Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Disney Cruise Line’s Loyalty Program — Castaway Club [Review]

Ashley Onadele's image
Ashley Onadele
Ashley Onadele's image

Ashley Onadele

Senior Content Contributor

125 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 15U.S. States Visited: 10

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerou...
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
Jessica Merritt's image

Jessica Merritt

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

127 Published Articles 602 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4U.S. States Visited: 23

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

In addition to Disney theme parks around the world, Disney provides magical cruise vacation experiences for guests of all ages on Disney Cruise Line. Castaway Club, the cruise line’s loyalty program, rewards cruisers with status and perks after completing just 1 cruise.

Frequent cruisers can take advantage of early booking privileges and even have their family name memorialized on Disney’s private island. The program is simple, and there’s nothing you have to do to participate except take a cruise. Here’s what you need to know about Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club.

Castaway Club Loyalty Program

Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program. All it takes to join the program is to sail on 1 Disney cruise, though the more you cruise, the more perks you receive. Entry into the program is free and automatic after completing your first cruise with Disney Cruise Line.

Castaway Club Membership Benefits [Tier Levels]

There are 4 Castaway Club membership tiers: Silver Member, Gold Member, Platinum Member, and Pearl Member. Each status level is earned by sailing 1, 5, 10, and 25 sailings, respectively. Pearl Members who take 50 sailings or more get additional benefits.

After your first completed sailing, you’ll automatically receive Silver Member status, and then it’s only up from there.

The program is exclusive to Disney Cruise Line’s ocean cruises. River and expedition cruises offered by Adventures by Disney do not count toward member status.

Disney Cruise Ship in open water
Disney Cruise Line sails to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, and more. Image Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Below is a breakdown of each Castaway Club tier and its benefits.

Silver Member: 1 Completed Sailing

Benefits

  • Book new itineraries at least 1 day before the general public
  • Add cruise activities 90 days before sailing
  • Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 33 days before sailing
  • Exclusive cruise terminal check-in, where available
  • Exclusive Castaway Club Member phone number and member communications

Onboard Benefits

  • Welcome aboard gift

Gold Member: 5 Completed Sailings

Benefits

  • Book new itineraries at least 2 days before the general public
  • Add cruise activities 105 days before sailing
  • Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 35 days before sailing

Onboard Benefits

  • All Silver Member benefits
  • Private onboard reception
  • Exclusive member discounts

Platinum Member: 10 Completed Sailings

Benefits

  • Book new itineraries at least 3 days before the general public
  • Add cruise activities 120 days before sailing
  • Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 38 days before sailing

Onboard Benefits

  • All Silver and Gold Member benefits
  • Complimentary dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse
Hot Tip:

Palo Steakhouse is only available on Disney Wish, while Palo is available on Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. The adults-only dining venue has a formal or semi-formal dress code and requires a reservation.

Pearl Member: 25 Completed Sailings

Benefits

  • Book new itineraries at least 4 days before the general public
  • Add cruise activities 123 days before sailing
  • Select port arrival times and complete online check-in 40 days before sailing
  • Complimentary Unlimited Digital Photo Package

Onboard Benefits

  • All Silver, Gold, and Platinum Member benefits
  • Guests who complete 50 or more sailings can choose to have their family name displayed at Disney Castaway Cay, while supplies last

For each member level, kids earn the same status as adults.

Booking Your Disney Cruise Line Cruise

A Disney cruise ship is docked at a small port.
Disney has its own private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. Image Credit: Disney Cruise Line

When booking a Disney cruise, you can pay the old-fashioned way with cash or book your cruise with points and miles.

Earning Points on Your Disney Cruise

If you’re looking to earn points for your Disney Cruise Line purchase, there are great ways to do that, too. When planning to make a big purchase, opening a new credit card to earn a welcome bonus offer might be a good idea.

A travel credit card that earns transferrable rewards, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., is great to have on hand for additional expenses that come with a cruise vacation. If you must fly to where your cruise departs, the card’s annual $300 Capital One Travel credit can help you get there. Earning 2x Capital One miles minimum on every purchase, your rewards will add up quickly. You can redeem your miles for a hotel before or after your cruise or use your miles to pay for travel purchases like ride-shares or tours (within 90 days of purchase).

Disney Credit Cards

The Disney® Premier Visa® card and Disney® Visa® Card offer 10% off select purchases when using your card for onboard purchases. Cardholders also receive 10% off non-discounted Disney Cruise Line digital photo packages and 20% off select onboard spa treatments. Special Disney vacation financing on cruises is also available.

There are no discounts on cruise fare or complimentary perks when sailing Disney Cruise Line when you hold a Disney credit card. However, you will earn Disney Rewards Dollars that you can redeem for Disney theme park tickets or Disney cruise packages. Unless you exclusively cruise or vacation with Disney, other cards offer more valuable perks.

Final Thoughts

Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club is a straightforward loyalty program. The more you cruise, the higher the status you earn. Unlike some cruise lines, it doesn’t matter how much you spend or what category cabin you sail in. The benefits are a little lackluster, but the value is not so much in the bells and whistles.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club?

Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s way of recognizing its loyal cruisers. Membership is free and automatic after completing 1 sailing.

How do I find my Castaway Club number?

After sailing at least 1 Disney Cruise Line cruise, you will be assigned a Castaway Club number. You have to log in to the Disney Cruise Line website with your Disney credentials to find your Already Booked cruises. At the bottom of that page, you’ll select Castaway Club under the My Account section.

How do you become a Castaway Club member?

It’s free to join Castaway Club. An account will automatically be created for you after completing your first sailing.

What do you get for being a Silver Castaway Club member?

Castaway Club Silver  Members receive several perks, including an exclusive phone number, member communications, and the ability to book new itineraries at least 1 day before the general public. You automatically become a Silver Member after your first completed sailing.

Is the Castaway Club worth it?

Castaway Club is free and automatic, so there’s nothing that you need to do to join except complete 1 sailing. From there, you’ll receive various benefits based on how many Disney Cruise Line sailings you complete.

Ashley Onadele's image

About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status