New Castaway Club Benefits Announced

[PrincessShmoo]

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.

While we've had a couple of less than stellar receptions, most of them were more than what you've described. We had the fruit tray, as well as savory hors d'oeuvres served. Along with the champagne/mimosa/orange juice drinks. The captain's talk (or a video with the Disney CEO) talking about where DCL is headed (yes, it's a commercial) was always interesting to me. Plus the officers in attendance were very interesting to talk to as they "made their rounds". And, of course, the Mickey rice krispie treats.

 

[mom4fun]

The only thing I'm going to miss as a gold is day 1 booking. I'm pretty sure on our last cruise that I would have never gotten the stateroom I chose if I had to wait for platinum's to book 1st.

 

[atlfan4]

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.

Agreed, well stated and I'm not heartbroken over this either. The reception never really did much for me either. I'd much rather have the backstage tour or something actually special. I can get my own snacks and drinks, see the officers around the ship, etc all on my own. Much prefer something unique.

 

[1lilspark]

I sent an e-mail to DCL about this as well. While they are starting the move to reducing perks, they also 1) didn't send me any notification as others apparently got and 2) DID send me an e-mail addressed to Mark letting him know he was only 3 cruises away from GOLD and listing all the great changes coming to the Fantasy. The only problem is my name is Jason and I am only 1 cruise away from GOLD.

I got an email re: club bennifits for a Jason who was 4 away from platinum I'm Heather and just disembarked cruise #2 with Disney on 4/23

 

[tigerlily2009]

I emailed DCL as well...just to let them know we are disappointed. I enjoyed going to this reception with my family. The 8 nights or less seems a little extreme. I was sad to hear this...I hope they consider doing something else to make up for it.

 

[OrcaPotter]

I was so looking forward to finally being able to attend the reception, as to me that was the only big plus to graduating from silver. I'm not really able to afford booking anything as soon as itineraries are announced, especially at the rate prices are increasing every year. So, to me, it's a change in "benefits" that takes away perks, not gives anything. I don't see me affording anything beyond 7 nights for a long time... plus most long itineraries like that are at times and in places outside of a teacher's salary or schedule.

 

[joycsk]

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.

Me, too! First gold cruise in 7/2018

 

[clten]

For the posters asking about the platinum experiences that are no longer listed -- they were taken away a long time ago. Actually not so long after the Dream started sailing. The choice of fruit, chocolate or sparkling wine was not the "platinum experience" it was part of the Platinum return cruiser gift. So that may or may not still be available (it was never spelled out in the perks). The experiences were things like an extended gallery tour, a behind the scenes tour of the theater, a special stingray experience on CC. As I said those things were gone a long time ago -- they were replaced with "experiences" like buy a 24 bingo handset get one extra card for the last game of the session; buy a photo package and get one 5x7 photo at half off (or some other lame offers that they titled "experiences" so they met their advertised "experience" perk).

What I see happening is that these will be the "Gold and Platinum Discounts" and the 10% discount in the shops will be taken away because now the Rewards Visa has a similar perk. (And then when the Rewards Visa takes that perk away, it won't be DCL's fault.)

I don't believe the reception will be a reception in the traditional sense any more. I really didn't like when they first changed to this "entertainment experience" on our Transatlantic last year (maybe the year before?) because I felt like it was a bait and switch. We received invitations to the theater for a behind the scenes preview of the new Twiced Charmed (was premiering on that cruise if I recall correctly) and we ended up with selected songs from the show. When they first started sailing, the receptions were much better. Of course it was a smaller group and you don't need extra food opportunities on a cruise but it was nice. It was in the afternoon so it was nice to have a quick little snack to hold you over until dinner (and the hors d'oeuvers were nice, not something they served elsewhere), there were more officers circulating through the room. Then they changed it to a morning reception and had a little game to get cruisers to mix and mingle with each other -- but those groups became too large. The change to the receptions they are now doing away with made them very boring. They only offered food you could readily get elsewhere, seemed like it was only a couple officers mingling and it wasn't really set up to encourage mingling among the guests (as the servers always directed us to sit at a table so they could serve the food on a plate already set on a table). So I didn't really enjoy the last incarnation of the reception, I'm sad to see it going away as I had hoped that some day they would get it right and have a nice event for past cruisers to mix and mingle with each other and officers. Oh well.

 

[RedSox68]

One thing we need to keep in mind - each cruise line (or, indeed, any business) sets their own "reward" program for using their product.

While DCL may not measure up to some other cruise line benefits, that's their call.

I don't cruise DCL for the perks I get as a return cruiser, but I do enjoy whatever they want to give me for "free".

I will say that I personally think DCL has some of the better reward perks -- the free dinner and gifts in the room are a plus. HAL gives you a tile for returning (for whatever ship you are on) and a luncheon for returning guests (which is very nice I must say). Princess gave us a specialty dinner, but only because they were celebrating their anniversary. NCL "ran out of pins", which was the only thing we were supposed to get as a returning guest. They mention sparkling wine being brought to your room, but we didn't get that on either of our returning cruises. Carnival provides a 1-liter bottle of water in the stateroom on your second cruise, but not sure what else. I have many friends who have told me that Disney is the only cruise line they know of that actually gives "gifts" in the stateroom for returning guests.

BTW, do they still give lanyards in the terminal when you check in?

 

[JWG]

Maybe instead of a reception they should just do what we all know we'd prefer and offer some free drinks (whether alcoholic or specialty coffees as I know not everyone wants alcohol).

 

[JWG]

BTW, do they still give lanyards in the terminal when you check in?

Yes, but don't all get this, even first timer cruisers? I thought I saw a bunch of blue generic DCL lanyards on our last cruise in April. But, yes, for sure they give you a silver, gold, or black (platinum) lanyard to align to your Castaway Club status.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, but don't all get this, even first timer cruisers? I thought I saw a bunch of blue generic DCL lanyards on our last cruise in April. But, yes, for sure they give you a silver, gold, or black (platinum) lanyard to align to your Castaway Club status.

No lanyards for first-time cruisers. Many will bring their own, so yes it's possible you saw several, plus DCL sells them onboard. But they are not given free to first-time cruisers; only the color-coded for Castaway Club receive lanyards at check-in.

 

[RedSox68]

Yes, but don't all get this, even first timer cruisers? I thought I saw a bunch of blue generic DCL lanyards on our last cruise in April. But, yes, for sure they give you a silver, gold, or black (platinum) lanyard to align to your Castaway Club status.

If you saw a bunch of lime green ones, it was probably Disboard members

 

[Geomom]

Also if you're a DVC member you can get red lanyards--even as a first time cruiser. For our Alaska cruise, we couldn't get them until we were on board, picked them up at the DVC desk--just showed our DVC membership card.

 

[lucas]

Why am I always the oddball? I really enjoyed the receptions! Free drinks, free Rice Krispie treats, a talk by the captain, a very short line for a pic with Mickey/Minnie - it was always a pleasant experience for us.

Now the 8 nights or longer is a bummer. But, luckily, our upcoming trip is an 11-nighter!

 

[Justacruiser]

what I think is funny about them only doing the receptions of the 8-night or longer is that generally that's when GOLD and PLATINUM cruisers cruise the most. They don't have room in the club areas for the receptions so they will most likely be held in the theater or up on the top deck.

 

[xiphoid76]

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.

This is true for us as well. I hated the small-talk banter that the cruise staff had to put up with - I felt so bad for them. We only go to get the rice krispy treat at the end When we went on a 3 night cruise it was delivered to our room since there was no reception. Hopefully that will be the case from now on on 7 night and shorter cruises.

 

[RedSox68]

I thought the luncheon that HAL provided on our first sea day in the MDR for returning guests was the best "reception" we've ever had. They decked out all the tables with flowers and special china and invitations and souvenir menus. The meal was fabulous. And then each place setting had their souvenir tile next to it.

 

[lucas]

Also if you're a DVC member you can get red lanyards--even as a first time cruiser. For our Alaska cruise, we couldn't get them until we were on board, picked them up at the DVC desk--just showed our DVC membership card.

Speaking of DVC.... They also have several talks per cruise. Anyone can attend - they are trying to drum up business. Again, free drinks, bottled water, a pin and a chance to win a prize of shipboard credit given at the very end. (I've actually won before.) Now this presentation is definitely a good time to fit in a quick nap!

 

[RAD]

I'm in the camp that was not happy to see the reception going to 8 night or longer cruises. According to their web site that's 18 cruises out of 364 that will now have the reception. I think Disney has someone whos' job is to figure out what things they can do to tick off their loyal customers.