castaway cruise levels

Castaway Club Benefits – A Complete Guide For 2024

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What are the Castaway Club Benefits for repeat Disney Cruisers? Once you have sailed on a Disney Cruise you automatically become a member of the Castaway Club.

But what does this mean and what perks do Castaway Club members have?

And scroll down to see information about the new tier.

Disney Castaway Club Levels

The Castaway Club is the Disney Cruise Line loyalty club.

There are four Disney Castaway Club Levels of membership:

• Silver – Begins after your first completed cruise
• Gold – Begins after your fifth completed cruise
• Platinum – Begins after your tenth completed cruise.
• Pearl – Begins after your twenty-fifth completed cruise.

Termination of Benefits

This one shows you that you really must read the fine print.

I usually do. My legal training means that I often really do read all the terms and conditions! However, I admit I did not read the Castaway Club members rules.

To remain in the program, Castaway Club Members must book or sail on at least one eligible cruise within 5 years of their last Disney voyage.

DCL made this major change to their Castaway Club eligibility back in March 2023. This change only came to light for the majority of Disney cruisers when the FAQ section of the DCL website was changed.

If you read the terms and conditions they have a wide open discretion:

“Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise. However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to Member if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period; such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion”.

So what does that mean?

It means that DCL has left it open to change this requirement. Again, not sure why they added this as they can’t change the rules at any time without notice. And it seems they just have – or that they did in March 2023 and no one actually noticed!

New – Pearl Level of Membership

For 2023 there is a new level of Castaway Club membership.

Beginning on May 1, 2023, if you have sailed 25 Disney Cruises you will be awarded the new level of membership – Pearl.

This level introduces a very valuable perk – a complimentary Unlimited Photo Package.

DCL also announced that there will be new Welcome Back Aboard gifts for all levels.

For anyone who has so many of those sling backpacks and luggage labels they don’t know what to do with them, this is good news.

No announcement yet on what the gifts for other levels will be, but Pearl will find these drinking tumblers in their stateroom.

Note that you move up a level after you have completed your first, fifth, tenth, and twenty-fifth Disney Cruise.

In other words, if you are sailing on your 10th cruise, you are still at Gold Castaway Club level. When you sail again on a Disney Ship you will move up to Platinum Level.

What are the advantages of moving up the levels?

There are 2 types of benefits – those before you sail and those during your sailing.

How to Pack Like a Cruise Travel Expert

Castaway Cay Club Benefits – At Home

Perhaps the most valuable of the Castaway Club perks are these first two.

Early booking for the actual cruise itself and early booking for activities once you are actually booked on the cruise.

Disney Cruise Early Itinerary Booking

Disney Cruise Itineraries are usually released just three times a year.

As there are five Disney ships right now (soon to be seven with the Disney Treasure and the as yet renamed Global Dream that Disney purchased ) the competition for cruises, particularly certain sailings, can be fierce.

For instance, the Disney Magic European cruises tend to sell out in days and the Disney Cruises to Hawaii sell out extremely quickly.

Also, usually, the prices for Disney Cruises tend to go up over time .

As a general rule, the cost on the first day of release is the lowest you will see it.

We have been following Disney Cruise price changes for some time now and it is interesting how much prices change.

You can see here our Disney Cruise Wish Prices Guide and Disney Cruise Alaska Cost to see how prices change and usually increase.

Of course, there are exceptions to this, and military and Florida resident discounts are offered (usually for the Disney Dream).

However, unlike some other cruise lines that discount unsold staterooms closer to the time of sailing, Disney tends not to have a lot of unsold staterooms – so very few discounts.

So it is a very definite perk that once the new Disney Cruise sailings are released, all Castaway Cay members can book them earlier than the general public.

This is usually the pattern for the release of sailings for Castaway Club Members.

• Silver Castaway – 1 day prior to sailings being released to the general public
• Gold Castaway – 2 days prior to sailings being released to the general public
• Platinum Castaway – 3 days prior to sailings being released to the general public
• Pearl Castaway – 4 days prior to sailings being released to the general public

Disney Cruise Early Activities Booking

Another one of the major Castaway Club benefits is being able to book activities on board the ship earlier than non-members.

Some activities are extremely popular and get booked very quickly.

For example beverage tastings, Frozen Meet and Greet, Palo Brunch or Dinner, and the notoriously difficult-to-get Castaway Cay Cabana reservations.

I know that people do get very concerned that they have not been able to book certain activities online prior to their Disney Cruise.

However, don’t despair!

Often, there are still spots available once you board the ship as not all activities are released prior to sailing . The best example of this is Palo Brunch .

Every sailing, guests are concerned prior to boarding that they haven’t been able to get a reservation for Palo, particularly brunch.

However, not all of the available reservations for Palo are available online prior to boarding – they always hold some back.

So when you board the ship, always check to see if Palo or whatever other activity was “sold out” online is available. You can do this at guest services, or by going to the designated place where the dining room team will be there to help you.

Here are the priority dates for online reservations according to which level of Disney Cruise Castaway Cay member you are.

• First-time Guest – 75 days prior to the sail date
• Silver Castaway – 90 days prior to the sail date
• Gold Castaway – 105 days prior to the sail date
• Platinum Castaway – 120 days prior to the sail date
• Pearl Castaway – 123 days prior to the sail date

Concierge guests always had priority over Platinum as they could request reservations and activities 5 days prior to Platinum members.

I assume that now Concierge will be 5 days prior to Pearl members.

The activities are released on the same day, but in reality, Concierge will have priority over Platinum.

So, if you want to book a Castaway Cay Cabana you really need to sail concierge to maximize your chances.

Disney Cruise Port Arrival Time

Another great perk for Gold and Platinum Castaway Club members is Early Access to Select Port Arrival Times .

When you check in online you are allocated a port arrival time. If you are a Gold Castaway Club member you can select your port arrival time online.

This is subject to availability – the earlier times may all have been allocated, so you may still get a late boarding group.

It used to be that Platinum Members had the excellent perk of automatically being allocated the earliest Port Arrival time and having a Group 3 boarding group.

Now you have to be Pearl to enjoy early boarding times automatically. Pearl Members do not need a port arrival time. They can arrive at the port and go into the terminal as soon as it is open. They will be allocated an early boarding group.

Here is a Complete Guide To Embarkation on a Disney Cruise so you can see how the boarding process works and what to do on your first day.

At the port, Castaway Cay members will also have a dedicated check-in line. This is a nice perk as the lines are usually quite a bit shorter than the general line.

Platinum Members have the same line as Concierge, so this usually goes pretty quickly.

It remains to be seen if Pearl will replace Platinum or if they will have their own separate line.

Castaway Club Disney Cruise Phone Number

The final pre-cruise benefit of being a member of the Disney Cruise Castaway Club is the dedicated helpline 1-800-449-3380.

Disney Castaway Club Benefits Onboard

Castaway Club members also have benefits available once they have boarded their Disney Cruise Ship .

Every Castaway Cay Member gets a welcome back aboard gift . These gifts vary according to your membership level.

Over the years I have had some really useful gifts, although it became a little disappointing when you already have the exact same backpack and luggage label you have been given for the previous years!

Fortunately, DCL has now updated the gifts.

The last time I sailed I did get a new gift of a cool bag and a towel which was a welcome change.

Gold, Platinum and Pearl Discounts

Discounts in the store are a very nice perk. This is usually 10% discount on most goods in the store.

Gold Platinum and Pearl Onboard Reception

In days past they used to have these on all sailings which are 7 days or more.

However, in recent years this has been cut to just holding the reception on cruises that are 8 days or longer.

What this means is that these Castaway Club Receptions don’t happen very often anymore! Most sailings are 7 nights or less, so they don’t have a reception.

I have attended them on Panama Canal sailings and they were held around the Goofy Pool on Deck 9. There were plenty of free drinks and some nice snacks available.

The Captain and the Officers attended and you get a great opportunity to talk to them and ask any questions that you have.

Platinum and Pearl Complimentary Dinner at Palo

This is one of my favorite Castaway Club perks. Once you reach Platinum status you can get one complimentary dinner or brunch at Palo.

The official Castaway Disney Cruise site only mentions dinner, but I have used it for Brunch.

This is a good saving of the $45 cover charge.

Always make sure that you tip your Disney Server though – they work very hard and deserve to be rewarded.

All adults in your stateroom will also get the free Palo benefit even if they are not Platinum or Pearl members.

After 50 Cruises

Disney Cruises has added an additional benefit for those who have sailed 50 cruises and more.

Now Pearl Members who have completed 50 or more sailings will also be given the opportunity to display their family (last) name at Disney Castaway Cay.

This is a limited-time offering, and some restrictions apply. It will certainly be interesting to see how many names are displayed!

Disney Cruise Castaway Club Questions

• How do you access your Castaway Club account?

There is a dedicated site at Disney Cruise Castaway Club where you can log in with your Disney account. This shows you a summary of all the benefits, which cruises you have sailed on, and which membership level you have reached.

• If I am at Castaway Cay Platinum level, but my partner in the same stateroom is only Gold, will we both get a complimentary Palo Dinner ?

Yes. A Castaway Cay membership is personal to the individual and is not transferable, but the exception is that every adult in a stateroom with a Platinum Member will receive a complimentary meal.

• I am a Castaway Cay Pearl member so I can board the ship early, shortly after concierge. Can my partner, who is only Gold, board with me?

In that situation, you can board with your partner even though they do not have Platinum status.

Which Disney Cruise Castaway Club Benefits do you enjoy most?

Should Disney Up Their Game?

Whilst the perks of the Castaway Club are nice to have, it really isn’t until you reach Platinum Level that you get any kind of benefit, which is the free Palo Brunch or Dinner.

Disney does not compare favourably to other cruise line loyalty programs.

Let’s look at the Princess Cruises Loyalty Program

There are four tiers to the Captain’s Circle program where there are 4 levels. Princess uses a system of the amount of cruises, or cruise days. Disney just uses number of cruises.

• Gold  (after your first completed cruise)
• Ruby  (from your fourth cruise credit, or 31 to 50 cruise days)
• Platinum  (from your sixth to 15th cruise credit, or 51 to 150 cruise days)
• Elite  (from your 16th cruise credit on, or 151-plus cruise days)

I have Elite Status with Princess Cruises and the benefits are far in excess of those offered by Disney for Pearl Members. You will get Elite Status after 15 cruises with Princess, but you need to sail 25 cruises with Disney to get your Pearl status.

Here are the Captain’s Circle Elite Benefits:

Gold Tier Benefits

• Invitations to members-only onboard events
• Access to a Captain’s Circle onboard host
• A members-only magazine
• A recognition pin
• Captain’s Circle Launch Savings discounts on cruises
• Preferential Pricing Offers 

So you will see that you only have to sail on one cruise with Princess to get discounts on future cruises.

Ruby Tier Benefits

• An upgrade to Princess’ Platinum Vacation Protection plan when you purchase their insurance

Platinum Benefits

• Priority boarding
• 50% off MedallionNet internet packages
• 10% off spa treatments
• 10% off photos taken by ship photographers
• Early access to Dine My Way reservations

After just five cruises you will get the internet package discount. And the internet whenever I have sailed on Princess cruises is excellent.

Additional Elite Benefits

• 10% discount on shore excursions
• 10% discount at The Shops of Princess
• An exclusive window to preview and book new itineraries
• Priority access to ship-to-shore shuttles
• Priority disembarkation
• A complimentary minibar setup
• Complimentary shoe shines and laundry
• In-room canapes on formal nights
• Complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin (schedule this at least six hours in advance)
• Free admission to an onboard wine-tasting event (one per cruise)
• An Elite member pin

There are some really excellent benefits here. You can get your laundry done for free! This is a huge perk, particularly on longer cruises. There is nothing quite like returning to your stateroom and seeing all your clothes beautifully laundered and ironed!

Priority for the tender boats is also another excellent perk.

If only DCL would add some more benefits to their loyalty program.

But somehow I really don’t think that will happen.

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Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Sunday 28th of April 2024

What really frosts me is no matter how long (number of days) the cruise is, it only counts as one towards the next level. We have sailed both three day cruises and 10 day and they both had the same “weight “ in regard's to moving up a level. After our ninth cruise we did a 3/4 back to back to finally reach platinum. Using number of days IMHO seems to be a fairer way.

Monday 29th of April 2024

It does seem like an unfair system and I wish they would change it. I have mostly done 7 day and even 14 day cruises which only count for as much as a 3 day. Really doesn't seem like the best system to me.

Friday 22nd of December 2023

Something that has always frosted me. Disney uses number of cruises, not days cruised. IOW, a three day cruise and a ten day cruise all have the same value. We would have reached platinum so much sooner. We have recently started to cruise on RC instead of only on Disney. the loyalty program is so much easier (and cheaper) to obtain/enjoy with RC.

Lisa Peters

Monday 18th of December 2023

I should be silver concierge guest

Friday 24th of February 2023

Hi, I noticed some outdated info in this article even tho it says published on Feb 24th, for example u mentioned there are only 4 ships on Disney fleet, so to be 5 with the addition of the Wish, except that Disney Wish is almost a year old! Thanks for the rest of the info!

Thank you for this! Sorry I missed this when I was rewriting this article this morning but have changed it to reflect this.

Saturday 22nd of January 2022

From the DCL website

Q. I will be sharing a stateroom with a Guest who has a different Castaway Club Membership level than I do. What Member benefits will apply to the stateroom?

A. The Castaway Club benefit level?Silver, Gold or Platinum?is determined by the Guest with the highest membership level in the stateroom. All Guests staying in the same stateroom will enjoy that member’s benefit level for the duration of the cruise.

Guests traveling with you, but staying in a different stateroom, will enjoy the benefit level of whichever member has the highest membership level in their stateroom.

Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Guide to Disney Castaway Club: Membership Levels & Benefits

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has a loyalty program called “Castaway Club.” Guests are automatically enrolled after their first cruise. Membership, which is free, gives guests certain benefits and perks at different levels. Those benefits end up turning into incentives to sail more often with DCL because the more you sail the more you get.

But what are the membership levels, how do you cash in on the perks or build up more “points”? Our guide includes everything you need to know about Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Club so you can be the most informed DCL guest possible!

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Become a Member of Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Club

Becoming a member is easy. All you have to do is sail on a DCL cruise once. Then you're automatically enrolled in the program for free.

Everyone on your cruise reservation will be enrolled in Castaway Club if it's their first cruise, no matter if it's an adult or child. Your membership numbers are sent to you after your first cruise.

Castaway Club Membership Levels

There are four membership levels with Castaway Club.

• Silver: 1-4 cruises
• Gold: 5-9 cruises
• Platinum: 10-24 cruises
• Pearl: 25+ cruises

The number of cruises is for completed sailings and does not include upcoming booked sailings.

Important Note about Castaway Club Level Eligibility and Expiration

To maintain your Castaway Club status, you need to sail with Disney Cruise Line within 5 years. This means that you have to have completed the sailing before the five-year mark.

As of December 2023, Disney Cruise Line significantly changed Castaway Club accumulation of cruises and for how long its valid. As indicated on the cruise line's FAQs page , “To remain in the program, Castaway Club Members must book or sail on at least one eligible cruise within 5 years of their last Disney voyage.”

If you click through to the membership agreement for more information, it reads:

Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period hall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise. However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to Member if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period; such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion. Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions

How to Move Up in Castaway Club Status

The only way to move up in Disney's loyalty program “status” is to sail on more cruises.

Castaway Club Status is Based on Completed Cruises, not Days at Sea

Unlike some other cruise line loyalty programs, status is based on the number of cruises you take, not the number of days at sea. Princess Cruises , for instance, is one such cruise line that rewards guests based on days at sea, not the number of sailings.

If you sail on a 3-night cruise with Disney Cruise Line or a 12-night cruise, both cruises count as one cruise toward your Castaway Club status.

• One guest who sails on five 3-night cruises reaches Gold status …
• …in the same amount of time, a guest who sails on five 7-night cruises reaches Gold status.

Finding Your Castaway Club Membership Number

It's likely your Castaway Club number will automatically link to your reservation even if you don't have the number on hand when you book, whether through your preferred Travel Agent or directly through Disney Cruise Line.

Their website may crash, and the system may be slow at times. However, one thing that it does well is link your Castaway Club number to you. The system is smart like that!

It's still wise to have your Castaway Club member number handy and saved for ease of reference.

➜ How to Look Up Your Castaway Club Number on the Disney Cruise Line Website

The easiest way to look up your Castaway Club membership number is by logging into your Disney Cruise Line account . Once logged in, you'll see a top menu bar.

Navigate to: Already Booked ➡︎ Castaway Club under the “My Account” subheading. This is shown in the screenshot below that we marked with yellow arrows:

Another way to get to the same screen is to go to “Cruise with Disney” on the left of the top navigation bar when you are logged into your account. Then choose “Castaway Club.”

What You See on Your Castaway Club Account on DCL's Website

When you log into your account and navigate to “Castaway Club,” as shown above, you'll see some helpful information and infographics.

Under a nice “Welcome Back” message are three things:

The Membership level icon on the left and the right icon with Exclusive Benefits don't link anywhere, but if you scroll down on the page when you are logged in, you will see more information.

For instance, the “Gold Member Benefits” block on the page looks like the screenshot below. It explains two perks of Gold status, including that you can book new itineraries two days before the general public and that you can reserve cruise activities 105 days prior to sailing.

When you scroll down past the above screen, you'll see a section for “My Cruises,” which lists all the cruises you have been on with Disney, the date of the sailing, the ship you were on, and even your stateroom number! As the Disney Cruise Line website states in this section, “Your Castaway Club dashboard reflects your cruise history for all completed sailings.”

Also possible in the “My Cruises” section, when you're logged into your account and viewing your Castaway Club information, is the ability to see your cruise folio (or bill) if you sailed in the past 90 days. After 90 days, the folio hyperlink disappears.

Additional Perks in Your Online Castaway Club Account

Some additional fun perks of being logged into your Castaway Club account on the DCL website are Disney Cruise Line-themed computer wallpapers, some DCL recipes, and a section to download any photos from your recent cruise if you had Disney's photographers capture anything during your sailing. The photos feature is only available 45 days after sailing.

✨ Grab these fun Disney Items before you Cruise ! ✨

Major Castaway Club Benefits

Disney Cruise Line makes the benefits of each Castaway Club tier clear. Each subsequent tier after Silver adds new perks that include the tier before. That means that Gold perks include Silver's benefits plus some more. Platinum perks include everything that Gold and Silver Castaway Club members get, plus more, etc.

✦ Booking Itineraries Before the General Public

For many people, the perk of being able to book new itineraries even one day before the sailings open to the general public is an exciting perk. This is awarded to Silver members. That means if you have previously completed one sailing with Disney Cruise Line, and a new itinerary is released you want to book, you can do so one day before the general public.

With each level of Castaway Club membership, your ability to book a cruise early increases by one day. So Silver level can book one day before an itinerary is released to the general public. Gold can book two days before, Platinum three days before, and Pearl four days before.

✦ Early Check-In for a Cruise Reservation

Another huge perk of your Castaway Club level is how many days before your cruise you can check-in. For many people, the earliest DCL check-in possible means more time on the ship. Personally, we always aim to get the first boarding groups.

While the first boarding groups usually go to Concierge Level and Pearl or Platinum Castaway Club guests, we've secured a boarding group that gets us onto the ship within the first hour boarding opens, thanks to our Castaway Club Gold status.

✦ Onboard Gifts

Another fun perk of being part of Castaway Club is a gift awaiting your arrival in your stateroom. It's never guaranteed, and you never really know what you are going to get. But that's part of the fun.

This can be anything from a bag to a lanyard. We've been gifted water bottles, backpacks, tote bags, art, and lanyards for our Keys to the World.

All of the gifts below are gifts we received in our stateroom during Disney Cruises as Castaway Club members:

Detailed Castaway Club Perks at Every Level

Detailed information at every level is listed below, which is from the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club benefits page . That page will only show you the Castaway Club benefits spreadsheet if you are logged out of your account. Regardless, the information is below:

Silver Castaway Club (1 Completed Sailing)

• Book new itineraries 1 day before the general public
• Add cruise activities 90 days prior to sailing
• Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 33 days prior to sailing
• Exclusive cruise terminal check-in where available

Gold Castaway Club (5 Completed Sailings)

• Book new itineraries 2 days before the general public
• Add cruise activities 105 days prior to sailing
• Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 35 days prior to sailing
• Private onboard reception (cruises 8 nights or longer)
• Exclusive member discounts
• Plus, all Silver Castaway Club Member benefits

Platinum Castaway Club (10 Completed Sailings)

• Book new itineraries 3 days before the general public
• Add cruise activities 120 days prior to sailing
• Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 38 days prior to sailing
• Complimentary dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse (certain restrictions apply)
• Plus, all Silver and Gold Castaway Club Member benefits

Pearl Castaway Club (25+ Completed Sailings)

Pearl status was a new Castaway Club tier announced during Disney Cruise Line's 25th anniversary year (its Silver Anniversary), in 2023.

• Book new itineraries 4 days before the general public
• Add cruise activities 123 days prior to sailing
• Select port arrival times and complete online check-in 40 days prior to sailing
• Special gift
• Complimentary Unlimited Digital Photo Package
• Plus, all Silver, Gold, and Platinum Castaway Club Member Benefits

Castaway Club FAQs

If you have a question about Castaway Club that we have not answered here, please ask in the comments section at the bottom of this post. We love hearing from our readers!

➜ What does Castaway Club cost?

Nothing. The Castaway Club program is Disney Cruise Line's free cruise loyalty program.

➜ I have an upcoming cruise. Why doesn't it count toward the number of cruises in my Castaway Club account?

Disney Cruise Line only counts completed cruises in Castaway Club level totals.

➜ Can someone with a higher Castaway Club level/status reserve activities and dining for everyone on the reservation, even if the other guests on the reservation have a lower Castaway Club level?

Yes. I have Castaway Club level Gold, but Dan has Silver. (We met years after I started to cruise with Disney Cruise Line, so he has to catch up!) I was able to book activities for both of us when things like dining reservations opened to Gold Castaway Club members.

I was also able to check us in together for our Disney Wish cruise when Gold members were able to check in before Silver and first-time cruisers.

➜ How do I know what Castaway Club gift I'll receive on the ship before we sail?

You don't know. That's part of the fun!

Castaway Club gifts change to keep things new and fresh for members. However, if you really want to do some digging, there are several unofficial Disney Cruise Line forums where you can hunt around to see if anyone who has sailed close to your date posted photos of their goodies.

But still, nothing is guaranteed to be the same during your particular cruise.

Where Does the Name “Castaway Club” Come From?

Disney's private island in the Bahamas is called Castaway Cay. We imagine that when they needed a name for their cruise loyalty program, “Castaway Club” came to mind from the island's name.

Castaway Cay's “Cay” is pronounced “Key,” as it is pronounced in the Caribbean .

Can't get enough of Disney Cruise Line?

Discover more:.

• Guide to Disney Castaway Club: Membership Levels & Benefits
• Disney Cruise Line WiFi Packages & Pricing Vital Info
• Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know
• Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day: Vital Port Canaveral Info
• Disney Wish Design Details Guests Will Gush Over
• Disney Cruise Ships Ranked, According to DCL Experts
• Disney Cruise For Adults: What to Experience on DCL Without Kids

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• Palo Brunch vs. Dinner on Disney Wish: Which Wins?
• Disney Wish Enchanté Restaurant: Is It Worth It?
• Enchante Review: Menu Course-by-Course (With Photos) on Disney Wish

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How Does the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Work?

Your guide on how to join, castaway club benefits, and everything else you need to know.

The Castaway Club with Disney Cruise Line is a loyalty program that rewards cruisers with various perks, freebies, and discounts for sailing with Disney Cruise Line multiple times. Membership benefits increase based on the number of cruises you take. Members are categorized into four levels based on how many sailings they’ve completed: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Pearl. Here’s what you need to know to take advantage of this program when sailing with Disney Cruise Line!

Prefer To Speak With Someone? Vacationeers Are Standing By!

How Do I Join the Disney Castaway Club?

You’re automatically enrolled in the Castaway Club after you complete your first sailing with Disney Cruise Line. There’s no formal way to sign up — you simply need to have sailed with DCL previously and use the same information when booking your next cruise. After your first Disney cruise , hang on to your Key to the World card (or write down the Castaway Club number shown on it) for future reference so you can use it when booking your next cruise and logging into your Castaway Club account . The benefits and perks of being a Castaway Club member don’t go into effect until your second (and subsequent) sailing. The great news is you’ll always have a reason to return for another Disney Cruise Line sailing, as you’ll start getting the benefits of being a Castaway Club member on your second cruise!

Castaway Club Benefits

Everyone who is a part of the Castaway Club can access special perks only available to members. Here’s a rundown of the benefits all Castaway Club members receive:

Early Cruise Booking

All Castaway Club members receive early access to new ship bookings and itineraries. How early you’ll get to book these sailings before the general public depends on your membership tier (which we will discuss in detail later). Since inaugural sailings and new itineraries sell out quickly, early booking gives you the best chance to get the cruise you want at the best price possible.

Advanced Cruise Activity Booking

Castaway Club members can book onboard cruise activities, specialty dining , and excursions (which DCL calls “port adventures”) before first-time cruisers, who can book their activities 75 days before sailing. Like early cruise booking, how early you book your activities depends on your membership tier.

Book with The Vacationeer to Get Credit Toward Shore Excursions and Other Onboard Spending

Welcome Back Aboard Gift

Every member receives a special gift in their stateroom upon arrival. The type of gift may vary based on your membership tier, the ship you’re sailing on, and the specific itinerary you booked. Gifts change periodically, so it’s unlikely you’ll get the same exact gift twice unless you’re cruising in rapid succession. However, you may receive different versions of a similar gift—like sling bag in various colors. These gifts usually include the “Castaway Club” emblem, ship name, or specialty sailing logo.

A Cruise-O-Grams game previously provided as an onboard gift

Examples of welcome aboard gifts provided in the past have included:

• Backpack coolers
• Luggage tags
• Whiteboards
• Photo albums
• Water bottles

Disney recently announced that welcome aboard gifts will be refreshed and updated this summer. Disney also announced that all Castaway Club members will receive a limited-edition Captain Mickey art print in their staterooms to celebrate Disney Cruise Line’s Silver Anniversary at Sea . All members who cruise on any Disney cruise ship between May and September 2023 will receive this special gift.

Exclusive Terminal Check In

Castaway Club members can access a separate member embarkation queue at the port. This allows you to skip the lines and get on the ship as fast as possible!

Earlier Online Check-In / Port Arrival Time Selection

This benefit gives Castaway Club members an earlier chance to complete their online check-in; this gives them a slight head start on selecting their preferred port arrival time, letting them start their time on the ship just a bit earlier than everyone else!

Other Benefits

Castaway Club members receive “exclusive communication” from the club — though updates are pretty sporadic. Members can also access a member-only phone line for cruise planning assistance and questions, saving you hours waiting on hold. However, we recommend skipping staying on hold altogether by having a dedicated Disney Cruise Line Travel Agent, like the ones at The Vacationeer , book your cruise for you!

Plan Your Cruise With Your Own Dedicated Agent — No Waiting On Hold!

Castaway Club Levels

All Castaway Club members are entitled to the benefits listed above. However, how early you can book your cruise and activities, the type of gift you’ll receive, and additional benefits vary depending on your membership tier. There are four Castaway Club tiers currently available. Each level comes with enhanced perks, so the more you sail, the greater your benefits are. Here’s a detailed list of the current tiers and the benefits that accompany each one.

Silver Castaway: 1 to 4 Completed Sailings

Onboard Activity Booking:

90 days prior to sailing

Online Check-In:

33 days prior to sailing

New Ship & Itinerary Booking:

1 day before the general public

Once you’ve stepped off the ship from your first Disney cruise, you’ll automatically become a Silver Castaway Club member. While booking your next cruise, you can take advantage of benefits like early cruise and activity booking. On the ship, you can use the member-only check-in line and receive a welcome aboard gift when you arrive in your stateroom.

Gold Castaway: 5 to 9 Completed Sailings

105 days prior to sailing

35 days prior to sailing

2 days before the general public

Gold members get all the benefits of a Silver membership plus a few extras, including an earlier activity booking window and early access to new sailings. Gold members also get a small discount (about 10%) on select experiences and merchandise aboard. Another benefit is an exclusive onboard reception (**temporarily paused**) for sailings that last longer than eight nights . The reception includes special entertainment, food, and drinks. You’ll also get to meet the ship’s captain. Castaway Club member receptions were paused during the pandemic, and no return date has been announced at the time of publication.

Platinum Castaway: 10 to 24 Completed Sailings

120 days prior to sailing

38 days prior to sailing

3 days before the general public

One of the most sought-after benefits of being a Platinum member is receiving complimentary specialty dining at Palo or Palo Steakhouse . Note: these two dining locations are for adults only; guests must be 18 and older to dine there. Platinum Castaway Club members also receive upgraded welcome aboard gifts, such as boxes of truffles, sparkling wine, or even Bluetooth speakers.

Pearl Castaway (NEW!): 25+ Completed Sailings

123 days prior to sailing

40 days prior to sailing

4 days before the general public

Cruisers who have completed at least 25 Disney Cruises are placed in this brand-new Castaway Club tier that began on May 1, 2023. In addition to all the perks of being a Platinum member, you’ll also receive an unlimited digital download photo package of all the professional photos taken by photographers on the ship. Pearl members will also get an enhanced onboard gift: a pair of pearlescent tumblers with shimmering blush and white accents.

Getting the Most Out of Your Castaway Club Membership

Since you automatically become a Castaway Club member after your first complete sailing with Disney Cruise Line, taking advantage of your membership is easy for your second and following cruises. One of the best ways to take advantage of your membership is to utilize the early booking windows for new cruises and activities. You’ll get the best pricing for your cruise and the first chance to book experiences like excursions, specialty dining, spa experiences, and more.

To advance your membership as quickly as possible, consider booking multiple short cruises . Membership tiers are based on the number of cruises you take, not how many days or miles you sail. This means someone who took three four-day cruises may receive a higher membership level than someone who booked one 14-day cruise.

If you want to collect onboard welcome gifts, sail on different ships with multiple itineraries. Onboard gifts may vary by ship and change at random times, so picking new sailings will give you the best chance for variety.

Everyone connected to your reservation who stays in the same stateroom with you becomes a Castaway Club member—including infants and children. This allows your entire family to enjoy the perks of being a Castaway Club member for the rest of their lives. When your children are old enough to book cruises on their own, they could have already racked up some great perks and be in one of the top membership tiers!

Castaway Club memberships do not necessarily have an expiration date, but you do have to cruise at least fairly regularly to maintain your current level of membership or advance to a higher tier. Make sure that no more than five years passes between cruises or you’ll have to start over at the bottom Castaway Club tier.

Ready to Join Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club? Book Your Cruise Today!

Whether you’re booking your first cruise with Disney Cruise Line or are already part of the Castaway Club, let the travel agents at The Vacationeer help you plan your cruise!

Their Authorized Disney Vacation Planners can help you book onboard activities and off-shore excursions based on your unique booking window. They’ll also help you ensure you have all the correct information entered, so you get credit for each sailing. And you’ll get to take advantage of all their first-hand experience — they love taking Disney Cruises as much as they love booking them!

Plus: Cruisers who book through The Vacationeer receive a free onboard credit — that’s up to $1,000 of free spending money for activities, excursions, dining , and souvenirs onboard the ship!

Best of all, there’s absolutely no charge to use their planning services and your cruise price won’t be higher just because you used a travel agent — it might even cost less thanks to their expert knowledge of Disney Cruise Line discounts and money-saving tips!

So to recap: it won’t cost more — it might cost less — and you get free spending money! Why WOULDN’T you book with the Disney Cruise Experts at The Vacationeer ?

For more information about taking a Disney cruise, check out the resources in our other Disney Cruise Line articles , such as how to book a Disney cruise , how to save money on a Disney cruise , an overview of destinations and ports , and our guide to onboard credits .

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• Disney Castaway Club / Disney Cruise Line / Planning

Frequently Asked Questions about Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club

by Sarah Trimpe · June 29, 2021

So you’re considering a Disney cruise for your next vacation, and you’ve been reading and doing your research. That’s wonderful!

Disney Cruise Line is known for going the extra mile , or league, in nautical terms, and you and your family are sure to have a wonderful time.

Image Credit: Disney

Once you complete your cruise with Disney, you’ll be a Castaway Club member, but what does that mean? 

Castaway Club Levels and Benefits 

Q: What is the Castaway Club?

A: The Castaway Club is a special club for guests who have completed one or more cruises on any ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Once you complete your first cruise, you automatically become a Castaway Club member. Castaway Club members receive magical benefits based on the number of times they have sailed. Silver Castaway Club members are guests who’ve completed 1-4 sailings. Gold Castaway Club members are guests who’ve completed 5-9 sailings. Platinum Castaway Club members are guests who’ve completed 10 or more sailings.

Q: What magical benefits do Castaway Club members receive?

A: Castaway Club members can enjoy a variety of benefits that are sure to make each cruise more magical than the last. Benefits include:

• Advanced booking of shore excursions.
• Advanced booking of nursery and spa services.
• Exclusive content on disneycruise.com, such as webcasts, tips, info and news created just for members.
• A free subscription to the bi-yearly Compass eMagazine.
• Welcome Back Aboard gift 
• And much more !

Castaway Club How-Tos

Q: How far in advance can I book excursions, services, and dining?

A: While guests sailing for the first time can book 75 days in advance of their sailing, Silver Castaway Club members can book 90 days before sailing. Gold Castaway Club members can book 105 days before sailing, and Platinum Castaway Club members enjoy the option of booking a full 120 days prior to sailing.

Q: How do I know if there are special benefits only available during my cruise?

A: On occasion, there will be Castaway Club benefits that only occur during certain sailings. During the first evening’s turndown service, Castaway Club members will receive details about Castaway Club benefits that are available during their cruise. 

Additional Castaway Club Questions

Q: What happens if guests at different Castaway Club levels share a room? Which benefits will apply to the room?  

A: The Castaway Club benefit level is determined by the guest with the highest membership level in the stateroom. All Guests staying in the same stateroom will enjoy that member’s benefit level for the duration of the cruise. Guests traveling with you, but staying in a different stateroom, will enjoy the benefit level of whichever member has the highest membership level in their stateroom.

Credit: Disney

Q: Is there a time limit for using Castaway Club benefits?

A: No, after achieving a particular Castaway Club level there is no end date to your status. When you complete the sailings needed to upgrade to the next level your benefits will increase, but they will never expire.

Ready to start planning your next Disney Cruise? 2021 and 2022 Disney Cruise Line itineraries are now available for booking. Please fill out the form below for a FREE, no-obligation quote, or email me at [email protected] . I’d love to help you plan your next Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, or Adventures By Disney vacation. My planning services are FREE when you book with me, and I can help you every step of the way. You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram .

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Sarah Trimpe

Sarah believes that Disney vacations are the most amazing and memorable vacations of all. She loves planning magical getaways for her MickeyTravels clients and offering planning advice here at MickeyBlog. Please email [email protected] for a free, no-obligation quote, or to start planning.

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Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Benefits and Levels Explained

Disney Cruise Line has a multi-tiered loyalty program for past passengers known as the Castaway Club.  You only need to sail once on a Disney cruise ship to automatically be added to the club and have access to the membership benefits.  Once you are added to the club, you will receive a membership card in the mail that has your membership number.

The Castaway Club only has three levels based on the number of cruises sailed: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.  Here are the levels and benefits of each level:

SILVER CASTAWAY  (Begins after 1st completed cruise)

GOLD CASTAWAY  (Begins after 5th completed cruise)

PLATINUM CASTAWAY  (Begins after 10th completed cruise)

AT-HOME BENEFITS:

**Early booking for New Itineraries: Members have access to book the newest itineraries before the general public.  Castaway Club members can book before the general public through the call center or their travel agent can do this on their behalf.

Silver: 1 day before general public; Gold: 2 days before general public; Platinum: 3 days before general public.

**Early access to activity planning online: Advance access to online booking for cruise activities including Specialty Adult Dining, Character Greeting requiring tickets, Character Dining, Port Adventures and more.

Silver: 90 days prior to sailing; Gold: 105 days prior to sailing; Platinum: 120 days prior to sailing.

**Castaway Club Member Communications: Periodically, members will receive updates just for members.

**Dedicated Castaway Club Phone Number: There is a members-only direct line for information and assistance.

**In addition to the above at-home benefits, Gold and Platinum members have early access to select port arrival times. Platinum members can board at any time once boarding commences.  Gold members will be able to select a preferred port arrival time upon completing their eDocuments.

ONBOARD BENEFITS:

**Exclusive cruise terminal check-in:  All Castaway club levels can utilize a dedicated members-only line for check-in at the terminal.

**Welcome Back Aboard Gift: All Club Members will find a special gift that is unique to their level waiting for them in their stateroom.  (One gift per stateroom)

**Gold and Platinum members Onboard Reception: On 8-night or longer cruises, there is a private reception with special entertainment for Gold and Platinum level members.

**Platinum Priority check-in at Cruise Terminal: Platinum Castaway Club members enjoy the benefit of check-in at the concierge area of the cruise terminal. They will receive priority boarding following Concierge guests.

**Platinum Complimentary Dinner at Palo: One complimentary dinner at Palo is available to the Platinum member and Guests staying in the member’s stateroom.

Don’t forget that while you are on board a Disney Cruise that you can get special savings on future cruises.  Make sure that you stop by the future cruise desk to check on the details and offers.  If you booked your current cruise through a Travel Agent, make sure that their information is listed if you would like for them to continue to serve as your agent.

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Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Membership Levels

The Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty rewards program for repeat cruisers. DCL grants membership the moment a guest completes their first cruise. Membership comes with perks, and the more cruises you take, the more perks you can get.

Like all loyalty programs, Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club has several levels – three to be exact: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Your status is based on the number of cruises you have completed.

Silver: Guests who have completed 1-5 voyages with Disney Cruise Line. On your 5th cruise, you are still considered Silver. However, the moment you step off the ship from your 5th sailing you are immediately upgraded to Gold status.

Check out some retired Castaway Club merchandise and gifts here.

Gold: Guests who have completed 6-9 voyages with Disney Cruise Line.

Platinum: Guests who have completed 10 cruises. Again, your 10th cruise will be your final Gold-level cruise, and afterward, you will be Platinum.

Castaway Club Membership Perks

Disney grants perks to guests based on their membership level. The higher the level, the more perks you will receive.

• Book new itineraries 1 day earlier than the general public and cruise activities 90 days prior to sailing.
• Unique Castaway Club member communications
• Dedicated Castaway Club phone number
• Exclusive cruise terminal check-in (where available)
• Welcome Back Aboard gift
• Book new itineraries 2 days earlier than the general public and cruise activities 105 days prior to sailing.
• All Silver member benefits
• Special discounts (See next section)
• Book new itineraries 3 days earlier than the general public and cruise activities 120 days prior to sailing.
• All Gold and Silver member benefits
• Complimentary dinner at Palo for you and guests sailing in your stateroom.

About Those Onboard Discounts

Even if this is your first cruise, always ask the crew member about discounts when making purchases. Disney Vacation Club members, Disney Visa Cardholders, and other Disney affinity groups have access to discounts on qualifying purchases onboard Disney Cruise Line. But you have to ask!

Castaway Club Perks That Have Sailed Away

Perks come, and perks go. Some perks disappeared during the pandemic and have yet to make a reappearance.

• Gold and Platinum Onboard Reception (for cruises 8 nights or longer) : This has been “paused” since the resumption of cruising operations, and we have not heard of its return at this time.
• Advance check-in:  Before the pandemic, Castaway Club members had access to early cruise check-in at the same time they booked onboard activities and Port Adventure. Now all guests are eligible to check in 30 days prior to sailing. This means everyone has an equal shot at grabbing a coveted early Port Arrival Time.
• Special Merchandise: This is an unofficial report. On my last cruise ( Disney Dream – May 2022) I did not see any merchandise for Castaway Club members in any gift shop. The selection was always small – usually a mug, cap, or maybe a t-shirt – but it seems to be missing now. If you’ve seen any merch, let us know!

Gifts change from time to time. Below is the beach bag that I received in 2016. The previous bag was from a 2010 European Sailing.

Platinum (and Beyond)

Until recently, Disney Cruise Line has only recognized three main levels of membership: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. However, as DCL ages, the number of Platinum Level Castaway Club members has increased.

When booking opened up for the Disney Wish , we were all expecting tiered opening dates based on Castaway Club level, but DCL threw in a little curveball. Platinum members were divided into four groups:

• Members with 25+ cruises
• Members with 20+ cruises
• Members with 15+ cruises
• Members with 10+ cruises

Each sub-group had its own date to begin booking on the newest ship. The result: The Inaugural sailing was sold out the morning that Platinum members with 10+ cruises could book.

Castaway Club Program Benefits

What do you think about Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club? Have you enjoyed the perks and gifts? What would you like to see DCL do differently with its loyalty program ?

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FAQ: Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club

Disney Cruise’s Line’s version of a “frequent flyer” program is called the Castaway Club. Here’s everything you need to know about the program.

How do I join the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club?

You will be automatically enrolled in the Castaway Club program when you book your first Disney cruise.

Where do I find my Castaway Club member number?

Your Castaway Club member number can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website . Click on the “Cruise with Disney” tab and scroll down to the “Castaway Club” link.

How do I earn Castaway Club status on Disney Cruise Line?

DCL status is accumulated by number of completed sailings. Other cruise lines may have status and reward levels based on number of nights sailed or amount of money spent, but DCL only cares about how many total voyages you’ve taken .

For example, on DCL,  the completion of a relatively inexpensive three-night sailing in the Bahamas in an inside stateroom counts toward your status in exactly the same way as an extremely expensive 11-night concierge-level sailing in Europe. A sailing is a sailing, regardless of its cost or duration.

What are the Castaway Club levels?

First time cruisers are called, not surprisingly, First Time Cruisers, after that …

Beginning on May 1, 2023 there will be four Castaway Club status levels. Again, these levels are solely based on the number of cruises completed.

• Silver Members – Have completed 1-4 DCL sailings
• Gold Members – Have completed 5-9 DCL sailings
• Platinum Members – Have completed 10-24 DCL sailings
• Pearl Members – Have completed 25 DCL sailings

Note that the word “completed” is important in these definitions.

If, for example, you’ve booked back-to-back sailings that are your fourth and fifth DCL cruises, you would not be able to take advantage of any pre-sailing benefits of Gold Membership (attained AFTER you’ve sailed four times) even if you’ve paid in full and are past the refund date for your 5th cruise. However, you will be entitled to Gold benefits on the second of the back-to-back sailings because you would then have then COMPLETED four cruises.

What benefits do these status levels give me?

Castaway benefits are summarized in the chart below. Basically, the higher your status, the earlier you can book your sailing and the earlier you can book components of your sailing such as adult dining or port excursions.

Additionally, once you’re on board the ship, Castway members will be entitled to Welcome Aboard gifts (which get progressively nicer as your status increases). Gold members and above are allowed discounts on some onboard purchases. Platinum members and above are entitled to a complimentary brunch or dinner at Palo (Dream, Fantasy, Magic, and Wonder) or Palo Steakhouse (Wish), up to a $45 value. Pearl members will also receive a complimentary photo package.

Are there other benefits not listed here?

Disney has quietly released another procedural modification based on Castaway status – staggered online check-in access . As of May 2023, the check-in access schedule is:

• Pearl Castaway Club members and Concierge Staterooms: 40 day prior to sailing
• Platinum Castaway Club members: 38 days prior to sailing.
• Gold Castaway Club members: 35 days prior to sailing.
• Silver Castaway Club members: 33 days prior to sailing.
• First Time Cruisers: 30 days prior to sailing.

The only real benefit to checking in earlier is possible access to an earlier port arrival time.

I’m a First Time Cruiser. Will I be boxed out of the onboard reservations I want because all the Castaway members have had first crack at them?

Honestly, maybe, but don’t worry about it too much.

Nearly every day I see social media post where first time cruisers bemoan the fact that they’ve been shut out of Palo reservations or certain shore excursions because all the other Castaway levels have had the opportunity to book before them. Here are some thoughts on that topic:

• You may not really be excluded from these items . People change their minds and cancel cruise components all the time. Check back frequently and you may see the option you want has become available.
• DCL may add activities at the last minute . I booked my most recent cruise just a few weeks prior to sailing, so even though I have a high Castaway status, some items were already fully booked when I went to select onboard activities. Of particular interest to me, none of the wine, champagne, or mixology tastings were available. This was one of my daughter’s first sailings since she turned 21 and she wanted to do one of these events. Oh well — or so we thought. When we logged into the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app when we boarded the ship, we noticed that DCL had added several embarkation day tastings, including a champagne tasting that was at a perfect time for us.
• Skipping some of the extras might actually be better . While dining at Palo, Remy, and Enchanté are terrific experiences, I seldom recommend these adult dining venues for first time cruisers. You’ll better experience the main dining rooms and other base amenities of the ship if you postpone the extras until you’re a more seasoned sailor.
• You can book many port excursions on your own . In many cases you’ll be saving money if you don’t book your port excursions through Disney. Check out our post on Port Excursion FAQs for details.

Can children join the Castaway Club?

Yes! Everyone who sails on DCL, even infants and children become part of the Castaway Club when they sail on Disney Cruise Line. Kids can accrue status just like adults.

Guests retain their childhood status as they become adults and book cruises on their own. This is a big win for folks who sailed often with their families when they were young.

Does every DCL cruise I take count toward my Castaway Club status?

For most guests, yes.

There are, however, a few circumstance where sailings on DCL will not count toward your Castaway count. Some examples include media traveling on special sailings, cast members traveling on business, and vendors working for DCL while onboard.

If you notice a difference in the number of completed cruises displayed with your Castaway Club Membership, email Disney Cruise Line or call (800) 449-3380 for assistance.

Does it matter if not everyone in my stateroom has the same Castaway Club status?

For purposes of booking things like port excursions and onboard dining, the entire stateroom can book at the level of the highest person booked in the stateroom. For example, if I’m a Platinum member and my husband is a Gold member and we’re staying in the same stateroom, I can arrange dining and port adventures for both of us when Platinum booking window opens.

Does it matter if not everyone in my party has the same Castaway Club status?

Yes! For booking purposes, Castaway Club level is recognized by stateroom NOT by traveling party.

Consider this situation — If, for example, my husband and I are both Platinum members staying in one stateroom and our three adult daughters are all Gold members staying in a different stateroom. I could book dining and excursions for hubby and me 120 days in advance of the trip, but I’d have to wait until 105 days in advance of the trip to book dining and excursions for the girls. A workaround for this would be to book one of the Gold girls into my stateroom and book my Platinum husband into the girls stateroom. This would allow both staterooms to make dining reservations at the 120 day mark. Once you’re on the ship, Guest Services can issue you keys to both rooms and your stateroom host won’t care who sleeps where.

My husband and I have also sailed with several other couples of different Castaway levels. We didn’t want to cross-book with them because a) weird and b) sorting out billing would be a nightmare. In this instance, we all were able to book dinner at Palo, but got slightly different dining times. Once we were on board, we were able to explain what happened and Guest Services was able to arrange for us to eat at the same table at the same time. Pack your patience and it’s likely that everything will work out.

Do Castaway Club benefits expire?

Well, maybe.

Prior to late 2023 Disney had always acted like Castaway Statue never expired. Once you took a DCL cruise, it counted toward your status forever. My first DCL sailing was in 2003. When I went to book my next sailing, in 2011, my Castaway status was silver, even though it had been eight years since my previous cruise.

In 2023, Disney has codified that this may no longer be the case. The Castaway Club FAQ page now states: “To remain in the program, Castaway Club Members must book or sail at least one eligible cruise within 5 years of their last Disney voyage.” Follow-up information in the Terms & Conditions now states, “Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise. However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available … such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion.”

It’s early days of this new policy and we’re not sure how strictly it will be enforced. Stay tuned.

I’ve heard something about lanyards. What does that have to do with Castaway status?

DCL gives free lanyards to all Castaway Club members, labeled with your status. Some guests use these to hold their Key to the World Cards (room keys) around their necks while onboard the ship. I find wearing the lanyards annoying and generally keep my Key Card in my pocket, but other folks are seriously attached to them.

If you’re a First Time Cruiser, you won’t get a free lanyard, but you are welcome to buy one in the ship’s gift shop or buy one at a Disney theme park or in any office supply store. Disney Vacation Club members may also be entitled to a free lanyard from the onboard DVC welcome desk, regardless of the their Castaway Club status.

What are the “Welcome Back Aboard” gifts?

Disney changes these periodically. In recent years the gifts have include sling-style backpacks and tote bags of varying design.  Castaway guests traveling on the Wish during her first few months of sailing received additional gifts. This may also happen when the Disney Treasure begins sailing in 2024.

The initial gift for Pearl level members will be a pair of pearlescent tumblers.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my Castaway Club status or the program benefits?

For assistance with your account, call (800) 449-3380, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET or weekends 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Your travel agent may also be able to assist you with questions about the Castaway Club program.

If you’re looking for additional advice and planning assistance with any Disney Cruise Line sailing, be sure to check out the  Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line  or ask for a free quote from one of our  expert travel agents .

Note: Updates made May 1, 2023 and December 21, 2023. 

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Erin Foster

Erin Foster is an original member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now PlanDisney), a regular contributor to TouringPlans.com, and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. She's been to WDW, DL, DL Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, DVC Vero Beach, and DVC Hilton Head. She's a Platinum DCL cruiser and veteran of 10 Adventures by Disney trips. Erin lives near New York City, where she can often be found indulging in her other obsession - Broadway theater.

2 thoughts on “ FAQ: Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club ”

06/27/2023 – I have a question about my “Boarding Group” and what WDW Resort information is given to me prior to my prearranged DCL Ground Transportation from my resort to Port Canaveral. I usually receive a letter/email from my WDW Resort the night before my cruise detailing information about luggage pickup, the time, and where to meet for my DCL Ground Transportation. I have been told that my “Boarding Group” will now be given by my WDW Resort. I am confused. Even though at my Platinum, 38-day Checkin, I can usually see my “Boarding Group” on my “Port Arrival Time” form. Has this changed? I don’t worry about the Port Arrival Time since DCL Ground Transportation arranges an early departure from my resort. But I wanted to make sure I get an early “Boarding Group” so I check in at midnight EST. Do the WDW Resorts really give me a “Boarding Group” now?

We just completed 5 cruises and then got Gold Castaway Club status. You have to complete 5 before being gold and ten before platinum.

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Six Questions and Answers about Disney Cruise’s Castaway Club

Updated January 25, 2024

What is it?

Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Lines , a way of recognizing Guests who have sailed with them. If you’ve taken a Disney cruise, you’re already a Castaway Club member, and eligible to receive exclusive benefits that make your next cruise easier to plan.

How do you become a Castaway Club member?

You become a Castaway member after you have completed your first cruise. Take note of the word completed, if you have booked and paid for your cruise in full, you still need to have completed your cruise to become a member or move up a level.

What are the Castaway Club levels?

The 3 membership levels are based on the total number of completed eligible cruises:

• Silver Castaway – 1 completed cruise
• Gold Castaway – 5 completed cruises
• Platinum Castaway – 10 completed cruises

About Eligible Sailings Sailings purchased at select fare types (such as media, vendors and Cast Members travelling on business) are not considered eligible cruises for calculating Castaway Club Membership levels.

What do Castaway Club members get?

The benefits of the Castaway Club depend on your level.

The benefits of being a Silver Castaway Club member include booking new itineraries one day before the general public. Silver members can book their Port Adventures, specialty dining, adult beverage seminars, spa services and other activities 90 days before the sailing. Access to a dedicated Castaway phone line. Early opportunity to book a Port Arrival Time (PAT) ( this benefit is currently paused due to the pandemic). Silver Castaway members also get an exclusive check-in desk at the terminal. A welcome-back gift and a silver lanyard are left in your stateroom for you. Pre-pandemic, you would get your lanyard in the terminal when you checked in. Check in 33 days prior to your cruise.

Gold members have completed 5 cruises. They get all the benefits of Silver Castaway members. If you are Gold, you can book new itineraries two days before the general public and book port adventures and onboard activities 105 days before sailing. Gold and Platinum members sailing on cruises longer than 8 nights are also invited to an onboard reception. They offer complimentary adult beverages, and we received Rice Krispy Mickey treats and a preview of an upcoming show. Rounding out the benefits is a discount at the shops onboard. Check in 35 days prior to your cruise.

You become a platinum member after completing 10 cruises. As a platinum member, you receive all the benefits that silver and gold members get. Platinum cruisers can book new itineraries three days before the general public and get the first chance to book new itineraries. Onboard booking for platinum members is 120 days before the sailing. Only concierge guests get to book earlier, at 135 days. Platinum members also receive a complimentary dinner at Palo. Check in 38 days prior to your cruise.

New Pearl Level

Pearl Castaway Club  members can book new itineraries  4 days before the general public . Platinum will book 3 days prior, Gold 2 days and Silver 1 day before the general public.  Pearl member s will have early access to online activity planning starting 123 days before sailing . Platinum will remain at 120 days, Gold at 105, and Silver at 90 days. They also receieve a complimentary photo package. Check in 40 days prior to your cruise.

All members get a welcome back aboard gift. On May 1, 2023 new gifts were released for the 25th Anniversary of Disney Cruise.

How do I find my Castaway Club status?

To find out about your Castaway Status , you can find it under the already booked tab, and near the bottom is the Castaway Club link.

Do Castaway Club members get a discount?

Castaway members do not get a discount. However, you can save 10% on your next cruise if you get a placeholder while on your cruise. Disney also has a discount for New Castawy Club Members. The Castaway Club Welcome Offer needs to be booked within  60 days of disembarking  your first cruise.

Does your Castaway Membership Expire?

I have added one more question and answer because of a recent change to the Disney Cruise Line website. Recently, DCL quietly changed the Castaway Club by adding an expiration to their membership. “To remain in the program, Castaway Club Members  must book or sail on at least one eligible cruise within five years of their last Disney voyage . For more information, view the  Castaway Club terms and conditions .” 

The language used is open to interpretation. When you click through the terms and conditions, you will find this:  “The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise.  However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to Member if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period ; such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion. ” It is unclear why Disney would make this change; it is an outlier in cruising. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, that if you make a purchase through my links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support of this site.

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Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club

Posted on Published: 08/02/2024

If you’ve ever traveled on the Disney Cruise Line, you’ve probably heard about the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club. The Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s frequent traveler/loyalty program, and it’s free to join.

Unlike airline frequent flier programs, however, you don’t earn free trips or points. Instead, you get exclusive benefits as you level up, including earlier check-in, free Palo meals , and much more.

Whether you are considering your first Disney Cruise, or are already a member, here’s what you need to know about the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club. (Note that these benefits are always subject to change).

Disclosure: I’ve been on a complimentary preview cruise, two cruises through Disney Social Media Moms, and over a dozen cruises at my own expense. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us.

Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club

How much does sign up as a disney cruise castaway club member cost how do you sign up.

You don’t need to pay to sign up as a Castaway Club member. If you are wondering how to become a Castaway Club member, it’s seamless. You’ll automatically become a silver member after your first qualifying cruise (there are a few exclusions, such as media cruises, which do not qualify for Castaway Club status).

Your status is tracked automatically, so you don’t need to worry about it. You’ll be assigned a Disney Castaway Club number, and you don’t need to sign up – you’ll just automatically become a member. You can log in online to see your current status and a list of your qualifying cruises.

There’s no way to “level up” in the system beyond taking cruises – no Castaway Club credit cards, bonuses, or other ways to get status upgrades. Just keep cruising!

You’ll Level Up as You Take More Cruises

Unlike frequent flier programs, which are usually based on the length of your flight or the price paid, the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club levels are all based on the number of cruises sailed on the Disney Cruise Line.

That means a 3-night Bahamian cruise counts as much as a 7-night European cruise. Each cruise counts towards your Castaway Club status.

Your Castaway Club Benefits Start After Your Qualifying Cruise

That means you’ll be silver on the cruise after your first cruise, a gold Castaway Club member after your fifth cruise, a platinum Castaway Club member on the cruise after your tenth cruise, and a pearl Castaway Club member after your twenty-fifth cruise. You are not a gold member ON your fifth cruise or a platinum member ON the tenth cruise. You need to complete those cruises to earn that status. There are currently four Disney Cruise levels – silver, gold, platinum, and pearl.

Your Level Doesn’t Reset

Frequent flier programs on the airlines typically reset every year, so to keep up your status, you’ll need to continue flying that airline. The Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club membership doesn’t reset. Once you obtain a certain level, you don’t lose it. Just keep taking cruises to improve your status within the program.

What Do Castaway Club Members Get?

Disney Castaway Club cruise gifts start after you become a Silver Castaway Club member. With the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club, you don’t earn free cruises with your status. However, you do get lots of other benefits.

For instance, you’ll receive a stateroom gift upon arrival (one per stateroom). One year, the gift was a tote bag and reusable coffee mugs (gifts can vary). Other gifts have included whiteboards and photo albums. Castaway Club members will also receive a Disney Cruise lanyard in different colors to hold their Key to the World Card. 

Here’s an example of the benefits you can expect:

Disney Castaway Club Silver – Disney Cruise Silver Member

• Early booking opportunities for activity planning (premium meals, Port Adventures, cabanas at Castaway Cay ) – 90 days before sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off. Because some of these things can be booked early, the advantage of the extra days over the general public is a big benefit. Be sure to take advantage of the additional time!
• Dedicated Castaway Club check-in line at the port (where available)
• Castaway Club lanyards on the first day
• Stateroom gift (these have included backpacks, totes, photo albums, and whiteboards)
• Option to book cruises before the general public. Booking dates are announced in advance.
• Ability to check-in and select a port arrival time 33 days in advance

Disney Castaway Club Gold – Disney Cruise Gold Member

• Earlier access to activity planning (premium meals, excursions, cabanas at Castaway Cay ) – 105 days before sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off. 
• Special check-in line at the port
• Stateroom gift
• Lanyards at check-in
• On-board reception (for cruises of at least 4 days)
• Discount at the onboard gift shops (except for alcohol purchases)
• The ability to book Adventures by Disney trips earlier than the general public. 
• Ability to check-in and select a port arrival time 35 days in advance

Disney Castaway Club Platinum Level – Disney Cruise Platinum Member

• Earlier access to activity planning (premium meals, excursions, cabanas at Castaway Cay ) – 120 days before sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off.
• Premium check-in line at the port.
• Stateroom gift – Besides the regular gift, you’ll also get a few options, including chocolate, champagne, or a fruit plate.
• On-board reception (for cruises of at least four days)
• Complimentary dinner at Palo for everyone over 18 staying in the stateroom
• Early access to book cruises before the general public. Booking dates are announced in advance.
• Advanced booking for  Adventures by Disney trips earlier than the general public. 
• Ability to check-in and select a port arrival time 38 days in advance

Disney Castaway Club Pearl Level – Disney Cruise Pearl Member

• Earlier access to activity planning (premium meals, excursions, cabanas at Castaway Cay ) – 123 days before sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off.
• Premium check-in line at the port (where available).
• Stateroom gift – in addition to the regular gift, you’ll also get a few options, including chocolate, champagne, or a fruit plate.
• Ability to check in and select a port arrival time 40 days in advance
• Complimentary Unlimited Digital Photo Package

If you want to take a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line, book with Get Away Today. When you mention Family Travel Magazine, you get an extra $25 on-board credit! Give their agents a call at 877-510-2929.

Learn more at the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club website .

Thinking about your next cruise? Read our guides to the Disney Dream , the Disney Fantasy , and the Disney Wonder .

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Lisa peters

Monday 20th of February 2023

I never been on the Disney cruise before it’s going to be my first time

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An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Updated Castaway Club Terms and Conditions Require Members to Book or Sail At Least Once Every 5 Years to Remain in Club

Disney Cruise Line revised their eligibility requirements for Castaway Club membership. Effective immediately, Castaway Club members must book or sail on at least one eligible cruise within 5 years of their last Disney voyage.

Castaway Club members who do not book or sail on an eligible within the 5 year window will rejoin the program after completing one new eligible cruise.

There was no specific reason stated for this change aside from the statement that Disney Cruise Line periodically reviews the Castaway Club Program and may make updates accordingly. The Castaway Club – Frequency Asked Questions page directs guests to the Castaway Club Terms and Conditions page , which was last revised in March 2023 with the key change:

The Program will continue until such time as DCL, in its sole discretion, elects to terminate the Program (the “Program Term”). Members can only receive Program Benefits during the Program Term and only by the methods set forth by DCL from time to time in its sole discretion. Members may only use Program Benefits during the “Redemption Term,” defined as the Program Term and a period of sixty (60) days immediately following the last day of the Program Term. Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise. However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to Member if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period; such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion.

The full version of the Castaway Club Terms and Conditions from March 2023 can be viewed in this PDF archive . According to Google’s search results, it appears this particular webpage was just indexed by the search engine on December 20th.

CORRECTION – At the time of publication, it was stated the terms and conditions page was not updated as it had a March 2023 revision date at the end at the close of this article. After further review, the March 2023 Terms & Conditions DOES state the 5 year policy. Meaning, the revised eligibility requirement has been tucked away in the fine print for some time.

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54 Replies to “Updated Castaway Club Terms and Conditions Require Members to Book or Sail At Least Once Every 5 Years to Remain in Club”

Interesting. Do other cruise lines have time limits on their loyalty programs? Seems Disney is narrowing their pool of frequent cruisers

Apparently MSC removes people after 3 inactive years. But, as I understand it, they aren’t a company to aspire to be like.

MSC also matches status from other cruise lines, so that could have something to do with it. I can’t think of another right off that will bump you down for not cruising. This is more along the lines of hotel or airline programs I guess. Use it or lose it.

MSC is the only major cruise line that has something similar.

Carnival erased all my previous one but Royal Caribbean as Holland America did

Carnival Cruise Lines doesn’t, very sad for Disney

DCL doubles down on being the worst loyalty program in the industry. Tells us how they really feel about their guests.

I wonder if this means that after 5 years a member has to start from the beginning if they have not booked another cruise to keep them current?

This would really suck. We haven’t cruised DCL through the high school/college years, but planned to come back. As of right now, DCL website still says I’m gold.

Wow. That stinks. We haven’t been cruising for the same reason as Dawn. We plan on coming back to it once college ends for the 4 kids. I hate to think we will loose our tiers because we needed a break from it for a few years.

I’m sad about this. Who this hurts the worst are our children. Our teens are Platinum members because we have taken them on so many cruises. In their young adult life as they start new jobs, get married & start a family, they may not have the means to take their family on a Disney Cruise while they build their lifestyle. This will punish them & me for trying all these years to build their status & leave it to them as a legacy.

I totally agree. My daughter and I have been sailing since she was 3 months old. She’s 19 now and we are Pearl Level. I can imagine a time when she will be growing a young family and may not said for 5 years and her history of growing up on the ships will be erased. It’s heartbreaking.

We are in the same situation. We built our kids’ status while they were growing up, but they lost interest. Now recently married once the kids come they will want to cruise again and were excited for their status

Strange. The benefits of the Castaway Club silver level are so negligible it seems odd to limit membership. Maybe they plan to make the benefits better, but seems unlikely. Disney seems to typically go in the other direction with their consumer loyalty perks.

So what do they consider an “eligible” cruise as that would indicate not all cruises would keep you current? Also if you are dropped and take a cruise to become a member again do you get your old status back or do you start over at step one again?

An eligible cruise would generally mean one that isn’t free/heavily discounted (e.g. Friends and Family type discount, competition win etc). Offers available to the general public would still result in an eligible cruise.

That is exactly what I’m wondering too

This is from the DCL website’s FAQ section:

“About Eligible Sailings Sailings purchased at select fare types (such as media, vendors and Cast Members traveling on business) are not considered eligible cruises for calculating Castaway Club Membership levels.”

“The Program will continue until such time as DCL, in its sole discretion, elects to terminate the Program (the “Program Term”). Members can only receive Program Benefits during the Program Term and only by the methods set forth by DCL from time to time in its sole discretion. Members may only use Program Benefits during the “Redemption Term,” defined as the Program Term and a period of sixty (60) days immediately following the last day of the Program Term. Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise. However, DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to Member if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period; such decisions shall be in DCL’s sole discretion.”

No word if the Activity Period starts from today, or truly from the last Cruise. Seems a lot of people would get dumped because they paused cruising following the onset of COVID.

The big question is if those of us who are already Gold members will be grandfathered in? I didn’t cruise the past 5 years due to various medical issues including COVID. We were planning to go again next year but will be outside that window.

This is total height of stupid. We have been on board 4 cruises 27 days. Last cruise was 2016 been doing other things now the Great Grand Child is coming good reason to do one. Well now there is not. So RCL and NCL you will get all our cruise business.

Just reached Platinum with our last cruise pre-COVID. We have serious illness in our family and would not cruise with COVID & illness still makes it very difficult. So unfair if we lose our status and don’t get it reinstated. I think I may book one and keep moving it out as far as I can. It says book or sail. Very disappointing.

I’m confused. Does that mean that every CC member gets dropped TODAY if it’s been more than five years since LAST DCL sailing?

I am a bit confused as well. I checked my status which still is gold despite the fact I paused for quite some time. Maybe our next year booking was eligible ? Oh well, another complexity on top of an already extremely complex system

How about all the time DCL wasn’t sailing thanks to Covid? % years as of today or 5 years from the last cruise? a lot of unanswered questions.

Agree. I would assume it would start from this date forward and not be retroactive.

This is really disheartening. We had planned to book a cruise for next year, but in light of our status being removed, we might as well spend our money elsewhere. We were working on our 8th cruise. It may not be as many as others who are losing things in light of covid and other family events, but I really wish disney would have implemented it and allowed a grace period for people to say book a cruise within the next year.

Best guess is that they’re trying to clear the rolls of younger cruisers. Sail with mom and dad and you can achieve gold or platinum status by the time you’re out of high school. That means all of the perks and priviliges of gold and platinum without ever having spent a dime to get there.

I think it is pretty fair. One cruise every 5 years to keep your status. I really don’t understand why someone would think that isn’t fair.

We were cruising every other year until Covid. Our 5 years will be up on June 2024. 2 away from Platinum status. This sucks

Book a cruise lol.. You can move the date as many times as you need too if necessary. Bottom line Disney has the right to change their program and you have the right not to cruise Disney if you don’t like it. I still don’t see how this is a big deal. I read these comments and I just don’t get it.

Let’s see, planned cruise in Apr 2020, covid cancelled, rebooked for 2021, vaccine required, booked for next year, will now cancel since last cruise was 2018. guess DCL doesn’t want platinum cruisers anymore

Let’s see, last sail 2018, booked for 4/2020, covid cancelled, rescheduled to 2021, required vaccine, rebooked for next year, will now cancel. Guess DCL doesn’t want platinum members anymore.

Some of these comments are hilarious. “I’m not going to cruise with DCL if they take my status”… What perks? You are going on a DCL cruise for Castaway Club perks? You are going to let a $50 dinner at Palo (if you are Platinum AND can book it) be the deciding factor? What Gold or Silver perks? A $2 lanyard or $8 bag? Ok… Go to Carnival or MSC… see how you like being nickle and dimed for beverages and everything else. It’s not like REAL perks on other cruise lines… the only thing you are really losing is the ability to book earlier. ‘woo hoo’.

I totally agree with you. The program is not that great anyway and if people would switch to Carnival as I have read in the comments they really aren’t hurting anyone but themselves. Programs change from time to time and I think this is fair. 5 years is a fair amount of time to either book or sail. You are also right in stating the perks are nothing to write home about lol

If the perks are so small (which they are), it begs the question even more why make this change that does nothing to help Disney and makes their loyal guests feel slighted. You don’t have to agree, of course, but you could be empathic.

I initially saw this from a different perspective, data management. DCL potentially has 25+ years of passenger data on servers. Sure, this could be a mechanism to incentivize rebooking to maintain club status. However, I see this as a mechanism to archive and purge potentially 2 decades worth of stagnate passenger accounts on their servers in a data optimization project to help improve the database(s) used by the cruise line. Maybe it is a little of both and maybe it is something else driving the decision.

I do understand that people are upset. I do not understand how it is a big deal. We are pearl. The benefits are really negligible. 5 years sounds like a very fair amount of time to me to cruise with a company. Loyalty goes both ways.

I agree the benefits aren’t much, but they at least ACKNOWLEDGED that we have spent a fortune and a significant amount of time with them. I think that is what makes it so shocking – to cancel our history together when it costs them so little to continue. My first response was “are you freaking kidding me?” What all about the “you are family” and “welcome home” messaging?

I completely agree with you, Cherie.

I 100% agree with you. It was so nice to have cast members recognize your many sailings and loyalty with the designation on the Key to the World card and/or your lanyard. This change is just so completely pointless and so very disappointing.

Does the 5 year clause take into account cruises cancelled by Disney, i.e. cruise cancelled because of hurricane Ian September 2022 to give you time to book another. Luckily we just just finished a reschedule cruise from that cancellation and hadn’t sailed since 2019. So I guess we just squeezed through. We, like many, did not know of recent change of policy in March. Just lucky I guess.

We have our fifth disney cruised booked for next year. However disney prices and poor experience on the Wish in May made us rethink disney recently. This lack of loyalty from them just adds to it. We sailed a 3 night on Royal last weekend to try it out. It wasn’t bad just different and something we still enjoyed. We are now going to cancel the disney cruise we have booked for next year and sail 2 with RC instead. We are imcredipass AP amd DVC nut we have to say Disney is pushing us out between pricing, poor service, poor quality over the past couple years. We are holding on to DVC a bit longer tobsee what happens but at renewal will reduce our pass level and no longer cruise Disney. It’s sad as we used to love it all so much

Declining by degrees. Are they trying to drive guests away?

I mean when does this start. We were booked 12/2020 covid, rebooked 5/2021 covid, 8/2021 covid. Then for the next 12 months minimum services cancelled-same price. Perks of club is already crappy except for the early booking dates.

Here is the important information from the Terms & Conditions :

Membership in the Program will automatically terminate without notice if Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within the “Activity Period.” The Activity Period shall mean the five (5) year period after debarkation day of the Member’s last eligible DCL Cruise.

Yeah but my last cruise was 2018 and I usually go every two years. 2020-21 Covid. Couldnt go in 2022. Now at end of 2023, are they going to knock off the pause year? I’ll book for 2024 for sure and I’m eyeing the Treasure in 25. They should clarify whether the Covid pause is added.

I still do not understand ; when should we notice any change ? If already implemented, we should surely notice a new status or lack of ?

This is all down to greed, forcing loyal customers to book with them. But what do you really get as a perk top tier a $30 meal and a photo package. The rest a tote bag if lucky. I’m a platinum member, and really don’t feel special when we sail with Disney. I’ve sailed with all the Major companies they let you keep your tiers. I’m top with MSC as they match you with who ever you have sailed with and wow what perks you get with them. Disney are clearly starting to punch above there weight and eventually they will self implode. They charge top $ and they also have jumped on the covid band wagon, service and food gone down hill

The real perk is booking activities early

The perks are subjective, but I would agree the tiered early booking windows for new sailing and cruise activities is the perk that is the most beneficial to us.

Marketing 101 = Do NO Harm to your customer base or it will cost you in the end…

I just had an issue with my gold castaway club being reflected in my booking so I started researching this change. My last cruise was the summer of 2016. I ended up contacting Disney and found out the reason was because I changed my name after my divorce in 2021 and my cruise history was under my married last name. They changed my name in their system and reinstated my benefits. So I don’t know if there was a grandfather clause but I am happy to have my earlier booking dates.

I have gold status because of the cruises my parents took me on as a kid. I’ve been looking forward to taking my own family on a Disney Cruise, but my last cruise was in 2013 so I’m well outside the activity period. I’m planning to book a summer 2025 European cruise as soon as they are announced. As of now I still have active gold status, but I was worried about losing it before the booking opened for Europe (which I think is supposed to be announced very soon), so I sent a message to DCL asking if they would extend my activity period so that I could use my gold status when booking for Europe 2025. They got back to me today and said that they are “unable to extend the validity of a Castaway Club ID at this time”.

I know this is an old post now, but I’m wondering if anybody is in a similar situation and has had any success in getting their activity period extended? I know it might be a long shot, but they did say in the terms and conditions that “DCL may (but is not required to) extend the Activity Period and/or continue making Program Benefits available to a Member if the Member does not book or complete an eligible DCL cruise within their Activity Period.”. If anybody knows any “magic words” to say to get DCL to extend their activity period I would love to know what worked for you.

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Which Disney Private Island is Best? I’ve Been to Both!

Disney Cruise Line's exclusive island, Castaway Cay, has been open since 1998 and has a well established history with Disney cruise guests. Disney just recently opened their second island, Lookout Cay , and we were among the first to see the new island!

Since Castaway Cay has been a Disney Cruise Line staple for over 25 years it's expected that many guests will end up comparing the two of them which is something I found myself doing during my first visit to Lookout Cay. If you are planning an upcoming Disney Cruise, especially with the newest itineraries just released , you might end up choosing which Disney island is the best fit for your cruise.

I have visited both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay and have enjoyed the Disney Cruise Line experience on regular cruise and a themed Marvel Day at Sea. I also experienced both these islands with family to get multiple perspectives of the offerings of theses islands. Keep reading for the full comparison of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.

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Disney Islands Offer Similar Locations Yet Different Themes

Just like Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is located in The Bahamas. It is located on the island of Eleuthera and its within close proximity to Castaway Cay. This means it is reasonable to find a cruise itinerary that will visit both islands on the same voyage!

The architectural designs around Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are very much inspired by the island of Eleuthera. You can see the resemblance of different plants and shells through the beautiful colors and shapes that were used for the different structures and buildings. Rather than a fictional storyline on Lookout Cay, the island instead honors Bahamian culture.

At Castaway Cay, the island is themed after the storyline of a shipwrecked castaway community. Most of the buildings are themed to look like they have been put together after a shipwreck. This theme carries throughout the island with snorkeling off the beach that allows guests to see the remains of this fictional shipwreck.

There are numerous other differences between the two islands, some good and some bad, let's breakdown all these different comparisons to see what island is the best choice for your cruise.

🌴Read our first initial thoughts reporting live from the new Disney Lookout Cay island!

Disney Cruise Line Islands Deliver on Great Disney Experience

Lookout Cay & Castaway Cay provide a similar Disney Cruise Line experience which means the islands are an extension of the inclusive offerings, Disney standard of customer service, and options for adult only secluded areas.

Both islands offer the same separation of family beaches and adult only beaches with different cabana spaces and eating locations. There are similar youth activities offered on the island that carry over form the youth groups on the cruise ship.

As for food options, both islands offer all-you-care-to-enjoy lunch buffets. There will be BBQ themed food items included, with Lighthouse Cay offering a few more unique Bahamian-inspired dishes, which are part of your all inclusive lunch. Both islands also have locations to purchase, at additional cost, themed beverages and alcoholic drinks.

Since both islands are in the Bahamas, you will have the same beautiful crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. These islands are both stunningly unique and breathtaking in their own way. The waters at Castaway Cay feel a bit more calm, since the beaches are nestled within a cove, while the waters at Lookout Cay offer a bit more waves.

Lookout Cay is also the same to Castaway Cay in that the cast members working on the cruise ship debark the ship to provide services on the island. The processes and methods all continue to work the same way making it a seamless experience for your island visit. I always felt that Castaway Cay is simply an extension of the Disney Cruise Line ship and I had that similar comforting feeling on Lighthouse Cay. In some ways, that is the most important part of the success of Lighthouse Cay as a new port stop in the Disney Cruise Line itineraries.

Castaway Cay Is More Established

There are some key differences between Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay but none are significant enough to drastically change your enjoyment.

The biggest caveat that guests need to keep in mind is that Castaway Cay has been an established place within the Disney Cruise Line itineraries since 1998. That's over 25 years to grow to perfection and for the cast members that work on Disney Cruise Line to become accustomed to the island. Since Lookout Cay is so new, we will see some initial growing pains as the island continues to improve over time. Castaway Cay likely wasn't perfect from day one and Lookout Cay won't be either.

With that disclaimer in mind, let's get into the differences that I think are more impactful to the guest experience and not so much things that come across as nit picky!

🐠Read our full guide to Castaway Cay to see why we love it so much!

Lookout Cay Offers More Community Experiences

The main difference currently are the recreational opportunities and port adventures offered at both islands. Currently, Castaway Cay retains a more elaborate selection of water rentals that include kayaks, paddleboards, aqua bikes, and more. All of these recreational rentals take place in a separate space from the family beaches in still water right near the cruise ship making for a picture perfect experience. Guests can also rent snorkels to view the hidden underwater Disney items that further incorporate that storyline of a cruise wreck. There is also a devoted section for bike rentals to explore the island which is located right where the Castaway Cay 5K takes place. In short, there is plenty of recreation available on this island.

Initially, Lookout Cay only has regular snorkeling (no hidden underwater treasures… yet!) along with kayak, bike rentals, and banana boats. I imagine we will see more offerings grow over time so it's hard to fault the island quite yet. But until that happens, Castaway Cay offers a more elaborate option of recreational sports options.

Lookout Cay does have an edge over Castaway Cay when it comes to the port adventures! Since Lookout Cay is located within a larger community, on the island of Eleuthera, there is far more selection for exploration. One of the port adventures includes a cultural tour around the island communities that culminates in a stop at the famous caves of the island, a visit to the nearby Junkanoo workshops, local shopping and dining, and other natural wonders. Nothing like that is offered on Castaway Cay since that island is largely underdeveloped outside of the area Disney occupies.

Lookout Cay Provides Unique Entertainment

Since Lookout Cay was so heavily inspired by Bahamian culture, not necessarily just a fictional storyline, the entertainment on the island itself was made to reflect that.

Junkanoo is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated carnivals featuring colorful costumes, dance routines, and street parades. Disney Imagineers worked closely with local Bahamian designers and locals to bring Junkanoo to life in an accurate and respectful way.

RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration features dancing, elaborate costumes, and music all created to bring the celebration of Junkanoo to Lookout Cay. And of course, there's a bit of Disney mixed in as well as you will see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy all in their Junkanoo inspired costumes taking part in this celebration.

This is one way that Lookout Cay stands out as unique as there is no specific entertainment option offered on Castaway Cay aside from character meet and greets.

Castaway Cay Feels Like an Easier Experience

Another difference between these two Disney islands is the way that Disney Castaway Cay just feels like an easier experience as compared to Lookout Cay.

The layout of Lookout Cay is spread out and this is noticeable immediately as guests debark the ship to find a massive pier to walk down to get to the island. I was a bit shocked to see how large it was and not necessarily thrilled about that long walk in the hot sun. This is something that hopefully can be remedied over time, perhaps with its own designated shuttle.

Unfortunately, the traveling to get to the main amenities doesn't end there as guests then have to hop on a noticeably longer tram ride than the one offered at Castaway Cay. The tram at Castaway Cay from the ship to the beaches is optional as the walk itself could easily be done. We did it at the end of the day and didn't have a problem with it. But at Lookout Cay, that long 15 minute tram ride from the main entrance to the island to the amenities is something that is not walkable nor are guests allowed to walk it.

As part of those initial growing pains I described, as I do not want to be nit picky here, there is far less shade offered on Lookout Cay. But there is ample evidence of tropical palms planted everywhere and a focus on growing the area. So in time, this space will be as lush and shaded as Castaway Cay feels today.

But between the walk from the ship, the long tram rides to and from the beaches, and navigating the heat with little shade, the experience on Lookout Cay felt like far more work. In comparison, our time at Castaway Cay felt like a breeze with minimal effort.

I could see this being a big deterrent to families with smaller children so this is something to keep in mind. Lookout Cay isn't as close and easy accessible to the ship as Castaway Cay is. I felt for the families with smaller kids navigating the pier and the long tram ride. Even with our group of adults and a teenager, we felt the exhaustion of that trek in the heat.

Which Disney Cruise Island Is Best?

This is a hard question to answer and honestly, an unfair one to ask right now. Lookout Cay is still new, we experienced it during a preview sailing hosted by Disney without all the amenities offered, so it's hard to judge it fairly. Some of the challenges we experienced will likely improve over time as the island finds its footing. Remember, Castaway Cay has been a staple in the Disney Cruise Line itinerary for 25 years. Those are some big shoes to fill.

Personally, I would pick a cruise to Castaway Cay at the moment over Lookout Cay primarily just for the ease of the experience. I found myself feeling more disgruntled in the heat navigating the travel to and from the beach. But my son would adamantly disagree with me and choose Lookout Cay! He particularly enjoyed the different style of Lookout Cay and waters that weren't so secluded in the coves allowing for more active swimming in the waves. So I offer our very two different reactions as an example of why some things are strictly personal preference!

Lookout Cay offers a nice alternative to Castaway Cay and I am happy that it is not an identical replica. You can easily enjoy two separate, yet similar, experiences on these islands that both shine in their own unique way. I recommend you experience both so you can truly judge for yourself.

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Castaway Cay: A guide to Disney Cruise Line's private island

A visit to Castaway Cay is a highlight of any Disney cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean. The island is the exclusive beach-day playground for Disney Cruise Line guests, and cruisers can enjoy a fun, hassle-free day of sunbathing and water sports at the island.

Your day on Castaway Cay is idyllic because you have to make very few arrangements. You can walk off the ship and head right to the beach. Beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and a delicious lunch are all provided to you. Your biggest decisions will be if you want to book a shore excursion, which will leave from a convenient location just steps from the ship, and which beach you and your family want to check out first.

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The island is themed around a shipwreck, as if you are the castaways and your mates have used the crates and driftwood that have washed ashore to build the island's structures. You'll also find many of your Disney friends ashore in their best beach attire, so the cruise ship magic continues on island.

Castaway Cay, like all things Disney, focuses on family fun, but it still reserves some on-island spots for drop-off kids activities supervised by the ship's youth staff and adults-only relaxation. Teens get their own secret hangout.

You can choose your own adventure on Castaway Cay and a visit here is never the same twice. Plan your perfect private island day in the Bahamas with our guide to Disney's Castaway Cay.

Note: Prices for activities and rentals can vary based on sail date and whether they're booked pre-cruise, on board or on shore.

Where is Castaway Cay?

Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay is located in the Bahamas, near Great Abaco island. It's 225 nautical miles from Port Canaveral, home port of several Disney cruise ships. Disney leases the island from the Bahamian government.

The 1,000-acre island is roughly 3 miles long by 2 miles wide, but only 55 acres are developed. You can get a great view of the undeveloped areas of the island from the observation tower on the way to Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach.

Related: Bahamas cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Which cruise ships go there?

All Disney Cruise Line ships except Disney Wonder will visit Castaway Cay. It's a staple on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries, which is where the majority of Disney ships travel.

Ships visiting Castaway Cay on upcoming cruises include:

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Treasure
• Disney Wish

How do you get to and around Castaway Cay?

Castaway Cay was the first cruise line private island to feature a pier where ships can dock. One ship at a time can visit Castaway Cay, and passengers can walk straight off the ship and onto the island.

It's a decent walk from the ship to the first section of beach. To accommodate all cruisers, Disney runs a tram from the end of the pier to stops by Scuttle's Cove and Pelican Point, on either end of the main family beach, and from the Pelican Point area to Serenity Bay.

Note that the Serenity Bay tram is separate from the main tram between the ship and the main beaches. A kind driver saved me from going in circles because I thought the Serenity Bay tram would take me all the way back to the pier.

Paved paths throughout the island will take you anywhere you want to go. I walked all the way to Serenity Bay down the bike trail (which doubles as an air strip), and it's not a short walk. You can take a detour to loop around the paved nature trail that leads to the observation tower.

Related: A guide to cruise line private islands: What they are and what you can expect

Disney also provides beach strollers and wheelchairs for passenger use.

What are the Castaway Cay beaches?

Castaway Cay's main strip of beach is sheltered by a rocky breakwater, making the water calm and perfect for swimmers of all ages. The beach is divided into three sections: Boat Beach, where you'll find water sports rentals, and two family beaches, including a beach area exclusive to cabana guests.

An adults-only beach, Serenity Bay, is on the adjacent side of the island, open to the sea, and separate from the family beach.

Castaway Cay's three main beaches are:

Castaway Cay family beaches

Castaway's family beaches are divided by Pelican Point, a rocky breakwater, where the Heads Up Bar sits. Both beaches have loungers, low-to-the-ground upright beach chairs and beach umbrellas that are free to use. Many adults like to drag the upright chairs down to the water's edge and hang out there, watching their kids frolic in the waves.

Both beaches have lifeguards and racks of life jackets available for guest use.

The closest family beach to the ship is near the Scuttle's Cove kids area and tram stop. It has a swim-out floating ropes course. The farther beach is closer to the Pelican Point tram stop. Its highlight is the Pelican Plunge floating water play area, with a splash area and dump bucket, water cannons and two slides (a tube slide and an open slide).

Lines can get long for the slide, and smaller sliders need to wear life jackets. The tube slide is much faster and shorter than the open slide. Be ready to get water up your nose, as it's a drop from the end of the slide into the water.

For the best choice of lounge space, you'll want to get off the ship early and trek to the farther ends of the beach. It was hard to find available chairs when we moved mid-afternoon from one side of the family beach to the other to use the slides.

The farthest end of the beach is lined with cabanas and reserved for cabana guests.

The first beach you come to on your way from the ship is Boat Beach. This is where you'll find all the larger water sports gear available to rent, such as water bikes and kayaks. (A separate shack rents out snorkel gear).

No one sunbathes on Boat Beach.

Serenity Bay

The adults-only Serenity Bay is exclusive to cruisers ages 18+. The beach is on the other side of the island from the family beaches and a long trek (or tram ride) from the Pelican Point area.

The beach itself has the same lounge chairs, low upright chairs and umbrellas as the other Castaway Cay beaches. There are cabanas for rent here, too; they lurk behind the main beach and share the sand and sea with regular guests.

Because Serenity Bay is a long haul from the Pelican Point tram stop area, it has its own facilities: barbecue pavilion, bathrooms, bar, float rental and massage hut.

I visited Serenity Bay at lunchtime, and the beach was not crowded at all. Plenty of loungers were unclaimed — likely because the majority of Disney cruisers were spending time together as families. Also, the water was not as clear or calm on this beach because it does not have a breakwater to protect it from the waves, so some adults might prefer the family beach area for swimming.

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

What are the best Castaway Cay things to do?

Splashing and sunbathing are not nearly the only things to do at Castaway Cay. Its small developed area has a lot going on, both on land and in the lagoon.

Designated areas on both sides of the family beaches are reserved for snorkeling. The main snorkeling lagoon is between Boat Beach and the family beach, conveniently located by Gil's Fins and Boats, which dispenses snorkel gear, as well as tubes and floats for rent. Rumor has it that you can find a shipwreck and even some hidden Mickeys, as well as interesting sea creatures.

You can also pick up snorkels, floats and tubes at Flippers and Floats (located between the two halves of the family beach) and The Windsock Hut at Serenity Bay (float rentals only). If you rent an inner tube, don't let it out of your grasp. I saw several of these floating out past the ropes marking the end of the swimming area. The crew must have to come out on boats at the end of the day to round them all up!

The floating ropes course and Pelican Plunge water slides are also fun diversions for families and gives you something to do besides swimming that doesn't involve spending money.

Scuttle's Cove is the beachside extension of the shipboard Oceaneer Club. Parents and caregivers can drop off their younger children to play in the sand under youth staff supervision in order to snag some time at Serenity Bay or in the snorkel lagoon. As with the onboard kids club, the service is complimentary.

Scuttle's Cove include the Monstro Point whale dig site (where kids can play archeologist and dig in the sand for bones), a small splash pad and an area for sand games.

Between the Scuttle's Cove and Pelican Point tram stops, In-Da-Shade Games offers basketball, ping pong, billiards, giant checkers, foosball and table games in an open-air wooden pavilion.

Over by the Pelican Point area, a beach sports area offers tetherball, volleyball and soccer, and the Spring-A-Leak wet play area is fun for littles who want to get wet without the waves. A bike rental station rents bikes for kids and grownups; I didn't see trail-a-bikes, but they did have adult bikes with child seats on the back. One-hour bike rentals cost $15 (for ages 3+).

The full bike path, from the rental area to Serenity Bay and around the loop to the observation tower is 1.5 miles. If you prefer to run, doing the trail out to the adult beach and back again (including a second tower loop) is 3 miles or 5K.

Disney used to host an official race called the Castaway Cay 5K. Currently, it's not offered as a group activity, but you can do it on your own, on your honor, and pick up a medal back at the bike rental booth. If you're not racing, the observation tower is a nice stop for views of the island.

A few water stations are set out along the race course.

Teens have their own secret hangout called The Hideout, tucked away behind the beach sports and bike rental area.

Adults can book 50-minute solo or couples' massages at the massage cabana on the adults beach.

If you're interested in water sports, Disney offers a selection of rentals on Boat Beach.

Rentals include:

• AquaTrike, $30 for 30 minutes
• Chiliboats Waterbikes, $30 for 30 minutes (ages 14+)
• Float or tube, $15 for the day
• Paddle boat, $20 for 30 minutes for 2-seater boats or $25 for a 4-seater
• Sea kayak, $20 for 30 minutes on a single kayak (ages 14-plus) or $25 for a double kayak
• Snorkel equipment, $22 (ages 5 to 9) or $38 (ages 10-plus) for the day
• Stand-up paddle board, $20 for 30 minutes (ages 14-plus)

The shore excursions desk assured me that it's easy to rent water sports gear on the island if you're not sure you want to commit in advance.

If you're an active family, consider the Castaway Cay Getaway Package. The three-in-one rental package includes snorkel equipment and a float or inner-tube for the day, plus a one-hour bicycle rental. The package is valued at $52 for little kids or $68 for anyone ages 10 and up, but costs $30 or $50, respectively, saving you $18 to $22.

The Castaway Cay Getaway Package is only available for booking online pre-cruise or aboard the ship; you cannot book it once on the island.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

Can I meet Disney characters on Castaway Cay?

A favorite Disney cruise pastime is meeting Mickey Mouse and friends, princesses, superheroes and pirates, and you have those opportunities on Castaway Cay. The island has numerous spots set up for photos, and throughout the day, various characters will make an appearance in their beachwear to pose for photos. On my cruise these included Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Check your Navigator app to find out which character will be at which station at what time. The post office, Marge's Barges, Mt. Rustmore and the beach across from Scuttle's Cove are popular photo spots for the characters. If you want the beach spots, plan to line up and get your photos early before your family gets all wet and sandy.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line

What are the excursions at Castaway Cay?

If you're looking for a little more than just a beach day, you can book a handful of Castaway Cay excursions. The available tours are predominantly guided water-based activities taking place in or around the island's waters.

On my cruise, the following tours were available:

• Banana boat ride, $45 for 30 minutes (ages 10-plus) or $39 (ages 8 to 9)
• Castaway Cay Fishing Adventure, $219 for a 3-hour tour (ages 8-plus)
• Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure, $59 for a 1-hour tour ($48 for ages 5 to 9)
• Castaway Snorkel By Boat Adventure, $95 for a 3-hour tour ($79 for ages 6 to 9)
• Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Voyage, $59 for a 1-hour tour ($39 for kids under age 9)
• Parasailing, $140 for 1 hour (ages 8-plus)
• Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure, $73 for 3.5 hours (age 10-plus)

In addition, the Extreme Getaway Package combines a one-hour stingray adventure with snorkel equipment, bicycle and float or inner-tube rentals. The cost is $95 for kids and adults ages 10 and up or $73 for kids ages 5 to 9.

Many of the boat-based excursions (such as parasailing and fishing trips) depart from the Marge's Barges and Sea Charters dock at the end of the cruise pier. The stingray adventure meets at the Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure hut at the end of Boat Beach farthest from the ship; the protected stingray lagoon is just offshore.

Related: Shore excursions: What you need to know

Does Castaway Cay offer cabanas to rent?

Yes, Castaway Cay cabanas are available to rent both on the family beach and at Serenity Bay. From what I saw, the family beach cabanas could be a great way to have a more relaxing, less crowded experience on Castaway Cay. The Serenity Bay cabanas seemed less of an upgrade, given that the beach was empty and all the services are so close.

Related: Ultimate guide to cruise ship cabanas

Family Beach cabanas

Castaway Cay offers 20 cabanas on the farthest end of the family beaches, just around the corner from Serenity Bay. The cabanas line a stretch of beach that is roped off, so regular cruisers cannot go there. They are numbered 1 to 21 as there is no cabana #13.

The 325-square-foot cabanas are tucked away under the palm trees. They are outfitted with indoor seating, a ceiling fan, drinks refrigerator, safe, plush towels and cooling face cloths, magazines to read and complimentary sunscreen. Portable cribs are available on request for guests with babies.

Fresh fruit and light snacks are provided, as are unlimited soda and bottled water. Servers will come around to take alcoholic drink orders. You can press a button in your cabana to call them if you don't see anyone and want to order a drink or get your soda, water or snacks restocked.

Outside the cabana, guests have access to lounge chairs, a hammock and a freshwater shower. The cabana rental comes with access to snorkel equipment, sand toys and floats or inner tubes, plus a one-hour bike rental.

Cabanas are identical with two exceptions. Cabana #16 is wheelchair accessible; it cannot be booked online. Cabana #21 is called the Grand Family Cabana, and it's oversized at 650 square feet.

On my cruise, cabanas cost $797.50 for an eight-hour rental for up to six people. You could add up to four more people, for a total of 10, for $56 additional per person. For groups larger than six people, children under 3 are not charged; however, they count toward the maximum number of people allowed on the rental.

The Grand Family Cabana cost $1,127.50 for up to 10 people and could accommodate up to 16, with each additional guest charged $56 per person.

Serenity Bay cabanas

The six Serenity Bay cabanas are only available to guests ages 18 and up. They're numbered 22 through 27 and are located behind the adults-only beach and its rows of lounge chairs.

The cabanas are the same size and come with nearly the same inclusions as the family beach cabanas. The difference is that snorkel equipment is not provided because there is no snorkeling lagoon at Serenity Bay.

Despite being the same size, Serenity Bay cabanas are priced for just four guests at $493.90 for the day; additional guests up to 10 total will pay $56 each over the base rate.

Related: Best Disney cruise ships for everyone — even Disney adults

Is food included on  Castaway Cay?

Yes, multiple venues serve a complimentary barbecue lunch on Castaway Cay. The main venues are Cookie's BBQ and Cookie's Too BBQ, but a small lunch buffet is also available by the Serenity Bay tram stop so adults on that beach don't have to trek back to the Pelican Point area to eat.

All three venues serve the same food, buffet style, in open-sided pavilions with outdoor picnic tables, some shaded, for eating. Lunch is typically served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The main event is all kinds of grilled meat: burgers and hot dogs, Cajun-spiced chicken, salmon and barbecue brisket and pork. Vegetarian chili and veggie burgers are also available (the latter on request).

Sides include cole slaw, potato salad, corn and bean salad, macaroni salad, chips, corn on the cob and corn bread. Dessert options include a variety of fruit, amazing chocolate chip cookies, chocolate and strawberry-cheesecake mini cakes and soft-serve ice cream. Pro tip: Take the cookies to the soft-serve machine to create a DIY ice cream sandwich.

Self-serve soft drink machines dispense complimentary soda, water, sports drinks, iced tea and lemonade.

Lines can get long, so plan accordingly, especially if you have hot and hungry little ones in tow.

Related: TPG's top Disney cruise tips, tricks and secrets to enhance your vacation

Are there bars on Castaway Cay?

Even this family-friendly island has plenty of bars serving extra-fee drinks and frozen concoctions. You'll find them throughout the island. You'll have to pay a la carte for drinks purchased at Castaway Cay's bar because Disney Cruise Line does not offer an all-inclusive drink package .

The Conched Out Bar and Sand Bar are the main beachside bars along the family beach, serving beer, cocktails and frozen drinks. The Heads Up Bar serves the same, but is located atop Pelican Point, the rocky breakwater between the two halves of the family beach. Its patio is occasionally the setting for on-island weddings.

You can also find stands selling smoothies and drinks outside the lunch pavilions. I saw many cruisers carrying drinks in souvenir coconut-shaped cups.

Right by the Pelican Point tram stop, Summertime Freeze serves up smoothies and alcoholic frozen drinks in "Frozen"-themed souvenir cups.

Out at Serenity Bay, the Castaway Air Bar, housed in what looks to be an airplane hangar, keeps adults refreshed throughout their beach day. It's got a wooden deck with comfortable seating for anyone who wants to kick back with a drink without getting sandy.

Is there shopping on Castway Cay?

Castaway Cay has multiple shops selling everything from Castaway Cay exclusive Disney merchandise, local Bahamian crafts and souvenirs and beach items you might have forgotten (hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, sand toys, etc.).

She Sells Sea Shells and Everything Else by the Scuttle's Cove tram stop and Buy the Seashore by Pelican Point are your go-tos for Disney merch and sundries. Midway between the two are a couple of Bahamian retail outlets grouped together.

The only accepted method of payment is your Key to the World cruise ship card, even in the Bahamian-run shops.

If you're a Disney fan hoping to buy some swag not found anywhere else, you'll be happy browsing the Castaway Cay shops. Prices on beach items, however, are incredibly marked up, so if you forget to bring toys or a hat, try to pick them up at an earlier port or go without.

Can I get married on Castaway Cay?

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings department can absolutely help couples plan a wedding on Castaway Cay during cruise itineraries that visit the island. (Weddings can also be held on board the ship.) You can choose from ceremony venues on the beach or at Wedding Pointe (the deck that juts out over the water by the Heads Up Bar).

Note that most Castaway Cay weddings take place in the morning, and the reception will be held back on board. In case of inclement weather or the ship's failure to dock at the island, your wedding might need to be rescheduled to an onboard location.

Also, Castaway Cay weddings are not legal weddings. You will need to file paperwork and get legally married in your home state. Your island ceremony will be purely symbolic.

What additional amenities will I find?

Crew members are on hand at several stations to hand out towels as you're leaving the ship. Towel return bins are located throughout the island, but I didn't see anywhere by the beaches to swap out a wet towel for a dry one.

Bathrooms and beach showers are found throughout the island, as are plenty of garbage and recycling bins.

A First Aid station is located by Scuttle's Cove. Island information kiosks are available at both Scuttle's Cove and Pelican Point tram stop areas.

Beach wheelchairs and strollers are available to borrow.

Disney's Wi-Fi is not available off the ship at Castaway Cay, so if you wish to use your phone, you'll need to have a plan that works in the Bahamas.

Can you stay overnight on Castaway Cay?

Some Disney employees do live on Castaway Cay to take care of the island. However, passengers do not have the opportunity to spend the night.

If you love Castaway Cay, look for "double dip" itineraries that feature two calls at Castaway Cay. Even if the visits are on consecutive days, you still must reboard the ship in the afternoon and cannot stay late on the island.

What's the typical weather like?

You can find great weather in the Bahamas year-round. Average high temperatures are in the low 80s in winter and low 90s in summer. The rainiest months are June, August and September. The Bahamas is subject to hurricane season, which runs June through November. The peak time for tropical storms and hurricanes is August through October.

That means it will likely be either pleasant or hot during your visit to Castaway Cay. Make use of those complimentary beach umbrellas and shaded trams when journeying out to Serenity Bay. Apply and reapply sunscreen (choose the reef-safe brands) if you're spending the day on the beach or biking around the island. It's easy to burn.

It's also smart to stay hydrated during your day on island. Mix up your water intake with some of the sports drinks at the soda machines to keep your electrolytes up.

Castaway Cay has a pier, so your visit likely won't be canceled due to wind that might make tendering unwise. However, if conditions are too dangerous for the captain to safely dock, your call might be canceled or rescheduled.

Related: Best time to cruise to Bahamas

Can I see a Castaway Cay map?

Sure! Here is a map of the island to help you plan your day.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Castaway (Switch) Review

by Jordan Rudek - August 16, 2024, 3:00 am EDT

A mini top-down Zelda-like with a fun roguelike mode.

It’s not uncommon for indie developers to take a well-known formula and put a new or different spin on it. In the case of Castaway, from the solo developer at Canari Games, the top-down Zelda format is put under the shrink ray to create something like Link’s Awakening in miniature form. Consisting of two parts, Castaway tasks players with completing a more traditional Zelda experience in The Island, which takes less than an hour to finish, and then The Tower, which takes the same mechanics into a multi-floor dungeon. If you go into it expecting a more bite-sized experience, Castaway certainly delivers on what it sets out to do.

When the hero’s spaceship is shot down, he and fragments of the ship crash land on a colorful island. The primary quest involves hunting down the hero’s hound, who is dog-napped by a band of pterodactyl-looking creatures. The same beasts steal away your hookshot and pickaxe, too, and so you set out to scour the tiny island so you can reunite with your beloved pooch and some familiar tools.

The slow walking speed of the hero makes your rolling move a necessity, for speedrunners in particular. The sword swing feels good, but the enemy variety does leave something to be desired. The puzzles you encounter often involve pushing pink-hued boulders to create a path for you to walk through. When you make your way into the first dungeon, it’s only a handful of screens before you encounter the boss, earn an extra heart for your life meter, and head back outside to see what paths are now open to you.

After completing The Island, you’ll unlock The Tower, which shrinks your heart meter down to two while leaving you with your trio of weapons/tools. Across 50 floors, you battle minor enemies, avoid spiked floors, and collect coins to level up and either boost your stats or refill your health. It only took a handful of tries for me to finish The Tower, but I’d consider myself a seasoned veteran of the genre; others may get more mileage out of it. Nonetheless, I ended up enjoying The Tower portion of Castaway even more than The Island, so it was a nice bonus to have after finishing what is essentially the game’s story mode. What adds more flavor to the package is a handful of settings for playing The Island, including Pacifist and Invincible modes for newer players and Unfair and Speedrun modes for more adept ones.

Visually, Castaway takes clear inspiration from Link’s Awakening and the two Oracle games, but there’s an effective use of color throughout The Island, especially. The soundtrack is appropriately light but epic, and the sound effects make the combat and exploration more enjoyable. The artwork of the static cutscenes that play when you reclaim an item is quite eye-catching, too.

Castaway offers a pleasant way to pass a few hours for those wanting a light Zelda experience or maybe for those who’ve never had one. Its roguelike mode is definitely a highlight if you’re looking for something a bit different, but it’s a good idea not to go into the game as a whole expecting more than a fun diversion. I’d love to see either a new setting for a sequel or new game modes added in the future as there’s a lot to like about the simple charm of this deserted island and its plucky hero.

• A variety of challenge levels for The Island portion
• Enjoyable roguelike portion
• Fairly rudimentary puzzles
• Painfully brief

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Six Senses’ Newest Maldives Resort Is Set on a Mile-Long Private Island — With Incredible Diving, Beachfront Villas, and an Orchid Garden

Six Senses Kanuhura has a state-of-the-art wellness program, experiences that help you get closer to nature, and a sustainable approach that rivals any eco-resort in the Maldives.

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Activities and experiences, family-friendly offerings, accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay.

John Athimaritis/Courtesy of Courtesy of Six Senses

The first time I laid eyes on Six Senses Kanuhura was from above. My face was pressed to the tiny plane window, the propeller engine roaring in my ears, trying to process how beautiful it was. From the seaplane, you could make out the elongated triangular shape of Kanuhura, a natural coral island jutting out of a perfect turquoise lagoon. The entire island was almost completely engulfed in palms, thinning out just enough at the edges to form an unbroken strip of perfect white shoreline. Between the palms were Kanuhura’s iconic beach villas: thatched-roofed, white-walled cabanas leading straight into the Indian Ocean.

In 2023, after 25 years of being a One&Only and, later, a Sun Resort (now Sunlife), Kanuhura became the second Six Senses property in the Maldives, alongside Six Senses Laamu to the south. The private island, just under a mile long, is located in Lhaviyani Atoll, 92 miles north of Male, and now has everything you’d expect from a Six Senses property, including a state-of-the-art wellness program, experiences that help you get closer to nature, and a sustainable approach that rivals any eco-resort in the Maldives.

As soon as I stepped on the arrival jetty, I took off my shoes — everybody on the island, including the staff, goes barefoot at Kanuhura — and headed straight for the dive center. I had a scuba excursion to Kuredu Caves, a nearby network of ancient coral overhangs nicknamed “Turtle Airport” for the hundreds of green and hawksbill turtles that call the site home.

“Diving at Kanuhura is special because we have marine diversity year-round,” said resident marine biologist Kiah Williams. She’d joined the trip to teach us about Maldivian marine life and collect vital data that helps scientists study and protect the area’s biodiversity. “We also have five deep water channels within 15 minutes of the resort, where you often see sharks, manta rays, and even whales.”

That morning, we saw dozens of turtles, black-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and thousands of colorful reef fish. As we approached our second dive site, a pod of 100 or more dolphins played in the wake of our boat, flying and flipping through the air as we cut through the bluest and clearest waters I’d ever seen.

Back on land, I took in the views from Kanuhura’s new infinity rooftop pool, scanning the horizon for whale fins and seaplanes flying in new arrivals. Over the next few days, I ate barbecued lobster with my feet in the sand, watched the sunrise over the Indian Ocean from my beachfront villa, and spotted baby sharks feeding in the lagoon as I took my daily mile-long beach walk.

Read on for my review of the new Six Senses Kanuhura, one of the leading sustainable resorts in the Maldives.

Six Senses Kanuhura

• The hotel was sustainably renovated with a modern, ultra-elegant design, preserving many of the island’s original structures and upcycling old materials into furniture and artwork.
• Kanuhura has a mile-long beach and shallow, calm waters perfect for swimming and sunrise walks.
• Besides Kanuhura, two uninhabited private islands are open to guests for castaway beach days and private oceanside picnics.
• Six Senses Kanuhura’s dive center was recently named a PADI Eco Center for its outstanding contribution to ocean conservation, the first resort chain in the Maldives to receive this accreditation.
• The island is committed to sustainability, with no single-use plastics, a robust wastewater recycling system, and a practice of using food waste to fertilize the organic herb and vegetable garden.

Overwater villas steal the show in the Maldives. But beachfront rooms take center stage at Six Senses Kanuhura, home to one of the longest and finest stretches of sand in the Maldives. I stayed in a Deluxe Beach Villa with Pool, a one-bedroom villa with a beautiful thatched roof, a 172-square-foot pool with a large deck, and private access to the beach. Inside, the color palette drew from the island’s natural elements: walls as white as Maldivian sand, polished wood beams as dark as coconut husks, flecks of turquoise and deep blue from the Indian Ocean. The bathroom — almost as big as the room itself — was equally elegant, with grey and white tiling, cream marble sinks, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto a lush tropical garden.

Each night at turndown, I’d find a different treat waiting for me: a lemongrass and cardamom tea to help me sleep or a homemade dark chocolate cookie. The king-sized bed, topped with a lambswool mattress and pure cotton linen that smelt of eucalyptus and lavender oil, offered a restful night’s sleep, as did the sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline.

Six Senses Kanuhura has 91 beachfront and overwater villas, each ranging in size, number of bedrooms, and amenities to suit different needs. The largest villas have three bedrooms, which can sleep up to six adults and three children. The newly built Beach Retreats and Beach Reserves are the largest and most luxurious accommodation options at Kanuhura, which include double-height living rooms, spacious outdoor dining, large private swimming pools, and the highest level of privacy on the island.

Six Senses Kanuhura has six restaurants, each catering to different tastes and dining styles. The Market is where the breakfast buffet is served, which includes everything from Maldivian curries to pancakes and made-to-order eggs. Bottega is an Italian restaurant famed for its sourdough pizzas and homemade pasta (their shrimp ravioli is fantastic), while The Point, located on the northernmost tip of the island, serves up Spanish huevos rotos (fried eggs with potatoes and serrano ham) and Padron peppers to the best sunset views on the island.

Kanuhura’s Japanese-inspired poolside bar, Sip and Sand, is open for lunch and dinner, offering fresh sushi, sashimi, and a catch of the day grilled over hot coals. Their spicy tuna roll, made with sustainably sourced Maldivian yellowfin tuna, was one of the best I’ve tasted. But the highlight for me was eating barbecued lobster oceanside at Drift, Kanuhura’s castaway restaurant, located a seven-minute boat ride from the resort on an uninhabited island with brilliant white sand and shallow turquoise waters.

Other unique dining experiences, such as private beach barbecues and a castaway picnic lunch at Masleggihuraa — Six Senses Kanuhura’s second deserted island — can also be arranged on request.

Six Senses Kanuhura’s privileged location inside the Lhaviyani Atoll makes it the perfect place to encounter Maldivian marine life, including green and hawksbill turtles, dolphins, rays, sharks, and thousands of fish and coral species. The resort has an outstanding diving center, which was recently named a PADI Eco Center for its exemplary conservation efforts. Scuba divers of all levels at Kanuhura don’t just learn to dive responsibly but can actively contribute to a healthier ocean by helping to photo ID endangered species, monitor coral cover, collect plastic waste, and more.

For those who don’t dive, there are guided snorkeling and wildlife-viewing boat trips led by Kanuhura’s in-house marine biologist. The sunset dolphin cruise aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni sailboat and snorkeling adventures at Turtle Airport are particularly special. A water sports center on the beach also offers kayaks, paddleboards, catamaran sailing, and windsurfing to explore the island free of charge.

On land, I enjoyed visiting the hotel’s orchid garden, which has over 5,000 orchids, including the rare — and staggeringly beautiful — dendrobium Kanuhura , which is endemic to the island. The garden visit was part of Kanuhura’s weekly sustainability tour, where you can learn about the resort’s impressive sustainability efforts directly from the hotel’s sustainability manager.

A separate building is dedicated to health, wellness, and beauty at Six Senses Kanuhura, where guests can choose from an extensive treatment program ranging from Maldivian-inspired massages and body scrubs to intestinal cleanses and guided breathwork classes. I opted for a personalized 60-minute massage, which included island ingredients like coconut and papaya and singing bowls to soothe the nervous system, followed by a cold plunge and ginger tea in the spa’s earthy-hued relaxation area.

At the spa manager’s recommendation, I returned that afternoon for a wellness screening, which measured my energy and stress levels, recovery rate, and gut health. I was prescribed compression therapy and vibrational pain relief at the spa’s Biohacking Lounge, designed to help your body recover from jet lag and long, multi-tank scuba dives.

Another highlight was the spa’s Alchemy Bar, which offers workshops on making scrubs, face masks, and candles using natural ingredients. Multi-day wellness programs that cover everything from sleep hacking to nutrition and aerial yoga, meditation, and sound healing classes are also available.

Kanuhura’s spacious two- and three-bedroom beach villas, each with private pools, en-suite bathrooms, and direct access to the ocean, are perfect for families. Kuda Vela, a complimentary kids club for children between 3 and 11, offers children’s yoga, treasure hunts, and arts and crafts sessions using recycled materials. Older children can hang out at Kanuhura’s Island Hideout, equipped with a games room and an open-air cinema for teens to watch their favorite flicks under the stars. Little ones even have their own spa menu at Six Senses Kanuhura, with treatments ranging from kid-friendly facials and massages to foot-mapping and mini manicures.

Other family-friendly activities include castaway picnic lunches on one of Kanuhura’s two uninhabited private islands, sunset dolphin cruises, and family cooking classes using ingredients grown in Kanuhura’s organic garden. Babysitting services are also available on request.

From regenerative farming to ocean conservation, Six Senses Kanuhura’s commitment to sustainability is exemplary. Since taking over the property in 2023, Six Senses has built a hydroponic farm and organic garden that currently provides the resort with around 150 pounds of herbs and vegetables per month — an impressive feat given the island’s natural soil is made up of nutrient-deficient calcium carbonate.

Drinking water is desalinated and stored in recycled glass bottles on-site, saving around 20,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. Organic waste is treated in-house to produce compost for the organic garden, while old or damaged linens and staff uniforms are either repaired by Kanuhura’s resident tailor or upcycled in the Earth Lab, where guests and staff can learn ways to live more sustainably through upcycling workshops, seminars, and documentary screenings. Six Senses provides complimentary reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellant, and all bathroom amenities to further reduce plastic on the island.

This year, Six Senses Kanuhura partnered with Atoll Marine Centre, a Maldivian NGO that rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles in and around Lhaviyani Atoll, to collect data on these vulnerable animals. All ocean-based activities at Six Senses Kanuhura, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, or wildlife-viewing boat trips, are led by the resort’s in-house marine biologist, who educates guests on how to interact with wildlife responsibly and monitors turtles and other aquatic life for injuries and net entanglements.

Rooms are not ADA-certified, but some measures are in place to help guests with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps to access restaurants, buggy services, and 24/7 support from staff.

Getting to Six Senses Kanuhura is an adventure: The 40-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport in Male takes in coral-rimmed, turquoise lagoons and dazzling white sand islands. Once you’ve landed in Lhaviyani Atoll, your mode of transport will be limited to boat, golf buggy, or bicycle, which at Six Senses Kanuhura is provided free of charge and personalized with your initials upon arrival.

When you book four nights or more at Six Senses Kanuhura, you’ll receive up to 35 percent off on any villa category and complimentary breakfast and dinner for two people. Kanuhura also offers 25 percent off seaplane transfers for stays between May and late September and 20 percent off from October to December to lure visitors during the rainy season.

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Castaway Club – Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits are available for Pearl Castaway Club Members?

Pearl Castaway Club Members receive early booking privileges on new itineraries 4 days before they go on sale to the general public and early access to book activities 123 days prior to sailing. Other benefits include:

• Unique Castaway Club Member communications
• Dedicated Castaway Club phone number
• Exclusive cruise terminal check-in (where available)
• Welcome Back Aboard gift
• Special discounts
• Complimentary dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse
• An Unlimited Digital Photo Package

At Disney Cruise Line, we believe the memories you make at sea are some of your most precious souvenirs. As a Pearl Castaway Club Member, we want to help you preserve those memorable moments by giving you a complimentary Unlimited Digital Photo Package —featuring a compilation of your cruise photos to take home, share on social media or send to friends and family. From the moment you step aboard, our professional photographers will be on hand to capture the laughs, the incredible dining, the Disney Characters and all the rest of the magic that goes along with a Disney cruise. This benefit will automatically be added to your MyDisney account.

Keep in mind, if a Pearl Castaway Club Member is traveling in a party with multiple staterooms, the Unlimited Digital Photo Package benefit applies only to the Pearl Member and the occupants staying in their same stateroom. It also applies to other Pearl Members booked in separate staterooms who are traveling within the same party.

Learn more or log in to the MyDisney account associated with your Castaway Club ID.

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