Is it necessary to log on at midnight at 90 days out?

[NHDisneyFan]

Why would I not be able to check in or access excursions until 75 days prior to my cruise (instead of 90 days)? Do first time Disney cruisers get last choice?

Yes.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Why would I not be able to check in or access excursions until 75 days prior to my cruise (instead of 90 days)? Do first time Disney cruisers get last choice?

The excursion booking window/check in window opens at 75 days out for first time DCL cruisers.

Returning cruisers have different windows, depending on how many previous cruises they've taken:
Silver - 90 days out
Gold - 105 days out
Platinum - 120 days out.

 

[scgustafson]

Why would I not be able to check in or access excursions until 75 days prior to my cruise (instead of 90 days)? Do first time Disney cruisers get last choice?

Online check-in, as well as Port Adventure and onboard activites selections are based upon Castaway Club level, a reward for being a loyal DCL cruiser.

 

[Snowwhyt]

It has been for me. The next morning when I maybe considering a change things are not like the midnight offers. Travel agents get in there and things can go fast.

 

[Maddle]

Here is my sad dilemma - maybe someone can advise. We have planned a cruise with extended family in September. We have a cruise out here on the west coast in May, just my husband and myself. After that cruise we will be Gold status, giving us a little edge making reservations for the September cruise.

EXCEPT -

I just found out that the 105 days in advance is EXACTLY the last day of the May cruise! Can you believe the bad luck? So, we won't be updated to Gold, and even if we were - we'll be at sea at midnight eastern time, and when we get off the ship we will be in Canada with a long travel day back to San Diego.

We were really hoping to secure a cabana. (hah!) Probably the cabanas will be all reserved at that point by concierge and platinum guests, so it won't matter - but it just broke my heart that we were off by only one day. Honestly, if my family wasn't already committed to those dates because of school and work schedule, I would postpone for a week.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Here are my two thoughts: (1) see if any cast member on the ship can assist us, and (2) leave all the information for my daughter in law to try and take care of it from her home. Will our Castaway Club status be updated by then I wonder???

Thanks for any help -

Maddle

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Here is my sad dilemma - maybe someone can advise. We have planned a cruise with extended family in September. We have a cruise out here on the west coast in May, just my husband and myself. After that cruise we will be Gold status, giving us a little edge making reservations for the September cruise.

EXCEPT -

I just found out that the 105 days in advance is EXACTLY the last day of the May cruise! Can you believe the bad luck? So, we won't be updated to Gold, and even if we were - we'll be at sea at midnight eastern time, and when we get off the ship we will be in Canada with a long travel day back to San Diego.

We were really hoping to secure a cabana. (hah!) Probably the cabanas will be all reserved at that point by concierge and platinum guests, so it won't matter - but it just broke my heart that we were off by only one day. Honestly, if my family wasn't already committed to those dates because of school and work schedule, I would postpone for a week.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Here are my two thoughts: (1) see if any cast member on the ship can assist us, and (2) leave all the information for my daughter in law to try and take care of it from her home. Will our Castaway Club status be updated by then I wonder???

Thanks for any help -

Maddle

Your Gold status will not be upgraded until your fifth cruise is completed. As in you are off the ship, and most likely home. Could be immediate, but even that won't be until you are off the ship. You could leave the necessary information for your daughter in law to access your reservation later that afternoon and see if it's been updated and try to book whatever you'd like.

I doubt that the CMs onboard the cruise (before you've completed the cruise) would be able to do anything.

 

[Jestocost]

I doubt that the CMs onboard the cruise (before you've completed the cruise) would be able to do anything.

I'm pretty sure all of the CC level calculations are done shoreside. We had a situation where our 10th cruise was the first part of a back-to-back cruise but for some reason one of our cruises was missing from their records. We were able to provide dates and itineraries for all of our previous cruises (thanks to my signature below) and they sent those shoreside to be researched. They were able to clear it up before the end of our first cruise and we did get Platinum benefits for the second cruise on the B2B, but the CMs on the ship could not do it.

I would be skeptical that the Web site would recognize the status so quickly for purposes of check-in and activities for a future cruise, however.

 

[Maddle]

Thanks - I am skeptical too. I don't think it is going to work out. My husband was not happy about that, even though we figured it was all a long shot anyway (even before we knew we are right on the edge.)

Probably the best bet is to have daughter-in-law give it a shot while we are traveling. I can pay for the reservation before we go away so all she will have to do is log in.

Maddle

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks - I am skeptical too. I don't think it is going to work out. My husband was not happy about that, even though we figured it was all a long shot anyway (even before we knew we are right on the edge.)

Probably the best bet is to have daughter-in-law give it a shot while we are traveling. I can pay for the reservation before we go away so all she will have to do is log in.

Maddle

If it makes you feel any better - even being Gold is not a guarantee that there will be cabanas available when your booking window opens. Unless you're Concierge or, sometimes, Platinum, chances are you will be checking the reservation page periodically to see if anyone cancels all the way up to 3 days before your cruise, because nothing will be be available.