Unlocking the best cruise loyalty perks: free cruises, upgrades and more
They don’t have the pulling power of frequent flyer schemes but cruise companies still try to lure you in to booking your next voyage.
Less aggressively marketed than frequent flyer programs, cruise lines’ loyalty clubs range from laughable to valuable. The first tier trickles modest benefits such as small discounts for on-board spending, while mid-level members might get a free bag of laundry. Reach the top status with the right cruise line and you could score a complimentary cruise (excluding fees and taxes).
Among the lines dangling this carrot are Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, while Azamara awards two to 10 free nights as passengers rise up the ranks of membership. In some cases, the free cruises keep flowing if you continue earning the required number of points.
On-board credit (OBC) may be applied to a frequent cruiser’s account to spend on alcohol, excursions, spa treatments or shopping in the ship’s stores. Depending on your membership status, it could be $US50 ($80) or $US1000 credited every time you cruise. For more loyalty programs, passengers are automatically enrolled after their first voyage. Progress is made with every cruise, generally earning one point for every day of sailing. Some lines give bonus points for booking the more expensive suites, paying a single supplement, or making extra purchases on board and pre-cruise.
Status retention is fair and easy. Members do not need to requalify for their tier every year, and there is no expiry on points or status. This means you can take your time climbing the loyalty ladder, and when you reach elite, you stay there forever. (An exception is MSC, which requires guests to cruise once every five years to retain membership.)
Travel agent Michelle Feilberg, who specialises in cruising, considers cruise loyalty benefits “pretty useless” compared with airline and hotel groups. “The offerings are slim, such as entry into a private event, which is usually an awkward party.” It can take too long to achieve useful perks such as priority boarding and priority access to tender boats in ports, Feilberg says. “When a person has spent 100 nights with a cruise line, they should do better than 20 per cent off a drinks package and some OBC. They could easily offer free cabin upgrades, a spa day pass, or an all-access tour.”
Only a couple of companies, NCL and Celebrity, overtly promote cabin upgrades as a loyalty benefit. “Upgrades are not offered upfront as an incentive to join a loyalty program, but indirectly, the marketing campaigns occasionally offer upgrades to loyalty program members,” says Feilberg.
PICK OF THE PERKS
The benefits accumulate as you attain each new status with these cruise lines.
Regent Seven Seas
All-inclusive Regent already includes laundry and excursions, so it needs to get creative to impress its clientele. Seven Seas Society’s best benefits start from the third of its seven tiers. Gold (75-199 nights of sailing) and Platinum (200-399 nights) members receive $US100 ($160) on-board credit, free phone calls, and wi-fi for four devices. Titanium (400-999 nights) get unlimited dry cleaning and two private transfers between home or the airport and the ship. Diamond (1000 nights) and Commodore (2000 nights) members are invited to new ship christenings. A commemorative officer’s jacket and a plaque are also presented to Commodores.
Seabourn
Seabourn Club’s difference is members can choose their rewards from the selection of massages, telephone calls, discounted excursions, free bag of laundry or a day in the spa’s relaxation area. Silver, Gold and Platinum members can select one, two or three amenities, respectively, while Diamond and Diamond Elite receive all of them, as well as priority embarkation, free wi-fi and laundry for the whole cruise. Elites also get free dry-cleaning, spa credit, and transfers to and from the ship. Members who sail 140 days receive a seven-day cruise, while 250 days earns a 14-day cruise.
Silversea
The Silversea Cruises Venetian Society has no status tiers. After 100 days of sailing, members get free laundry and pressing. After 250 days, it’s a bottle of “upgraded” champagne to your suite. A free seven-night cruise is awarded after 350 days, a 14-night cruise after 500 days. Members are entitled to status-matched rewards with Celebrity Cruises’ Captains Club and Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society (and vice versa).
Celebrity Cruises
Aboard Celebrity Cruises, Captain’s Club grants freebies to members from their second cruise, such as a cabin upgrade and a coffee. The top tier, Zenith, comes with free laundry, premium drinks package, wi-fi and a seven-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise. In-between tiers offer a wide range of discounts on on-board purchases and daily cocktail hours with free drinks.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Club members receive $US100 OBC and a bottle of wine when they reach Bronze (55 days). The credit increases to $US500, $US650, $US750, $US1000 and $US1250 for Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and President’s Circle, respectively. Free cruises kick in at Platinum. President’s Circle also gets free laundry, a drinks package and $US400 spa credit.
Cunard
Cunard World Club presents membership pins to Gold guests on their second cruise (or after 20 nights), plus $US45 internet credit redeemable against a wi-fi plan. Platinum category (seven cruises or 70 nights) includes a new pin, extra internet credit, priority check-in at New York and Southampton, a wine-tasting session and a senior officers’ party. Diamond members (15 cruises or 150 nights) receive all of these privileges plus the coveted pin and a complimentary meal at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.
Windstar
Windstar Yacht Club top members get free wi-fi and laundry. All members receive a 20 per cent discount on Yacht Club Member special sailings.
Uniworld
Members of Uniworld River Heritage Club receive a welcome gift, an invitation to the captain’s cocktail party, one free laundry service, and discounts on The Travel Corporation tours and cruises.
Viking
After one cruise, Viking guests receive a $US200 discount for the next voyage if booked within a year. Viking Explorer Society members are also invited to events on land such as wine tastings, movie premieres and on-board functions when ships are docked in Australia.
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