Cruise lines free be'ssssss

[mychka-tsunami]

my question might sound strange to some of you, but i need a straight answer in order to lead me in the right direction. Being new to this cruising world and really enjoying it, i see and hear of Latitudes club, Crown & Anchor society and others from Carnival, Princess, Holland America, just to name a few...

 

which cruise lines gives the best incentives to the frequent loyal customer?

 

Recently i met a couple who have completed at least 20 to 25 cruises with the same cruise line, i think they have the diamond pin or better, but the get free cruises every year or upgrades from regular oceanview cabin to suites.

 

Does any one knows what each companies provide as incentive for their guests and many cruises are necessary?

 

I would hate to wake-up one day realizing that i missed the boat by not knowing that!

 

Thank you for your time and experience of the seas;)

[gizmo]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I have never heard of free cruises or always getting an upgrade because of some type of status. :confused:

 

To my knowledge the only type of things you can get is early embarkation, and invite to cocktail party, and things like that. Nothing close to what this couple said.

[caviargal]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I have never heard of free cruises or always getting an upgrade because of some type of status. :confused:

 

To my knowledge the only type of things you can get is early embarkation, and invite to cocktail party, and things like that. Nothing close to what this couple said.

 

On RCI as Diamond Plus, I get free upgrades to best available cabin 3 weeks prior to sailing, Concierge Club with cocktails and breakfast daily, gifts in the cabin every evening and was recently given a complimentary 2 night cruise on Freedom for two. Early debarkation is also much appreciated and we are escorted off by the LA shortly after the ship arrives in port.

 

Their perks are excellent.:)

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We are "only" Platinum Crown and Anchor, but to show what I appreciate... this morning the C&A debarkation lounge for Platinum and up was the luxuriously appointed Pharoah's lounge on Freedom of the Seas. We arrived there and the crew had a continental breakfast set up with coffee and tea. We were able to wait there in comfort for our departure colors to be called.

 

I really appreciated that perk. The chairs and sofas were very comfortable and we were not crowded in that spacious place. Maybe that doesn't seem like much to some people, not enough to keep one loyal to one brand of cruise line, but I really appreciated that gesture.

[kitty9]

Only two cruise lines that I'm aware of give a free cruise to passengers as a part of their frequent cruisers clubs, Seabourn and Crystal, but at least for Crystal, you don't get that perk unless you have 75 cruises with them. I've never heard of any mass market ship giving free cruises and upgrades every time they cruise. I'm an elite member for Celebrity and a Diamond Plus for RCCI and neither of those lines offer a free cruise, not even after 50 cruises. The most you get from a mass market line's program is a small gift in your cabin, luggage tags, special check in line, maybe a lounge to sit in before you check in, special consideration for dining room assignments, a pin with a tiny diamond chip, invitations to galley tours, wine tastings and things like that, priority wait lists for sold out excursions, and things like that and for most of those things, you have to be at their highest award level. I've never been offered an upgrade on RCCI, even with being at their highest level.

[CaptData]

On Princess in the higher level you get free laundry which on a 14 day cruise is great.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

One Category Upgrade

One-category upgrade requests must be made at the time of booking and apply only for inside-to-inside or outside-to-outside staterooms, depending on availability. This offer cannot be used with certain restricted fares. Upgrades apply for one stateroom per cruise. Stateroom assignments only. Suites, ConciergeClass and verandas excluded. Not valid on holiday sailings or Reunion Cruises. Zenith, Century, Galaxy, Mercury, Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation: Upgrades available from categories 11-4.

[jlp20]

>>>which cruise lines gives the best incentives to the frequent loyal customer?

I would hate to wake-up one day realizing that i missed the boat by not knowing that!

 

Two things wrong with your idea:

1. Why choose a cruise line based on freebees if you don’t like the ships or the service that cruise line provides.

 

2. Say over the years you take 9 cruises with Bob’ cruiseline which have been poor at best, but one more cruise and you get that free robe to take home. Call to make that 10Th cruise and find the entire program has been scraped.

 

Cruise for the moment, not for any free crap.

__________________

Anything that doesn't kill you, just hurts a hell of a lot

 

Sea Princess

Star Princess

Carnival Pride

Diamond Princess

Sapphire Princess

[Deck10 007]

You can cruise forever contiuously if you are a gambler. If you follow my other posting in this website I have been on 50+ cruises in the past 1-2 years. Yes there were times when I have spend more time on the ship than on land. Yes there were times when you feel a bit stale going on the ship. This is when you know it is better to stay on land for a little longer.

So what should I do next. Just do the same again, I think.

[mychka-tsunami]

I agree 100% with you, but it is always nice to know that these perks do exist, i'll even go a bit further, one company will give you on board credit just for purchasing a certain amount of their shares on NYSE.

 

P.S. the perks that were mentionned did not come from Bob's steamship line!!!

Happy cruising

[Virga]

On Princess in the higher level you get free laundry which on a 14 day cruise is great.

 

They also give free internet to their Platinum (5+?) sailers - something I'd happily make full use of, especially after they open up wireless (which is coming, however eventually...)

[mrgabriel]

I agree 100% with you, but it is always nice to know that these perks do exist, i'll even go a bit further, one company will give you on board credit just for purchasing a certain amount of their shares on NYSE.

 

That could be an expensive perq ... so you buy a hundred shares at 40 and get a $50 onboard credit . Then the market turns or they report unexpectedly poor earnings and the stock drops to 20 - you're out $2000 for in return for a $50 credit. IMO - it's risky!

[mychka-tsunami]

That could be an expensive perq ... so you buy a hundred shares at 40 and get a $50 onboard credit . Then the market turns or they report unexpectedly poor earnings and the stock drops to 20 - you're out $2000 for in return for a $50 credit. IMO - it's risky!

 

Risky???

Life itself is risky, what is 100 shares of a sound company, that will give you up to $250.00 of onboard credit, everytime you set sail year after year.

 

Being a sound company, those shares should also increase in value over the years. Nothing to do with the scandals or scams that we all heard of in the recent years from Energy giant or other.

 

Plus it's always nice to set aside a little nest for the future.

Not having a nest is risky!!!!

[Virga]

I really appreciate your mentioning the stock tip - I don't know if I'll end up investing (research time!) but it certainly IS a real value.

 

Consider that 100 shares is ~4000, and you sail just a couple times a year, and you get $200 in onboard credit. That's 5%! If you sail more often (some people here seem to spend more time on a ship than on dry land) it's worth quite a lot more. If it's a steady stock, and you cruise regularly, it's like tax-free guaranteed dividends for very little investment.

[wwinfl91]

One bad thing about the cruise credit for owning shares is that if you are getting cruise credit from another source, such as having signed up ahead on a previous cruise, they won't give you the cruise credit for share ownership. They can also deny it if you are getting a special discount, such as the armed forces discount on Carnival. Basically we bought the stock for the cruise credits but have only managed to get it on about 1/2 the cruises we have been on since we purchased the stock. So take that benefit with a grain of salt.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[mychka-tsunami]

RCL on NYSE

[Judith02]

I believe with Crystal's new milestones for its past passenger program -- the Crystal Society -- you now get 7 days free at 30 cruises. I think the 75 cruise level may be for longer cruises. According to their milestone chart, double level upgrades and on board credit are available at various levels. They are not given out on each cruise, but are available when you reach a milestone.

[AWED23]

Check out Silver Seas....THEY DO GIVE CRUISES !!!!

[AWED23]

I agree 100% with you, but it is always nice to know that these perks do exist, i'll even go a bit further, one company will give you on board credit just for purchasing a certain amount of their shares on NYSE.

 

P.S. the perks that were mentionned did not come from Bob's steamship line!!!

Happy cruising

You are "on target"...CCL or its individual cruise lines, do not publicize it, but if you own just 100 shares of CCL [Approx. $41/share] you get up to $250 shipboard credit for cruises. It tops at $250 for 14 day cruises or longer and owning more shares does not generate higher credits.....This I know from personal experience and sad to say,many many travel agents are not aware of it !!! CCL makes their shareholders aware of it in their annual reports.

[AWED23]

One bad thing about the cruise credit for owning shares is that if you are getting cruise credit from another source, such as having signed up ahead on a previous cruise, they won't give you the cruise credit for share ownership. They can also deny it if you are getting a special discount, such as the armed forces discount on Carnival. Basically we bought the stock for the cruise credits but have only managed to get it on about 1/2 the cruises we have been on since we purchased the stock. So take that benefit with a grain of salt.

 

Have a great next cruise.

I do not know who your TA is, but something is amiss...On Holland America alone we have 26 cruises and AlWAYS get our ship board credit as an owner of CCL stock. I bought the stock purely as an investment 15 years ago and it has been a good one. Because we book early, often, and usually for at least 14 days or much longer, we are always receiving multiple discounts etc....I do not think that because we book suites it is of any importance because our agecy [CSI} tells me that Hollan America consistently books out their suites quickly....

[BaltiGator]

One bad thing about the cruise credit for owning shares is that if you are getting cruise credit from another source, such as having signed up ahead on a previous cruise, they won't give you the cruise credit for share ownership.

 

Two questions to anyone with experience in this matter:

 

(1) Does this apply to credits from TA's also? I would be furious if I couldn't get both the TA credit and the stock credit. One should have nothing to do with the other.

 

(2) I'm wondering if this policy might vary from line to line. The quoted poster has been mostly on HAL cruises. What about RCI/X?

[AWED23]

Two questions to anyone with experience in this matter:

 

(1) Does this apply to credits from TA's also? I would be furious if I couldn't get both the TA credit and the stock credit. One should have nothing to do with the other.

 

(2) I'm wondering if this policy might vary from line to line. The quoted poster has been mostly on HAL cruises. What about RCI/X?

...Perhaps you did not read my post re:CCL credit....I have always received my various "Perks" from Cruise Specialsts International [including shipboard credits] in addition to, and as well as, my $250 credit from Carnival Cruise Lines that I am entitled to. The credit from CCL has nothing to do with CSI...It was started as a bonus for stockholders...It is in no way a promotional credit. That is why you never, ever, see it in any advertisement. I hope this helps.

[BaltiGator]

Personally, I always read all the posts in a thread before posting. Wish everyone did that. So yes, I read your post. The information you provided is helpful but hardly nullifies my questions. In the first place, your experience may not be universal. In the second place, I'm also interested in hearing from people re RCI/X, which might do things differently.

 

Thanks.

[Latvish]

Speaking of FREE Cruises!

 

Well our May 15th cruise on Sovereign of the Seas costed us $59 for two. Not including the bar tab. Yes I typed it right. And this was a 4 night cruise. And had we waited a few months more it may have been a 7 night cruise. And all you have to pay is port taxes. Of course you can only get this if you chose a oceanview stateroom. And only from Royal Caribbean.:)

 

OK,

 

How in the world did we do this?

 

Well if you are like most folks you use a credit card to buy gas, groceries, clothing, your air fare, your cruises, and you also use it to pay for your cruise.

Well if you use the RCCL VISA card.

Every dollar = 1 point.

Every dollar spent with RCCL = 2 points.

 

You get 2500 points for getting the card

 

Your next cruise you spend $1500 per person for a room

 

thats $3000 or 6000 pts.

 

You spend $1000 onboard during your trip thats another 2000 points.

 

Your at 10500 points.

 

You spend $100 a week on gas per vehicle and have two vehicles, In 6 months you spend $5200 or 5200 points.

 

You spend $300 each week on groceries. In 6 months thats $7800 or 7800 points.

 

Your airfare for your recent vacation was $1600 or 1600 points unless you bought it through RCCL then its 3200 points.

 

You bought that new bedroom set for $2500 or 2500 points.

 

You paid Childs A tution $3000 or 3000 points

 

You reroofed your house $10,000 or 10,000 points

 

Your 52" TV broke because you forgot it was not a simulated golfing experience and your golf ball is now a part of the TV screen.

So you spent $7800 or 7800 points

 

And now you have 50,000 points on your RCCL Visa card. Here is the tough choice.

 

Do you cash in your 50,000 points for the

 

Free 3 or 4-night Bahamas or Baja sailing for 2 (outside stateroom)

 

or do you save your points for another year and shoot for

 

125,000 points:

Free 5 or 7-night Mexican Riviera or Caribbean sailing for 2 (outside

stateroom)

 

Its FREE in a sense:

 

Or you can cash in at anytime for :

You can chose 1 out of each category if you have enough points.

 

5000 points

*Upgrade on a 3 or 4-night Bahamas or Baja sailing for 2 (inside to outside stateroom)

 

*$50 USD credit toward onboard purchases

 

*2 Royal Caribbean robes delivered onboard

 

*Onboard picnic for 2 people

 

*Royal Packet – 2 Royal Caribbean towels, cameras, and messenger bags delivered to your home

 

*Royal Wear – 2 Royal Caribbean polo shirts and baseball caps delivered to your home

 

15,000 Points

 

*Upgrade on a 5 or 7-night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera sailing for 2, September–May (inside to outside stateroom)

 

*$150 USD cruise discount off any ship and itinerary

 

*Onboard Grand Romance Package including champagne, fresh flowers, gourmet appetizers, breakfast for 2 and more

 

25,000 Points

 

*Upgrade on a 5 or 7-night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera sailing for 2 (outside to balcony stateroom)*

 

*Upgrade on a 5 or 7-night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera sailing for 2, June–August (inside to outside stateroom)*

 

*Free companion fare on a 3 or 4-night Bahamas or Baja sailing (outside stateroom)*

 

50,000 points

 

*Free 3 or 4-night Bahamas or Baja sailing for 2 (outside stateroom)*

 

*$500 USD cruise discount off any ship and itinerary

 

75,000 points

 

*Free companion fare on a 5 or 7-night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera sailing (outside stateroom)*

 

125,000 points

 

*Free 5 or 7-night Mexican Riviera or Caribbean sailing for 2 (outside

stateroom)*

 

my question might sound strange to some of you, but i need a straight answer in order to lead me in the right direction. Being new to this cruising world and really enjoying it, i see and hear of Latitudes club, Crown & Anchor society and others from Carnival, Princess, Holland America, just to name a few...

 

which cruise lines gives the best incentives to the frequent loyal customer?

 

Recently i met a couple who have completed at least 20 to 25 cruises with the same cruise line, i think they have the diamond pin or better, but the get free cruises every year or upgrades from regular oceanview cabin to suites.

 

Does any one knows what each companies provide as incentive for their guests and many cruises are necessary?

 

I would hate to wake-up one day realizing that i missed the boat by not knowing that!

 

Thank you for your time and experience of the seas;)

[Latvish]

If you book onboard while you are sailing on a cruise you can save money also.

 

Whats better than a Royal Caribbean Cruise vacation?

 

Another Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

Make your reservation while you are still onboard and recieve an onboard credit of up to $200 per stateroom.

 

3, 4, and 5 nights .........$50

6, 7, and 8 nights .........$100

9 or more nights ..........$200

 

In addition to the onboard credit:

 

Crown and Anchor members can apply the savings certificate from the C & A magazine, and Platinum and Diamond members can take advantages of the discounts for balcony and suite staterooms.

 

...............................Platinum ...........Diamond

3, 4 and 5 nights .........$50 .................$100

6,7, and 8 nights .........$100............... $200

9 nights or more ..........$200............... $300

 

Stop by the Loyality Ambassador onboard your next cruise to get the savings.

 

Note for our November cruise we had a 9 night booked. We recieved $200 onboard Credit + $200 discount for a balcony plus we had a coupon for $200 off.

 

Not bad for stopping and talking about a cruise a year in advance onboard