Cruise line loyalty points reward repeats passengers with perks that save time and money. You earn points for each night sailed, and many programs add bonuses for suites or special promotions. Points can buy free drinks, priority boarding, cabin upgrades, or even an entire free cruise at the top levels. Knowing how points work helps you pick the line that gives the best value for your trips.
Loyalty programs differ in how they count points, set tiers, and pay out rewards. Some lines award a flat point per day, while others tie points to cabin type and fare. Tiers usually move from entry to elite and unlock better perks along the way. Many programs let you keep points year after year, so a big reward can come from steady sailing over time.
What Are Cruise Line Loyalty Programs?
A cruise line loyalty program tracks how often you sail and rewards that repeat business. You join for free, sign in when you book, and the line credits points after sailing. Points add up by nights sailed, cabin class, or promotions, and they move you through tier levels that unlock extras like priority service, discounts, and access to private lounges.
Programs aim to reward both casual and frequent cruisers, but perks vary widely. Lower tiers may offer small discounts and member-only offers. Higher tiers deliver meaningful benefits such as free specialty meals, laundry service, spa offers, and sometimes free cruises. Read each program’s rules so you know how points post, which perks are recurring, and which are one-time awards.
Major Cruise Line Loyalty Programs
Cruise line loyalty programs reward passengers who sail often. These programs track the number of nights or cruises a guest completes. Guests earn points or credit each time they sail with the same company. Loyalty programs keep guests coming back, building long-term customer relationships for the cruise lines. Joining the program is usually automatic after the first sailing or requires a simple sign-up.
Azamara Cruises: Circle Loyalty Program
The Azamara Circle Loyalty Program recognizes guests who sail frequently with the cruise line. Members earn credits based on the number of nights sailed. This program enhances the boutique cruise experience with exclusive invitations and complimentary services. Perks can include laundry services, cocktail parties, and even free cruises at the top tier. The program works simply by crediting one point for every night spent on an Azamara voyage. These points determine a member's tier level and the associated benefits.
Tiers
- Explorer: 1 to 4 completed sailings.
- Discoverer: 5 to 9 completed sailings.
- Globetrotter: 10 to 14 completed sailings.
- Voyager: 15 to 19 completed sailings.
- Achiever: 20 or more completed sailings.
Carnival Cruise Line: VIFP (Soon to Be Carnival Rewards)
Carnival's Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club is transitioning into Carnival Rewards. The program is designed to reward guests who love the fun, lively atmosphere of Carnival cruises. Perks start with member-only promotions and grow to include priority check-in, exclusive gifts, and complimentary dining. Guests earn one VIFP point every day they cruise with Carnival. These points never expire and are the sole factor in determining membership tier. The goal is to make every sailing more rewarding for repeat guests.
Tiers
- Blue: First cruise.
- Red: Second cruise or 1 to 24 VIFP Points.
- Gold: 25 to 74 VIFP Points.
- Platinum: 75 to 199 VIFP Points.
- Diamond: 200+ VIFP Points.
Also Read: New Carnival Rewards Program: Earn & Save on Cruises
Celebrity Cruises: Captain's Club Loyalty Program
The Captain's Club is Celebrity Cruises' way of recognizing its repeat passengers. The program offers a range of benefits that add comfort and convenience to the cruise. Perks include savings on internet packages, complimentary specialty coffees, discounted upgrades, and access to an exclusive departure lounge. Members earn points based on the stateroom category and the number of nights sailed. Sailing in a suite or The Retreat significantly increases the points earned per night. Guests achieve new tiers by accumulating these points.
Tiers
- Preview: Booked first cruise.
- Select: 30 to 74 Club Points.
- Elite: 75 to 149 Club Points.
- Elite Plus: 150 to 299 Club Points.
- Zenith: 300+ Club Points.
Also Read: Guide on Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club Loyalty Program
Costa Cruises: C|Club Loyalty Program
The Costa C|Club rewards loyal guests with discounts, upgrades, and exclusive experiences. This program is structured to enhance the Italian-style cruise vacation. Perks range from onboard credits and dedicated phone support to priority boarding and special gourmet dining events. Guests earn points based on the number of cruise nights and the type of stateroom chosen, along with onboard spending. Members move through four main tiers as their point totals increase.
Tiers
- Blue: 1 to 2,000 points.
- Bronze: 2,001 to 5,000 points.
- Silver: 5,001 to 30,000 points.
- Gold: 30,001 to 140,000 points.
Also Read: What are the loyalty levels on Celebrity Cruise?
Cunard: Cunard World Club Loyalty Program
The Cunard World Club is a classic program reflecting the elegance and tradition of the cruise line. It rewards guests who sail on the Queens and offers distinct benefits for each tier. Perks include complimentary internet minutes, priority embarkation and disembarkation, onboard savings, and dedicated host services. Guests earn membership status based on the number of nights sailed or the number of completed voyages. Achieving a higher tier unlocks more sophisticated and useful rewards.
Tiers
- Silver: One voyage completed.
- Gold: Two voyages completed or 20 nights.
- Platinum: Seven voyages completed or 70 nights.
- Diamond: 15 voyages completed or 150 nights.
Also Read: Does Carnival Have a Loyalty Program?
Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Club Loyalty Program
The Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line's program for repeat cruisers. It is designed to extend the magical Disney experience for loyal guests. Perks include early booking for new itineraries, dedicated member check-in, exclusive merchandise, and a special welcome back gift. Membership is based simply on the number of completed cruises. Every sailing count as one cruise, and tiers are automatically updated after disembarkation.
Tiers
- Silver: 1 to 4 completed cruises.
- Gold: 5 to 9 completed cruises.
- Platinum: 10 to 24 completed cruises.
- Pearl: 25 or more completed cruises.
Holland America Line: Mariner Society Loyalty Program
Holland America Line’s Mariner Society recognizes and rewards its frequent guests with a focus on travel enrichment and convenience. Perks include discounts on specialty restaurant reservations, collectible gifts, a dedicated Mariner Society cruise consultant, and early booking access. Guests earn cruise credits based on the number of days sailed, with bonus credits for booking suites and for onboard purchases. These credits accumulate over a guest's cruising history to determine their tier status.
Tiers
- Star Mariner: 1 to 29 cruise days.
- 2-Star Mariner: 30 to 74 cruise days.
- 3-Star Mariner: 75 to 149 cruise days.
- 4-Star Mariner: 150 to 299 cruise days.
- 5-Star Mariner: 300 to 499 cruise days.
- 6-Star Mariner: 500+ cruise days.
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Hurtigruten and HX: 1893 Ambassador Loyalty Program
The 1893 Ambassador Program covers sailings on Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Voyages. It rewards guests who return to explore the Norwegian coast. Perks include discounts on future coastal voyages, special offers on excursions, and a welcome gift. Membership is earned after completing a cruise of three nights or more on the Norwegian Coastal Express. This single-tier program offers a set of benefits to all qualifying members.
Tiers
- Ambassador: One eligible cruise completed.
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions): HX Explorers Loyalty Program
The HX Explorers Loyalty Program is specifically for guests who travel on the expedition ships of HX. It rewards those who look for adventures in remote destinations. Perks include booking discounts, complimentary laundry service, and an exclusive onboard gift. Guests are automatically enrolled after completing their first expedition cruise. The program has two main tiers based on the number of completed voyages.
Tiers
- Explorer: 1 to 4 completed voyages.
- Pioneer: 5 or more completed voyages.
MSC Cruises: MSC Voyagers Club Loyalty Program
The MSC Voyagers Club is a worldwide program offering a wide array of discounts and priority services for guests. It enhances the experience aboard MSC's contemporary European-style ships. Perks include discounts on all future cruise bookings, complimentary specialty dining experiences, priority boarding, and a welcome back cocktail. Members earn points based on the length of the cruise, the type of experience booked, and prepurchase onboard services. Higher point totals lead to better benefits.
Tiers
- Welcome: Enrollment and first booking.
- Classic: 1 to 2,199 points.
- Silver: 2,200 to 4,299 points.
- Gold: 4,300 to 9,999 points.
- Diamond: 10,000+ points.
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Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program
Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards program is designed to give guests more of what they love about cruising. It is a straightforward program that focuses on saving time and money. Perks include cocktail parties, discounts on shore excursions and photos, priority tender access, and complimentary water bottles. Guests earn one credit for every night sailed, with bonus credits for booking a suite or a Latitudes Rewards offer. The number of credits determines a member's tier level.
Tiers
- Bronze: 1 to 19 points.
- Silver: 20 to 39 points.
- Gold: 40 to 74 points.
- Platinum: 75 to 149 points.
- Sapphire: 150 to 349 points.
- Diamond: 350 to 699 points.
- Ambassador: 700+ points.
Oceania Cruises: Oceania Club Cruise Loyalty Program
The Oceania Club rewards repeat guests with a focus on value and comfort aboard the line's upper-premium ships. Perks include exclusive pricing, cocktail receptions, complimentary laundry service, and significant shipboard credits that increase with each tier. Membership is based on the number of completed voyages. As guests complete more cruises, they move to higher tiers with increasingly valuable benefits.
Tiers
- Bronze: 1 to 4 completed voyages.
- Silver: 5 to 9 completed voyages.
- Gold: 10 to 14 completed voyages.
- Platinum: 15 to 19 completed voyages.
- Diamond: 20 to 39 completed voyages.
- President’s Circle: 40 or more completed voyages.
Princess Cruises: Captain's Circle Loyalty Program
Princess Cruises' Captain's Circle is one of the most established programs in the industry. It rewards repeat passengers with priority services and valuable savings. Perks include discounts on cruise fares, early access to new itineraries, priority disembarkation, and complimentary internet credits. Guests earn cruise credits based on the number of sailings or the number of days sailed. Booking a suite or sailing in the inaugural season of a new ship can earn double credits.
Tiers
- Gold: 1 completed cruise or 10 cruise days.
- Ruby: 4 completed cruises or 31 cruise days.
- Platinum: 5 completed cruises or 51 cruise days.
- Elite: 15 completed cruises or 151 cruise days.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Seven Seas Society Loyalty Program
The Seven Seas Society is the loyalty program for Regent Seven Seas, reflecting the line's all-inclusive luxury experience. Perks focus on enhancing the high-end experience, including priority access to new voyages, complimentary air deviation, and a special dedicated onboard host. Membership is earned based on the number of nights sailed. All guests receive automatic membership after their first cruise, and benefits grow at each tier level.
Tiers
- Bronze: 7 to 20 nights.
- Silver: 21 to 74 nights.
- Gold: 75 to 199 nights.
- Platinum: 200 to 399 nights.
- Titanium: 400 to 999 nights.
- Ambassador: 1,000+ nights.
Also Read: Royal Caribbean Diamond Benefits: Complete Perks Guide
Royal Caribbean Cruises: Crown and Anchor Society Cruise Loyalty Program
The Crown and Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean's well-known loyalty program. It provides a wide range of benefits for guests on their massive fleet. Perks include exclusive events, discounts on beverages and the internet, priority access, and complimentary gifts. Guests earn one cruise point for every night sailed, with double points for booking a suite. These points earn over a lifetime, allowing members to climb through the six tiers.
Tiers
- Gold: 3 to 29 cruise points.
- Platinum: 30 to 54 cruise points.
- Emerald: 55 to 79 cruise points.
- Diamond: 80 to 174 cruise points.
- Diamond Plus: 175 to 699 cruise points.
- Pinnacle Club: 700+ cruise points.
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Seabourn Cruises: Seabourn Club
The Seabourn Club is the luxury cruise line program designed to reward guests with services that enhance their ultra-luxury experience. Perks include a complimentary cruise upgrade, a substantial discount on future bookings, and an exclusive gift. Members earn points based on the length of their cruise and on eligible onboard purchases. The program works by converting cruise days into a points total.
Tiers
- Club Member: 1 to 139 points.
- Club Select: 140 to 249 points.
- Club Star: 250 to 999 points.
- Club Diamond: 1,000+ points.
Silversea Cruises: Venetian Society Cruise Loyalty Program
The Venetian Society is Silversea's program, offering an exclusive club feel for its luxury clientele. It rewards guests with amenities that make their voyage feel more special. Perks include a private cocktail reception, onboard recognition, a $200 Future Cruise Credit, and a special gift. All guests automatically become members after completing their first cruise. Benefits are cumulative and increase with the number of days sailed.
Tiers
- Tier progression is generally based on the number of days sailed, with notable recognition at 100 days, 250 days, etc.
Viking: Explorer Society Cruise Loyalty Program
The Viking Explorer Society rewards guests who travel with both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises. This program focuses on offering savings for future voyages. Perks include reduced pricing on sailings, a shipboard credit for booking within a year of the last cruise, and special offers. Guests become members after their first cruise. The main benefit is the savings on future cruises, which encourages immediate rebooking.
Tiers
- All guests are members after their first cruise. The primary benefit is Explorer Society Savings, which is a future cruise discount that expires 12 months after the last sailing.
Virgin Voyages: Sailing Club
Virgin Voyages' Sailing Club is a new program that rewards its loyal "sailors" with unique and valuable perks. The program reflects the brand's contemporary and fun approach to cruising. Perks include priority access to booking, an exclusive cocktail event, and complimentary services like coffee and laundry. Guests earn "Tokens" based on the number of nights they sail, and special status is granted to those who sail three or more times in a set period.
Tiers
- The Deep Blue: Achieved after three cruises.
Also Read: Virgin Voyages Loyalty Program Earn Rewards and Exclusive Perks
Pros & Cons of Cruise Loyalty Programs
Cruise loyalty programs aim to reward frequent passengers. These programs offer various benefits that can improve a vacation. Guests should get the advantages against potential drawbacks before committing to one cruise line. The value of membership often depends on how often a person sails and what perks they use.
Pros of Cruise Loyalty Programs
The rewards from cruise loyalty programs offer clear benefits for repeat guests. They provide extra value that a regular passenger does not receive. Higher tiers grant access to VIP treatment, saving time, and creating a more comfortable sailing experience.
- Priority Services: Members often board and disembark the ship before other passengers. These saves waiting time at the terminal. Priority tender service lets members get to port destinations faster.
- Onboard Savings: Programs give discounts on items like Wi-Fi packages, beverage purchases, and specialty dining. Guests can save money on vacation costs. Many lines offer complimentary laundry services for high-tier members.
- Exclusive Events: Guests in upper tiers get invitations to private cocktail parties and receptions with ship officers. These events provide unique social opportunities. Some programs offer free dining credits for specialty restaurants.
- Status Recognition: The loyalty tier appears on a guest cruise card. Crew members recognize this status, which sometimes leads to better service. Guests feel appreciated for their repeated business.
- Future Cruise Discounts: Many programs offer reduced fares or onboard credit for booking the next cruise while still sailing. This can make future travel more affordable. Programs like Viking's Explorer Society focus heavily on this benefit.
Cons of Cruise Loyalty Programs
While perks are nice, loyalty programs can limit a cruiser's choices. The drive to reach a higher tier sometimes causes guests to book a less desirable cruise. Not all perks offer significant value, especially at lower membership levels.
- Brand Lock-in: Guests may feel pressured to sail with one cruise line to maintain or advance their status. This prevents them from trying different ships or itineraries offered by competitors. Guests sacrifice variety for status.
- Low Initial Value: Benefits in the entry-level tiers are often minor, like a small discount or a basic welcome gift. New members sometimes wait through many cruises before earning truly valuable perks. For example, priority boarding often starts at Gold or Platinum levels.
- Overspending for Perks: Some loyalty programs reward onboard spending with extra points. This can encourage guests to spend more than they planned to reach the next tier faster. The desire for status can outweigh financial sense.
- Perk Availability: Priority services like reserved seating or faster check-in can still involve a wait during busy times. The promise of priority does not always guarantee instant service. Many passengers share the same high-tier status.
- Complexity: Rules for earning points vary greatly among cruise lines. Some count nights, others count voyages, and some factor in stateroom type. Guests must track multiple programs, which makes comparison difficult.
Final Words
Cruise loyalty programs reward guests with perks that improve the vacation experience. These benefits range from faster boarding to complimentary gifts and future cruise discounts. Guests should choose the cruise line that best matches their travel style and budget. Focus on finding the best vacation value, not simply chasing the highest membership tier. A loyalty program adds extra enjoyment when it fits the traveler's natural cruising habits.
