ELEUTHERA, Bahamas -- Colorful crepe paper fluttered like feathers on the edges of costumes as about a dozen Bahamians clinked cowbells, banged goatskin drums and paraded through the center of Disney Cruise Line's newly opened private destination.
In a departure from its Castaway Cay private island, which focuses on make-believe and Disney themes, Disney Cruise Line's newest destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, embraces the culture of the people who live here by showcasing their unique music, art and designs and their annual national celebration called Junkanoo.
That cultural expression was woven throughout Lookout Cay. Sometimes it was through architectural structures inspired by Bahamian seashells. In another case, the Rush Out Gush Out water play area was inspired by shacks where locals dream up Junkanoo parade costumes to don in the wee hours the day after Christmas and on New Year's Day.
"I'm extremely proud to know that the millions of persons that will visit Lookout Cay will be able to get a taste of Bahamian culture," said Warren Andrew Pinder, chairman of the National Junkanoo Committee, which was instrumental in the presentation of Junkanoo entertainment.
But Lookout Cay wouldn't be a Disney property without the brand's signature cast of characters. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with Donald and Daisy Duck, joined the parade wearing bold Junkanoo fun-in-the-sun outfits made by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett.
"People are going crazy about Daisy," Elyett said. "She looks like a Bahamian gal from head to toe."
I sailed on the first cruise to explore Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, situated at the southern end of the island of Eleuthera, on a three-day itinerary out of Fort Lauderdale on the Disney Magic (the line's first ship). The Magic was 78% full, with a mix of travel advisors, media and paying customers and only 300 kids.
Castaway Cay contrast
Disney is working with local vendors to provide tours of Eleuthera. That is a differentiator from Castaway Cay, which is Disney's own island. Lookout Cay also features more nature than Castaway, advisors told me. Aside from Junkanoo, one of the most talked-about features of the destination was its soft sand beaches with specks of pink and its pristine water with so many shades of blue advisors said it looked like it belonged in Turks and Caicos.
The destination has a nature trail to the small lighthouse for which Lighthouse Point is named. The path will have QR codes for information about plants and animals told via characters like Queenie the queen conch. The area will also have a bike path.
Travel advisors told me they enjoyed the main distinction, the authenticity of Bahamian culture at Lookout, in contrast to Disney-focused Castaway.
A question is whether loyalists accustomed to traditional Disney magic will embrace a port of call so rooted in reality.
Elyssa Antonelle, co-owner of Mickey Travels in Windermere, Fla., said that while Castaway is more about the Disney characters and Lookout more cultural and natural and with more entertainment, clients can opt for itineraries that include stops at both destinations.
"It's not an either/or," she said. "It's a both."
Pier problems
Lookout Cay has a long pier meant to minimize environmental impact on the ocean floor. However, it was a long and difficult walk under the hot, June Bahamian sun, particularly for families with young children or people with physical ailments.
Almost every agent or guest I talked to complained about the pier walk, which I measured at just over half a mile, without any shade or a place to take a break. Benches are coming, but there are no plans to install shade cover at this time, a cruise line spokeswoman said.
My guest, a mother of two children under 7 years old, was miserable carrying her nearly 5-year-old son with autism when he had a meltdown from the heat. The spokeswoman said carts can be requested from guest services for a ride to the island, but she stressed that the line expects the majority of guests to walk. Cart drivers will look for people struggling on the walk on the way back to the ship and offer them a ride.
One agent, who has back problems, said the walk to the island was fine but he needed to find a cart to return to the ship. Another advisor said he couldn't imagine his parents making the walk.
MEI-Travel's Beci Mahnken, a fan of Lookout Cay and particularly its beach, said the pier is an element she'll keep in mind for clients choosing itineraries that stop at only one private destination.
"Some thought and consideration must be given during the consultation to those who may find the bridge to the tram difficult, at least until they find a solution to make the trek more comfortable," she said.