DVC cruise and Castaway Club

[tclaymotz]

We are sailing on DCL in October on our DVC points. I've heard DVC members receive gifts but this is my first time sailing as a DVC member. We have sailed two other times so on our second cruise we received a welcome back gift, backpack, as a Castaway Club member. Does anyone know if we will receive a gift for each, DVC and Castaway Club or if we will receive only one? I'm new to DVC so I don't know all the perks yet any help is appreciated.

 

[lawgator]

We are sailing on DCL in October on our DVC points. I've heard DVC members receive gifts but this is my first time sailing as a DVC member. We have sailed two other times so on our second cruise we received a welcome back gift, backpack, as a Castaway Club member. Does anyone know if we will receive a gift for each, DVC and Castaway Club or if we will receive only one? I'm new to DVC so I don't know all the perks yet any help is appreciated.

I have sailed on DVC points before a few times thanks to the my generous parents who have now also added their kids to the membership. It was not the DVC member cruise where you do, in fact, get gifts. You will just get the standard Castaway Club gifts, which I think are nice for whatever level you are at. They put a big magnet on your door that says DVC member, which really isn't a big deal. You can attend the members DVC presentation which was the first day of our 3 night cruise and they do have free drinks there and last year gave us a pretty hat and cloth shopping bag. I also was the lucky winner of the drawing for free OBC (I think it was $200.) and I was able to buy a Disney gift card with it in one of the shops and later apply it towards my AP. Also, if you go to the DVC kiosk onboard the ship at certain preannounced times they would give you a Disney pin.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have sailed on DVC points before a few times thanks to the my generous parents who have now also added their kids to the membership. It was not the DVC member cruise where you do, in fact, get gifts. You will just get the standard Castaway Club gifts, which I think are nice for whatever level you are at. They put a big magnet on your door that says DVC member, which really isn't a big deal. You can attend the members DVC presentation which was the first day of our 3 night cruise and they do have free drinks there and last year gave us a pretty hat and cloth shopping bag. I also was the lucky winner of the drawing for free OBC (I think it was $200.) and I was able to buy a Disney gift card with it in one of the shops and later apply it towards my AP. Also, if you go to the DVC kiosk onboard the ship at certain preannounced times they would give you a Disney pin.

Lucky you!

I always go to the DVC presentation on boarding day to learn what sort of promotions they have. We got the hat, the folio, bag and some drinks. We didn't win the OBC, but it was fun. I do stop by later in the cruise to get the pin as well.

 

[Breyean]

On our last cruise we went to the member presentation, then a couple of days later we were walking around and saw there was meeting for non members.

We asked if we could sit in and the CM said sure, and don't forget to fill out the slip for the drawing. So we did.

They did the drawing and the winners were a couple, but the guy had already left. The Guide in charge said since both names were on the slip they both had to be there.

So they picked another slip - and it was us! We won the OBC which was like $200-250. Very nice surprise.

 

[k3chantal]

We are sailing on DCL in October on our DVC points. I've heard DVC members receive gifts but this is my first time sailing as a DVC member. We have sailed two other times so on our second cruise we received a welcome back gift, backpack, as a Castaway Club member. Does anyone know if we will receive a gift for each, DVC and Castaway Club or if we will receive only one? I'm new to DVC so I don't know all the perks yet any help is appreciated.

We used our points to sail on our first cruise. We received two beautiful embossed wooden boxes, two magnets;one for each of our two cabins,two DVC lanyards and two pins. Then, as you walk by the DVC 'booth' you can pick up different lithographs of the DVC resorts and on different days we picked up trading pins. And I went to the DVC presentation and there I received two DVC baseball caps.

In all, we felt quite spoiled on the Wonder. This was not a DVC members cruise and it was our first cruise. I am looking forward on our second cruise receiving different gifts from each entity. We shall see......

 

[Barbydoll8]

Make sure they know you are a DVC member (They should already know this but...). I've done a cruise on points and a member cruise. I've gotten Castaway Club gifts both times.

You will get DVC gifts too. I do remember the DVC rep on the ship did tell us that if we had any DVC pins/hats etc, to be sure to wear them on our lanyard all the time because they randomly will give pins to DVC members on the ship if they see you wearing any DVC stuff.

Go to the presentations as you do get more "stuff" and opportunities to win other prizes including on board credits. If you are thinking of adding points, the cruise deals are usually some of the best too.

Have a great time!

 

[tclaymotz]

Thank you so much for the tips. We are really looking forward to the trip! We are just getting started with DVC but wish we had joined years ago!

 

[liltink]

We sailed in Jan 2013 as paying guests,but certainly DVC members on concierge level no less and got exactly NOTHING! No magnet,no bag,nothing. I did go to one of the presentations and got a binder for notes, but that was it. I also tried visiting the DVC desk and every time I stopped by there was a sign saying to come back later.
We are sailing again in Oct. with my daughter and her family. I hope to get some recognition this time. Any tips on how to make this happen?

 

[stmize]

Wow just the opposite here sailed twice both times as Dvc members but paid cash and on first cruise our aaa agent noted we were Dvc members. We got a magnet on door. A pin. A wooden box and several other things at the Dvc presentation. On the second cruise we got castaway club backpack filled with goodies and more Dvc merchandise such as a clock a pin and a new magnet. Can't wait to see what we get on our third cruise in nov

 

[parlay]

We sailed in Jan 2013 as paying guests,but certainly DVC members on concierge level no less and got exactly NOTHING! No magnet,no bag,nothing. I did go to one of the presentations and got a binder for notes, but that was it. I also tried visiting the DVC desk and every time I stopped by there was a sign saying to come back later.
We are sailing again in Oct. with my daughter and her family. I hope to get some recognition this time. Any tips on how to make this happen?

If you have the time in the port before your number is called to board - visit the DVC desk and make sure that you are on their list. I would mention in a very friendly manner that you were overlooked on the last cruise and were making sure they had your info - you never know - they may try to make up for it . Good Luck have a great cruise.

 

[Goofy442]

Is this on there DVC cruise or just any cruise?

 

[SuperRob]

Will they know that you're a DVC member if you book independently and not through Member Services (so you don't have to pay for it all up-front)? Or is just stopping by the desk on the ship enough?

 

[bumbershoot]

They knew we were onboard and left invitations to the presentations (that extended family on the same cruise did not get), the magnet, and first evening a cardboard box with DVC lanyards.

Booking was made through a TA who didn't know hubby has DVC, the main guest was me and I'm only the associate not the member, and still they knew.

 

[River Country]

Paid cash for my cruise in April 2 Staterooms Mom and dad came with us and they are DVC members as well

There was a CM standing in the terminal PC with a DVC sign i approched her and gave the names and she brought us right to the front of the line and presented us with DVC lanyards, when we got to the room there were Welcome Home and DVC magnets on our door.
We went to the presentation and got hats, folio's, and awsome discounts for adding on to membership almost 3k off the asking price(didnt do it though i wanted to, but to spend 10k before we left would be nuts)
every day we stopped by the kisok and got a present, magical DVC wristbands, pins, etc.

It was really cool and fun for my DD (6)

 

[nabi]

How many backpacks can a family have??

 

[karrit2000]

Will they know that you're a DVC member if you book independently and not through Member Services (so you don't have to pay for it all up-front)? Or is just stopping by the desk on the ship enough?

I would advise you to seek out the DVC Desk at the terminal before you board to let them know. That's what I did last time I cruised even though it wasn't booked through DVC. I don't know what port you are leaving from so I don't know if they have a desk at every embarkation port. If not definitely let them know at the DVC desk once on board.

 

[tclaymotz]

Do you just stop by the kiosk and ask for your free gifts each day if you are a member? I'm afraid I will feel like I'm begging or annoy the representative:-(

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do you just stop by the kiosk and ask for your free gifts each day if you are a member? I'm afraid I will feel like I'm begging or annoy the representative:-(

You will definitely get a card telling you to stop by for a pin. Some of the other stuff isn't advertised as much, but yes, they will give you what they have if you stop by.

Bobbi

 

[nolanboys]

Thanks for all the great information. We are going on our first Disney cruise in March. It's not noted on our reservation, so I'll try to find the kiosk at check in. Even a door magnet would put a smile on my face.

 

[darkwing818]

We sailed in Jan 2013 as paying guests,but certainly DVC members on concierge level no less and got exactly NOTHING! No magnet,no bag,nothing. I did go to one of the presentations and got a binder for notes, but that was it. I also tried visiting the DVC desk and every time I stopped by there was a sign saying to come back later.
We are sailing again in Oct. with my daughter and her family. I hope to get some recognition this time. Any tips on how to make this happen?

We've sailed Concierge (paying cash) as well & have always gotten the DVC gifts, although the DVC magnets won't stay attached to the stateroom doors .. Guess we're jus lucky