Before you hit the high seas, it would behoove you to explore what cruise ship loyalty programs are available to you.
Many cruise line companies like Norwegian, Carnival, and Celebrity offer complimentary perks to guests through loyalty programs. These plans can be especially valuable to those travelers who frequently sail with a particular cruise company time after time.
Even if it's your first cruise, however, signing up for loyalty programs can reap many benefits like onboard credits and perhaps even discounts on a future cruise.
Ready to sign up? Here are the top seven cruise ship loyalty programs you should join.
Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program — Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program offers six tiers of member-only benefits to qualifying passengers. Make sure to enter your Latitude Rewards number when you book your next cruise on Norwegian. This step is required to link your existing account to your Latitude Rewards points.
As a member, you will be privy to insider offers like one additional Latitudes point per night and up to $100 in onboard spending credits. Depending on your membership level, you can get priority check-in at the pier, one bottle of sparkling wine per stateroom, free internet access, and other exclusive perks.
Castaway Club — Disney Cruise Line
According to Disney Cruise Line, guests who have previously sailed with the company are enrolled in the Castaway Club.
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According to Disney Cruise Line, guests who have previously sailed with the company are enrolled in the Castaway Club. Disney's Castaway Club is made up of three levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Guests will immediately be bumped to the Silver level after completing their first cruise, followed by Gold after five completed sailings, and, finally, Platinum after 10 total cruises.
The benefits vary by level, but the Castaway Club offers certain perks on land at sea. For example, the at-home home benefits include early booking, advanced activity planning, and prompt access to select port arrival times. Onboard the ship, depending on your membership level, you will be given a "welcome back aboard gift," special discounts and events, and even an upscale dinner on the house.
Captain's Club Cruise Rewards — Celebrity Cruises
Enrolling in Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club will earn you exclusive offers, deals, and more. To start enjoying the benefits, you'll need to create an account and link it to your existing Captain's Club number — or sign up as a new member.
Like other cruise loyalty programs, the more trips you take, the more points you will earn to advance to the next level. Members can save up to $1,000 on cruises to destinations like the Galapagos Islands, exclusive cruises, and discounts on-land at places like MGM Resorts and Hertz.
Crown & Anchor Society — Royal Caribbean
Guests aboard Royal Caribbean will be automatically enrolled in the company's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program after their first cruise is complete.
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Guests aboard Royal Caribbean will be automatically enrolled in the company's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program after their first cruise is complete. Sailors will earn one point for each night they sail with Royal Caribbean and twice the number of points when booking a suite.
There are six membership levels starting with Gold and ending with Royal Caribbean's prestigious Pinnacle Club. While each tier offers different perks, enrollees can expect invites to exclusive events, onboard discounts, special rates, and more.
You can sign up for the VIFP program on Carnival's website. The perks are open to past and present cruisers, as well as those who haven't set sail for the first time just yet. Similar to other cruise ship loyalty programs, Carnival's includes five membership levels. The most basic level is "Blue" for your first sail.
Upon your second voyage, you will be bumped to the "Red" category and can work your way up to "Diamond" after accruing 200 points, which is the top tier. Once you get to the "Red" category, you can expect perks like a free liter of water, priority check-in and boarding, collectible pins, and more depending on your status.
Princess Cruises introduced the Captain's Circle loyalty program and it includes four different membership levels: Gold, Ruby, Platinum, and Elite. Depending on your status, the Captain's Circle program offers big perks such as members-only events, a special concierge service to help you book excursions, complimentary internet package, and even free access to your stateroom minibar.
Viking Explorer Society — Viking Cruises
Depending on your status, the Captain's Circle program offers big perks such as members-only events, a special concierge service to help you book excursions, complimentary internet package, and even free access to your stateroom minibar.
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You don't have to sign up for the Viking Explorer Society, as you be automatically enrolled after your first voyage. The membership program can help you earn travel credits for your next cruise and an invitation to a members-only cocktail party.
In addition, you will also be the first to know about Viking's new ships and itineraries and have access to limited-time deals and offers.
