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 program/loyalty program, and it’s completely free to join. Unlike airline frequent flier programs, however, you don’t earn free trips or points. Instead, as you level up, you get access to exclusive benefits, 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.
Disclosure: I’ve been on a complimentary preview cruise and two cruises through Disney Social Media Moms, as well as 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 It Cost To Sign Up as a Disney Cruise Castaway Club Member? 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 as well as a list of your qualifying cruises.
There’s no other way to “level up” in the system beyond taking cruises – there are 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 that 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 on the cruise 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 in order 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 gift per stateroom). The gift one year was the tote bag pictured above, along with 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
- 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 book early, the advantage of the extra days over the general public is a big benefit. Be sure to take advantage of the extra 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)
- Option to book cruises before the general public. Booking dates are announced in advance.
- 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 prior to sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off.
- Premium check-in line at the port.
- Stateroom gift – in addition to the regular gift, you’ll also get a few options to choose from, including chocolate, champagne, or a fruit plate
- On-board reception (for cruises of at least 4 days)
- Discount at the onboard gift shops (except for alcohol purchases)
- 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 prior to sailing, as long as your cruise is paid off.
- Premium check-in line at the port.
- Stateroom gift – in addition to the regular gift, you’ll also get a few options to choose from, including chocolate, champagne, or a fruit plate
- On-board reception (for cruises of at least 4 days)
- Discount at the onboard gift shops (except for alcohol purchases)
- 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 40 days in advance
- Complimentary Unlimited Digital Photo Package
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club
Do Castaway Club members get a discount?
While members get perks and freebies, you won’t get a discount on your cruise. Depending on your level, you will get a discount at the stores on board the ship, however.
How do you become a Castaway Club member?
You’ll be automatically enrolled after your first qualifying cruise. At that time, you’ll be a silver member.
Do Castaway Club levels reset?
They do not reset. Once you achieve a specific level, you’ll stay at that level until you move up. Once you are platinum, you’ll always be platinum.
Is there a fee to join the Castaway Club?
It’s free to join the Castaway Club, and your account will be set up automatically.
If you want to take a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line, be sure to 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.
Lisa peters
Monday 20th of February 2023
I never been on the Disney cruise before it’s going to be my first time