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If you're a Disney fan and you like to travel, then going on a Disney Cruise is the ultimate vacation experience. However, the deal levels up when you consider Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program. The Castaway Club is the cruise line's way of rewarding its frequent sailors. These rewards and perks include several benefits such as priority check-in, onboard gifts, discounts and even complimentary meals at the specialty restaurants onboard. Understanding and using your Castaway Club membership status definitely has its advantages. In this post, we'll be covering everything you need to know about the Castaway Club before your next sail!
Understanding Your Disney Cruise Line Castaway Membership Status
The Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club rewards guests who frequently sail with Disney Cruise Line through its free loyalty program. If you love traveling, specifically on Disney cruise ships, it pays to understand all of the rewards and perks that are available to you.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "So, how do I become a member of the Disney Castaway Club?" The answer to that is simple! You will automatically be enrolled after you go on your first Disney cruise. Congratulations! Don't you feel like one of the cool kids now? Or it is just me? (OK, I'll admit ... my techie self was definitely considered a nerdy frog back in my high school days.)
Once you arrive home from your first cruise, you'll find your Castaway Club membership status ID number in your Disney Cruise Line account. To locate your number, log in to your account at disneycruise.disney.go.com, navigate to the top menu, select Already Booked and then click on Castaway Club. Listed will be your membership level, the number of Disney cruises you've sailed on and a list of benefits based on your current level.
Disney Castaway Club Membership Levels
The Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club comprises four tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. The Pearl tier, added in 2023, is the newest membership level. So, what rewards do you get for being a Castaway Club member? Well, there are different rewards and perks associated with each tier. Let's hop in to find out more, starting with Silver.
After completing just one sailing, you automatically become a Silver member. As a Silver member, you have the privilege of booking new cruise itineraries at least one day before the general public. Additionally, you can begin booking magical extras such as specialty dining, Port Adventures and spa appointments 90 days prior to sailing. Further, you can check in 33 days before sailing which will allow you to pick an early port arrival time. An early port arrival time equals more time on the ship on embarkation day! And to make the deal even sweeter, you will have access to an exclusive cruise terminal (where available), an exclusive Castaway Club member phone number for assistance/communication and you'll receive welcome gifts on your next Disney Cruise.
To become a Gold member, you will need to complete five Disney Cruise Line sailings. You will receive all the benefits of Silver, but you can book new cruise itineraries at least two days before the general public. Additionally, you can begin booking cruise activities 105 days prior to sailing and can complete online check-in 35 days before sailing. Once onboard, you'll be invited to a private reception and receive discounts on merchandise and select experiences.
When you become a Platinum member, the perk and reward situation starts to get really exciting! Platinum-level status is achieved after you complete 10 sailings. Of course, you'll have all the benefits of Silver and Gold tiers, but now you can book new itineraries three days before the general public and can begin booking cruise activities 120 days before sailing. Online check-in can be completed as early as 38 days before sailing and ... you'll receive a complimentary dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse for everyone in your stateroom. (Just promise us that you'll order the chocolate soufflé!)
To reach the elite Pearl member status, you will need to complete 25 sailings. If this is you, we're not jealous at all! ;) Pearl members receive all the benefits of Silver, Gold and Platinum levels but can book new itineraries at least four days before the general public. Cruise activities can be booked 123 days in advance and Platinum members can complete the online check-in 40 days prior to sail. In addition to welcome gifts, a private reception, select discounts and a complimentary Palo dinner, you'll also receive a free unlimited digital photo package!
If you're anything like us, we've come up with all sorts of schemes to try and squeeze in as many Disney cruise vacations as we can. Pearl membership level, we're coming for ya! We frogs can help you save some green as you sail your way to the top. Undercover Tourist now offers exclusive Disney Cruise Line savings with no booking fees.
Castaway Club Membership Status — Perks & Rewards
At-Home Benefits
Just like we listed above, the at-home benefits include access to early bookings for new itineraries and priority for reserving onboard cruise activities and Port Adventures. Even at the Silver membership level, having the ability to book new itineraries a day before the general public is a huge advantage. This is especially true when it comes to new itineraries or unique sailings. These itineraries are highly sought after and the best staterooms are snatched up quick.
Another important reason to understand your Castaway Club membership status is so you know exactly when you're eligible to book cruise activities. We're not messing around when we tell you that the Disney Castaway Cay beach cabanas, nursery reservations and specialty dining fill up in record time. In fact, if you've got your froggy heart set on specialty activities, we recommend having your computer and phone logged in and ready to go once the clock strikes midnight the day that your booking window opens. Keep in mind that your reservation will need to be paid in full before you can start booking cruise activities.
Now, for the early online check-in process, the most obvious perk here is that the earlier you check in, the better your chances of scoring an early port arrival time. Does it matter what time you arrive at the port since everyone is sailing out at the same time? Heck, yeah it does! An early port arrival time means that you can board the ship sometimes as early as 11 a.m. on embarkation day. Most itineraries don't sail off until about 4 or 4:30 p.m., which gives you an extra half a day to spend on the ship. You'll have enough time to take a tour of the ship, grab lunch at the buffet and take a dip in one of the pools before you've even set sail! We find this is especially beneficial to those short three to four-day sailings such as the 3-day Bahamian sailing on the Disney Wish.
Onboard Benefits
On all levels of the Castaway Club, members can enjoy exclusive terminal check-in where available. That means that you'll have a special member-only line at the port terminal. Once aboard, you'll have "Welcome Back Aboard" gifts waiting for you in your stateroom. These range from lanyards to hold your Key to the World cards and/or Disney Cruise Line branded tote bags and more!
Gold, Platinum and Pearl members will receive an invite to a private onboard reception on cruises for 8 nights or longer and receive special discounts on merchandise and select experiences. Additionally, Platinum and Pearl members enjoy a complimentary dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse for everyone in the stateroom. Lastly, Pearl members will also receive their photos free of charge with an unlimited digital photo package. Professional photographers are stationed throughout the ship, snapping photos at various spots including the dining rooms, character greetings and Disney Castaway Cay.
For Pearl members who have completed 50 or more sailings, there is one more additional perk. We think it is SO cool! You'll have the opportunity to display your family's last name on the commemorative display at Castaway Cay, Disney's very own private island. To participate, look out for an emailed invitation from Disney Cruise Line 90 days after completing your 50th sail.
Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club FAQs
Here are a few more additional facts to help you understand your Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club membership status.
I want to book my cruise with Undercover Tourist. Can I still benefit from my Castaway Club membership status as far as early booking?
Yup! You can still take advantage of your early booking window when booking your Disney cruise through Undercover Tourist! Just give us a call at 833-UCT-SAIL (833-828-7245) to speak with our personal cruise concierge service.
How can I find my Castaway Club membership number?
You can find your Castaway Club membership number by logging in to your Disney Cruise Line account at disneycruise.disney.go.com under Already Booked and then Castaway Club.
How long does my Castaway Club membership last?
If you don't use it, you lose it! Your Castaway Club membership status is valid for five years. To maintain your status, you will need to sail on at least one Disney cruise every five years.
What if I'm traveling with someone with a different membership level?
Everyone staying in the same stateroom will share the benefits of the highest-ranking Castaway Club member associated with the room. Because Mommy Frog is a Platinum member, both the kids and I will also be considered Platinum, even though we're currently Gold members.
What if I have a problem or need additional assistance with my Castaway Club membership?
You will want to reach out to Disney Cruise Line directly by either email or by calling (800) 449-3380.
So what's your Castaway Club membership status? How many Disney cruises have you been on? If you have a favorite membership perk or experience, let us know in the comments! We love to see how other Disney cruisers are using their Castaway Club membership benefits!
Related: Our Frogtastic Guide to the Disney Cruise Line Amenities
Keep hopping!
