New Castaway Club Benefits Announced

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Hate to break it to you but if this is your fifth cruise your still a silver member. So have you completed 5 cruises or is this your fifth?

I know. That's why I said that I'm not in a hurry to get to my 5th cruise because I know after that, we will be gold. This is still my first cruise longer than 7 nights. I like cruising DCL, so I don't know if I even care about a reception or not. I haven't been the fan of receptions on other cruise lines for past cruisers.

 

[chaseg03]

I know. That's why I said that I'm not in a hurry to get to my 5th cruise because I know after that, we will be gold. This is still my first cruise longer than 7 nights. I like cruising DCL, so I don't know if I even care about a reception or not. I haven't been the fan of receptions on other cruise lines for past cruisers.

Oh, My apologies.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am a 20 past DCL cruise CC Member and I am disappointed. I have 5 cruises booked and only 2 are 8 days or longer. I enjoy the reception. The special entertainment better be great!

 

[disneycruisedreams]

We are cruising at the end of July. We are gold and have done online checkin already. I have selected a PAT but there is no option for Embarkation time. Am I missing something?

 

[JWG]

I am a 20 past DCL cruise CC Member and I am disappointed. I have 5 cruises booked and only 2 are 8 days or longer. I enjoy the reception. The special entertainment better be great!

Early previews of:
Iron Man 7
Captain America 6
Toy Story 7
Cars 12

await!

 

[closetmickey]

And off sails another "used to be included" DCL perk- the Castaway Club reception. Now only offered on (rarely sailed) cruises of 8 nights or more. They really are in the process of taking away anything that isn't bolted down. I wonder what's next

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are cruising at the end of July. We are gold and have done online checkin already. I have selected a PAT but there is no option for Embarkation time. Am I missing something?

Since this was "effective May 2017" the option probably wasn't there when you did your online check in.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And off sails another "used to be included" DCL perk- the Castaway Club reception. Now only offered on (rarely sailed) cruises of 8 nights or more. They really are in the process of taking away anything that isn't bolted down. I wonder what's next

Well, they could repeal the whole program.

 

[jetskigrl]

What is the "exclusive platinum experience" that they aren't doing anymore?

I have not received them yet but I assumed it was the extra gifts (sparkling wine, chocolates, etc). But hopefully as PrincessShmoo said, maybe that is still considered part of the CC gift.

Where are you seeing that (or "not" seeing that)? Even the old benefits list doesn't specify what the gifts are. Just that there are returning cruiser gifts, based on highest CC level within a room.

And that's still there on the new benefits list.

On the list that JackieT1182 showed, there was a separate entry for "Exclusive Platinum Experiences" which is no longer listed on the new one. I am assuming that is a way to cut out the choice of "sparkling wine, chocolates or fruit bowl" type offering. But hopefully I'm wrong. I guess I will find out in August.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have not received them yet but I assumed it was the extra gifts (sparkling wine, chocolates, etc). But hopefully as PrincessShmoo said, maybe that is still considered part of the CC gift.



On the list that JackieT1182 showed, there was a separate entry for "Exclusive Platinum Experiences" which is no longer listed on the new one. I am assuming that is a way to cut out the choice of "sparkling wine, chocolates or fruit bowl" type offering. But hopefully I'm wrong. I guess I will find out in August.

As far as I know the choice of the wine/chocolate/fruit was the Platinum gift for returning cruisers. Not a special experience.

Time was those Platinum experiences were things like a backstage tour, or bridge tour. I don't know what they've been since they eliminated those things.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

Since this was "effective May 2017" the option probably wasn't there when you did your online check in.

Oh ok that makes sense. I thought I had to go back in. Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Oh ok that makes sense. I thought I had to go back in. Thank you!

I know there's been a few other changes to the online check in. Like returning cruisers having the option to chose whether they want to receive the cruise booklet. I called DCL about that this morning. CM on the phone had to go check on that. Said, yes, that's an option in the check in process now, but for those who didn't have the option when they check in online (like me) the default is to send the booklet.

Also, no longer is there a Signature page. Only a Port Arrival Form to be printed:

 

[closetmickey]

Well, they could repeal the whole program.

And at some point maybe they will...

 

[jujubiee4]

8 nights or longer? Wow what a narrow category for captain's reception.
Eliminates most cruises.

And what is this "special entertainment"?

When i saw the title of thread i had a small hope that benefits would have
increased. Should have known better. Seems to be a steady trend of a lot
of cruise lines to slowly take things away...or start charging.

 

[TestingH2O]

I wonder if dates are coming out soon so people can quickly forget the news they don't like.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

8 nights or longer? Wow what a narrow category for captain's reception.
Eliminates most cruises.

And what is this "special entertainment"?

When i saw the title of thread i had a small hope that benefits would have
increased. Should have known better. Seems to be a steady trend of a lot
of cruise lines to slowly take things away...or start charging.

As noted by PeachyB - it means only 18 cruises on the current schedule would qualify.

I'm really disappointed in the change for the Gold & Platinum receptions! Doing a quick scan of the current schedule, that eliminates it from 269 cruises and leaves it on only 18 cruises. I sent them an email voicing my opinion of this change. If it impacts you, I suggest you voice your thoughts to. They need to hear from their customers. -- dcl.guest.communications@disneycruise.com --

As for the "special entertainment", I'm thinking it's private viewings of the production shows (in rehearsal), possibly private shows with individual entertainers. Much like we had as our Gold & Platinum "reception" on the eastbound trans Atlantic last year.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

I think next week we will see the fall dates release.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have written a letter of disappointment!

 

[jujubiee4]

As noted by PeachyB - it means only 18 cruises on the current schedule would qualify.



As for the "special entertainment", I'm thinking it's private viewings of the production shows (in rehearsal), possibly private shows with individual entertainers. Much like we had as our Gold & Platinum "reception" on the eastbound trans Atlantic last year.

Hmm that might not be too bad. I quite enjoy the shows so would love to see them rehearse. Of course
its still disappointing but curious to see what they replace it with.

 

[tinkerone]

Minority here however I thought the reception was very boring. Full disclosure, we have only been to 4. The first one was, to us, a waste of time so we went back a second time because we thought maybe it was a one off. It wasn't. The next two were on a Fantasy B2B because I wanted to ask some questions for a thread. They were just as boring. Would not waste my 'sun' time for another.
What does everyone like about them? Its a fruit tray passed around with a few watered down drinks which are only passed around for no more than 30 minutes. Then there is a quick speech from the captain and a photo shoot. The upside is walking out with a rice krispy treat and even that was a hit or miss, we didn't get it for our second reception.
I don't see it as losing anything but I do know some people love it. Sorry for those that do, its a shame they keep taking things.