I went to Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point for the first time. During my time ashore, I learned a few lessons that will enhance my experience for future visits.
Growing up, I visited Disney's Castaway Cay on two family cruises aboard Disney Magic and Fantasy. However, I was curious about Disney Cruise Line’s newest private destination, which promised a fresh take on the Disney island experience.
As such, I found an affordable 3-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, calling at Lighthouse Point before disembarking in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was not only excited to explore the new destination but also eager to share the magic of Disney cruises that I grew up loving with my fiancée.
Lighthouse Point opened in June 2024, and I had the chance to visit a few months after its debut. The brand-new port of call offers something for everyone, from adult escapes to kid-friendly splash zones, snorkel adventures, and upscale cabanas.
I was impressed by the destination's commitment to highlighting Bahamian culture and its natural beauty. However, after reflecting on my few short hours ashore, I realized a few things I'd do differently on my next visit.
I'd bring water for the half-mile walk off the pier
Before arriving at Lookout Cay, I knew we'd have to make the dreaded walk down the long pier. While I'd heard about the length, I wasn't fully prepared for how far it stretched from the ship to the island. It was certainly a trek; however, I'm thankful for the breeze, which made it far more bearable than if the sun had been beating down on us relentlessly.
Still, there was no shade along the way. Though much smaller, the pier at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay has a little shade provided by colorful umbrellas. Plus, trams are available for those who don't want to walk to the island. Comparatively, those with mobility issues can only use trams at Lighthouse Point.
While I'm young and able-bodied, I can imagine how difficult it must have been for parents with young children to make the trek from the ship to the island. In addition to a lack of shade, there are no places to sit and catch your breath. Therefore, it's essential to come prepared with water to stay hydrated during your walk, especially if it's a scorching hot day with minimal wind.
I would research the area's layout ahead of time
Foolishly, I assumed we'd be steps from the beach and other amenities after walking down the pier. To my dismay, we were greeted by a tram to transport us to the main area of the destination. While the tram ride was quick and convenient at just around five minutes, the added time and effort made it challenging to seamlessly navigate the island.
The long walk down the pier, waiting for the tram, and finally arriving at Lighthouse Point felt like a lot—and my fiancée and I were traveling alone. I cannot imagine how much more challenging and time-consuming it would have been with young children or elderly family members in tow.
While the pier and tram aren't deterring factors for visiting Lighthouse Point, the layout requires additional planning to maximize your time ashore. For example, instead of assuming you'll be soaking up the sand within fifteen or twenty minutes after disembarking, give yourself extra time and adjust your expectations accordingly.
Read more: What it's really like in a $500-a-night, 185-square-foot stateroom on a Disney Cruise
I'd line up early for character meet-and-greets
Like at the Disney theme parks, character meet-and-greets are popular activities on Disney cruises, especially when ashore at private destinations! The night before we arrived, our waitress told us the best way to avoid crowds during lunch was to eat at True-True Too BBQ or Serenity Bay BBQ, rather than True-True BBQ.
Why? Because characters make appearances at True-True, and it's the closest dining pavilion to popular family-friendly amenities like Triton's Trumpet Stage, the Play-Play Pavillion, and Sebastian's Cove. Before heading back, we decided to walk through True-True to see how crowded it was. As we approached, we noticed a long line forming to meet Mickey, even though he wasn’t scheduled to appear for another ten minutes.
If meeting characters is on your must-do list at Lookout Cay, be prepared to line up early to avoid the crowds and maximize your time with the characters. While you're waiting, however, protect yourself from the sun. Bring proper cover-ups, and don't be afraid to reapply sunscreen. The topical heat can be intense, especially when standing around.
Read more: Should you go to a theme park before or after your cruise from Florida?
I would attend the cultural events
Lighthouse Point offers a window into the rich culture and hospitality of the Bahamas. The architecture pays tribute to the beauty of the archipelago. Plus, murals, sculptures, and other designs created by Bahamian artists are integrated into the various spaces around the destination.
Guests who want to learn more about Bahamian culture should visit the Goombay Cultural Center. Located at the heart of Lighthouse Point, the arts and cultural pavilion hosts special programs, where local artists and performers showcase traditional Bahamian music, dance, and more, providing opportunities to immerse yourself in the island's heritage and gain a deeper understanding of the culture that makes the Bahamas unique.
There's also a store called Treasures of Eleuthera that offers handcrafted goods made by local artisans. While you'll find plenty of Lookout Cay-exclusive merchandise in the Disney shops, this is the perfect place to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
Read more: 8 things Disney Cruise Line does backwards
I wouldn't skip the adult-only areas
With only five hours in port, we didn't hesitate to make our way to the gangway as soon as the all-clear was given. Once the tram dropped us off at the Goombay Cultural Center, we started walking in the general direction of Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach at Lighthouse Point.
When we stumbled upon a stretch of beach nearly empty except for a few adults, we decided to stop since it seemed like the perfect place to unwind. Because there weren't any children around, we assumed we had made it to Serenity Bay; however, when families with children started to roll in a little bit after our arrival, we discovered we hadn't quite made it to the adults-only beach.
As we were comfortable and there weren't enough children to bother us, we decided against continuing on. Looking back, however, I wish we had ventured to Serenity Bay just to see what set it apart from the family-friendly beaches—if anything. Plus, we could have spent the entire day there, only leaving when we were ready to return to the ship thanks to the adults-only BBQ pavilion.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
