What's your opinion of being a Castaway Club member?

[cyclenut]

I don't much care for the way DCL does the loyalty program. It's really just a gimmick and it harms first time cruisers. No other line limits when you can book excursions by loyalty level. Once you pay, you can begin booking. Everyone has the same option to get the most popular excursions. Most of them have some sort of express check in and welcome reception for the highest level guests.
I've never been enticed by any particular loyalty program whether it be airlines, hotels or cruise lines though, so maybe I'm just biased against those programs in general.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do people still wear lanyards? We stopped long ago.

Yes they do.

 

[rescuetink]

And then there are those of us who cruise to cruise, who do NOT want floating amusement parks, and who appreciate the environment and service on Disney. Bigger isn't always better for everyone.

Annnnnnnnnnd.................. mic drop!!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We are Gold CC members and I like the fact that we can book ahead of the general public and Silver CC members. DCL should have always allowed Silver to book one night ahead of the general public. And I won't complain about the onboard discount for purchases in the shops.

We can and do plan ahead for all or our cruises, just about everyone of them booked around 1.5 years out. And we use Dreams Unlimited Travel to book all of our DCL vacation; so as soon as our TA announces that DCL is releasing dates for our cruise date we have her book it. After our upcoming cruise this summer we will have two cruises remaining to get to Platinum. That being said!

It also bother us that we took a 15 night WB Panama Canal cruise back in 2011 and it counted equal to a three night cruise in climbing to the next CC level! And our upcoming cruise is the 10 night Norwegian Fjord, Iceland and Scotland cruise and it too will count equal to a three night cruise.

We are thinking of taking a back to back cruise next year to get to Platinum, so when one of the three new ships sets sail we can be one of the first to book an inaugural cruise. And yes we know the risks of booking an INAUGURAL cruise.

 

[JW9DVC]

While that was true in the past, it's not so much now. Disney's recent mantra is "we're just falling in line with what others are doing". Evidence of that - changing the alcohol policy. And the recent change at WDW to charge resort guests for parking.

They're lowering their standards, but still charging premium prices for it.

That’s good business. People have been paying and are willing to pay.

 

[Ravenne]

And then there are those of us who cruise to cruise, who do NOT want floating amusement parks, and who appreciate the environment and service on Disney. Bigger isn't always better for everyone.

I actually fall in that category. I now cruise to avoid the clusterfarkas that are the parks on both coasts. I thoroughly enjoy the service on DCL and feel it's the remaining essence of what classic Disney service and hospitality used to be. However, I would be lying if I wasn't a bit concerned with DCL going the way of the parks with the, "falling in line with the industry" mentality that's been happening over the past few years. But with that said, CC membership, and lack of rewards for resort stays is one of the few things Disney doesn't "fall in line with the industry" on. It doesn't make or break my loyalty to DCL, but it's not exactly a motivator for me to sail with Disney either. I don't say, "ooh, I'm just one more away from the next level so I'm going to book a DCL cruise, like I would make one more visit for a free burrito at my favorite Mexican joint. A free burrito? Motivator! Going from Silver to Gold status? Not so much a motivator.

 

[cruiser21]

Oh, they're sooooo the follower now. They're no longer the leader, and innovator they used to be, making guests wondering "just why am I paying these premiums?" I suppose Disney can go by the thought that kids are often hooked on the franchise and characters through merch, shows, etc, and figure parents will pay any price to make their lil prince and/or princess happy, but kids grow up.

With that said, Castaway Club is meh to me. I mean, it's ok. Something is better than nothing. WDW resorts have nothing. But it doesn't entice my loyalty. I do appreciate the CC gifts though. The lanyards were very mildly a status symbol onboard, and cool for all about a few hours. I hated them. The plastic clip was scratchy and hurt. I end up using my own lanyards that don't have the plastic clips.

I guess we'll find out how much of a leader they are when the new ships set sail. I have to agree though other cruiselines are coming out with some great ships that are very enticing to families. I book Epcot resorts for the proximity to the parks nothing else.

And then there are those of us who cruise to cruise, who do NOT want floating amusement parks, and who appreciate the environment and service on Disney. Bigger isn't always better for everyone.

Yes, but the majority of people that cruise DCL are doing it for their kids. The new ships are going to bigger and don't be surprised if the have lots of bells and whistles for the kiddos.

 

[minniemouse1]

We are platinum and thoroughly enjoy dinner at Palo and the
Bottle of wine.

I miss the Gold Platinum receptions with the captain. I would like a more varied loyalty gift in the cabin.

When we first became Silver CC members we had the receptions on the 7 day cruises with the Captain. We went to 3 receptions I believe and I can remember the last one we went to was packed with CC members. I was not thrilled when they took the reception away for 7 day cruises since the longer cruises do not work with a school schedule for NY. I also feel being a Gold CC member is like being a non or silver CC member. 10% off in the shops for Gold is nothing when we usually spend $100 or less per cruise in the shops. Thanks Disney for the savings of $10 on my purchases on board when I have spend about $40,000 on my cruises.

I know Disney does not "owe" me anything and it is my choice to cruise with them again. As you can see from my signature we have waited 4 years to go on DCL again because we were "done" after our last cruise when it fell short of our expectations. I am hoping the 4 year hiatus will let me fall back in love with DCL but after so many posts on this site I am genuinely worried.

With completion of our upcoming cruise we will have spent 42 days on the ships combined. I am a believer that the CC status should go by days on the ship not the number of cruises. If I was a 3 or 4 day cruiser I would be platinum by now instead of on my second gold cruise. I don't think DCL will change the program to days instead of cruises but it would nice if they did.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

Best thing about getting "status" this trip was the lanyard. It was like winning the medal in the 5k! That said, I had a lanyard from last time, when I had to buy one (since I was a non-status newbie), so didn't need one. I needed one the first time I cruised.

Isn't that the truth. We had to bring our own solution to the keycard for our first cruise, and liked it so much we don't use Disney lanyards. Maybe they could have snagged us as free marketing(wearing their branded lanyard) if they gave us a lanyard free on the first cruise. Now we just use what we purchased and like much better.

 

[Trera]

Using $$$ spent would also mean cruisers getting discounts (Florida residents, military, etc) would take longer.

Yes but Concierge travelers would get there in a shorter time.

I would be totally fine with Money spent. When you add up the money we spend on Adult dinners, a cabana, BBB, excursions, etc.............we would fair pretty well.

I dont know what the platinum threshold would need to be but I am thinking.................100k?

 

[cruiser21]

From a business perspective perks should be based on $$$$ spent! I think it would probably upset some of You if the levels were based on >$500 silver >$10000 good and >$25000 for platinum. This would mean some cruisers would hit platinum after a couple of cruises. I think number of cruises or days is just a rough estimate of $$$ and if it didn't cost so much for software changes and they thought enough people cared they would change it.

Using $$$ spent would also mean cruisers getting discounts (Florida residents, military, etc) would take longer.

People always want more for free, so if they gave free meals at Remy, someone would be asking why it did not include the wine pairing! How about front of line for character pictures? What about a free sailing for every 10 you purchase?

Anyone that's cruises over 10 times on DCL has probably given DCL at least 50k. I don't consider a free meal....free. It's a reward you give your loyal customers to say thank you and we appreciate your business. Most companies reward their loyal customer. It's a nice gesture and it makes the customer feel appreciated. I can't think of a business I shop at that I don't receive monetary rewards ...except maybe DCL. I don't consider the free meal and basket of fruit to be much of a reward. I also don't consider being the first to book their overpriced excursions to be a reward either. If I got a discount on the excursions then maybe I would actually book one.

 

[DCSWO]

In part, the program is a victim of its own success. My guess is the receptions have gone away because there are so many qualified CC members on the cruises now, they've become unmanageable. I recall seeing someone's post on another thread that they were excited about taking their first platinum cruise and getting to board earlier. When the day came and it was time to board, they discovered there were MANY platinum cruisers on the trip, so they did board earlier, but with a large group of platinum members.

Especially with the new ships coming, it is probably time for DCL to modify the criteria for levels, or add levels but it will be difficult for them to do without upsetting some segment of their customers. They would likely have to 'grandfather' people in at their current level if those people no longer qualified for that level based on new guidelines. Or, as has been mentioned, just keep making up new levels.

As for the "free" gifts of chocolate, wine/champagne, Palo dinners, whatever, they are nice gestures but make no mistake, people have paid for it to get to that level. Just like the "free" drinks in the concierge lounge every night - not free, part of the price you pay.

 

[kiford]

Biggest benefits for us are the earlier booking window and shopping discount. We're now Platinum and will definitely use the Palo perk but we would go to Palo anyway so it's not an enticement. We usually take DCL transfers from WDW (or whatever hotel Disney books if it's a European cruise) so early boarding is not important to us; in fact, we prefer later boarding so we don't have to stand in line to check in and I hate hauling my bag around until the rooms are ready. Basically, what they provide is a nice-to-have bonus but has no impact on our decision.

 

[bakerworld]

We're only 4 cruises in - 2 3D, 1 4D, 1 5D. Our 5th cruise is scheduled and it's a 4D double stop at CC. After than I don't know whether I can talk the BH into another cruise because, while it's a lovely experience, it is an expensive way to sit and watch the sea. I think he's only doing the 5th cruise because he knows I have my heart set on a double dose of CC. He was a bit bummed we'd have to go on a 6th cruise to achieve Gold so I'm gonna give that placeholder the 'ole College try.

We do use the lanyards because they can scan them thru the plastic so I don't have to keep removing my card to pay for the drinks and disembark. We love that we can bring our wine, beer, and water on board for the room - I do think this time I'm gonna bring drink containers for the soda and coffee because the receptacles are so small.

Question: are the stateroom gifts any different for the levels?

 

[ethanwa]

I am paying $3k for a 3-day trip on the Wonder next year and my first cruise four years ago I paid $13k for a 7-day trip on the Fantasy (Concierge). Both count for me as "1 cruise" towards Gold...

It's frustrating.

 

[suedon70]

I wish they would switch to a days sailed based system as opposed to # of cruises. I have taken two 7, one 12 and one 10 night cruise and I am still only Silver. That is 36 nights. Someone could sail 10 3 night cruises and be Platinum.

Yep - I've reached Gold status by taking four 3-night cruises and just one 7-night cruise......

 

[dvcdisney]

We will be Platinum this summer and I'm looking forward to it...but not because of the perks. I agree that the perks could be better. I do like early booking and shopping discounts, but I would much prefer a percent discount off of the cruise on top of the placeholder discount ...even an extra 10% for Platinum members would go a long way and I would definitely book more cruises.

We have never attended the gold/platinum gathering so when they adjusted it, it wasn't a big deal for us. Plus, we generally do 7+night cruises.

As for nights vs per cruise, if they had set 35 nights (7nights x 5) as the amount to acquire Gold and 70 nights to acquire Platinum, we would have been Platinum members several cruise before instead of this summer. Although I don't believe most people would do numerous 3 or 4 night cruises to reach each level. We did a back to back of 3+4 nights and the atmosphere was extremely chaotic....we vowed never to do anything less than 7 nights. And since we began doing 10+ night cruises, I don't think we can do 7 nights anymore.

Anyway, I think if they would add a discount perk for Platinum members, I think it would go a long way....they could get rid of the gathering since not everyone attends those. I think perks should be attractive to most members and not to a select few....and what member would not like a percent discount?

 

[cruiser21]

We will be Platinum this summer and I'm looking forward to it...but not because of the perks. I agree that the perks could be better. I do like early booking and shopping discounts, but I would much prefer a percent discount off of the cruise on top of the placeholder discount ...even an extra 10% for Platinum members would go a long way and I would definitely book more cruises.

We have never attended the gold/platinum gathering so when they adjusted it, it wasn't a big deal for us. Plus, we generally do 7+night cruises.

As for nights vs per cruise, if they had set 35 nights (7nights x 5) as the amount to acquire Gold and 70 nights to acquire Platinum, we would have been Platinum members several cruise before instead of this summer. Although I don't believe most people would do numerous 3 or 4 night cruises to reach each level. We did a back to back of 3+4 nights and the atmosphere was extremely chaotic....we vowed never to do anything less than 7 nights. And since we began doing 10+ night cruises, I don't think we can do 7 nights anymore.

Anyway, I think if they would add a discount perk for Platinum members, I think it would go a long way....they could get rid of the gathering since not everyone attends those. I think perks should be attractive to most members and not to a select few....and what member would not like a percent discount?

I would be happy if they got rid of all the perks and just increased the obc for platinum. I don't book excursions, Palo is just meh, I don't book opening day, I don't need to be the first one on the ship, and really a fruit tray?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Question: are the stateroom gifts any different for the levels?

The Silver gift is (currently) the sling bag. Gold is the bag, plus luggage tags. Platinum is the bag, luggage tags, plus a choice of truffles, a fruit bowl, or sparkling wine.

 

[Trera]

I would be happy if they got rid of all the perks and just increased the obc for platinum. I don't book excursions, Palo is just meh, I don't book opening day, I don't need to be the first one on the ship, and really a fruit tray?

Sorry you feel that way. I think many enjoy being able to book a cruise on a day when everyone else isn’t also booking and being able to book excursions or cabanas early. We always enjoy a quiet brunch and dinner on our cruises with food choices not found other places on the ship.

Would I prefer and OBC in lieu of the other perks, maybe depending on the amount but not really worth talking about as the system is what it is and it doesn’t look like it is going away any time soon.