DVC'er automatic in Castaway Club?

[marley]

I just booked our first cruise for October and was told by MS that after I got onto the ship, to go to the Castaway Club desk and I would become an immediate member of the club on my first sailing. I have read from the cruise board that Castaway members can board the ship at a special location which sounds like it lessens the line to board the ship. Is anyone familiar with this and the perks it would give me on my first cruise vs. future cruises?

[danicaw]

just bumping this up

I have never heard of getting castaway club privledges on your first cruise...anyone?

[TnRobin]

The Castaway Club is available to all people, including DVCers, who cruise on the Magic or the Wonder. It is automatic, you don't really have to do anything.

As for the special area. It is not a special area to board. There is only one gang plank to the ship. Multiple entry areas would be a security nightmare. What Castaway Club members do do get is a special check in area inside the terminal. We used this area the last time we cruised. It was shorter than the non-CC member line when we were in the line, but other times that morning, it was just as long as the other line.

Other priveledges are a special reception when you cruise on your 2nd and subsequent cruises.

[Jhalkias]

Robin-

You are right about everything you said but. . . it was always my understanding that you are not a member of the CC until AFTER your first DCL cruise - at least that is the way it was for us. We got a membership card and info AFTER our first cruise.

I was not aware that anyone could be immediately considered a member on their first cruise. Besides that, I do not know what the point would be, other than the check in station. You would not get the "gifts" that returning cruisers get, or the on-board credit if you booked your next cruise within the time limits (book within 120 days and cruise withing 18 months of last cruise - we are getting $200 credit on our Jan cruise) - or an invitation to the returning cruisers reception.

Hope this helps clarify some more.

John

[TnRobin]

You are correct, you will not receive any perks until after your first cruise. I missed that in the original post. I read the statement to mean automatic not immediate (Guess I need to lay off the egg nog while posting) :D

[marley]

Hmmm, I'll have to call MS back because they gave me the impression that as a member of DVC I WOULD get immediate Castaway Club priveleges after boarding (sounds like the only privelege though would be the Castaway party, but hey, a free drink is a free drink :) thanks!

[TnRobin]

Marley - you will be entitled to the DVC reception on your first cruise.

[Jhalkias]

Just another quick FYI - the DVC reception is only on the 7 day - not the 3 or 4 day cruise. We were disappointed that there was not one on our last cruise (4 day). I REALLY want one of those hats, and hope they don't run out before our Jan 19th cruise!

If I were you, and you want to attend the CC reception though (whatever the length of your cruise), I would go ahead anyway. No one at the door checked ID, or invitations on our last cruise.