New Castaway Club Benefits Announced

[JackieT1182]

I just received an email from Disney Castaway Club - looks like they changed some of the benefits.




I know most of you are now aware since it's been discussed in this thread, but for those that aren't, Disney changed these benefits shortly after they were released. They changed "Early Access to Select Ship Boarding Time" to "Early Access to Select Port Arrival Time". Everything else appears to be the same as of now.

Updated version (added 5/12):

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I just received an email from Disney Castaway Club - looks like they changed some of the benefits.

View attachment 234927

Only change I see is change in when CC members can book new itineraries. Silver now has a leg on on the public, Gold 2 days, and Platinum has a 3 day lead.

 

[JackieT1182]

Only change I see is change in when CC members can book new itineraries. Silver now has a leg on on the public, Gold 2 days, and Platinum has a 3 day lead.

That was the main one that I noticed. At first, I also thought the Gold benefit of "early access to select ship boarding time" was new as well, but now I'm guessing it's just because they get to check in at 105 days so they pretty much already do get to choose whatever boarding time they want - not sure about that one.

Another is the Gold and Platinum reception states for 8-night and longer voyages.

 

[clten]

That was the main one that I noticed. At first, I also thought the gold benefit of "early access to select ship boarding time" was new as well, but now I'm guessing it's just because they get to check in at 105 days so they pretty much already do get to choose whatever boarding time they want - not sure about that one.

I think this is a change. It specifically indicates that Platinum can board at their leisure after boarding begins and that Gold pick a preferred embarkation time (not a Port Arrival Time).

This falls into scaling the benefits back but I don't think you noticed on the Gold and Platinum reception, it indicates it is for 8-night voyages or longer. So regular sailings will no longer have any reception. It says "club members will experience new entertainment". If they are referring to what we had on the Transatlantic where they gave us a "preview" of Twiced Charmed, they can keep that "new entertainment".

 

[Donathius]

So this language is under "Early access to select ship boarding time: Platinum members can embark the ship at their leisure after boarding begins; Gold members can select their preferred embarkation time upon completion of eDocuments."

So gold members can select their embarkation time when they've completed online check-in - does that mean that silver and first timers don't get to pick a PAT anymore?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Another is the Gold and Platinum reception states for 8-night and longer voyages.

Missed that - that makes me sad. I enjoy those. While we do mostly longer cruises (so will still be able to do some), there aren't that many on DCL that are longer than 7 nights.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So this language is under "Early access to select ship boarding time: Platinum members can embark the ship at their leisure after boarding begins; Gold members can select their preferred embarkation time upon completion of eDocuments."

So gold members can select their embarkation time when they've completed online check-in - does that mean that silver and first timers don't get to pick a PAT anymore?

"Embarkation" time vs "Port Arrival" time.

Gold is getting the chance to select the time they can board. Everyone else will still select a Port Arrival Time.

 

[JackieT1182]

I think this is a change. It specifically indicates that Platinum can board at their leisure after boarding begins and that Gold pick a preferred embarkation time (not a Port Arrival Time).

This falls into scaling the benefits back but I don't think you noticed on the Gold and Platinum reception, it indicates it is for 8-night voyages or longer. So regular sailings will no longer have any reception. It says "club members will experience new entertainment". If they are referring to what we had on the Transatlantic where they gave us a "preview" of Twiced Charmed, they can keep that "new entertainment".

Good catch on the embarkation time...I didn't notice that. I did see the 8-night right after my previous post - I thought I edited my post quick enough!

 

[Debbru]

It also says "complimentary dinner at Palo" - wonder if this means that brunch will no longer be allowed for the free platinum Palo meal. The last time we cruised, the platinum benefit letter in our stateroom said "complimentary Palo experience" and covered brunch or dinner.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It also says "complimentary dinner at Palo" - wonder if this means that brunch will no longer be allowed for the free platinum Palo meal. The last time we cruised, the platinum benefit letter in our stateroom said "complimentary Palo experience" and covered brunch or dinner.

It's always said "dinner" on the benefits page. The practice, however, was to comp the first visit to Palo on any given cruise. Now, that MIGHT change. Who knows.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Aww, finally gold and was looking forward to the reception, but with it now being 8 days or longer, I probably won't ever go to one.

 

[JackieT1182]

I found an old benefit listing to compare. The new one doesn't list "special onboard booking offer" anymore?! It only mentions "Gold and Platinum discounts", which I thought was equal to the prior "special merchandise offering" for Gold and Platinum.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

The new one doesn't list "special onboard booking offer" anymore?!

The new one reads "While on board, enjoy special savings on future cruises. Just stop by the Disney Vacation Planning desk during your next cruise for details." I wonder if the OBB policy is changing.

 

[RedSox68]

Missed that - that makes me sad. I enjoy those. While we do mostly longer cruises (so will still be able to do some), there aren't that many on DCL that are longer than 7 nights.

I agree. I can maybe see them not doing this on 5-night or less cruises, but most of their itineraries are 7-night and that is what we usually do (and can afford right now), so I guess no more receptions for us

 

[jrabbit]

RE: Gold choosing an "Embarkation" time after completing the online check in. Maybe this means that if you are Gold you won't have to complete your online check in until later - and still have the opportunity to pick you boarding time, where now under the current system, if you don't complete your check in early on, some of the times will NOT be available.

I know that for my upcoming Alaska cruise that I have booked my Excursions and Palo, but have not completed my check in (we leave at the "end" of July). I'm not too concerned about it since 1) all of the information on file is exactly the same as on our last cruise (January) and our next cruise (in 2 weeks) and 2) I am Platinum and can show up whenever I want to

 

[Majik]

So sad to be losing the Gold Platinum reception. We really enjoy going to those. What about the Platinum stateroom gift can not see that mentioned?

 

[islandsnoopy]

So sad to be losing the Gold Platinum reception. We really enjoy going to those. What about the Platinum stateroom gift can not see that mentioned?

First opportunity to attend the Gold/Platinum reception would've been our cruise this summer. Guess we'll have to book that 10-night Med cruise!
The Platinum stateroom gift is still listed.

 

[Majik]

I was looking for the sparkling wine, chocolates or fruit not the beach bag.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was looking for the sparkling wine, chocolates or fruit not the beach bag.

Well, the actual gifts have never been specified. Only "returning cruiser gift in room".

And they're subject to change.

Our last DCL cruise we got a bag (silver), a tumbler (gold), and the choice of sparkling wine, chocolates or fruit bowl (platinum).

 

[jetskigrl]

Bummer - it figures my first cruise as Platinum is coming up and now there won't be a CC Reception and no more "Exclusive Platinum Experience."