Welcome aboard, Erin! I'm so happy to hear that you'll be setting sail with Disney Cruise Line on a mother-daughter cruise! My 11 year-old daughter and I cruised with Disney last month for a mother-daughter vacation and it was so special. I love sailing with my whole family on Disney's ships, but this cruise was even more magical because we had so much time to reconnect, just the two of us!
It sounds like you'll be enjoying both Nassau and
Castaway Cay on this cruise to the Bahamas and are beginning to make a
packing list. The good news is that Disney takes care of so much, you won't have too much to bring for your days in port. At Castaway Cay, the Cast Members will be handing out towels to guests as they disembark the ship, so no need to bring your own beach towels. I usually grab a couple for each of us because it's good to have more than one when they get wet and sandy! Chairs, loungers, and hammocks line Family Beach and Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay, so you'll have plenty of places to set up your spot for the day to act as home base as you go explore the island.
If you book one of Disney Cruise Line's Port Adventures in Nassau that involves a water activity, you'll also get Disney's towels as you meet for your adventure. Other than that, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and any other items you might want for the day in a backpack or day bag. If you're off on an adventure in Nassau, you can certainly purchase food there, but you may also bring your own sealed and pre-packaged snacks, so if you'd like that, throw some in your suitcase to have onboard for your adventures. Bottled water is available for purchase, or pack your own. You may not bring other food off the ship. And don't forget your camera!
Have such fun planning, Erin!
Marcy