Simple and easy to understand, though it could use a bit more magic
What kind of surprises and gifts await you in Mickey Mouse’s loyalty club for Disney Cruise Line? Oh, perhaps a magical free cruise at the top tier, a private visit to Arendelle, or even a cruise to Agrabah with Aladdin? Well, my friend, sorry to burst your bubble, but the Castaway Club is a bit less exciting than that, offering perks that definitely lack that pixie dust.
The Castaway Club is a modest loyalty program, one I like to call the "extra days loyalty program." It gives you extra days to book shore excursions in advance, extra days for early check-in, extra days to book cruise activities, and a few other surprises. It’s not overly thrilling, but at least it’s a straightforward program that’s easy to understand and doesn’t take a lot of time to reach the top tiers.
You earn points per cruise, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a three night trip to the Bahamas or a seven night cruise in Auckland. The four available tiers are:
- Silver (1 cruise)
- Gold (5 cruises)
- Platinum (10 cruises)
- Pearl (25 cruises)
See? Not a lot of tiers and easy to understand. Now, let’s check some of these perks in detail, shall we?
What we like about the Castaway Club
I really appreciate that the Castaway Club is easy to understand and doesn’t overwhelm you with small, insignificant perks that almost no one will use. For example, I love Carnival, but one of their loyalty perks is a bottle of water. Like, c’mon, man. If you're not offering something genuinely useful, don’t include it in the perks list, thank you very much. This is something I enjoy about Disney.
As for the perks, almost every benefit allows you to do something X days in advance. This might not sound like much, but remember, we’re talking about Disney here. Cruises tend to be crowded, and some activities can sell out quickly. Being able to book activities in advance is incredibly valuable, especially if you’re aiming to try some of the special, paid meet-and-greet sessions.
Another great perk becomes available at the Platinum level: a free dinner at Palo. Palo is one of the best restaurants on any cruise line, with dining costing around $60 per guest. Being able to enjoy a meal here for free, once per cruise, is incredibly valuable. Naturally, this perk also extends to the top-tier Pearl members, who also receive a complimentary unlimited digital photo package.
What we don’t like about the Castaway Club
The most common complaint about the Castaway Club is that it lacks a truly standout perk at the higher levels. There’s no free cruise, complimentary drink package, or free Wi-Fi upon reaching Pearl status. In fact, you don’t even get a discount on those services. That’s a bit disappointing, especially considering that Disney Cruise Line is one of the most expensive cruise lines out there.
Another issue is that your membership resets if you haven’t sailed with Disney Cruise Line in five years. While that’s a considerable amount of time, it’s still disappointing that you could lose your hard-earned status based on your travel choices. Most cruise line loyalty programs don’t expire over time, so it’s a definite drawback that the Castaway Club does.
Disney Castaway Club FAQ
How do I earn points with Disney’s Castaway Club?
You earn one point for each cruise you complete with Disney Cruise Line.
Do Disney Castaway Club points expire?
Yes, your points expire if you haven’t sailed with Disney Cruise Line in five years.
What are the main perks of Disney’s Castaway Club?
The main perks include early access to booking activities and a free dinner at Palo upon reaching Platinum level.
Does Disney’s Castaway Club offer a free cruise?
No, Disney’s Castaway Club does not include a free cruise as a perk.
