Castaway Cay Challenge Cruise!
It was announced this week that, once again, Disney Cruise Line is number one. It’s officially earned top honors from the Cruise Critic Community and I have to say – I do not disagree.
We’re excited to share that Cruise Critic announced the results of this year’s Cruiser’s Choice Destination awards and Disney Cruise Line ranked as the top cruise line across three categories: “Top Cruise Line in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda,” “Top Cruise Line in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya” and, for the fourth consecutive year, “Top Cruise Line Private Island.”
I will be the first to admit total and complete sticker shock when I first started booking Disney cruises. I mean, a cruise is a cruise, right? Why would you pay SO much more for a Disney Cruise?
Then… I went on one.
Not just any one.
The Castaway Cay Challenge Cruise.
We loved sailing on the Disney Dream, and the race was extremely fun. The cruise is phenomenal, the food is excellent, my kids loved every minute, and I can’t wait to go back. Plus, the boat is just crawling with runners and you can spend pretty much every minute talking about the races from the week before… which is kind of awesome.
I’ve actually been stalking the cruise rates and keep texting random members of my family to see who I can convince to do it with me in 2020.
The Cruise

This year, the Castaway Cay Challenge Cruise will take off from Port Canaveral on January 13, 2020. The four-night Bahamian cruise will leave Florida and head straight to Nassau for a day. The next day you’ll get to relax at Castaway Cay (after your race, naturally) and then spend a day at sea before returning to USA!
The Disney Dream is a fantastic, family-friendly Disney Cruise Line ship that takes Guests of all ages on amazing vacations to fabulous ports of call in the Bahamas. The gleaming ship is a modern-day marvel with an innovative design that combines sophisticated technology and magical elements made possible only by Disney.
I’m not sure if this is technically allowed – but for two adults here are the price ranges we’re looking at right now (as of July 2019!)
- Inside Staterooms $2,222.06 to $2,310.06
- Oceanview Staterooms $2,310.06 to $2,542.06
- Staterooms with Verandah $2,526.06 to $2,886.06
- Concierge with Verandah – SOLD OUT! (ballers!)
So, I’m tempted. Are you tempted?
The Race
Now let’s talk about the whole reason for the season – the Castaway Cay Challenge!
Consider yourself already a winner when you runDisney in The Bahamas! The ultimate runner’s vacation combines one Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend event plus a race on Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. The Monday after Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, board the Disney Dream for a relaxing end to the weekend with a Bahamian Cruise—with one last 5K!
So, basically, I got all of the Dopey medals… AND a 5K medal from Castaway Cay… AND another challenge medal! Seriously I was swimming in medals and 2017 had barely even started!!
You will want to book your cruise FIRST (by using your very favorite travel provider thankyouverymuch!) and then you can register for the race. The price is $80 and if you ask me it is worth every penny!
The Takeaway
Do the cruise.
FOMO YOLO or whatever acronym you want to use to justify it… I am here for you.
Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com