Underwhelmed with new gold status

[TiggerBouncy]

We are taking our first gold cruise in Jan. It's only a 3 day. We have an 8 day coming up in October, but we couldn't wait a year.

However, it's only a 3 day. We've seen everything we want to see at Nassau. May not even get off the ship. The water will be too cold as Castaway and we didn't even use our bike rentals last time.

We didn't consider Palo worth it since we only have 3 dinners as it is. Senses is just not as good as we get around here.

I have to admit, it was somewhat of a letdown that with my newfound gold status, I couldn't find a single thing to book on the ship. No ship activities. No shore excursions. Nothing.

I also understand that we get the same cabin gift as we did in silver.

So I think the only thing I actually get this time is a different colored lanyard? Ummmm. Yay? I'm going to have that thing coated in gold and framed as my only reward, LOL.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Agree that DCL perks for status are pretty limited. All travel loyalty programs, airline, hotel and cruise, have been declining by degrees but Disney’s perks were not the best to start. Probably the sheer number and easy qualifying standards do not help.

 

[MomOTwins]

We like Palo brunch on 3-night because then you are not missing any of the dinner rotations. I think Gold gets a discount in onboard shops too, but the website is vague about what that is. But yeah, I hear you; the benefits didn't look that amazing to me either.

 

[Geomom]

I believe that for the cabin gift, you get the same as silver PLUS luggage tags. Lol, I know 'that' makes it worth it. I'm assuming the Gold shop discount is the same as the Disney Visa and DVC discounts--10% off a purchase of $50 or more. Oh well, at least you have an 8 nt coming up next year to be able to go to the gold/platinum event...there are so few 8+ nt cruises that you're lucky to take advantage of that perk!

Treat the 3 nt cruise as a quick, relaxing, getaway.

 

[Garyjames220]

We done a royal Caribbean cruise this month and when u look at there loyalty system compared to Disney it’s much better

 

[southerngirl528]

We are taking our first gold cruise in Jan. It's only a 3 day. We have an 8 day coming up in October, but we couldn't wait a year.

However, it's only a 3 day. We've seen everything we want to see at Nassau. May not even get off the ship. The water will be too cold as Castaway and we didn't even use our bike rentals last time.

We didn't consider Palo worth it since we only have 3 dinners as it is. Senses is just not as good as we get around here.

I have to admit, it was somewhat of a letdown that with my newfound gold status, I couldn't find a single thing to book on the ship. No ship activities. No shore excursions. Nothing.

I also understand that we get the same cabin gift as we did in silver.

So I think the only thing I actually get this time is a different colored lanyard? Ummmm. Yay? I'm going to have that thing coated in gold and framed as my only reward, LOL.

Sounds like what may be making it seem worse for you is that you are doing the shortest cruise of 3 days, and that you have already seen the main port of call so you have no interest there. I like MomOTwins suggestion for Palo Brunch for you so you don't miss any MDR's.

Are there no tastings that you might enjoy? If not, I say make your focus just relaxing and enjoying the ship and all she has to offer! Bon voyage!

 

[ivanp91]

Don't forget that as a Gold guest you get 10% off in the merchandise stores. I quite like the Castaway Club Reception - although it won't be held on your 3-nighter, it will occur on your 8-nighter. Free booze and treats

Obviously being able to book new itineraries earlier is a perk lots of people know of, but something I really like is that they follow this even if you are on a cruise when the itineraries go on sail. Late 2019 was released when I was on-board back in May and, rightfully, they observed the Castaway Club hierarchy for those three days. It was great as there was no danger of feeling like you would miss out.

PS: Is your 8-night cruise the 19/10 sailing on the Fantasy? I'm on that cruise!

I believe that for the cabin gift, you get the same as silver PLUS luggage tags.

Correct! Gold and Platinum get luggage tags in addition to the bag that Silver guests receive.

 

[Magical_Suitcase]

Don't forget that as a Gold guest you get 10% off in the merchandise stores. I quite like the Castaway Club Reception - although it won't be held on your 3-nighter, it will occur on your 8-nighter. Free booze and treats

Obviously being able to book new itineraries earlier is a perk lots of people know of, but something I really like is that they follow this even if you are on a cruise when the itineraries go on sail. Late 2019 was released when I was on-board back in May and, rightfully, they observed the Castaway Club hierarchy for those three days. It was great as there was no danger of feeling like you would miss out.

PS: Is your 8-night cruise the 19/10 sailing on the Fantasy? I'm on that cruise!



Correct! Gold and Platinum get luggage tags in addition to the bag that Silver guests receive.

Silver receives a "bag", Gold receives a "bag" and luggage tags, does Platinum receive anything in addition to the bag and luggage tags? Just curious...

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

As gold, we have been given boarding group 2. That has been a plus to us. We are not waiting in the crowded terminal for long.

 

[hubbard53]

we just completed our 1st cruise as Gold - it was nice to to have booked excursions & tastings early but that's about it. The only thing I noticed was that CMs would often say "oh, i see you're a gold castaway club member! thank you for your loyalty" -- but it didnt give us any special onboard privileges.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Don't forget that as a Gold guest you get 10% off in the merchandise stores. I quite like the Castaway Club Reception - although it won't be held on your 3-nighter, it will occur on your 8-nighter. Free booze and treats

Obviously being able to book new itineraries earlier is a perk lots of people know of, but something I really like is that they follow this even if you are on a cruise when the itineraries go on sail. Late 2019 was released when I was on-board back in May and, rightfully, they observed the Castaway Club hierarchy for those three days. It was great as there was no danger of feeling like you would miss out.

PS: Is your 8-night cruise the 19/10 sailing on the Fantasy? I'm on that cruise!

I am DVC and Visa, so I assume the discount isn't anything new. Although visa requires a $50 purchase, I don't think DVC does. Not that it matters, I never spend less then 50. I mean, what can you get for less than $50 in that store? Maybe a keychain?

I do know about booking early. That won't help with this cruise obviously. I'm not sure how much that will help us - we generally don't plan that far in advance. LOL.

p.s. Yup! We are on the same cruise! 8 night Halloween on the high seas Oct 19-27! Will be our first Halloween cruise! We have also never been to St Kitts or on an 8 day (7 day is our max previous). Very excited!!!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Silver receives a "bag", Gold receives a "bag" and luggage tags, does Platinum receive anything in addition to the bag and luggage tags? Just curious...

We also received our choice of a fruit tray, sparkling wine or a small box of chocolates and the complimentary meal at Palo. We would have also been given 6 yellow bonus jackpot cards with the purchase of any 4 game bingo session and a $10 discount on a 3-day Rainforest Room pass.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Sounds like what may be making it seem worse for you is that you are doing the shortest cruise of 3 days, and that you have already seen the main port of call so you have no interest there.

Certainly a factor. I think this is the first cruise where we just don't really have anything we want to book on or off ship. Anyone here ever do a cruise without booking any activities?

Are there no tastings that you might enjoy? If not, I say make your focus just relaxing and enjoying the ship and all she has to offer! Bon voyage!

Unfortunately for various medical reasons neither DW or I can touch alcohol.

I mean don't get me wrong. I am not asking for sympathy. I am not by any means upset to be going on a cruise! First world problems, right? LOL. I was just reflecting that I was so looking forward from turning silver to gold and now that I am gold I am like.... Um.... I get to explore all the new stuff. Lets see all these cool new perks I get with my new status!!! ... wait.... what?

 

[TiggerBouncy]

We also received our choice of a fruit tray, sparkling wine or a small box of chocolates and the complimentary meal at Palo. We would have also been given 6 yellow bonus jackpot cards with the purchase of any 4 game bingo session and a $10 discount on a 3-day Rainforest Room pass.

Yeah, I am looking forward to that. We could certainly take the fruit tray (purchased it in the past anyway) and the meal at palo most trips.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Certainly a factor. I think this is the first cruise where we just don't really have anything we want to book on or off ship. Anyone here ever do a cruise without booking any activities?

We've done multiple cruises where the only thing we booked were the character breakfast and meet and greets.

 

[dtrain]

I would have loved to be Gold when the Hawaii cruises opened up, that would have been an incredibly helpful perk.

 

[FSU Girl]

I would have loved to be Gold when the Hawaii cruises opened up, that would have been an incredibly helpful perk.

That's the only way we were able to book our cabin. My Fiance is Gold and I'm Silver so I used his account to book it. I checked when my day opened and it was only the guaranteed which I won't book, I'm too picky on cabin location. Our cruise in January will be the first one since he became gold so we haven't experienced any of the other perks yet.

 

[jrabbit]

Just wait until you are Platinum!!! It's amaz...... no wait, more of the same "DCL really doesn't care about return cruisers". It doesn't matter how many times DCL says that they love the returning cruisers, but it doesn't really show with the any of the CC level "perks".

My favorite "perk" is the option to have a basket of fresh fruit delivered to your room. Someone must have never cruised before that thought that one up ... Let give them more free food ... food that we can order from room service or go up to the buffet and get for ourselves!!

 

[Garyjames220]

A lot of dcl perks is costing them nothing to give away when u think about it

I just think compared to other lines and when I seen royal Caribbean’s loyalty system it makes Disney’s very poor. Royal offers free upgrades to suites etc if u cruise with them enough

Disney really needs to look at this and give more for such loyal cruise. U would think with there prices only going up and up. Throwing in a few more things wouldn’t be that hard

 

[dcassetta]

I believe that for the cabin gift, you get the same as silver PLUS luggage tags. Lol, I know 'that' makes it worth it. I'm assuming the Gold shop discount is the same as the Disney Visa and DVC discounts--10% off a purchase of $50 or more. Oh well, at least you have an 8 nt coming up next year to be able to go to the gold/platinum event...there are so few 8+ nt cruises that you're lucky to take advantage of that perk!

Treat the 3 nt cruise as a quick, relaxing, getaway.

Personally, I think the luggage tags are too large to be useful!