New Castaway Club bag

[mathgeek]

I hope there's a new bag. I have a few different designs too. I just did the b2b and got two of the canvas bags (which are my least favorite bag ever). I already had one from a cruise last fall too. I have several of the red one, the blue backpack, the silver stripe bag and the gold stripe bag too. We are booked for October 2016 and have my fingers crossed for a new bag that trip. October will be my 10th!

Which B2B did you do? I'm also hoping for this new bag. I really don't want another beach bag. I already traded the last one for one of the cross body backpacks.

Count me in as one who really liked that blue and black backpack. I had two of them and wore one out using it as my teacher/school bag one year. My other favorite is the red and black barrel bag with the pull string and strap. But I get use out of the cross body backpacks too. (n2mm, is that what you're describing as the silver stripe bag and the gold stripe bag?)

 

[n2mm]

Which B2B did you do? I'm also hoping for this new bag. I really don't want another beach bag. I already traded the last one for one of the cross body backpacks.

Count me in as one who really liked that blue and black backpack. I had two of them and wore one out using it as my teacher/school bag one year. My other favorite is the red and black barrel bag with the pull string and strap. But I get use out of the cross body backpacks too. (n2mm, is that what you're describing as the silver stripe bag and the gold stripe bag?)

I did a 3/4 nights. The end of February to the beginning of March on the magic. It was our first B2B and it went smoothly. We would do it again unless we could get a 7 night cheaper.

The stripe bags were the ones before the canvas/burlap one we got earlier this year. It was silver, gold, or black depending on level. It had grommets with a rope strap which later changed to just a strap with no grommets.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The stripe bags were the ones before the canvas/burlap one we got earlier this year. It was silver, gold, or black depending on level. It had grommets with a rope strap which later changed to just a strap with no grommets.

 

[DCLSailing]

Just off the Fantasy this past weekend. While we have a plethora of the Yellow bags and backpacks, this one was a nice change of pace. We are also Platinum.

 

[mathgeek]

Thanks PrincessShmoo for the pics. Yeah, that's the one I traded and don't want more of.

I did a 3/4 nights. The end of February to the beginning of March on the magic. It was our first B2B and it went smoothly. We would do it again unless we could get a 7 night cheaper.

The stripe bags were the ones before the canvas/burlap one we got earlier this year. It was silver, gold, or black depending on level. It had grommets with a rope strap which later changed to just a strap with no grommets.

Glad to hear your B2B went well n2mm. I'm doing my first one this summer, a 3-night and a 4-night. Then another one next summer, two 5-night double dips.

Was just going to say that I really don't want 4 more of those canvas/burlap ones, then saw the post come through from DCLSailing. I hope they have that on the Dream too. Thanks for the update!

 

[jrabbit]

Actually, Disney has the best (sometimes only) returning guest gifts. On Carnival we got a pin, on HAL you get a ceramic tile for the ship you are on; on Princess you get a pin and something else, NCL gives you a pin after your second cruise -- send in the mail afterwards. So in the industry, Disney gives the most. I have friends who have sailed dozens of lines and are always jealous that Disney gives us "gifts".

Ah, but you forgot to mention some of the best "gifts" - free Stateroom Upgrades, free up charge dining and/or drink packages (yep, DCL gives us a free Palo) and other more practical vacation benefits, vs. More Stuff (and I really don't need more junk).

 

[ktb2002]

Ooh I wish they would have been doing the tumblers in December, however I did get the photo album and didn't have that yet.

 

[tnshsms]

Ah, but you forgot to mention some of the best "gifts" - free Stateroom Upgrades, free up charge dining and/or drink packages (yep, DCL gives us a free Palo) and other more practical vacation benefits, vs. More Stuff (and I really don't need more junk).

Yea, I would prefer those kind of perks too I think. After a few cruises, a vacation benefit would be fun.

 

[Snowwhyt]

That would be frustrating if you cruise once or twice a year to keep getting repeats. Disney should have an exchange store onboard to trade it in for something else LOL

That's a frustration that I welcome. Nice to have the family go someplace (State fair, backpacking,...) with matching bags!

 

[RedSox68]

I also have this backpack and LOVE it...use it daily! As others have stated, wish they would give another backpack!

I hope they are giving the backpack next year when we take the WBTA! I love it.

 

[RedSox68]

Ah, but you forgot to mention some of the best "gifts" - free Stateroom Upgrades, free up charge dining and/or drink packages (yep, DCL gives us a free Palo) and other more practical vacation benefits, vs. More Stuff (and I really don't need more junk).

HA HA, that will be the day that Disney offers free stateroom upgrades or drink packages (except for all the free soda you can stomach). The free Palo is a nice amenity, however. If they really are offering free stateroom upgrades, I've never seen it on any of my cruises

 

[lucas]

Actually, Disney has the best (sometimes only) returning guest gifts. On Carnival we got a pin, on HAL you get a ceramic tile for the ship you are on; on Princess you get a pin and something else, NCL gives you a pin after your second cruise -- send in the mail afterwards. So in the industry, Disney gives the most. I have friends who have sailed dozens of lines and are always jealous that Disney gives us "gifts".

I have to disagree. IMHO, Princess does the best job for returning guests. And, the higher you go as a repeater the better perks.

For example, free internet minutes, shipboard credit for ANY person who served in the military at any time, shipboard credit for stockholders (we are Disney stockholders and they give nothing), preferred disembarkation/disembarkation. At their highest level, free minibar setup, free laundry, free wine tasting. I'm probably forgetting something. But, I do not need another Disney bag.

 

[RedSox68]

I have to disagree. IMHO, Princess does the best job for returning guests. And, the higher you go as a repeater the better perks.

For example, free internet minutes, shipboard credit for ANY person who served in the military at any time, shipboard credit for stockholders (we are Disney stockholders and they give nothing), preferred disembarkation/disembarkation. At their highest level, free minibar setup, free laundry, free wine tasting. I'm probably forgetting something. But, I do not need another Disney bag.

We've only done one Princess so far, but I thought I had read that their levels are harder to reach then Disney's. Are they based on number of sailings or days sailed? I don't think we'll ever sail enough to earn all the high end perks. At least Disney starts giving you gifts on your second cruise.

 

[lucas]

We've only done one Princess so far, but I thought I had read that their levels are harder to reach then Disney's. Are they based on number of sailings or days sailed? I don't think we'll ever sail enough to earn all the high end perks. At least Disney starts giving you gifts on your second cruise.

They base it on # of sailings.

But, biggies for me are that Disney does not give shipboard credit to ANY veteran. And, does not give shipboard credit to stockholders. Princess does both - from cruise 1.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Not a fan of the backpacks. Much prefer the bag we got last time -- it was yellow with flat fabric handles.

 

[n2mm]

Not a fan of the backpacks. Much prefer the bag we got last time -- it was yellow with flat fabric handles.

I liked that one too. I have a yellow and a silver. But I've taken 3 cruises since and ended up with 3 of the newest canvas/burlap tote bags. Not my favorite at all. Got rid of them. We cruise again in October, so hoping for something new.

 

[lucas]

Just off the Fantasy this past weekend. While we have a plethora of the Yellow bags and backpacks, this one was a nice change of pace. We are also Platinum.

I'm not a fan of this one. The handles and bottom are going to get dirty fast.
We are platinum and I prefer the older black one. Plus, I liked when they distinguished your level by color. Now everyone gets the same bag.

 

[Sytrace]

We got the old canvas bag and 2 tumblers on our cruise last week. They are really nice tumblers
Thank you for the update!

 

[n2mm]

I'm not a fan of this one. The handles and bottom are going to get dirty fast.
We are platinum and I prefer the older black one. Plus, I liked when they distinguished your level by color. Now everyone gets the same bag.

I agree! Getting ready to go on my 10th cruise and look forward to being Platinum afterwards!

 

[Sytrace]

I liked the tumblers more than the 2 photo albums (which is surprising because I take ALOT of pictures) that I got with the canvas /burlap bags.
I just have not actually used the photo albums yet, have to get prints made and possibly use them to create Christmas gifts this year. We will see.
We are taking number 9 at the end of September and am hoping to get 2 more tumblers for the kids to use.

I have the different beach bags and they are all being used for storage or to go to the beach /BB or TL in one way or another, so to me they are useful. I also have a few dry erase boards from when we were silver that I love and use daily. All in all, I like the free gifts they give us and look forward to the next one every time we sail.

On a side note, the gold/platinum reception this past trip had maybe 4 groups attend so it was like our own private meet and greet with Mickey and the officers. Of course, who left their camera in the cabin for the ONLY time that cruise? Yes, the lame one right here typing away. lol Oh well, maybe next time.
Captin Thord was there and Jimmy was our CD (he is so funny and nice) Got to meet and talk at length with several officers, but those two stick out in my mind the most.

I am not really a Palo fan (gasp) so that is not a real big deal for us, and since we are usually in boarding group 2 or 3 anyway, that won't be a big deal either.
The reason we like to sail so often (2 to 4 times a year) with Disney is the overall comfort of the experience, the service and that it is the best type of vacation for our family right now. Not the added bonus of the gifts, which are very nice. We like knowing what will happen and when. I guess we are boring that way.