Disney Cruise Line appears to have transitioned from the Castaway Club level specific tote bags to a standard tote bag which is now given to return cruisers. Carol Gallo sailed on the Disney Dream’s September 4th cruise and received the following Castaway Club tote bag along with the pictured platinum gift. Carol noted in her email that this was the first sailing for these new tote bags which will be the same for all Castaway Club members regardless of level.
At this time, I am not aware of the Silver and Gold gifts. If you happen to have a photo and would like to share please let me know.
I am not crazy about this bag. I liked when they differentiated between Platinum, Gold and Silver. Everyone with the same bag will look rather boring.
DJ, I am guessing the decision went a little like this. We can save this much by switching to a bulk order on 1 bag style versus 3 different styles at a 1/3 of the quantity… Unanimous approval around the conference room.
I would agree with that!
I agree with you DJ!
I agree as well
It does appear the gifts are the same regardless of level. We received the same exact package on the 9/5 sailing on the Fantasy as a Gold. Tote bag and photo album.
Thank you for the update on the Gold gift.
I agree its all about cost cutting and it is another step in the wrong direction making people feel less unique and special. I personally liked seeing all the different bags on the beach and being able to see all the different levels. If I had a question I always asked the people with the higher level bags or lanyards.
I am a silver member and got that bag but no photo album. Fantasy 9/5.
Corey,
Did you receive any other items or just the bag?
Just the bag.
I was on the same cruise and didn’t get a frame either. Calling Disney!
Did you get anything else with the bag?…..I am assuming the photo album is for those who are gold or platinum….
The bag looks nice and if you already have a silver, gold or platinum bag, this bag becomes unique to you. We are gold and already have the gold version. Looking forward to our new bag on Fantasy 1/16/16.
For Platinum there was the bag and a Disney Cruise Line photo album. Nothing else in the bag. I was also on the June 29th Magic and we got the black platinum bag with a DCL umbrella inside. I think I would rather get things I can use like the umbrella and the photo album. I have a lot of trinkets from my past sailings. Some are nice but I don’t need 20 key chains.
I also think it is a logistical issue. When putting the bags in each stateroom it is easier from them to put the same bag.
I’m silver and received the tote bag and no photo album. No other items, just the bag. I sailed September 5 on the Fantasy.
Bummer. We just finished our 10th sailing and our official Platinum cruise won’t be until May. I was looking forward to that Platinum bag. Also–I’ve already gotten 3 of those photo albums as a Gold CC Member. I’m not trying to sound underappreciative or anything like that…I just was looking forward to those little perks of finally reaching Platinum. I think the new bag is cute, though.
We are exactly where you are and I feel the same way. Very disappointed.
Just DISNEY screwing loyal customers. We are doing our 6th Disney Cruise this month on the FANTASTY. It will be our last. I havent even been kissed by Disney.
I don’t consider it screwing loyal customers. Wow ungrateful. There are tons of benefits you receive by being a platinum customer. Early bookings… it is a bag for heavens sake.
Just DISNEY showing keep coming and we will keep cuttting benefits , Lets see how stupid are customers are.
I’m not necessarily in it for the benefits. I definitely don’t spend thousands of dollars just so that I can have a free tote bag. I cruise because I really enjoy it. I wouldn’t call that stupid.
A potential solution would be to have a Castaway Club merchandise line in the gift shops where anyone could buy “better quality” items with the logo.
Tara, I totally agree! I’m a Gold member. I don’t cruise with DCL because of free gifts. I cruise with them because they are simply the best in the business. And for that kind of quality I’m willing to pay. If that makes me stupid, then I’m happy to be stupid. Somehow I don’t feel that Louis will be missed greatly. 🙂
As a Gold Castaway Cay member, I like the bag and photo album, we already have 3 castaway cay backpacks from previous sailings so the new tote bag and album is great because it’s different and of course allows gifts to fit in for the trip home…..gift or no gift, all the same or not, I’m just thrilled that I’m back on another Disney Cruise.
Bummer. First they changed the alcohol policy and now the bag! Was looking forward to my gold bag for our 6th cruise on the Fantasy in October.
I too am disappointed about the change in the alcohol policy!!! Oh well, I love cruising Disney so I’ll take my tote bag, my overpriced drink and enjoy my cruise. 🙂
Do they still give lanyards?
Yes, during port check in when you get your KTTW.
Scott. I got only the bag too. Nothing in it or with it. I was very disappointed and I thought we deserved more. We were on the Fantasy the last week of August. Like everyone else I like the different bags according to the different level. The color of each bag should identify who you are, just like the straps on your room key holders
I was on The Wonder at the end of August. Got a tote and an album. In May on the Fantasy, I got a tote and an umbrella. Our bag has never been empty. But we shall see what happens next time!
I miss the backpacks……….
So is there no more magnetic sign for your door and highlighter pen in the silver gift anymore?
The magnetic signs have been gone for a while now.
I got my Silver Castaway Club letter in the mail today and it has a magnetic sign in it.
The honest truth is the economy is getting worse. DCL is affected by it. There will be more changes in the future not to our likings. I guess like everything else in life, we will have to get over it or find something else that cater to our likings .
Like most repeat cruisers, I too enjoy and look forward to my Castaway Club member gift. Although the tote bags are great, I can only use so many of them. Personally, I am tired of the gift always being some sort of bag. I would like to see other types of gifts, such as… A “Castaway Club” picture frame, beach blanket, model of the ship, wall clock, glass flower vase filled with fresh flowers to enjoy for the cruise or picnic basket. Or, perhaps Disney could share some of the things from the ship that we all love, such as… A wired Cinderella theme bread basket, bath towel set or atrium sculpture figurine, Anyway, the point is just to change it. I would like to see the gift changed for each calendar year. That way the gift could be dated and then you could be reminded of the cruise that year! Just my thoughts…
Pam, keep in mind the bags are given out to use in port. The idea is really marketing based. People exploring ports with DCL bags attract attention from others who may return home and look at a Disney Cruise vacation. I doubt if bags of any kind will go away because they make passengers walking billboards in ports.
That’s completely understandable Scott. I think that as I work up the Castaway Club scale I lost sight of that intent from Disney. I guess I started to look at the repeat cruiser gift as more of just that…”a gift”. Thanks for your feedback!
As I mentioned, I think the new bags are cute. However, what is the point of having different levels in the Castaway Club if they aren’t going to recognize them and then just lump everyone together? I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but shouldn’t the gifts reflect the level?
The booking windows are still a nice perk.
I appreciate that they change the bags up every so often. If you are a frequent cruiser you don’t need five of the same exact style bag. I am bummed though that they did away with different bags for each CC level. It was nice to get something a little different to set you apart when you are at a higher level. I am also ecstatic that they finally did away with those crappy rope handles on the previous bags. My bag broke while at Castaway Cay and had to be tied together to be usable. Guests Services did replace it, but this new version looks way sturdier.
Yes…I had a rope bag last year and mine broke too! Almost immediately, in fact. DCL replaced it, and the replacement broke right away as well. The new style is sturdy, however.
Do the bags zipper or have a zipper pocket in them?
Yes, there is a zippered pouch inside the new bags.
We are Platinum and got the bag but no frame. We did get called and offered a room gift of chocolates, fruit plate, or flowers (our choice) if we liked.
You should have also been offered a bottle of Prosecco.
I’ve heard that starting 2016 you will need to have 20 cruises to reach platinum on the 21st cruise. They just don’t want to give out those free dinners in Palo
I think it’s a nice gift. The other bags looked cheap. Can’t wait to cruise again.
We sailed on Magic on 12/27/15 and got the Silver Bag….not the one pictured. Our table mates got the gold bag, and didn’t see anyone with a bag similar to the one shown. Maybe it depends on what ship/sailing you are on?
Do first time Disney cruisers receive anything?
no, gift is for repeat customers
Can you explain the new alcohol rule? This is my 4th trip, and it will be on fantasy over Halloween any special things to look forward to?
Laurie, you can read all about DCL’s Alcohol policy here.
Does everyone in the party get them. we or taking my grand children again with us in our cabin, all 4 of us will be on the (2) cruise. T
here M/F never been and they or in a other cabin.. with the other two children. yes. my daughter has been busy on the family side of things.
The stateroom Castaway Club gifts are one per stateroom.
We are taking a cruise in November of next year for my son’s graduation. My husband and I have sailed Disney before, but my sons have not. Will they also be able to check in through the castaway club line or will we need to use the regular line since they are not members? Will my husband and I each receive a lanyard or is that a one per cabin item like the bag?
Each passenger receives a lanyard based on their Castaway Club status. First time cruisers do not get the lanyard, but they can check in with you as the highest Castaway Club status is applied to the room.
Thanks so much Scott! Off topic a bit, but I’m wondering. One of my boys will be 16, but the oldest will turn 18 a few months before we sail. They enjoy hanging out together and love video games. Will my oldest be able to utilize the teen areas or is it strictly 17 and under?
Karri, The teen club is strict with that upper age limit. 18+ is legal adult. There are activities for the 18-20 age group. Look for them on the daily Navigator.
I realize that, but my 16 year old can’t do those. There is nothing my boys can do together.
I am silver as I have sailed before but my new husband has not. Does he get a lanyard because I am the highest level of the two of us? I don’t mind buying one if he doesn’t. Just curious
Joanna,
The lanyards are based on the individual’s Castaway Club status. On the other hand, the stateroom gift and benefits are based on the highest level passenger staying in that room.