Disney Believe opens to Castaway Club members first, before the October 19 public sale

Cruise loyaltyBy Patrick KarshOct 15, 2026

Who can book Disney Believe, and when

Disney Cruise Line is letting its most loyal guests book its next ship first. According to Disney's official Disney Believe FAQ, the order runs like this:

October 12, 2026: Pearl members of the Castaway Club could book first, online or through a travel advisor.
In the days after October 12: Platinum, Gold and Silver Castaway Club members could book. So could Golden Oak members, Disney Vacation Club members and Adventure Insiders.
October 19, 2026: Bookings open to the general public.

Disney's FAQ does not give an exact date for each tier between October 12 and October 19. It lists them in order, from Pearl down to Silver. If you hold status, the practical point is simple. Your window is already open or about to open, and it closes to everyone else on October 19.

How the Castaway Club tiers work

The Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program. Its level is based on the number of eligible cruises you have completed, according to Disney's eligibility page:

Silver: 1 cruise
Gold: 5 cruises
Platinum: 10 cruises
Pearl: 25 cruises

Some fares do not count. Disney names media, vendor and Cast Member business fares as examples. You can check your level by signing in to the MyDisney account linked to your Castaway Club ID.

Early booking is not the only perk tied to level. Disney also staggers when you can pre-book onboard activities and dining. According to Disney's Castaway Club FAQ, the window opens 75 days before sailing for first-time guests. It opens at 90 days for Silver, 105 for Gold, 120 for Platinum and 123 for Pearl. The level applies per stateroom. Guests in a cabin book based on the highest-level member in that cabin.

What is being sold

Disney Believe is a Wish-class ship being built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Its maiden voyage leaves on December 18, 2027, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The ship will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Disney's port FAQ says the maiden voyage calls at Nassau and at both of Disney's island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The first season includes four- and five-night Bahamas cruises and five-night Western Caribbean cruises. Every itinerary includes a day at one or both of Disney's islands.

Disney has already shared a few venues. They include the first stage version of Encanto, a Frozen-themed dinner called Oaken's Table, and a Little Mermaid piano bar called Sea Notes. Cruise Industry News reported a two-story Tower Suite for up to eight guests.

Why the early window matters

The maiden voyage has only one date. Suites and connecting cabins are limited on any ship. Families who need two cabins side by side, or one specific room type, are the ones most likely to feel the squeeze once the public sale opens.

Disney has not published fares in its FAQ. Prices can change once a sale opens to everyone, so it is worth pricing your dates during your tier's window, even if you do not book right away.

What to do before booking

If you plan to book, a few steps can save time:

Sign in to your MyDisney account and confirm your Castaway Club level is showing.
Make sure everyone in the cabin is linked correctly, since pre-booking rights follow the highest level in the stateroom.
Decide between a four-night and a five-night sailing before the window opens.
If you use a travel advisor, tell them your tier so they can book in your window.

My take

If you are Pearl or Platinum and want the maiden voyage or a suite, use your window now rather than waiting for October 19. If you are Silver and flexible on dates, there is less of a rush. Later sailings in the first season will still be on sale to everyone next week.