As a reminder, if you're booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, please take a minute to join their Crown and Anchor society loyalty program.

You begin to get benefits after the first cruise. Here's the real benefits that we've seen with each level:

Gold (2-5 Cruises)
A coupon book worth a couple of free drinks, discounts on photos, and casino match play
A quarterly newsletter/brochure that has had a few good dollars off coupons for selected future cruises.

Platinum (6-10 Cruises)
Special priority check in line
A "better than gold" coupon book (more good coupons)
Robe in the room
Open bar reception (we were invited to a 1 hour open bar reception at the Viking Crown lounge on our last Sovereign of the Seas cruise)
Priority disembarkation
Same newsletter, with higher value dollars off coupons

Diamond (11+ Cruises)
Special priority check in line
A "better than Platinum" coupon book
Robe in the room
Open bar reception (Plats/Diamonds were invited to a 1 hour open bar reception at the Viking Crown lounge on our last Sovereign of the Seas cruise)
Priority disembarkation
Same newsletter, with higher value dollars off coupons
Cabin Upgrades (friends on their last Voyager of the Seas cruise booked a cheap oceanview GTY category and received a suite.)

The real benefits kick in at the Platinum level. They are very good at allowing retroactive credit if you've already taken a cruise, an once you achieve a level you keep it (no requalifying).

Its worth taking the time to join.

More details here: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/asp/ca...p?s=0CE7F95301


[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 02-10-2003).]

Cutting the check-in line and 45 minutes of free drinks are the main benefit. As far as I know, no cruise line rewards frequent guests with significant upgrades - they still seem to do upgrades pretty much in order of fare paid.

QL

For Mrs SKO, it is all about the robes.

QL, have you tried booking GTY cabins? We've had good experiences as Gold and now Platinums getting decent cabin assignments when it is offered.

On our last trip we booked a GTY (Category "X") oceanview on the Sovereign of the Seas and wound up with a decent 8th floor cabin. A couple that we met at the Viking Crown reception booked the same cat "X" and wound up on the 10th floor in a "larger ocean view" (3rd best on the ship) stateroom as a Diamond.

It strikes me as a no brainer. They only offer GTY when the ship isn't sold/selling, so you can really score a good room for less.

[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 02-10-2003).]

Yes, I have booked GTY and also specific cabin classes. If RCCL is upgrading Diamonds ahead of higher fare-paying non-status passengers it's news to me. Plus, I would hope for a Starwood-style upgrade to "best available cabin," not simply a slightly larger cabin. It other words I don't see too much value in remaining loyal to one cruise line because I don't see a very valuable benefit.

QL

Yesterday I tried to book a cruise for my brother, who's a Diamond member, and they said he *might* be upgraded at boarding. I was suprised - this is the first time RC hasn't offered anything.

[This message has been edited by flowerchild (edited 02-11-2003).]

rccl had added a new cruise feature but it has a cost,called KEY and has more than diamond benefits and takes away some from crown and anchor such as first off the ship when departing and eliminates diamond plus first off. Had to wait 40 minutes to get off empress yesterday.

Looks like they are taking a page from the airline Industry.

BTTW, never before saw a thread reactivated after 16 1/2 years. A new FT record?

Also caught the date on the origin posting. 😀👍 Can�t help but wonder how many cruise lines have revamped, reorganized, improved, etc., etc., their loyalty programs over that time? Safe bet is the majority and probably more than once or twice. I know we were cruising with Holland America pretty regularly 16+ years ago and I can think of at least two major overhauls and several minor changes over that period. It�s gotten to be with their high returning customer rate, one of the highest in the industry, loyalty benefits are extended to so many that it virtually wipes out the benefits.

I have to agree the KEY program is killing my loyalty to RCCL. I am currently Diamond Plus, have no intention to actively cruise with Royal Caribbean any more.

The Key used to be a bargain and I got it for 5 different sailings even though I was Diamond Plus. I only stop purchasing it because Im now Pinnacle and get all the benefits the Key guests get but more. Luckily I turned Pinnacle just before they modify the key program and made it more expensive and changed some perks around.

Just want to add Pinnacle Club comes with an amazing perk and that�s a free cruise for every 350 points earn starting at 700 points. They send you a certificate and you just have to pick that free cruise before it expires. You can either have your pick of a 7 night cruise or $2,400 off most sailings. I ended up with a free 14 nights Transpacific Cruise in a Junior Spa Suite.

If you think you might cruise often with RCL, think about the shareholder benefit program. Also applies to Celebrity and Azamara. The stock usually pays dividends too. If you have an IRA, you can usually buy it within, so no extra cash outlay:


https://www.rclinvestor.com/faqs/shareholder-benefit/