The Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program. You are automatically enrolled in the program once you have taken one Disney cruise. There are three different levels in the Club, each with a set of perks and bonuses. Disney has recently made changes to the program, which I have detailed below in bold.
Cruisers with one through five cruises under their belt will be Silver members. Silver cruisers get silver lanyards when they check in for their cruise; their key cards will also designate their status. Silver Castaway Club members are able to check in to their cruise, book their excursions, select spa treatments, and make reservations for specialty dining (such as the adult restaurants, Palo and Remy) 90 days before their sail date. Of course, your cruise must be paid in full in order to do any of these things. Silver members will be allowed to book new cruise itineraries one day before the general public.
After the fifth cruise, cruisers will move up to the Gold level. Gold member cruisers will get gold lanyards when they check in for their cruise, and their key cards will designate their status. Gold Castaway Club members are able to check in to their cruise, book their excursions, select spa treatments, and reserve specialty dining 105 days before their sail date. Gold members will also get a reception with the special entertainment (only on sailings 8 days or longer) and some on board shopping discounts (currently 10% off). Gold members will be allowed to book new cruise itineraries two days before the general public.
After the tenth cruise, cruisers move up to the Platinum level. Platinum members get black lanyards when they check in. They can check in at the concierge desk and get to board immediately following the concierge cruisers. Platinum members have all of the benefits of the Gold level cruisers, with a few additions. They can check in and book activities 120 days before their sail date. Each adult cruiser will also receive one complementary dinner at Palo for each adult in the same stateroom. Platinum members will be allowed to book new cruise itineraries three days before the general public.
Castaway Club members will receive a welcome back gift in their stateroom. In some of our previous cruises, this has been a magnetic white board (with marker) and a tote. The color of the items depends on the membership level.
That pretty much sums up the Castaway Club. It isn’t as rewarding as other membership programs (no free upgrades or discounts), but still offers some benefits to frequent cruisers.
If you have enjoyed this article, please be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line information page, which has useful hints as well as our cruise trip reports!