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

[YawningDodo]

I have a lanyard specifically for cons like Dragon*Con that require big badges. It has a detachable cloth lower that holds the clip. It has an opening perfectly sized for a belt to slip through so I can get the stupid thing off of my neck. I *loathe* lanyards as a general rule.

I'll be honest, my work lanyard spends most of its time wrapped around my keycard and stuffed in my trouser pocket. For some reason lanyards don't bug me when I'm on vacation, though. For a while I was using one of those retractable badge holders at work, and they're really nice for being able to hook your badge/key/what-have-you on a belt loop without having to unhook it every time you need access...but then two of them wore out in less than a year each and I gave up on them. They'd probably hold up longer if they were only used for cruises and/or conventions, though; I hadn't thought of using one for that purpose until just now when thinking about how to get away from wearing a lanyard if lanyards just aren't for you.

 

[taaren]

I've worn my silver lanyard more the last couple of cruises vs the first bc for some reason they got softer. I like having my lanyard in the park, but probably won't wear the Gold one I get next trip bc I don't care for yellow. Honestly other than early booking I usually forget about the perks until the bag shows up in my room and then I use those at the parks.

 

[Trera]

Our DD is turning 5 next week and she loves the perks. She likes to wear the lanyard, enjoys being one of the first on the ship, always likes the free chocolates, and the tote/sling pack give her a way to carry home her loot after the cruise.

I think we have created a monster.

 

[cyclenut]

Viking Ocean Cruises opens booking for excursions based on stateroom level, very similar to DCL opening booking for excursions by loyalty level. Guests sailing in more expersive cabin categories get priority.

I suppose it can be viewed that way. My issue with the way Disney does this is that you don't really get to experience the full Disney until you have sailed with them at least enough to get Gold, because of the feeding frenzy that is the gobbled up by the most frequent travelers. I guess the feeling can be the same for those in lower cabins, but I kinda get that when you pay more, you get more.

 

[Trera]

I suppose it can be viewed that way. My issue with the way Disney does this is that you don't really get to experience the full Disney until you have sailed with them at least enough to get Gold, because of the feeding frenzy that is the gobbled up by the most frequent travelers. I guess the feeling can be the same for those in lower cabins, but I kinda get that when you pay more, you get more.

Well, that is the way of the world with many businesses. They cater to the customers that spend the most and buy the most expensive tickets (first class, VIP, etc)..................when you pay a lot of money, you expect service and amenities that are above and beyond what the "average guy" gets.

If you dont give your "high dollar" customer the service, quality and amenities that they expect...............then they go elsewhere. This is not just cruise ships but car dealerships, hotels, casinos, sporting events, etc.

I think Disney does a great job of making the cruises special for the regular and first time cruiser and that is what drew us to DCL originally but there are definitely advantages to being a repeat customer.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Our DD is turning 5 next week and she loves the perks. She likes to wear the lanyard, enjoys being one of the first on the ship, always likes the free chocolates, and the tote/sling pack give her a way to carry home her loot after the cruise.

I think we have created a monster.

Don't ever book concierge, then... you'll never be able to take her on a trip that isn't concierge.

 

[llachance]

Most of my cruises have been the 7 day cruises, although I did back to back 3 and 4 day cruises to get to platinum. I have done a couple since then and have 1 booked for this year. Use the lanyard every time just easy, always forget the fruit etc and don't miss it. Always have a Palo meal which I wouldn't do if it wasn't one of my bennies but extra perks would be nice. It would also be nice if I got the credit for the cruises I have paid for that my kids used (always at the same time) - if you are going to do it by amount of money spent

 

[Trera]

Don't ever book concierge, then... you'll never be able to take her on a trip that isn't concierge.

Made that mistake a couple of years ago. We just got back last week from B2B on the Wonder in concierge. That is the only way she wants to cruise now.