New Castaway Club Benefits Announced

[Notyourtypicaldisney]

First cruise as Platinum coming up. Never been to a reception or care to go to one. No biggie there. But my kids wanted the lanyards. I typically am fairly lax about their wants and just say toughen up. Funny the lanyard thing does bother me a little. Only because of the reason given that they don't want anybody feeling inferior. I am thinking it is a mistake and they do have them still. If they did it to save money I would just shake my head. If they did it because of some weak person or their weak kids feelings get hurt then this will be my last Disney Cruise.

 

[tigerlily2009]

I found out if you do not receive the email updates or mailings...login online on castaway club and go to your profile..check your communication settings. You have to accept receiving updates and promotional emails, etc.

RIP Receptions (except for those lucky enough to be on a 8 night or longer voyage.)

 

[FigmentSpark]

First cruise as Platinum coming up. Never been to a reception or care to go to one. No biggie there. But my kids wanted the lanyards. I typically am fairly lax about their wants and just say toughen up. Funny the lanyard thing does bother me a little. Only because of the reason given that they don't want anybody feeling inferior. I am thinking it is a mistake and they do have them still. If they did it to save money I would just shake my head. If they did it because of some weak person or their weak kids feelings get hurt then this will be my last Disney Cruise.

I think I missed something. Who said there's no lanyard because someone would feel inferior?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I found out if you do not receive the email updates or mailings...login online on castaway club and go to your profile..check your communication settings. You have to accept receiving updates and promotional emails, etc.

RIP Receptions (except for those lucky enough to be on a 8 night or longer voyage.)

Where do you find "your profile" once in the Castaway Club area? There's a "My Profile" under the My Disney Cruise tab, but it's not Castaway Club specific.

And, we've received various art cards & magnets, and the box isn't checked for receiving updates and promotional emails.

 

[tigerlily2009]

Where do you find "your profile" once in the Castaway Club area?

If you sign in to your Castaway Club account...go to the top right corner to My Disney Cruise--> My Profile--> Communication Preferences.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you sign in to your Castaway Club account...go to the top right corner to My Disney Cruise--> My Profile--> Communication Preferences.

You don't actually have sign into the Castaway Club account. "My Profile" is there all the time. You can click on it directly and then just sign into your Disney account. (BTW it's the same account for My Disney Experience).

 

[tigerlily2009]

You don't actually have sign into the Castaway Club account. "My Profile" is there all the time. You can click on it directly and then just sign into your Disney account. (BTW it's the same account for My Disney Experience).

I thought so as well but in the email from DCL they instructed me to login through castaway club...not sure why.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I found out if you do not receive the email updates or mailings...login online on castaway club and go to your profile..check your communication settings. You have to accept receiving updates and promotional emails, etc.

RIP Receptions (except for those lucky enough to be on a 8 night or longer voyage.)

ours has always been checked but we have never received any castaway club emails from dcl

 

[DisneyGirlMI]

"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.

FYI: I checked in tonight for our cruise and it only allowed me (I'm Gold) to select my port arrival time, so I went back to the Castaway Club page and this has been changed from "embarkation time" to "port arrival time". It now states "Gold members may select their preferred port arrival time." Not sure what that means for silver now. Interesting.

 

[islandsnoopy]

FYI: I checked in tonight for our cruise and it only allowed me (I'm Gold) to select my port arrival time, so I went back to the Castaway Club page and this has been changed from "embarkation time" to "port arrival time". It now states "Gold members may select their preferred port arrival time." Not sure what that means for silver now. Interesting.

Same here. I asked about "embarkation time" in my email to DCL. They didn't respond to my question since I got the generic "thanks for your comments". It seems they meant PAT all along. I think Silver members will be assigned a time.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

On phone I asked the question. I was told there is no change in the process. It will still be selecting PAT when your window opens.

 

[Bishoparc]

Add me to the list of angry people lol The reception was one of the main things we worked so hard to get to gold to partake in. We enjoyed it on our first cruise as gold members back in February. In less than 16 months we took 6 cruises and have 2 more later this year. The reception was so very nice. It was awesome to be able to have some time with senior officers in a more relaxed setting where you could actually talk to them and thank them for their crew's hard work. I think this decision is absolutely ridiculous. I have sent in my e-mail, just waiting on my canned response.

 

[april1401]

Add me to the list of angry people lol The reception was one of the main things we worked so hard to get to gold to partake in. We enjoyed it on our first cruise as gold members back in February. In less than 16 months we took 6 cruises and have 2 more later this year. The reception was so very nice. It was awesome to be able to have some time with senior officers in a more relaxed setting where you could actually talk to them and thank them for their crew's hard work. I think this decision is absolutely ridiculous. I have sent in my e-mail, just waiting on my canned response.

I


I agree with you. I not only sent an e-mail I also posted on their facebook page. Its sad and I wish we were in a position to get a petition started just so DCL can see how many people really liked having it and are sad to see it go. I know I'm upset about it and I'm less than 3 months from sailing. I also gave them a suggestion that in the future when they make changes they should do it on the next set of inteneraries that are not out yet so that there are no sad surprises :-(

 

[Bishoparc]

I know I'm upset about it and I'm less than 3 months from sailing. I also gave them a suggestion that in the future when they make changes they should do it on the next set of inteneraries that are not out yet so that there are no sad surprises :-(

Great suggestion. Yeah we worked so hard to get to gold in less than 16 months and have 2 more booked and then they pull this crap. I was looking forward to the reception on our first 7 night in September on the Fantasy.

 

[RedSox68]

I got the impression that we are the exception also. But I love the shops and always buy new stuff. LOL - my magical moments certificates have all be from CM's in the stores
We were that way as DL AP holders also. We always bought meals in the park, always shopped, etc. I have saved so much money since letting our APs go. But from reading the boards here, I always assumed we were the exception to that rule.

We have sailed 10 times on Disney -- all four ships -- and we always spend money in the shops. And we never go without buying at least one photo package to get all those great port and embarkation pictures! We have bought one of each ship in the stores and souvenir pins and buttons and tees. So no sure why they don't think repeat cruisers don't spend money

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

We buy souvenirs on each cruise too. I have at least 10 Tervis DCL cups. I plan to buy more. We buy pins each cruise among other things.

 

[islandsnoopy]

We buy souvenirs on each cruise too. I have at least 10 Tervis DCL cups. I plan to buy more. We buy pins each cruise among other things.

Another Tervis to add to your collection! It's the DCL 2017 cup available at disneystore.com.
https://www.disneystore.com/drinkwa...e-tumbler-by-tervis-large/mp/1432742/1000350/

 

[WDBRDWLK]

Because you're on the same list I am

Ditto!

 

[WDBRDWLK]

For us, it just depends on what we see in the stores on the ship. Sometimes, we only purchase pins and other small items maybe totaling $100.. other times we have dropped several hundred dollars in one night especially the themed cruises, ie. Halloween on the High Seas and at Christmas. And then there are the Dooney bags.. yep there goes about $300.. Love my Dooney's! If my memory is correct, the cheapest bill we ever had on one of our cruises (3 nights) was about $300 total for the entire cruise.

 

[BCV23]

Remember no one actually knows that repeat cruisers spend less. It was just a poster's guess. My guess would be since repeat cruisers on average might have more discretionary income than a one and done family, they may spend more? Just a guess on my part, too. In addition, the amount spent in a gift shop does not compare to the fare. Repeat cruisers are spending big bucks for every repeat cruise.

We didn't attend every reception but I am sorry to see them discontinued on 7 day cruises.