabana. I would use the cash for a Remy dinner instead.

 

[andrencau]

My family is a big fan of having a cabana. We feel it is worth every penny. It is a great place to have as a family and a good meet up spot if we go separate ways. However, Serenity Bay, feels like one huge Cabana to me. I am not sure I would splurge for one on Serenity Bay. The only benefit I see, and this is my opinion is the freshwater shower. Enjoy either way because you are going to Castaway Cay.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

We did it in December, as a splurge for our 35th anniversary. But now that I've done it, I don't need to do it again. I'd probably go with the couples massage. And brunch at Palo!

 

[over50visits]

Ah, the "is it worth is" question about big expenses (Remy, Photo Package, Massage, High end excursion, verandah cabin, concierge…) You own gut has to tell you. All of those are absolutely splurges, and if you feel a splurge will make your cruise more fun and memorable, the by all means choose one! For us, there is no way we would spend hundreds of dollars for pictures we can take ourselves, for a verandah when there is a great deck a minute away, or for a massage!

We think the cabana is worth every penny. A long, comfortable day, lots and lots of perks, a private paradise that makes our day at CC very special and memorable. But, lots of families find a nice area to set up camp for the day and have a great time.

YMMV Follow your heart…

 

[Quellman]

There are perks associated with having the cabana. If those are worth it then yay! But the cabanas at SB don't allow you the opportunity to just walk out on to the beach and into the water like you have at the family beaches. You have to find the path between the brush and then walk to the water from there.

We did a couples massage on Castaway Cay. That was plenty Cabana enough for me. There are servers who walk the beach and will get you drinks, there is a shower station next to the bar. I don't really need the sun tan lotion and reading materials (I have the lotion from the previous 3 days of cruising and books on my kindle). of course you know what you think your and your spouse will enjoy most.

 

[BCV2003]

We had a cabana at SB on our very first cruise and it happened to be the cruise we got engaged on so it made the trip a little bit more special. We did concierge that trip too so everything was a splurge. Did I love it? yes! Do I wish I could do it every time? Yes! but on our next cruise after that we didn't really miss it too much but probably would have tried to get one if there was more than two of us going. I did feel like it was a little bit of a waste for the two of us. It's just so nice on being at Castaway Cay itself. My husband did a massage in one of the cabanas at SB and said he really like that so maybe that will give you your cabana feel if you choose not to do it.

We probably could have stayed in the cabana for the weekend if they would have allowed it, lol

 

[DisFanJen]

I've done a serenity bay cabana and it was 100% worth it.

I personally am not a full on beach person, sun in your eyes, sand in your drink, urgh!

But sitting in my own private happy place on a comfy lounger (not one of those plastic things), under the awning enjoying a complementary soda while looking at the big ol' blue? Now that I can get behind.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

NO........just not worth the money!

AKK

 

[winterface]

100% worth it. You get free unlimited evian, suntan lotions, moisturizers, you don't have to worry about renting any floats or toys. You get a hammock, a fridge, towels, fresh fruit, snack bars and that little button to summon a cast member is wonderful.

You also get somewhere that you can escape to if you sun burn easily or just want to relax in the shade.

 

[minorthr]

My philosophy is if you have got ask if it's worth it you already know it's not and you are looking for other people to change your mind.

 

[over50visits]

What you get with the SB cabana:

Bowl of potato chips, energy bars, fresh fruit
Stocked fridge with cold drinks and water
Electric wall plugs (for example, plug in to recharge your electronics)
Suntan lotion
Private hammock
Personal float tubes
Snorkeling equipment rental
Bike rental included
Nearby shower (right outside)
Magazines
Facial tissue
Trashcan
Hanging closet
Cocktail table, sofa, two chairs inside
Call button for attendant
Overhead fan
Privacy curtains over windows
Plates
Private beach in family cabanas
There is a safe in them, just as in your onboard cabin.
You can eat lunch there (table and chairs). Your host might give you a ride to/from the buffet
There is a changing curtain for get into/out of swimwear
A drink host will come and take your order for alcoholic drinks and bring them to you
They provide a plate of cold, wet towels. Great for cleaning/cooling off
Lot of chairs inside and out (on the porch) for relaxing
Once at the end of the day, our host took us from our cabana to the ship's reboarding point in his golfcart. Wow!

 

[JP350Z]

I have a Cabana booked on Grand Cayman at Royal Palms Beach Club for $100 my next cruise. Not anything as extravagant but I think it's good to compare how much of a rip off Disney is. Just a table, 4 chairs, shade, chandalier, 4 loungers, roped off private area in front of cabana and a server bringing me buckets of cay brew.

 

[jrabbit]

Yes worth every cent to me. The more YOU spend (give to Disney), the LESS I have to give them!!!

 

[hanscarlet]

We think the family beach ones are worth it and then some and mainly because we don't like crowds and have little ones. If we were cruising without the kids we'd just do the beach all day on SB and not do the cabana and would totally expect the couples massage to be worth it over the cabana

 

[cruisehopeful]

I did the couples massage before. It was nice, but there was a loud woman sitting on the beach in front of the cabana, complaining to a friend the entire time about the manicure she got on the Dream. We heard every word and she seemed to go on for the whole hour. I almost yelled, "Shut up!" during my massage. At any rate, after seeing the above post about what all comes with the cabana, I think I'd choose the cabana instead of the massage in the future.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Never. I get off as early as I can. Get chairs with umbrellas on the main beach in the first row. Close to bathrooms and lunch. We snorkel, go on slides, swim, have lunch and head back to ship to stay at the cove all day and ride the slides on the ship. I'm never adverse to spending money but a cabana would be such a waste for us. I'm glad people like it. But it's the Same for concierge level. Can do two cruises for the price of one cruise on concierge level. On the other hand, if I can stay at club level at hotels for 100 or so more I will do it every time. And I insist on the best seats possible for any event. So each to their own.

 

[engle]

Dh and I did a serenity cabana in December. It was awesome. However, we will not do it again. We were in the water, down by the sand, biking and eating most of the time! We are very well off and never bat an eyelash at spending any money but we just didn't use it....I don't waste money and I felt like especially at Serenity, it isn't necessary. We said if we were with another couple or in a group, we would do it again. If it is a matter of one or the other, do the massage. You will enjoy Serenity just as much without it.

 

[RRB]

One thing to consider - if you get there early and stay all day, the cabanas are great to have. If you're not planning to spend the whole day there, I wouldn't do it