A beginners guide to cruise line loyalty programs

Sept. 11, 2023

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39 min read

Celebrity Millennium. MICHEL VERDURE/CELEBRITY CRUISES

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Editor's Note

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If you show loyalty to a specific cruise line, you can earn some wonderful rewards.

While entry-level tiers of cruise line loyalty programs usually don't offer much in terms of valuable perks, mid-level tiers can bring everything from spa discounts to free meals at extra-charge restaurants on the ship. The perks only get better from there.

At the very top tier of some cruise line loyalty programs — such as Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society and Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards — you can even get what we at TPG consider one of the truly great loyalty perks: a free cruise for two.

Perhaps the greatest thing about cruise line loyalty programs is that unlike most airline or hotel loyalty programs, they don't usually require customers to requalify for status every year.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

Members of most cruise line loyalty programs keep their points at the end of each year and continue to accrue points indefinitely. That means that someone who hits the top tier in a cruise line loyalty program will remain there forever (or until the line makes a change to the program).

Still, not all cruise line loyalty programs are created equal. Some are very robust with lots of great perks even at low-tier levels. Others only are modest in what they get you.

Here is TPG's guide to the cruise line loyalty programs at 10 of the most popular cruise brands, with an overview of their main attributes. For more detailed information on each of the programs, click on the links in the text below that will take you to our main loyalty guide for each of the brands.

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Carnival Cruise Line: VIFP Club

Ways to earn points

The VIFP Club points-earning system is super simple. You earn one point for every day you cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. If you take a three-night cruise, you'll get three points. If you take a seven-night cruise, you'll get seven points. You don't have to worry about different earning levels for different cabin categories or different types of bookings, as is the case with some lines.

Note that certain charter sailings and nonrevenue fares do not get you any points.

Insider tip: After sailing on one of Carnival's ships in Australia, you won't automatically get points for the trip deposited in your account. You'll need to log in to your account online, click on "Missing a Cruise?" and request the VIFP points be awarded for the days you earned on that voyage.

Program tiers and benefits

There are five tiers to the VIFP Club program:

Blue (your first sailing)
Red (second sailing to 24 points)
Gold (25 to 74 points)
Platinum (75 to 199 points)
Diamond (200 or more points)

One of the nice little surprises of Carnival's loyalty program is that you hit the first tier level, Blue, the moment you board your first cruise with the brand. Unlike many lines, you don't have to complete a cruise to reach the first level. In fact, you can get to the Blue tier even before taking a cruise. All you have to do is sign up in advance.

That said, the Blue tier of the program brings almost no perks. There are only two: You are eligible for members-only cruise offers, and you'll receive a members-only electronic newsletter.

The next two tiers in the program are almost as stingy when it comes to perks. The second tier, Red, offers the same two perks as the Blue tier with just one additional perk: a complimentary, 1-liter bottle of water delivered to your cabin during sailings. (Don't go drinking it all at once.) Gold adds a complimentary appreciation drink, but only if your cruise is more than five days long.

The elite level that makes a difference

The Platinum level of the VIFP Club is where your loyalty to Carnival finally starts paying off.

Many of the perks that kick in at this level offer priority access of some kind, including:

Priority check-in and boarding
Priority spa reservations
Priority water shuttle boarding (ship-to-shore only)
Priority line at onboard Guest Services desk and priority assistance by phone
Priority debarkation
Priority reservations at the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

In short, once you're at the Platinum level, you'll suddenly find yourself bumped to the front of the line from the moment you arrive at a ship until the moment you leave. This is no small thing. Priority boarding means you'll get on the ship more quickly than other passengers, giving you more time on your first day to enjoy its offerings. Priority access to restaurant reservations means you'll get the best table times.

Best elite perk

Even at the highest Diamond level of its VIFP Club program, Carnival is still a little stingy with the perks. Unlike Royal Caribbean and some other lines, it doesn't give members a free cruise upon reaching this pinnacle of loyalty status. That said, Diamond status does bring a few nice privileges.

We definitely appreciate the free cabin upgrade (or third-and-fourth-passengers-sail-free offer) that comes when you first reach Diamond status; however, we're disappointed this is a one-time-only benefit. Another good but one-time-only perk of Diamond status is a complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant of your choice.

In our eyes, the best elite perk of the VIFP Club program is the unlimited wash-and-fold laundry service that comes with Diamond status. Unlike the above two perks, you'll get this every time you sail once you reach Diamond level.

For more details on Carnival's VIFP Club, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to the Carnival Cruise Line VIFP Club.

Celebrity Cruises: Captain's Club

The number of Captain's Club points you earn for Celebrity cruises will vary depending on both the length of the sailing and the type of cabin you book.

When staying in the most basic cabins, such as windowless "inside" cabins, you'll earn 2 points for each day you sail. When staying in a top suite, you can earn as many as 18 to 24 points per day.

Staying in balcony cabins, which the line calls Veranda cabins, will get you 3 points a day.

Here is a breakdown of the point structure:

As you can see, you'll earn far more points by staying in a suite than by staying in a less pricey regular cabin. The Captain's Club program is designed to reward Celebrity's biggest-spending customers the most.

There's one more way to earn Captain's Club points. In 2020, Celebrity launched a new program called Power Up Points that allows Captain's Club members to earn bonus points by filling out online surveys, participating on social media or booking specific promotions.

Taking part in such activities will get you Power Up Points, which then can be converted into Captain's Club points at a ratio of 10 to 1. For every 10 Power Up Points you earn, you'll receive 1 additional Captain's Club point.

Program tiers and benefits

There are six tiers to the Captain's Club program:

Preview (0 points)
Classic (2 to 149 points)
Select (150 to 299 points)
Elite (300 to 749 points)
Elite Plus (750 to 2,999 points)
Zenith (3,000 points or more)

The good news here is that you'll qualify for the program's first tier (Preview) before you even take a single cruise. All you have to do is sign up for the program. At the Preview level, you can access the online Captain's Club newsletter and the Loyalty Desk. You also can book Captain's Club promotions once you're on board your first cruise.

The next level up, Classic, brings:

Pre-sailing specialty restaurant reservations through the loyalty desk
Exclusive captain's club offers
One pre-cruise category upgrade to AquaClass (based on availability)
Access to exclusive events on specialty sailings (like the President's Sailing)
An invitation to a Captain's Club welcome party
One complimentary specialty coffee when you dine at a specialty restaurant
One free scoop of gelato
10% discount on any bottle of wine
10% discount on a Premium Drink Package upgrade when purchased pre-cruise only
10% discount on a Drink Package when purchased pre-cruise
10% discount on Wi-Fi packages and upgrades and complimentary premium minutes
25% discount on any digital or print photo package
10% discount on The Studio photo package
10% off one-time use laundry service
10% discount at the spa
various casino perks
5% discount on small group discovery shore excursions
5% discount on Hollywood Hot Glass

The Select tier adds bigger discounts on internet and photo packages (25% and 30% off, respectively). You'll also get an invitation to a wine tasting and a backstage tour on the ship; a discounted price for one standard bag of laundry (wash, dry and fold) if your cruise is 12 nights or longer; and two complimentary pressed items.

The elite level that makes a difference

Being loyal to Celebrity really starts paying off when you reach the Elite and Elite Plus levels.

One of the great perks of Elite status is gaining access to the Captain's Club Coffee Lounge, where you can enjoy a coffeehouse-style breakfast each morning. This is a particularly big deal on shore excursion days, as it means you have a relatively quiet and uncrowded place to grab a quick breakfast before heading out for a tour.

Elites also get unlimited free drinks from the Captain's Club menu each day except embarkation day between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at most bars and lounges on the ship. All you have to do is present your Sea Pass card. This isn't quite the perk it used to be, though, since a basic drinks package now comes with all bookings as part of the line's new Always Included fare structure.

If you're sailing on a Solstice-class or Millennium-class vessel, reaching the Elite tier will get you free access to the Persian Garden spa zones — home to steam rooms, saunas and heated loungers — on one port day of your choice.

Elite level also brings:

Priority tender service, where available
Access to a private lounge on departure day serving continental breakfast
An invitation to a senior officer party
An invitation to a Create & Pour event on Edge-class ships
An invitation to a Music & Mixology event
A higher 20% discount on a bottle of wine
A higher 30% discount on Wi-Fi packages and upgrades, plus 90 complimentary stream minutes
A higher 15% discount on drinks packages
A higher 40% discount on a digital or print photo package
A higher 20% discount on The Studio photo packages
One complimentary dry clean item
One bag of complimentary laundry
A higher 15% discount at the ship's spa

Elite Plus kicks things up by offering many of these same benefits plus another free bag of laundry, additional discounts for onboard services (including a 15% discount on specialty dining cover charges) and free cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and teas throughout your sailing.

Best elite perk

The ultimate perk for Captain's Club members comes when you reach the top Zenith tier. You'll get a free seven-night Bermuda or Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin. Yep, that's right: a free cruise.

Of course, you'll need 3,000 points to reach the Zenith tier — a number so high it's out of reach for most cruisers. For someone who always stays in balcony cabins and prefers seven-night sailings, it would take an almost inconceivable 143 cruises to reach the Zenith tier. Put another way, you'd have to spend 1,000 days at sea with Celebrity to hit the Zenith mark.

Still, for those who always stay in top suites, getting to Zenith after just a few years of heavy cruising is not out of the question. For those travelers in Penthouse and Reflection suites, it would require 167 days at sea. Take a few long sailings of 20 or 30 days, and you'll be well on your way.

Once you hit the Zenith level, you'll get another free Bermuda or Caribbean cruise after every 3,000 points you accumulate. Plus, there's an added twist for your second free cruise and any others you accrue after that: The additional free sailings will be in an upgraded AquaClass cabin.

For more details on Celebrity's Captain's Club, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to the Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club.

Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Club

Ways to earn points

Earning status in Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Club loyalty program is about as simple as can be — even after a recent upgrade that brought an all-new tier. You get a credit for every cruise you take, whether it's three nights long or 10 nights long. That's it. No muss, no fuss. Your status, as we'll explain below, depends entirely on how many cruises you take.

Program tiers and benefits

There are four tiers to the Castaway Club program:

Silver (after one cruise)
Gold (after five cruises)
Platinum (after 10 cruises)
Pearl (after 25 cruises)

Once you reach the first tier of the program (Silver), you will be entitled to exactly six perks. Perhaps the most notable is the ability to make advance bookings for onboard cruise activities such as ticket-only character greetings and specialty restaurant dinners up to 90 days before sailings. This is a big deal in the world of Disney cruises, where some of the hottest activities on ships sell out quickly.

Silver members can also book new Disney cruise itineraries one day ahead of the general public. That may not seem like much of a head start, but it can be a real advantage when trying to snag the perfect cabin on a hot new itinerary. Disney fans are known to snap up the best cabins — if not all the cabins — on unique new sailings very quickly.

Additionally, Silver members get:

Select port arrival time and complete online check-in 33 days in advance of departure
Exclusive cruise terminal check-in where available
A members-only direct phone line to call for information and assistance
A welcome-back-aboard gift

Upon reaching the Gold level, members get all the above perks with three notable upgrades. For starters, they can make advance bookings for onboard cruise activities up to 105 days before sailings. That's 15 days earlier than Silver members. They can also book new Disney cruise itineraries two days before the general public.

Plus, they can complete check-in 35 days in advance.

The third tier of the program, the Platinum level, extends the pre-booking windows even further. Platinum members can make advance bookings for onboard cruise activities up to 120 days before sailings. That's 15 days earlier than Gold members and 30 days earlier than Silver members. They can also book new Disney cruise itineraries three days before the general public.

For Platinum members, check-in opens 38 days in advance of departures.

Platinum-level members are also entitled to a free dinner at Palo, the upscale, adults-only Italian eatery on Disney ships.

The elite level that makes a difference

The perks really get interesting once you hit the new Pearl level of the Castaway Club. The big perk at this level is booking new itineraries earlier than everyone else. You also have the earliest possible access to reserve onboard activities.

Specifically, you can make reservations for newly announced itineraries four days before the general public. You can also book activities up to 123 days in advance of sailing.

In the world of Disney, this is a very big deal. As mentioned above, Disney fans are known to snag all the good cabins for a popular sailing the moment a trip goes on sale. Ditto for onboard activities.

Additionally, Pearl status also lets you check in for your cruise 40 days in advance of sailing.

Best elite perk

Unlike some lines, Disney offers no truly over-the-top elite perks, such as the free cruise that top-tier members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society get. It's also skimpy on handing out big discounts on shore excursions, spa treatments and other cruise line-sold services to elite members — something some other lines do. However, a few perks get us at least modestly excited.

The most enticing offering, in our view, is the free dinner at Palo that comes with Platinum status.

The invitation extends to the elite member and any other adult passenger staying in the same cabin. Assuming there are two of you, that's a $100 value. Palo normally costs $50 per person.

You can use the perk at either the Palo eateries on Disney's four older ships or the Palo Steakhouse eatery on the line's new Disney Wish.

For more details on Disney's Castaway Club, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Club.

Holland America Line: Mariner Society

Ways to earn points

Holland America's Mariner Society points-earning system is also a relatively simple one. In most cases, you will earn one "cruise day" credit for every night you're on a ship.

The only exception is for passengers staying in top accommodations. Customers staying in a suite or penthouse on a Holland America ship will get double cruise day credits. One caveat here is that you must have paid the normal fare for the suite or penthouse to get the double credits.

You won't get double credit if you're staying in a suite or penthouse due to a complimentary cabin upgrade.

Note that you will also get cruise day credits for the days you spend touring on land with Holland America cruisetours in Alaska. Holland America cruisetours in Alaska typically combine a seven-night Alaska cruise with a few days touring the state in motorcoaches or by train.

Additionally, there is an unusual bonus way to earn Mariner Society cruise day credits. You can earn one additional cruise day credit for every $300 you spend on board a ship — for things such as shore excursions and shop purchases (with a limit of one extra cruise day credit for every day you sail).

The extra credit is calculated based on the combined folio charges for all passengers on a single booking, regardless of who signs each charge and who pays the bill. Only the first two passengers on a booking will receive the bonus credit.

Some purchases — future cruise deposits, cash advances and casino charges — are excluded from the onboard purchase bonus. All other onboard purchases count — even the hotel service charges, beverage service charges and taxes that show up on final bills.

Program tiers and benefits

There are five tiers to the Mariner Society loyalty program:

Star Mariner (after one cruise)
2-Star Mariner (30 to 74 cruise day credits)
3-Star Mariner (75 to 199 cruise day credits)
4-Star Mariner (200 to 499 cruise day credits)
5-Star Mariner (500-plus cruise day credits)

As with several other cruise line loyalty programs mentioned above, the first tier of the Mariner Society loyalty program (Star Mariner) doesn't come with too many valuable perks.

Star Mariners receive:

Up to $400 per cabin onboard spending credit when booking a cruise within 90 days of a new season launch
15% discount at shophollandamerica.com
A special welcome lunch
An onboard gift
A voucher for an onboard cocktail
50% off cruise fares for kids and extra guests in your cabin on select sailings

In addition to all the above, the big add-on for 2-Star Mariners is discounts on Holland America-branded items. Loyal Holland America cruisers at the 2-Star level will get a 10% discount on select Holland America clothing sold on ships. They also receive a complimentary photo of their ship.

The elite level that makes a difference

The sweet spot in Holland America's program is the 4-Star Mariner status level. This is where you really start to see some great perks, including:

Complimentary cruise fare for kids and extra guests staying in your cabin on select sailings
A 50% discount on specialty restaurant surcharges and specialty coffees in dining venues, Sommelier Suites packages and all minibar purchases
Complimentary laundry and pressing services
Priority access to ship-to-shore tenders
Priority check-in
A complimentary James Suckling regional wine tasting
A 15% discount on select Holland America Line logo clothing sold in onboard shops (may exclude already discounted merchandise)
A 25% discount off the $49-per-person surcharge in Rudi's Sel De Mer eatery

We love that Holland America will let kids sail free on select journeys at this tier. The line isn't necessarily known as a family line, but if you have kids (or grandkids) and are a Holland America fan, this could save you a lot of money.

You'll also save a lot of money with the 50% off specialty restaurant perk at this level and the other 50% off discount options.

Best elite perk

If you cruise with family or friends, we think the best perk in Holland America's program is the complimentary cruise fare for kids and extra guests staying in your cabin on select sailings. As noted above, this is a 4-Star Mariner perk that also carries over to 5-Star Mariners.

We should note that all Mariner Society members get discounts of some sort for the third and fourth passengers staying in their cabins. During the booking process, type in your Mariner ID to view your discount for this.

For more details on Holland America's Mariner Society, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to Holland America's Mariner Society.

MSC Cruises: MSC Voyagers Club

Ways to earn points

The points-earning system for MSC Voyagers Club is a bit convoluted, as the number of points you earn on any given cruise depends on various factors.

For starters, you earn points based on the length of the cruise you take and which MSC Cruises "experience" you book for the cruise. As regular MSC Cruises customers know, there are five experiences available when cruising with the line, each with different inclusions and at different price points. Bella is the most basic and least expensive experience available. MSC Yacht Club is the top experience available. Experiences called Fantastica, Wellness and Aurea fall in between.

The chart below lays out your points earnings depending on cruise length and experience type:

Note that every person in your cabin will earn points for the cruise based on the chart above.

In addition to the above, you can earn points when spending money on MSC Cruises ships for extras or when booking extras before sailing. You'll earn 100 points for every $150 spent on prepaid and onboard expenses.

One caveat: Only the MSC Voyagers Club member who makes the final payment for onboard expenses will receive those points. Regarding expenses for prepaid services that apply to all cabin occupants (and not single occupants), points will be equally distributed among the cabin occupants.

For example, say the total amount of prepaid onboard services that apply to all cabin occupants before the cruise is $600. If there are four cabin occupants, the spending for the points calculation of each member will be $150, which is equal to 100 points.

The final way to earn points is by updating your contact details up to 72 hours before departure on your next cruise. This will earn you 100 points.

Program tiers and benefits

There are four tiers to the MSC Voyagers Club program:

Classic (1 to 2,199 points)
Silver (2,200 to 4,299 points)
Gold (4,300 to 9,999 points)
Diamond (10,000 or more points)

Again, the entry-level tier (Classic) doesn't bring many truly valuable rewards. By far, the most alluring benefit at this level is the 5% discount that members get when booking future sailings (but this discount is not valid on Tandem and MSC Grand Tours). That's real savings every time you book a cruise.

Classic members also recieve:

An additional 5% discount on Voyagers Exclusives sailings made six to nine months before departure
An MSC Voyagers Club e-newsletter
MSC Voyagers Club personalized luggage tags for embarkation in the e-ticket
An MSC Voyagers Club card
An invitation to a "welcome back" cocktail party
A dedicated number to call on board
Discounts on many packages and amenities, including onboard pictures, digital accessories, Wi-Fi and spa and fitness offerings
MSC Shops discount (for each $50 spent in any onboard shops, you will receive a $10 discount)

Note that the MSC Shops discount has a lot of fine print. You cannot combine this discount with promotions available on board, and it is not available for spending on tobacco products and electronics. It's also only valid on the first day of a cruise. That prompts us to downgrade the value of this perk considerably.

Upon reaching the second tier of the program, Silver, you get a couple more perks. The most notable to us is a $50 onboard credit per person, plus double MSC Voyagers Club points, for all bookings made more than 12 months before departure. (If you book nine to 12 months in advance, you get the $50 credit but not the double points.)

The elite level that makes a difference

Being loyal to MSC Cruises starts paying off in a noticeable way once you reach the Gold level of the MSC Voyagers Club program. Even here, though, the rewards are still relatively modest.

The Gold level comes with one solid perk: priority disembarkation in ports where a tender boat is required. This can make a real difference in your cruising experience, as it means you can get off the ship much faster in some cases than the majority of other passengers. That will allow you to maximize your time in tender ports.

Gold status also brings:

A complimentary one-hour thermal-area session once per cruise
A complimentary gift
A complimentary photo during the "welcome back" cocktail party
A complimentary birthday cake when it's your birthday

Best elite perk

Alas, there isn't one "wow" perk in the MSC Voyagers Club menu. As noted above, unlike some lines, MSC Cruises doesn't award top-tier members truly high-value perks such as a free cruise. Still, the MSC Voyagers Club's top Diamond status tier does come with a few enticing benefits.

Our favorite perk in the entire MSC Voyagers Club program is the complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant that comes with Diamond-level status. That said, be warned that it's a complimentary dinner with a lot of fine print (so much fine print, in fact, that to us it verges on the ridiculous).

For more details on MSC Cruises' MSC Voyagers Club, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to MSC Cruises' MSC Voyagers Club.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes Rewards

Ways to earn points

Earning points in Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards program is relatively straightforward. You will get:

One point for every night you spend on a ship
An additional one point per night when staying in a Concierge-level cabin, full-fare suite (not minisuites or Club Balcony suites) or The Haven rooms
An additional one point per night when on a cruise booked via a Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer. These are special offers for Latitudes Rewards members

Note that the extra point per night for suites only applies to stays in suites booked when a reservation is originally made. It doesn't apply to stays in suites that result from an upgrade.

Program tiers and benefits

There are seven tiers to the Latitudes Rewards program:

Bronze (1 to 19 points)
Silver (20 to 44 points)
Gold (45 to 74 points)
Platinum (75 to 149 points)
Sapphire (150 to 349 points)
Diamond (350 to 699 points)
Ambassador (700 or more points)

The Latitudes Rewards program is one of the more robust cruise line loyalty programs, with some decent perks available to almost all members.

After just one cruise, as a newly minted Bronze member, you will receive a 30% discount on an unlimited open bar package — a perk that could save you a significant amount of money when cruising if you're a drinker. You'll also get early access to new product information and exclusive offers, a signature pin and a few other minor things.

Moving up to the Silver level of the Latitudes Rewards program will bring all the above plus:

An invitation to a complimentary onboard cocktail party
A 10% discount on shore excursions
A 20% discount on photos
A 15% discount on spa treatments performed when the ship is in port
A higher 15% discount at onboard duty-free shops

The Gold level bumps up the discounts on photos and spa treatments to 25% and 20%, respectively. It also brings valuable perks such as a 50% discount on a bag of laundry, priority tender tickets (for applicable ports) and priority disembarkation (for U.S. citizens only).

The elite level that makes a difference

Once you reach Platinum, you'll get everything in earlier tiers plus a 15% discount on internet packages, which is a great perk. Internet packages on Norwegian can be pricey.

Another great perk at the Platinum level is free dinners at some of the top restaurants on Norwegian ships on every voyage of five nights or longer. Platinum members get a free dinner for two at either Cagney's, the line's signature steakhouse, or Le Bistro, its signature French restaurant — which includes a bottle of wine. They also get a free dinner for two at either churrascaria restaurant Moderno or Italian eatery La Cucina (on some ships, the restaurant offerings differ).

Platinum members also get:

Priority check-in and embarkation
Access to a concierge to help with dining, entertainment and shore excursion reservations
Chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to their room
A Wines Around the World tasting
A behind-the-scenes ship tour
A higher 30% discount on photos
A higher 25% discount on spa treatments
A dedicated pre-cruise service desk

Best elite perk

The ultimate perk for Latitudes Rewards members comes upon reaching the top Ambassador tier. You'll get a one-time, complimentary seven-night cruise in a balcony cabin. You can pick any destination, but you can't select a holiday sailing (Christmas and New Year's).

The free cruise is for two people. You can bring a third and fourth guest, but you'll pay for their fares. You'll also pay for all taxes, fees and service charges (including gratuities). You have one year to take advantage of your free cruise after becoming an Ambassador elite member.

For more details on Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards program, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards program.

Princess Cruises: Captain's Circle

Ways to earn points

The points-earning system for the Captain's Circle program is a bit convoluted, as it involves two separate tracks — either of which will allow you to rise through its tiers.

For starters, members earn one "cruise credit" for each cruise. Also, members earn one "cruise day" for every night spent on a ship. So, on a typical seven-night cruise, you would earn seven cruise days and one cruise credit.

Just to make things a little bit more complicated, Princess Cruises also doubles your cruise credit earnings if you sail in a full suite (minisuites, Club-class suites and upgrades to suites are excluded) or if you sail solo. However, it doesn't double your cruise day count.

So, if you sail in a suite on a seven-night cruise, you will earn two cruise credits and seven cruise days.

While convoluted, this system actually works to your advantage, as you have two ways to reach higher tier levels. As we'll explain below, you can qualify for elite status either through your cruise credit count or your cruise day count, whichever number gets you to your goal first.

Program tiers and benefits

There are four tiers to the Captain's Circle program:

Gold (after your first completed cruise)
Ruby (from your fourth cruise credit, or 31 to 50 cruise days)
Platinum (from your sixth to 15th cruise credit, or 51 to 150 cruise days)
Elite (from your 16th cruise credit on, or 151-plus cruise days)

The entry-level tier (Gold) is very limited in what it brings. One of the most alluring benefits at this level is the Preferential Pricing Offer for select sailings that the line extends to Captain's Circle members. The early booking discounts, known as Captain's Circle Launch Savings, are also a plus.

In addition, Gold members get:

Invitations to members-only onboard events
Access to a Captain's Circle onboard host
A members-only magazine
A recognition pin

Upon reaching the second tier of the program, Ruby, you get a few more perks. However, this tier is a bit ho-hum, too. In addition to the Gold-level rewards, you get a new recognition pin, access to a shoreside Captain's Circle Help Desk phone line, and an upgrade to Princess' Platinum Vacation Protection plan when you purchase a Princess travel insurance plan at the standard rate.

The elite level that makes a difference

Being loyal to Princess finally starts paying off in a bigger way once you reach the Platinum level of the Captain's Circle program. Even here, though, the rewards are still relatively modest.

The Platinum level comes with five solid perks:

Priority boarding
50% off MedallionNet internet packages
10% off spa treatments
10% off photo packages
Early access to Dine My Way reservations

Priority boarding is a great perk as it means you don't have to wait with the hordes upon arriving at a ship and, in theory, can board more quickly — increasing the amount of time you have to enjoy the vessel's offerings on the first day. We're just a little surprised that Princess doesn't offer this perk until the third tier of its loyalty program.

Best elite perk

Alas, there isn't a truly spectacular perk in the entire Captain's Circle menu. Still, the Captain's Circle's top Elite status tier does come with a few enticing benefits. Our favorite, by a hair, is the complimentary laundry service that comes with Elite-level status. This can come in handy (and save you a lot of money) on longer voyages.

For more details on Princess's Captain's Circle, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to Princess Cruises' Captain's Circle program.

Royal Caribbean: Crown & Anchor Society

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas during sea trials in 2023. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Ways to earn points

Earning points in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society program isn't too complicated. You will get:

One point for every night you spend on a ship
One additional point for every night you spend in a suite
One additional point when cruising solo in a cabin meant for two

Note that the extra point per night for suites only applies to stays in suites booked when a reservation is originally made. It doesn't apply to stays in suites that result from an upgrade.

Program tiers and benefits

There are six tiers to the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society program:

Gold (3-29 points)
Platinum (30-54 points)
Emerald (55-79 points)
Diamond (80-174 points)
Diamond Plus (175-699 points)
Pinnacle Club (700 or more points)

The most alluring benefit at the entry-level Gold tier is the exclusive rates available to members for specific sailings of specific ships.

Additionally, Gold members get:

Crown & Anchor Society onboard offers
SeaPass card recognition
Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
Priority notice of special offers, new ships and itineraries
Exclusive email offers
Access to a Crown & Anchor phone line for membership inquiries
A member newsletter

Upon reaching the second tier of the program, Platinum, you get a few more perks. The most notable, to us, is access to special member discounts on balcony cabins and suites. That can bring real savings. The Platinum tier also brings matching status in the loyalty program of Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises.

The elite level that makes a difference

In our view, the Diamond Plus level is where the Royal Caribbean loyalty program hits its stride.

Once you reach Diamond Plus, you'll get all the aforementioned benefits plus priority access and seating at main theater shows, ice shows and AquaTheater events, which is a great perk.

Diamond Plus status also brings a 50% reduction in the single-supplement charge for solo travelers — albeit only after your points total in the program hits 340 points. If you're a solo traveler, this is a big deal, as it will save you considerable money when sailing Royal Caribbean.

Diamond Plus members also get:

Access to exclusive top-tier events
A personalized gift/amenity (one per household)
Exclusive access to Diamond Plus call center staff

Best elite perk

The ultimate perk for Crown & Anchor Society members comes upon reaching the top Pinnacle Club tier. You'll get a complimentary seven-night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony cabin.

The free cruise is for two people. You can bring a third and fourth guest, but you'll pay for their fares. You'll also pay all taxes, fees and service charges (including gratuities). Look out for other restrictions as well.

After hitting the Pinnacle Club level, you'll get an additional free cruise every time you accumulate another 350 points. In other words, you'll get an initial free cruise after hitting 700 points and then additional cruises at 1,050 points, 1,400 points, 1,750 points, and so on.

The first two cruises are in a balcony cabin. After that, you qualify for a junior suite.

If you don't want to sail the Caribbean, you can request a cruise credit toward an itinerary elsewhere. Royal Caribbean will give you $2,400 toward the purchase of a cruise at 700 and 1,050 points; you'll get $3,200 toward the purchase of a cruise at 1,400 points and above.

For more details on Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, including a full list of benefits at every tier, see TPG's ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society.

Viking: Viking Explorer Society

While Viking has a cruise loyalty program, the Viking Explorer Society, it isn't a loyalty program in the traditional sense. Passengers don't earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks.

Instead, the Viking loyalty program offers just a few basic perks available to anyone who has taken at least one voyage with the line.

The Viking Explorer Society loyalty program's main perk is a travel credit of up to $200 that you can get every time you book a new Viking ocean, river or expedition cruise within two years of sailing with the line. Note that travel credits are different from onboard credits. You can only use a Viking Explorer Society credit to pay for a cruise, not for onboard spending.

Viking also offers a referral program that can get you additional travel credits.

For more details on the Viking Explorer Society loyalty program, see TPG's ultimate guide to the Viking Explorer Society loyalty program.

Windstar: Yacht Club

Ways to earn points

The Yacht Club point-earning system is relatively straightforward. In most cases, members earn 1 point for every day they sail on a Windstar Cruises vessel.

The only exception is for passengers staying in top suites. Customers staying in Wind Class suites or Deluxe suites on Star Plus Class ships will get 1.5 points for every day they sail. Those staying in Owner's suites and Classic suites on Star Plus Class vessels will get 2 points for every day they sail, as will passengers staying in the Bridge Suite on the Wind Surf.

Program tiers and benefits

There are four tiers to the Yacht Club program:

One Star (1 to 19 points)
Two Star (20 to 39 points)
Three Star (40 to 89 points)
Four Star (90 or more points)

Even at the lowest One Star level, the perks are fairly robust, at least as compared to loyalty programs of many of Windstar's small-ship cruise line competitors.

Yacht Club members at all four tiers get a 5% discount on fares when booking a cruise. That's a great perk, as it amounts to real money in your pocket. But it gets even better if you book a cruise while on board a Windstar ship or within 60 days of departing one. In such cases, Yacht Club members will get an additional 5% discount on fares — bringing the total savings to 10%.

In select cases, Yacht Club members will be rewarded for their loyalty with even bigger discounts. As part of the program, members can snag an even heftier 20% discount on select Yacht Club member sailings. One caveat: You cannot combine the 20% discount with other offers.

Additionally, all Yacht Club members get:

Advanced notification of new deployments
Advanced notification of sales events
Members-only private sales
A $100 shipboard credit when referring a new customer to Windstar. The customer also will receive a $100 onboard credit
Exclusive members-only cocktail party with ship officers
Exclusive onboard tote
Additional discounts at sister Xanterra Travel Collection brands

Plus, starting at the One Star level, customers get a 5% discount on laundry service, Wi-Fi and Windstar merchandise whenever they sail with the line. Note that the Wi-Fi discount only applies to Wi-Fi purchased individually and not as part of the line's All-Inclusive Fares.

At the Two Star level, customers get all the above plus a 5% discount on shore excursions and beverage packages (again, the latter discount does not apply to the line's All-Inclusive Fares). They also get a $50 per person onboard credit for every cruise they take.

The elite level that makes a difference

We start to get excited with the Three Star tier. It bumps the discounts for laundry service, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and Windstar merchandise to 10%. If you're the kind of cruiser who does a shore excursion in every port and regularly uses onboard services, such as laundry and Wi-Fi, this could save you $100 or more on a typical seven-night cruise.

The Three Star tier also comes with an onboard credit of $75 per person for every cruise you take. That's more real money in your pocket.

Best elite perk

At the top Four Star tier level of the Yacht Club program, passengers get free laundry service and free Wi-Fi on every sailing, both valuable perks. But the most generous perk may be the 15% discount on shore excursions. That's assuming you are a cruiser who signs up for many cruise line-organized shore excursions. If you spend $1,000 a week on excursions, that perk alone is worth $150 per seven-night cruise.

At the Four Star level, members also get a 15% credit on Windstar merchandise and a 10% discount on beverage packages. The onboard credit increases to $100 per person for every cruise you take.

For more details on Windstar's Yacht Club loyalty program, see TPG's ultimate guide to the Windstar Yacht Club loyalty program.

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Featured image by MICHEL VERDURE/CELEBRITY CRUISES

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.