Cruise line loyalty programs

[RooFlyer]

Article in the Oz online about cruise line loyaty programs:

Unlocking the best cruise loyalty perks: free cruises, upgrades and more may be paywalled, so a snippet

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.

Goes on summarise various lines' loyalty benefits (the what accuracy I can't tell).

My preferred cruise line is Ponant, (not covered in the article) mainly because they have over 200 cruises with a no single supplement (and NOT usually at the cough-end of seasons) and their destinations for them and pricing suits me.

This is the Ponant loyalty schedule; I'm at Admiral and about to book my 5th cruise with them. The 7.5% discount is a material benefit, then for me onboard credit and ... laundry! are useful! Unsure of how often upgrades get offered.



How are others on the loyalty schemes of various lines, and how do you view the benefits (worthwhile etc).

 

[Pushka]

Article in the Oz online about cruise line loyaty programs:

Unlocking the best cruise loyalty perks: free cruises, upgrades and more may be paywalled, so a snippet



Goes on summarise various lines' loyalty benefits (the what accuracy I can't tell).

My preferred cruise line is Ponant, (not covered in the article) mainly because they have over 200 cruises with a no single supplement (and NOT usually at the cough-end of seasons) and their destinations for them and pricing suits me.

This is the Ponant loyalty schedule; I'm at Admiral and about to book my 5th cruise with them. The 7.5% discount is a material benefit, then for me onboard credit and ... laundry! are useful! Unsure of how often upgrades get offered.

View attachment 432296

How are others on the loyalty schemes of various lines, and how do you view the benefits (worthwhile etc).

I've travelled on so many different cruise lines I don't bother. The highest level I have is on Cunard which is Gold and received a pin. Yeah .

 

[love_the_life]

I've travelled on so many different cruise lines I don't bother. The highest level I have is on Cunard which is Gold and received a pin. Yeah .

Don't sell them short - Gold also gives some free internet

 

[moa999]

I take it they are all 'lifetime' programs unlike the annual basis of most airline and hotel programs.

 

[love_the_life]

And there are some loyalty programs that are linked - so that your loyalty level will carry across.
For example - Royal Caribbean is linked with Celebrity and Sliversea now (as they own the whole lot)
Princess Cruises has always been pretty easy to accrue loyalty on - 16 cruises get you Elite level.