Check-in Changing to Tiered Castaway Club Status?

[Clarkson U]

Is this all about what PAT you get? Is that the big advantage to doing it a few days earlier? If you're Concierge or Pearl or on a DCL bus PAT doesn't really matter does it?

So I think there are two things - one the status will impact the activity booking window for some and it looks like status will impact check in which impacts PAT. You are correct if Pearl or Concierge then booking window will be first and PAT will be first also.

Idk what changes DCL will make to those that ride its busses after all of this dust has settled but today you are correct - no impact.

 

[Mikelever]

So I think there are two things - one the status will impact the activity booking window for some and it looks like status will impact check in which impacts PAT. You are correct if Pearl or Concierge then booking window will be first and PAT will be first also.

Idk what changes DCL will make to those that ride its busses after all of this dust has settled but today you are correct - no impact.

Thanks, yes I was wondering specifically about the tiering for the Check In date.

The activity booking window I understand the advantage but that has been tiered for a while now so nothing new there other than recently adding a new tier.

 

[MamaMermaid]

This is good news!!

 

[jerry557]

Is this all about what PAT you get? Is that the big advantage to doing it a few days earlier? If you're Concierge or Pearl or on a DCL bus PAT doesn't really matter does it?

Pretty much about the PAT.
Port Excursions booking window is also based on tier, but that’s aside from online check-in and it’s already been in place. Also not sure how this applies to certain things like Royal Gathering sign-ups.

Other than that, if you don’t care about PAT or typically take Disney transport, this really doesn’t matter much.

 

[anricat]

If they still offer the free (small) amount of WiFi - with sign up only on Boarding Day, get the entire family to sign up.

With the new wireless plans, they don't offer this any more. I think the entire fleet has been upgraded at this point, save for maybe the Wonder? I think one of the Classics hasn't gotten the upgrade yet and I'm thinking it was the Wonder.

 

[anricat]

I have a June cruise which now shows check in at 38 days (as we are Platinum) and an August cruise which still shows 30 days so I am guessing they are working through it.

My July cruise is also still showing 30 days so I guess they've made it through June but through to July yet.

 

[Kwami]

With the new wireless plans, they don't offer this any more. I think the entire fleet has been upgraded at this point, save for maybe the Wonder? I think one of the Classics hasn't gotten the upgrade yet and I'm thinking it was the Wonder.

Right, the Wonder is the only remaining ship with the old system. They'll probably upgrade it in the fall, after I've sailed.

 

[soniam]

I’m curious how soon this will kick in and if we will see other groups with earlier check in soon. My check in for our Alaska cruise will be next Friday - if this takes effect immediately, pearl cruisers on our sailing could check in early this week.

I’m in that cruise too. Check your date. I’m silver. Mine is now showing May 3, instead of the 6th. It updated today.

 

[randumb0]

I’m in that cruise too. Check your date. I’m silver. Mine is now showing May 3, instead of the 6th. It updated today.

For some reason I thought you were platinum. Perhaps it's due to how active you are on the forum

 

[MIGIMom]

Our check-in date for our June Wish cruise was originally May 6 (30 days), but I just checked and I was allowed to check-in today at 35 days out. Gold Castaway.

 

[Pigwie]

Does anyone know if this will affect booking for Royal Gathering, etc? First time cruiser coming up next year and don't want to miss out on Royal Gathering or Woody's Roundup Breakfast because we won't be able to book until 30 days out when everything is probably already booked up!

 

[sadiecatie]

I’m in that cruise too. Check your date. I’m silver. Mine is now showing May 3, instead of the 6th. It updated today.

I’m a newbie, so mine won’t change either way Just curious! So it seems it’s taking immediate effect.

 

[azrivest]

Does anyone know if this will affect booking for Royal Gathering, etc? First time cruiser coming up next year and don't want to miss out on Royal Gathering or Woody's Roundup Breakfast because we won't be able to book until 30 days out when everything is probably already booked up!

We're in the same situation. First-time cruisers getting shafted once again.

 

[Dug720]

My parents are Gold and I'm handling their check-in for their B2B Med cruises. The first I already did. The second was showing May 4 yesterday but is April 29 now so I'll do it when I get home since that's where I have their pics and passport pics. Not like PAT matters in their case since they're B2B.

My Wish cruise for August is still showing 30 days and I'm Gold - so maybe they're slowly updating them.

 

[Dug720]

We're in the same situation. First-time cruisers getting shafted once again.

We have ALL been in that position once.

 

[holula]

We're in the same situation. First-time cruisers getting shafted once again.

Pre COVID it was always this way, so they’re just going back to how it was pre COVID except doing it much closer to the cruise.

 

[Meredisney]

The only thing I truly care about is getting an early Port Arrival Time. I want to get on the ship and enjoy my vacation as soon as possible.

 

[gpjacobs]

We have ALL been in that position once.

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

 

[soniam]

For some reason I thought you were platinum. Perhaps it's due to how active you are on the forum

I wish! We have 2 cruises this year and did 1 last summer. We will hit gold on our Xmas cruise. I had booked 4 before we finally got to do our Covid makeup. Plus, I don’t work anymore, so it’s easy to be around. I don’t know if we will hit platinum. Our son is graduating soon, and we might do Celebrity or Virgin more after that,

 

[sponica]

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

I think it's probably just best to not promise anything. My kids are neutral on BBB so if we get it great, if not, oh well. But I also have a few more years before my older one ages out of BBB.