Castway Club Levels

[wrennies]

So....
My family tends to only do longer cruises, thus because we generally take two week vacations and I dont like to pack and unpack. We look for special, longer itenteraries.
As we are a family of 5 I have spent tons of money on cruises and Disney vacations. It bothers me that others are gold and platinium (having done five to ten 3 night cruises).
Also, we travel only in the summer as I do not believe that I should take my kids out of school for vactions (most school breaks are spent with family). Again this means that our cruises cost much more.
And, we like to have 2 rooms....so add more $$$$$.
it really bothers me that even though I have spent so much money with DCL that i will not get the perks of someone that has spent much less, just because they have more cruises.
Anyone else feel like I do? That Disney needs a different way to determine status???

 

[Buckeye218]

Oh boy....here we go.

 

[MouseMomx2]

This issue has been discussed here many times. The bottom line is that the Castaway Club is set up by number of cruises and that's what we all have to live with.

 

[Husurdady]

Do what a lot of cruisers do: do back to back cruising and stay in the same state rooms both cruise, in no time you will get that free perk at PALO. PS...and as for ," we spent tons of money on Disney vacations"....maybe you should look in to DVC....it works BIG-TIME for us.

 

[jlwhitney]

This is one of those situations where you can't make everyone happy, end of story. If you dislike it so much send DCL a letter, its about the only thing you can do.

It doesn't bother me at all the way it is set up and i have done 4 night to 11 night cruises.

 

[wrennies]

Do what a lot of cruisers do: do back to back cruising and stay in the same state rooms both cruise, in no time you will get that free perk at PALO. PS...and as for ," we spent tons of money on Disney vacations"....maybe you should look in to DVC....it works BIG-TIME for us.

We have looked into this, but now that our children are older (14, 15, 17) we cruise more than visit the parks. They basically told us that it would not be "as good of a deal for us"....and when the rep tells you that, you know to "walk away".

I don't mean to rehash something that has been talked about "so much" on here.....sorry but I must have missed alot of those threads.

It is just frustrating that others are posting about their "perks" and larger OBC's as so forth and then I look at their list of cruises and they are all 3 nighters.

I much prefer DCL over the other lines....even with older children. We dont drink or gamble. I like the wholesome atmoshpere for me and my teens.

 

[jlemieu1]

I can understand them just using # of cruises. (Coming from a DCL rookie but someone that programs software for airline loyalty program) KISS
It can get very complicated because what about the people that book the suites who pay much more than someone in a interior cabin. What about the number passengers too (children versus adults.).... etc.

 

[jilljill]

Considering DCL started out only doing 3 and 4 day cruises for the first couple of years, it's understandable that so many people have many of those under their belt. If you are unhappy with DCL's policy then write to them. It took them until late 2009 to revise the Castaway Club and come out with the different tiers, I don't see them changing them anytime soon.

Yes, this has been discussed over and over on the DIS boards.

 

[CarolAnnC]

It has been posted here before that most cruise lines use number of cruises for their rewards programs.

 

[lbgraves]

No one has anything to complain about CC levels with the release of the 2013 Fantasy and Dream cruises today IMO. They were open this morning for everyone without ANY notification to anyone except TAs so those have been first come, first serve. That's what happened with the last half of the 2012 Fantasy dates in March this year as well.

 

[jlwhitney]

No one has anything to complain about CC levels with the release of the 2013 Fantasy and Dream cruises today IMO. They were open this morning for everyone without ANY notification to anyone except TAs so those have been first come, first serve. That's what happened with the last half of the 2012 Fantasy dates in March this year as well.

Straight from DCL's website:

Early Booking Opportunities
Be among the first to book our newest itineraries and ships before the general public.

The bahama and carribbean are not new itineraries nor are they new ships, so that perk does not apply.

 

[kcashner]

We cruised DCL for 11 years with no loyalty program of any sort. As such (and despite the fact that I have 4 cruises of 14 days or more), I'm happy to have some rewards for my loyalty.

 

[kamgen]

wrennies- I think everyone has said it pretty clear. I still don't see why this would even be an issue. In reality, I dont see why everyone is so caught up in the levels. It is great that DCL does anything at all.
For me, I am the opposite of you. We DO take our kids out of school for cruises because, quite frankly, they are cheaper and we can do more for our money. I think it is wrong of you to say you spend more money than others like you deserve more for that. The time you vacation and the money you spend is your business and your choice.

 

[TinaRN]

Oh boy....here we go.

 

[Iceman93]

I actually think Holland America did a pretty good job when they revamped their Mariner program a few years back. Basically, elite levels are determined by cruise days but you earn bonus days for booking suites and for spending onboard.

Now many HAL loyalists are still upset at the rather spartan benefits even at the top tier, but at least they tried to reward both the frequent budget cruiser and the occasional big spender.

 

[axfather]

They can parse about this not being a new iten. as it is the same ship but the reality is they took away the main perk....so I really don't care anymore....we can swap lanyards and you can be platinum...

 

[jlwhitney]

They can parse about this not being a new iten. as it is the same ship but the reality is they took away the main perk....so I really don't care anymore....we can swap lanyards and you can be platinum...

They never took a perk away. We have just gotten use to so many new ships and itineraies in the past couple of years.

People grow up and stop whining.

 

[lbgraves]

Straight from DCL's website:

Early Booking Opportunities
Be among the first to book our newest itineraries and ships before the general public.

The bahama and carribbean are not new itineraries nor are they new ships, so that perk does not apply.

Which is why a silver CC member really doesn't have anything to complain about with today's release. They had just as much of a chance to book this morning as everyone else. It knocks the wind out of the sails of the threads that only talk about gold/platinum CC members having an advantage and silver members want to book before the general public.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I'm happy they didn't take away any perks since there was nothing new announced. If they don't let people know before hand and have a new itinerary then I'd say they might have a perk taken away.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I actually think Holland America did a pretty good job when they revamped their Mariner program a few years back. Basically, elite levels are determined by cruise days but you earn bonus days for booking suites and for spending onboard.

Now many HAL loyalists are still upset at the rather spartan benefits even at the top tier, but at least they tried to reward both the frequent budget cruiser and the occasional big spender.

ITA! We are huge HAL fans! Actually, I should qualify that by saying that we are huge HAL fans of the Vista and Signature class ships. The blue hairs can keep the R & S class ships. Did I just say that out loud?!

We are 3* Mariners, and are looking forward to becoming 4* Mariners soon. It's worth it for the minibar and wine package discounts for us alone.