Confused about Castaway Club Reception

[RedSox68]

I am very glad to hear they have reinstated this to the less than 8 day cruises! More people sail on them and for those who finally made gold or platinum, it was a real bummer when they took that chance to attend the reception away from them!

 

[erionm]

I am very glad to hear they have reinstated this to the less than 8 day cruises!

Has that been confirmed? Not one post yet in this thread has said they've changed it back.

 

[RedSox68]

Has that been confirmed? Not one post yet in this thread has said they've changed it back.

Sorry, I misread. I saw that several people posted that their 6 and 7 day cruises DID have the reception, but then several others posted theirs did not.

 

[Dug720]

Sorry, I misread. I saw that several people posted that their 6 and 7 day cruises DID have the reception, but then several others posted theirs did not.

I think the ones that did were before the announced change. :/

 

[NC State]

Our 5th DCL cruise will be in April and we will be sailing for 7-nights. Is this something we can do?

 

[Dug720]

Our 5th DCL cruise will be in April and we will be sailing for 7-nights. Is this something we can do?

No. Even if they are doing it on 7-night cruises (doubtful from reports) you have to be at least Gold, meaning you are on at least your 6th cruise. You are not Gold until you disembark from your 5th cruise.

 

[Nala 84]

I've got a question concerning all this.

Does this just affect a special reception on the ships? Or the special CC-member-desk at the ports?

What about the Stateroom Gifts, have they been gone aswell?
We're so much looking forward to our 7 night Western caribbean Cruise in November. It's our second one so we were hoping to get a Stateroom Gift then?!

 

[Dug720]

I've got a question concerning all this.

Does this just affect a special reception on the ships? Or the special CC-member-desk at the ports?

What about the Stateroom Gifts, have they been gone aswell?
We're so much looking forward to our 7 night Western caribbean Cruise in November. It's our second one so we were hoping to get a Stateroom Gift then?!

Just reception. You still get the in-stateroom gifts - as a Silver you get the ever-so-attractive burlap beach bag. Because they think that everyone wants those. (I still wish they would have a preference menu like I've heard of on other cruise lines where you get somewhat of a choice with some things. I detest beach bags and never use them - I would get so much more out of a backpack or sling bag.)

 

[RedSox68]

Just reception. You still get the in-stateroom gifts - as a Silver you get the ever-so-attractive burlap beach bag. Because they think that everyone wants those. (I still wish they would have a preference menu like I've heard of on other cruise lines where you get somewhat of a choice with some things. I detest beach bags and never use them - I would get so much more out of a backpack or sling bag.)

On all the cruises I've been on (none of which I have reached a gold or platinum level except Disney), I have seen the list of benefits a returning passenger gets depending on level. Some ships (like Carnival) offer amazing stuff after you 75 days or more, other lines (like HAL) only give you a ceramic tile of the ship. My friend has 25 and could tile a small wall at this point -- but that's all you get. NCL was supposed to give us a pin for our second sailing, but ran out. Everyone keeps telling me that Disney does the most of any line they've been on (for stateroom gifts) -- but I personally don't have a lot of other sailings to compare that to.

 

[wombat_5606]

Sorry, but DCL does not have the best reward for loyal cruisers. Virtually, everyone has one better and for the most part, the rewards don't really cost the cruise line much to provide.

other lines (like HAL) only give you a ceramic tile of the ship. My friend has 25 and could tile a small wall at this point -- but that's all you get.

I don't know what your friends are doing, but there are other things they get for being a very loyal repeat cruiser, especially for 25 cruises.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/asse...merica-cruises-Mariner-Reward-Chart_US-CA.pdf

Everyone keeps telling me that Disney does the most of any line they've been on -- but I personally don't have a lot of other sailings to compare that to.

Just a quick internet search and I see these. Most of these are for days cruised, so there is some difference, based on how DCL calculates their reward program.
I would love Disney to provide some of these perks. But, you definitely can't say that Disney does the most, so next time someone says that to you, let them know.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits

https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/membershipBenefits.page

 

[Nala 84]

@Dug720 Thank you so much for your response!
I'm really happy they Stateroom gift will still be given. And I must confess, if it is the Canvas bag you can see on pictures in the internet, I LOVE that bag and hope we'll get it
But I can totally understand that you're wishing for changes or for having a choice of several things though.

Do you still receive such a lanyard when checking in?

 

[Dug720]

@Dug720 Thank you so much for your response!
I'm really happy they Stateroom gift will still be given. And I must confess, if it is the Canvas bag you can see on pictures in the internet, I LOVE that bag and hope we'll get it
But I can totally understand that you're wishing for changes or for having a choice of several things though.

Do you still receive such a lanyard when checking in?

Unless they finally heard all the complaints and changed it back, the majority of it is scratchy, smelly burlap. Blech. It would be tolerable if it was the old (but with improved straps) totally canvas one.

Yes. Returning cruisers still get lanyards - though I tend to use the one I bought for all of us on our (well my parents' and my) first cruise as I like it better and tend to rip the plastic pouch on the free one because it seals so well.

 

[tink1970]

No reception for our 7 day European trip, I've never been to one in my 8 eligible cruises so it's not a deal breaker for me.

Our CC gift was a one shoulder backpack (I believe that's the norm for European itineraries) and CC coffee travel mugs. We're platinum so don't know if it was different for other levels.

 

[RedSox68]

Sorry, but DCL does not have the best reward for loyal cruisers. Virtually, everyone has one better and for the most part, the rewards don't really cost the cruise line much to provide.



I don't know what your friends are doing, but there are other things they get for being a very loyal repeat cruiser, especially for 25 cruises.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-vacation-onboard/Holland-America-cruises-Mariner-Reward-Chart_US-CA.pdf

I was strictly talking about the stateroom gift. All the lines we have been on offer other amenities the more you cruise. We have gotten free bottles of water, specialty dining, free excursion, etc. I, too, wish Disney offered more than just a stateroom gift. Even if it is only for platinum levels, at least it would be something for those who have faithfully sailed 10 cruises.

I edited my original post to include I'm talking about stateroom gifts. Thanks.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our CC gift was a one shoulder backpack (I believe that's the norm for European itineraries) and CC coffee travel mugs. We're platinum so don't know if it was different for other levels.

The basic Castaway Club gift (once you've become silver) is a bag of some sort. For the Caribbean cruises it's a burlap beach bag now (used to be a canvas one).


For Europe/Alaska it's been a backpack or sling bag for the most part.


Gold - you get the bag and the silver tumblers.


Platinum - bag, tumblers, and a choice of sparkling wine/truffles/fruit bowl.

 

[wombat_5606]

I was strictly talking about the stateroom gift.

Gotcha.

What other things do people want in their stateroom as a gift?

I'm fine with a bag of some kind, just wish it would change more often.

I will tell you that personally, I don't use the bag while I'm on the cruise. I don't think it is wise to take them on excursions, especially if you do those on your own, which is what I usually do. I don't think you should advertise that you are a cruise passenger on an expensive cruise.

I would be more happy with free laundry(or even just free pressing) or a discount on the wine package rather than a stateroom gift of any kind.

I would love a dedicated place to have embarkation lunch.

I also think Disney could still offer the reception even if the officers did not attend. They could even combine this with embarkation. Past cruisers could go to one of the clubs for cocktails and finger food when they get onboard, like concierge passengers do.

It's just disappointing that Disney is among one of the weakest recognition programs while being one of the most expensive cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I also think Disney could still offer the reception even if the officers did not attend.

Our last two cruises the "reception" wasn't so much a reception any more. We met at the Walt Disney Theater and there were servers with trays of drinks (champagne, mimosas, OJ) and a few with trays of mini dessert offerings. Then we had a "special" presentation of part of one of the shows onboard the cruise. Like viewing a dress rehearsal. And, of course, we received the (frozen) rice krispie mickey head when we left.

 

[wombat_5606]

Our last two cruises the "reception" wasn't so much a reception any more. We met at the Walt Disney Theater and there were servers with trays of drinks (champagne, mimosas, OJ) and a few with trays of mini dessert offerings. Then we had a "special" presentation of part of one of the shows onboard the cruise. Like viewing a dress rehearsal. And, of course, we received the (frozen) rice krispie mickey head when we left.

So leave off the "special presentation" and return the reception to cruises of 7 days or more and I would be happy. I wouldn't turn down the rice krispie Mickey head either, although I give those to my granddaughter when I get home.

 

[RedSox68]

The best "return cruiser" event we've ever had was on HAL. They had a special brunch for us on a specified sea day in a closed off area in the MDR, gave us each our tile, a card and a pin, and presented a wonderful sit down lunch and then gave us a special dessert. I really felt special and it was so nice. A dedicated dining area for Platinum for embarkation would be wonderful. We at least get the free specialty dinner in Palo.

I do wish that instead of giving us a choice of three food items for Platinum to pick from, they would just let us pick something from a larger selection, including something from the store. I just feel that the "free" food items are kinda redundant since we can get fruit and all at any meal. JMO

 

[gilsan]

Our 5th DCL cruise will be in April and we will be sailing for 7-nights. Is this something we can do?

You also don't turn gold until after 5th the cruise