10 Suggestions For DCL Castaway Club Changes

As we start a new year, I thought it would be fun to talk about some things that would make Disney Cruise Line even better! Let’s start with the Castaway Club. Castaway Club is Disney’s loyalty program for repeat cruisers. There are four levels – Silver (guests who have cruised with Disney at least once), Gold (guests who have sailed more than 5 times), Platinum (guests who have sailed at least 10 times), and Pearl (guests who have sailed at least 25 times). Castaway Club perks are good, but when compared to a lot of other lines, there are things they could do to make it better. Here are 10 ideas!

1. New level – First, it’s time for a new level. It’s hard to add perks when the levels are bursting with new members. Add a new level or two, and give those highest levels big, exclusive perks! Disney has four compared to Celebrity and Royal’s six levels, MSC also has six, and Norwegian has seven. Three levels were plenty for a new cruise line with just a couple of ships. When Pearl was introduced in 2023, it was appropriate for the number of ships. With two more ships sailing since then, and even more coming, it’s time for another level. Or better yet – two!

2. Change Qualifications – Disney Cruise Line is just about the only line that determines a guest’s loyalty level by the number of cruises they’ve taken. That means someone who has taken ten 3-night cruises is at a higher level than someone who has taken three 12-night cruises, despite the 12-night cruiser spending more nights onboard (and probably more money). While I’m not against doing it by the number of cruises, and it would cause some ill will if they switched now, it would thin out those higher levels if Disney made the switch! And if they are going to make the switch, sooner is definitely better than later.

3. Actual Discounts on Sailings – Most other lines give anything from a small discount on a future sailing to a free upgrade, to a free cruise for their higher levels. It’s a great way to reward people who have proven their loyalty over the years, as well as fill ships with people who will very likely spend money onboard.

4. Bring Back the Reception – Disney used to have a reception for Castaway Club cruisers on every cruise. It’s a pretty standard thing across the industry. These days, the receptions only happen on sailings of 8 days or more. I’d love to see them back on all sailings.

5. Bring Back Castaway Club Merchandise – For a very limited time, Disney carried Castaway Club merchandise in the shops. If I had known they would disappear so quickly, I would have bought more!

6. Onboard Discounts – Discounts onboard make everyone happy. In general they cost Disney very little and generate a lot of goodwill. These discounts happen on other lines, so they’re not out of the question! Things like spa discounts, specialty coffee discounts, and alcohol discounts. Even a small discount would be appreciated.

7. Free Onboard Perks – What’s better than a discount? Free! Much like the free photo package that Pearl Castaway Club members get, there’s at least one thing that Disney could give their higher levels that wouldn’t cost Disney a dime! How about free Wi-Fi? This one’s a no-brainer for me. Don’t you want those loyal cruisers posting on social media about what an amazing time they’re having? Almost every other line gives a discount or a free bag of laundry to their higher levels on longer sailings. It’s a great, practical perk that would cost Disney very little.

8. Make the Free Palo Perk Better – Upgrade the free Palo meal perk that Platinum and Pearl cruisers get. Let them use it at Remy or Enchante! Even if it’s not free, let them apply the value towards the more expensive meals at Remy or Enchante. That would be even more helpful on sailings where the Palo is full. More flexibility would make Palo easier to get for everyone.

9. Offer Special Tours Onboard – Many years ago, Disney used to offer some behind-the-scenes tours for Castaway Club members. On a Destiny preview, they offered media members a tour of the engine room. Other lines offer bridge tours, galley tours, theater tours, and more. It’s another fun, free to the cruise line perk.

10. Offer a President’s Cruise – Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have something called a President’s Cruise for loyalty club members. Company execs are onboard, they have exclusive events, tours, and surprises. Let’s face it, Castaway Club members would pay extra for something like that. I daresay it would sell out quickly, which is a win-win for Disney.

Do you have any ideas for things Disney could change about the Castaway Club program? Let’s hear them!