Staying loyal to a single cruise line can pay benefits in the long term with a range
of benefits for regular passengers.
Loyalty schemes are run by a number of cruise companies to encourage repeat bookings.
Rewards for regular cruisers build up based on the number of cruise holiday taken
and can include discounts on purchase made on board through to priority embarkation
and special events on board.
Cruise Lines That Offer Loyalty Schemes
Companies such as P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal
Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises all run different schemes.
These are generally based on points being accumulated based on the number of nights
spent on board. The more time spent cruising, the better the rewards.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises’ Portunus Club rewards scheme operates on three levels of
membership with qualification for each tier based upon an escalating scale of points
earned.
The Portunus Club runs the entry level Ruby tier, then Sapphire with Gold being
the top level. On board discounts range from between five and ten per cent and there
is a member’s magazine and dedicated cruises for members.
Fred Olsen
Fred Olsen’s Oceans scheme is similar; there are three levels of membership
- Blue, Silver and Gold - depending on how many points you have, benefits are gained
accordingly. Benefits include discounts on future cruises, priority embarkation
and exclusive social gatherings on board.
Princess Cruises
The Princess Cruises’ Captain's Circle loyalty programme also has three levels.
The company calculates the past passengers' loyalty status based on the number of
cruises completed or the number of days they have spent on board - whichever is
most beneficial.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International’s Crown & Anchor Society membership was
created to show guests how much their loyalty is appreciated. Membership entitles
passengers to many exclusive benefits.
Basic membership includes a subscription to an award winning magazine; members-only
on board events and parties; sneak previews of new itineraries, ships and ports
of call, plus savings on cruises; member contests and competitions and a dedicated
Crown & Anchor Society desk for member enquiries.
The Crown & Anchor Society runs to four tiers – Gold, Platinum, Diamond
and Diamond Plus for those who have completed 24 cruises with increasingly levels
of rewards.
The scheme was extended in May to recognise younger cruise passengers by including
under-18s.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club offers exclusive benefits divided
into three levels – Classic, Select and Elite - depending on how many cruises
customers have taken.
Benefits range from cabin upgrades and welcome gifts to behind-the-scenes ship tours
and an invitation to the captain’s table at dinner.