Bon voyage, Lori and welcome back aboard planDisney where the sun always shines, the seas are always smooth and the drinks are always cold. I have to admit, I'm a little envious of your Pearl status. I'm a Platinum member, so I still have several cruises to go until I catch up with you. As a fellow
Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club member, I always love seeing my stateroom for the first time, and the Castaway Club gifts Mickey leaves for us are a big part of the excitement. They are such a delightful way to be welcomed back.
The Castaway Club is
Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program with four different tiers based on the number of cruises completed, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. Each Castaway Club member receives a branded lanyard that corresponds to their club level. This means as Castaway Club members in different tiers, you'll get the Pearl lanyard, and your friend will get the Gold lanyard. As you may already be aware, additional stateroom gifts are given based on the highest Castaway Club level on the reservation, which is Pearl, in your case. These gifts are one per stateroom. However, the nice thing is that as the tiers progress, gifts are added, so you'll get one complete set of the Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl gifts.
I traveled with a friend earlier this year who was Pearl, and the generous gifts we received included a tote bag, a wet/dry bag, a beach towel and two tumblers all packaged together inside another bag, which I used as a laundry bag. When I've traveled with others who were also Castaway Club members, we divided the loot amongst ourselves. For example, last summer I traveled with my sister. She hadn't received the wet/dry bag or the beach towel yet, and I already had those from past cruises. So, we decided she should have those items.
Aside from the lovely gifts, one of my favorite perks of enjoying the highest Castaway Club level on the reservation is that everyone in the cabin gets to take advantage of the earlier booking window for onboard activities and
Port Adventures as well as for online check in. Pearl Castaway Club members enjoy other benefits, too, like an included photo package and a
Palo dining credit for those age 18 and older, which everyone in the stateroom can also take advantage of. Please keep in mind that perks and benefits, including gifts, are subject to change.
Lori, I hope you and your friend have an amazing time on your cruise. Please visit us again with any other planning questions you have.
Let your dreams guide you!
Melanie