Updated July 2018
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 enrol 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 about the Peninsular Club levels and benefits.
Royal Caribbean – The Crown & Anchor Society
Automatic sign up – No, an enrolment form will need to be completed either online or onboard
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 onboard booklet including free internet vouchers, money off photographs and complimentary laundry, dinner with the Captain, priority boarding, future cruise discounts, lapel pins, upgraded toiletries and dedicated areas of the ship.
Find out more about the Crown and Anchor levels and benefits
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 about The Cunard Club levels and benefits
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.
The Princess Passport gives members a unique way to record their memories. Every time you sail you will get a stamp of the destination you have travelled. The stamps are signed by the Captain.
Other benefits of the membership include preferential pricing offers, members-only onboard events, membership pin, complimentary internet time and stateroom amenities.
Find out more about Captain's Circle levels and benefits
Celebrity Cruises – Captain’s Club
Automatic sign up – No, an enrolment form will need to be completed online or onboard
Number of tiers – 5
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 five 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 about Captain's Club levels and benefits
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 – 1 point per cruise
This loyalty programme is full of impressive benefits and offers some unique perks.
Membership benefits include cruise discounts, cabin upgrades, spa discounts, shop discounts, complimentary thermal suite session, mini bar discounts, fresh fruit basket in cabin, bathrobes and slippers, priority disembarkation and points earned for every 200 euros spent onboard.
Find out more about The MSC Club levels and benefits and the MSC Status Match programme which could help you join at a higher tier.
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
