Disney Cruise Line just introduced two big changes to its Castaway Club levels, the sailing loyalty club. The check-in day is now staggered for each level and the new Pearl level benefits have started. You will reach Pearl level after you complete your 25th cruise.
You are automatically a member of the Castaway Club after you complete your 1st Disney cruise. You don’t have to manually join anything. Then, you are considered a member of the corresponding level as you book anything for the cruise number indicated below in parenthesis. The different levels grant you different benefits for bookings and more.
New Check-in Days:
Pearl (26th+ cruise) – 40 days
Platinum (11th-25th cruise) – 38 days
Gold (6th-10th cruise) – 35 days
Silver (2nd-5th cruise) – 33 days
1st Disney Cruise – 30 days
Before this change, everyone started checking in for their cruise 30 days before sailing, so that often bogged down their site and many folks were left frustrated, especially if they stayed up til midnight ET to do it. Now, each level starts on a different day, so hopefully, spreading it out will help improve the process.
If you have a sailing coming up in the next 30-40 days, check your reservation to see if it reflects your new check-in date yet. You want to check in as soon as you can, once your window opens at midnight ET of that day, so you can pick an early port arrival time. The more time on the ship, the better!
Activity Booking Days:
The check-in day is different from the day when you can book your excursions and onboard activities. That is already staggered by Castaway Club level.
Pearl (26th+ cruise) – 123 days
Platinum (11th-25th cruise) – 120 days
Gold (6th-10th cruise) – 105 days
Silver (2nd-5th cruise) – 90 days
1st Disney Cruise – 75 days
You have to be paid in full by that day to book anything. Some of the most popular onboard activities like alcohol testings, adult specialty restaurants, and port excursions can fill up quickly, so make your bookings as soon as your window opens.
For details on how the DCL check-in process works, visit my Online Check-in page.
As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you want to chat about booking a cruise.
Bon voyage!
Adventures By Anne 