The mouse abides at Disney, of course, but Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club brings more to your Disney cruise than Mickey and Minnie. In fact, it’s not unusual to find adults cruising alone on any of Disney’s four grand cruise ships. You will find a significant percentage of real estate aboard a Disney vessel dedicated to “adults only” including swimming pools, sun decks, and select bars and lounges. Like most of the cruise line programs, you can join Castaway Club after your first cruise with Disney, and begin climbing the elite status ladder.
Elite Status
Disney’s Castaway Club is an uncomplicated cruise line loyalty program with just three elite status levels, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
After just one cruise, Disney will automatically enroll you in the program at the Silver level where you will begin to earn perks such as preferred check-in at the cruise terminal and a dedicated phone number for assistance with your cruise booking. You’ll earn Gold status after your 5th Disney cruise, and Platinum status after your 10th.
The Benefits
The perks that come with each elite status level in Disney’s Castaway Club get progressively better the more you cruise. There are the basics such as a dedicated reservations line and priority boarding. You also get priority booking access for shore excursions. For example, a new Disney cruiser is unable to book any cruise line sponsored shore excursions until 75 days prior to departure. Past guests, however, can book at progressively earlier times based on their elite status with Platinums able to book at 120 days prior to sailing, 105 days for Gold, and 90 days for Silver. These same advance booking guidelines apply to specialty restaurants and spa services as well. Additionally, there’s the usual welcome back gift (aka swag) with all levels.
Mid and upper tier elite members receive better benefits. Gold and Platinum members are invited to a special cocktail party on sailings of 4 nights or longer where they can meet and mingle with ship’s officers and staff. They also receive early opportunities to book Disney Cruise Line’s latest itineraries and new ships before Silver members and the general public. Disney’s Platinum elite level members enjoy priority concierge check-in and priority boarding after concierge (suite) guests. Platinum members also receive a complimentary dinner at Palo, a highly regarded, adults-only specialty restaurant featured on all 4 Disney ships.
Summary
Disney’s Castaway Club offers standard benefits for repeat cruisers with perks that improve as you sail more and earn higher levels of elite status. The jump in benefits is especially notable when advancing from Silver to Gold status. Notably missing from the list of available benefits for Castaway Club members at any elite status level is some kind of internet benefit. Some number of complimentary internet minutes or a discount on an internet package is becoming a standard elite benefit in the cruising industry making this a real weakness in Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program. That said, Disney has a well-deserved reputation for delivering a wonderful cruising experience, and the benefits of loyalty only make an already solid cruise vacation better.
