Cruise Line Loyalty Schemes - Does It Pay To Be Loyal?
Updated: July 2024
Are you loyal to one cruise line? Make sure your loyalty is rewarded by checking out which cruise loyalty programmes are available. Many cruise lines now offer great rewards and benefits for frequent cruisers.
Are cruise loyalty schemes worth it?
Before we delve into the loyalty programmes thoroughly, the answer is yes. Once you've found your favourite cruise line, you can enroll in its complementary programme and start earning points after just one cruise.
With perks like free gifts, savings, upgrades, and exclusive sailings, cruise line loyalty programmes can provide incredible benefits to members. Naturally the more you cruise with that line, the better your benefits will be.
Find your favourite cruise line
With almost all cruise lines boasting their own loyalty programmes, there is fierce competition to offer the most rewarding benefits scheme. They each continue to review their programmes and make them more appealing in order to retain loyal guests.
So let's take a look at the ins and outs of some of the most popular cruise line programmes, to see just how much it pays to be loyal.
P&O Cruises – Peninsular Club
Automatic sign up – Automatically signed up after you have 150 points.
Number of tiers – 6
Point system – 10 points for every night spent onboard
P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club has built a strong reputation with cruisers who love their British infused sailings.
The tiers are named after oceans and seas of the world that are visited by the P&O fleet and arranged in order of size. The different tier levels are based on the number of nights spent onboard and then converted into points.
Benefits of the Peninsular Club include special member cruises, discounts on cruises, an annual P&O gift, priority airline seating, invitations to inaugural events, hosted cocktail parties onboard, lapel pin and complimentary drinks.
Find out more by visiting our blog - A Quick Guide to P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club.
Royal Caribbean – The Crown & Anchor Society
Automatic sign up – If you are a US or Canadian guest, you'll be automatically enrolled. If you're from the UK or another destination, you can either visit the loyalty desk onboard or call RC directly to be enrolled.
Number of tiers – 6
Point system – 1 point for every night spent onboard (double if staying in a junior suite or above category)
The Crown and Anchor Society is said to be one of the most beneficial cruise line loyalty schemes and 9 in 10 first-time guests say they will cruise again with Royal Caribbean.
As soon as you enrol in the programme you can start taking advantage of your membership after your first completed cruise.
Membership benefits include members newsletters, exclusive rates, use of robes onboard, complimentary photos and more.
Find out more by visiting our blog - A Quick Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society.
Cunard Line – Cunard World Club
Automatic sign up – Yes, automatically signed up after first completed voyage.
Number of tiers – 4
Point system – Point per voyage.
Cunard Line pride themselves on high numbers of repeat guests and sign everyone up to the Cunard World Club programme after their first cruise.
Within the four levels, members can take advantage of a membership pin, complimentary internet, disembarkation lounge, complimentary wine tasting, and an invitation to an onboard Senior Officer’s Party.
Find out more on our blog - A Quick Guide to Cunard’s World Club.
Princess Cruises – Captains Circle
Automatic sign up – Yes, automatically signed up after first completed cruise.
Number of tiers – 4
Point system – Point per voyage (double points when staying in a suite).
Princess Cruises launched the Captain’s Circle Club over 15 years ago and have continued to improve the programme and add more benefits to the various levels.
Other benefits of the membership include preferential pricing offers, members-only onboard events, a complimentary mini bar, access to exclusive lounges and more.
Find out more on our blog - A Quick Guide to Princess Cruises’ Captain's Circle.
Celebrity Cruises – Captain’s Club
Automatic sign up – No, an enrolment form will need to be completed online or onboard.
Number of tiers – 6
Point system – Point per night depending on the category of stateroom.
Celebrity Cruise Lines' Captain’s Club has become a renowned loyalty programme within the industry and has recently gained new enhancements including two new levels of recognition, new benefits and a new points system.
With six exquisite levels of membership, the benefits of Captain’s Club are extremely appealing and reward their loyal guests very well.
Including Captain’s Club newsletters, access to exclusive onboard events, discount on the internet, complimentary laundry, Captain’s Club cocktail hour and drink discounts.
Find out more on our blog - A Quick Guide to Celebrity Cruises’ Captain's Club.
MSC Cruises – MSC Voyagers Club
Automatic sign up – No, an online enrolment form will need to be submitted after your first cruise.
Number of tiers – 5
Point system – Set number of points per stateroom category.
This loyalty programme is full of impressive benefits and offers some unique perks.
Membership benefits include cruise discounts, discounts on onboard photos and digital accessories, exclusive gifts, membership pins and more.
Find out more about MSC Voyagers Club on our blog - A Quick Guide to MSC Cruises’ Voyagers Club.
Your loyalty rewarded
After looking at different cruise loyalty programmes, it's clear to see they are worthwhile. If you tend to sail with the same line, or have become fond of a particular cruise line, it can be well worthwhile to join these clubs.
Strong industry competitiveness means that cruise lines are continuously improving their loyalty programmes and adding more benefits - which is great news for us.
With cruising becoming the number one holiday choice, there has been a huge increase in repeat custom - and cruise lines thrive on attracting their guests back. It's become clear that these schemes are effective, as many cruisers like to express their love for a certain line.
Signing up for a cruise line loyalty programme will genuinely give you some incredible benefits before, during, and after your cruise.
See more information on cruise line loyalty and reward schemes.
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