Should YOU Be Loyal To ONE Cruise Line??
Cruise Line Loyalty Programs Explained
Should you be loyal to one cruise line? Are the perks of the loyalty programs worth sticking with one cruise line to build up your status? Or are the loyalty programs nice but not worth staying with one specific cruise line for? Is it better to have lots of experiences across many cruise lines and forgo the perks?
Let’s take a look at the perks that come with cruise line loyalty programs and you can decide for yourself.
Keep in mind, the entry-level tiers with any cruise line have minimal benefits. You will have to cruise many-a-sailing to get to the good stuff! And keep going and you can even earn a free cruise with some programs!
Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes Rewards
In my opinion, this is the richest loyalty program out there!! You get so much extra once you hit the Platinum tier that really makes you want to spend time sailing with NCL to reach this level!
You will get discounts in the shops, photos and spa services during port days based on level starting at Bronze.
Priority embarkation starts at Platinum but priority tender and debarkation start at Gold.
Free laundry starts at Platinum – very nice perk!
Other benefits that start at Platinum are: discounted internet, chocolate-covered strawberries, two additional specialty dining meals, a behind-the-scenes ship tour, and concierge services. This is where the perks really kick in!! These are FABULOUS benefits!!
Free cruise at Ambassador! Grant it, you are putting in a LOT to get to this level, but NCL is one of the few cruise lines that offer this perk.
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
1 point per night + 1 additional point per night for suites and Haven. PLUS, you can earn bonus points for specific sailings (there is a list each month) – book one of these and no matter the cabin category you earn 2 points per night… 3 points for suites or Haven.
Royal Caribbean: Crown & Anchor Society
With the Crown & Anchor Society program, the good benefits start at Diamond.
Cabin discounts start at Platinum…nice!
Best Perk: Free drinks at Diamond – 4 drinks per day for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus and 6 for Pinnacle
Free cruise at Pinnacle – again, it takes a lot to get here, but what a perk!
This is AWESOME – Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will match loyalty level!! Not permanently, but if you hold a higher status with the sister company, prove your status and for that cruise, you will get the higher perks. You will still earn points separately for each cruise line.
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
1 point per night – can earn additional points in suites
Carnival Cruise Line: VIFP Club
In this program, the good benefits kick in when you hit Platinum which takes 75 nights of cruising to reach. Includes a cocktail party and free laundry. Plus priority boarding, debarkation, tenders and a dedicated line at guest services and a gift on each sailing.
Here I feel that the priority treatment and free laundry are the biggest perks for Carnival.
HUGE PERK: Being a VIFP member comes with random special offers for reduced pricing on sailings or onboard credit… or sometimes both. I say random as these offers truly are computer generated and not based on status. And I have seen some RIDICULOUSLY good offers!! The funny thing is that I, as a travel agent, have seen clients with Red status get better offers than clients with Platinum status… you never know what you will get. And you can sign up for Blue status before you even take your first cruise and get special offers!
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
1 point per night cruised. Cabin type or length of the cruise does not matter.
Celebrity Cruises: Captain’s Club
You will earn discounts on wifi, drink packages, specialty dining and spa treatments based on your loyalty level.
One-category upgrade request – this is pretty cool in that you can request a free cabin upgrade (one category up from what you are booked) at no extra charge!
Best Perks: Free laundry starting at Select AND
Free specialty breakfast and evening cocktail hour starting at Elite
Free cruise at Zenith, expensive to earn… but a great perk!
Full List of Benefits:
Celebrity and Royal Caribbean will status match – see above in RC…
How to earn points
Pro tip: You can also earn Power Up Point by completing surveys, sharing on social media and watching webinars. Once you are a member, you can sign up for these alerts for when bonus points can be earned.
Holland America Line: Mariner Society
Coolest benefit! Up to $400 per stateroom onboard credit for cruises booked within 90 days of a new season launch. – All levels!!
Benefits really kick in at 4-Star with 50% off specialty dining and specialty coffees; priority boarding, tender and debarkation; free 3rd & 4th guests on select sailings and free laundry.
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
1 point per cruise day plus double points for suites. AND bonus points for onboard spending (example: $300 = 1 point).
Princess Cruises: Captain’s Circle
NICE PERK: Benefits for all tiers – discounts on cruises & special offers!
The best perks start at Platinum – priority boarding, Platinum & Elite Lounge, discounts on spa and photos.
Elite benefits add early access to new itineraries, discounts on shops and shore excursions, priority tender and debarkation, complimentary wine tasting, complimentary mini bar set-up, complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin and complimentary laundry.
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
1 point per cruise day plus double points for suites
MSC Cruises: Voyagers Club
THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! MSC will loyalty match to one cruise line – one time offer – NO OTHER CRUISE LINE DOES THIS!!
Every tier earns a 5% discount! Up to 10% if booked 6-9 months prior to sailing.
Silver: you get a $50 onboard credit per person and can earn double points when booking in advance (9-12 months out)
Gold: you get priority tender and 1- hour free access to the thermal spa suite
Diamond: you get priority boarding and debarkation, free dance class, Diamond party and a free specialty dining tasting menu.
Full List of Benefits:
How to earn points
Points are determined by the length of the cruise and the cabin experience booked. There are special offers to collect bonus points at booking.
Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Club
Benefit highlights – being a past guest gives you early access to book new itineraries as they become available. With such a small ship fleet, this is a nice perk.
And at Platinum you also get a complimentary dinner at Palo.
Full List of Benefits:
So what is the verdict??
This is going to be a personal preference… some people really love one specific cruise line and building loyalty is important to them.
For us, it is not. The perks when you get to the higher levels are nice, but for us having different experiences across multiple cruise lines is better than the perks offered.
Pro tip: These programs can build up over YEARS. So you don’t have a certain time frame to get to a certain level. You can build points with multiple cruise lines at the same time. So variety can be the spice of life 🙂
Are you ready to plan your next cruise?
Whether you want to stick with a cruise line you have sailed with or are ready for a change, let us help you plan that next adventure! Having EECC Travels as your travel agent will cost you nothing and you are getting the planning experience of a travel professional.
