Castaway Club onboard reception

[closetmickey]

First time as gold- tell me all about the gold/platinum reception! Would love to know what to expect as well as if my children would enjoy as well. Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

It's a meeting free drinks circulate often held on the first sea day and they will have presentations maybe a quiz. There maybe some small snacks available such as rice Krispy mickey heads. There is often a question and answer section. To be honest it's OK but nothing too special unless there is someone important on, we had Karl Holtz so ours was very good but that will only happen now and again, I think it's more adults and children will prefer the kids clubs.

 

[Donna3271]

My husband laughs! He feels this is almost a "commercial" with the presentation they play (He likens it to preaching to the choir since we are all loyal customers). Last one we were at, they gave my kids so many of the rice krispy Mickey bars, they were able to give one to all their friends and teachers.

Like DF stated, it is OK... Nothing overly spectacular. It is also an opportunity to get a drink... Usually a mimosa.

 

[Purplejewel]

My DH and I always enjoy going to this event. It only lasts about 1 hour so it never interferes with anything else we may be planning to do. It is usually held around 10:30 am on the first sea day. We usually get up earlier and take our girls to breakfast and then they go off and enjoy ship activities while we attend the event. Some people bring their children but the speeches might bore younger kids. We enjoy getting to talk to some of the ship's officers and the captain sometimes makes announces or makes strong hints at new itineraries or other cruise information that is not public yet. We also enjoy being around other people who obviously really enjoy Disney cruises since they have been on at least 5 to reach Gold status. Most of the ones we have gone to serve free champangne (always my choice), mimosas and at least one other sparkling wine type of drink (I seem to recall sparkling wine with a shot of chambord in it as one of the options). They also serve sparkling apple juice with a cherry in it for those non-drinkers and children. Servers come around with plates of cheese, fruit, cookies (my favorite) and several other fancier snacks too. My favorite has been the mini shrimp cocktails. After the Event is over, they give everyone a free mickey rice krispie treat. We have attended without our 4 children before and just asked for one for each of them and they happily gave us enough to surprise our girls. If this is your first cruise with Gold status, I would definitely go to this Event.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Definitely a DCL commercial. When DH and I went they didn't even have the Rice Krispy Mickey Bars. DH got his picture taken with the captain and Captain Mickey, but overall it was a waste of time and we don't plan on going to any more. RCCL's receptions have much better food -- hot and cold hors d'ouevres (however that's spelled) and live entertainment to go along with the commercial.

 

[lorimay]

We have done it once, on our first gold cruise. For us once was enough, but to each their own.

 

[jack87891]

We just attended our first as gold members last month. This is all about expectations. If you want or expect s lavish event or fanfare you will be disappointed if you expect a low key nice event it will be fine. we enjoyed it. There were mini appetizers. Since it was 10:30 in the am that was fine.We were able to talk to one of the officers in a casual setting which was nice. We also had a very short line for a pix with captain Mickey. We'll do it again and it will be fine

 

[tink too]

Our upcoming cruise will also be our first as "gold" so I really appreciated reading all the comments about the event. I think we'll probably go along this time unless there's something more appealing to us on the schedule for the day/time offered.

 

[tinkerone]

We have done it once, on our first gold cruise. For us once was enough, but to each their own.

ditto

 

[Dug720]

When do they have it on 3-night cruises? (Pondering a B2B where I'd turn gold "between" cruises and the 3-night would be the second cruise.)

 

[Donna3271]

When do they have it on 3-night cruises? (Pondering a B2B where I'd turn gold "between" cruises and the 3-night would be the second cruise.)

Hmm... Good Question. The shortest Castaway reception cruise I was on was a 4 nighter. The reception was in the late morning on the last day (which was the sea day). Our next cruise is a 4 nighter with no sea day, so I am not sure when they will hold that one.

 

[ratt1345]

Way back when, it was a much event when there wasn't as many people. Now, enough years have passed by that there are so many more return cruisers that Catstaway Club has gotten huge. The presentation was much better. Now...I don't even bother going.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

When do they have it on 3-night cruises? (Pondering a B2B where I'd turn gold "between" cruises and the 3-night would be the second cruise.)

I'm pretty sure they still do not have them on 3 night sailings, unless it has changed recently. They were never offered on the ones I sailed on.

Heather

 

[shelbell77]

We go for the cocktails and for face time with Mickey. Usually you can get lots of pictures taken with him because its not too crowded. That said, on the Panama Canal cruise there were so many Gold and Platinum the party was up on deck 9 and not the laid back small gathering we are used to on the Fantasy. I missed it, but mom was not impressed.

 

[closetmickey]

Thanks for the replies. Hate to admit it, but if I were to be going primarily for the rice Krispy treats for my kiddos, could I show up towards the end?
Thank you!

 

[Dug720]

I'm pretty sure they still do not have them on 3 night sailings, unless it has changed recently. They were never offered on the ones I sailed on.

Heather

Wow. That's not fair. Gold and Platinum people still cruise 3-nighters.