july/august 2024
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Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
By Zachary Laks
We’re just back from the launch of
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
,
Disney Cruise Line’s
newest private destination on the island of Eleuthera, and our first impression is that this will quickly become a client favorite. The beautiful new addition joins the cruise line’s
Castaway Cay
, Disney’s private island in The Bahamas, for two unique and private ports of call your clients will love.
While both Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay are island destinations in The Bahamas, they are distinct and unique experiences. Castaway Cay is based on fictional castaways that inhabit Disney’s island, while Lookout Cay is designed to immerse guests in authentic Bahamian culture. Here’s everything we loved about the exciting new Caribbean port.
A New Cultural Destination
One of the most notable differences between Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay is that Lookout Cay is a private destination port, not a private island. Jeff van Langeveld, VP of International Sales and Marketing for
Disney Destinations
, says, “[Disney Cruise Line] worked hard on this one to differentiate it from a cultural standpoint.... I think of Lookout Cay as a port of call with excursions, and at Castaway Cay, it’s about a day at the beach.â€
The new, secured oasis encompasses the southern tip of Eleuthera’s 110-mile-long island, home to more than 11,000 Bahamians. Disney has incorporated the island’s vibrant culture throughout this new stop, with many activities, festivities and food that honor and share the stories of The Bahamas. As with Castaway Cay, all purchases your client makes in port can be made through their
Sea Pass
card or a
DisneyBand+
waterproof wristband.
Most notably, your clients will love getting swept up in the fun of
RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration
featuring a local Junkanoo group. The twice-daily parade festival is intoxicating and distinctly Disney as Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy, all decked out in colorful Junkaroo attire, lead a dance party with guests. Disney collaborated with the National Junkanoo Committee to bring this celebration to life authentically and meaningfully, and it shows.
The Goombay Cultural Center is the hub and heart of Lookout Cay. It’s here your clients will find activities for all ages that celebrate the traditions and natural beauty of The Bahamas. One of the activities we sat in for was the
Sights & Sounds of Junkanoo Workshop
, curated by Miss Melinda, a local Eleutheran school teacher. The packed pavilion was captivated by the history of the Junkanoo celebration and we enjoyed building crafts to wear during the celebration.
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Free Activities for All Ages
Lookout Cay has an array of free activities for all ages throughout the day. The Play-Play Pavilion is where your clients will find the
Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash
with Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n Dale. This is the spot for
Goofy’s Good Day Limbo
and
Pluto’s Pineapple Ring Toss
, as Bahamian renditions of classic Disney songs add to the atmosphere.
Rush Out, Gush Out Water Play
is a fun play area with colorful designs inspired by the Junkanoo festival. This is great for all ages, with slides, water drums and plenty of splash surprises located right off the family beach and near food and drinks. For no additional fee, your clients can drop off their kids at
Sebastian’s Cove
, Lookout Cay’s kids’ club, for the day while they take advantage of all the island’s excellent adults-only offerings.
Premium Adventures
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a great starting point for exploring Eleuthera’s rich culture and breathtaking beauty. The port features a collection of all-new adventures developed with local tour operators. These include private historical and cultural tours of the island, buggy excursions, kayaks, e-bikes, scuba tours and catamaran sailings. When talking with van Langeveld, he adds, “We’ll be building up to 30 excursions at the destination that will be adventure, cultural and city experiences.â€
The destination features two sets of private cabanas available for families to reserve. The
Mabrika Cove Cabanas
are among the first things you see when you enter the destination, with additional cabanas located not far from the destination’s Serenity Bay.
Pristine Beaches
There are three beaches at Lookout Cay:
Family Beach
(for all ages),
Serenity Bay
(for guests 18 and older), and
Mabrika Cove
(exclusive for
Mabrika Cove Cabanas
guests). The beaches are beautifully maintained with powdery sand and crystal-clear waters. Lookout Cay’s beaches are pristine and rank high among the best cruise port beach destinations we’ve ever visited.
Excellent & Delectable
Dining Options
The island-inspired food is fresh and delicious, with nine food and drink options that range from classic cheeseburgers and fried chicken sandwiches to Bahamian-inspired cuisine. Your clients will delight in the traditional BBQ fare (think cheeseburgers, ribs, and fries) and enjoy the flavorful and unique pigeon peas & rice, lime-marinated grilled snapper, plant-based island curry and island-spiced rotisserie chicken. We got to sample all the new, unique food offerings and got seconds for just about everything. Our drink of choice was the island’s signature cocktail, Eleuthera Euphoria, a blend of premium aged rum and Dole Whip, topped with pineapple-shaped candy. With the chance to enjoy a Dole Whip cocktail concoction, your clients will love a taste of the parks at Lookout Cay.
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Sustainability
& Authenticity are Key
Conservation efforts were a top priority for the team, and they are very noticeable throughout the destination. Jodi Bainter, VP of Domestic Leisure Sales for Disney Destinations Sales Solutions, tells us that “The pier allowed us to leave the space as we found it, the elevated walkways [throughout the destination] were built to protect the sand dunes, and a lot of the beach chair positioning was set to protect the sand dunes.†Bainter adds, “We want to [highlight] the nature and the beauty [of Lighthouse Point] and leave it in its natural habitat.†Of note: Elements of the destination will soon open for local Eleuthrans to visit and enjoy on days when Disney Cruise Line is not in port.
Getting Around the Island
Only one Disney Cruise Line ship docks per day at Lookout Cay, which means the island will never be overcrowded. Upon disembarking the ship, your clients will traverse a 15-minute walk to Lookout Landing, with bicycle rentals, charter boat check-in and Mangroves & Go, an iced coffee stall. From there, your clients will hop on a shuttle to its one stop, the Goombay Cultural Center, for the majority of the island’s activities.
As longtime fans of Castaway Cay, we’re thrilled to report that Lighthouse Point is an incredible and worthy new addition to Disney Cruise Line’s port destinations. The island emanates an authentic Bahamian cultural experience with a signature Disney touch, along with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Our first visit was impressive, and we can’t wait to get back there and have more fun in the sun.
Contact Information
Disney Cruise Line:
disneytravelagents.com
COVER
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Table of Contents
SANDALS
SANDALS SPREAD
Editor's Notes
EDU HOUSE AD
Advisor Speak: Making Waves in Cruise Sales
Industry Insights: USTOA puts Responsible Tourism Front and Center
Caribbean/Mexico: Island Hopping—Caribbean Update
Mexico: Good Vibrations—Eco-Friendly Vacays in Mexico
CAYMANS ISLANDS SC
CAYMAN ISLANDS
INCLUSIVE COLLECTION SC
INCLUSIVE COLLECTION AD
INCLUSIVE COLLECTION SPREAD
PALLADIUM SPREAD
Onsite Review: Grand Palladium Punta Cana—Four Resorts in One
Cruise: All-Around Wellness—For the Planet and Your Clients
Oceania’s Marina is Back in Service
OCEANIA SC
OCEANIA CRUISES
Onboard Review: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
North America: Two Las Vegas Giants Put Focus on Healthy Future
MGM SC
MGM RESORTS
Onsite Review: Disney Magic Meets the Bayou
TURKISH AIRLINES
