Best Frequent Cruiser Program?

[bumbles]

Hi All,

 

I'm fairly new to cruising having just booked our second cruise - but I must say, our first cruise was a great time had by the entire family! My husband and I especially enjoy it because we don't have to do anything! No cooking, no cleaning, no driving...

 

Our kids are going to be out of high school in a few years and my husband and I will no longer be restricted by school vacations, etc. when booking a cruise...so we're hoping to do it more often.

 

In your opinion, which cruise lines offer the best frequent cruiser programs...and are the cruise line branded credit cards worth taking a look at?

 

Thanks!

Stacy

[Teetype]

Hi All,

 

I'm fairly new to cruising having just booked our second cruise - but I must say, our first cruise was a great time had by the entire family! My husband and I especially enjoy it because we don't have to do anything! No cooking, no cleaning, no driving...

 

Our kids are going to be out of high school in a few years and my husband and I will no longer be restricted by school vacations, etc. when booking a cruise...so we're hoping to do it more often.

 

In your opinion, which cruise lines offer the best frequent cruiser programs...and are the cruise line branded credit cards worth taking a look at?

 

Thanks!

Stacy

 

Hand's down, it would be Princess. Do a search of the Princess board for "FCC" and you'll find a ton of info.

 

Tee

[paul929207]

I am not an expert on all the different programs.

 

The Princess Captain's Circle offers a number of nice perks after you have sailed a number of cruises.

 

The first level (cruise 2 thru 5), you get a cocktail party.

 

Second level (6-15 cruises) - priority boarding, debarkation lounge, internet credit of $75 to $200 depending on length of cruise.

 

Third level (16+ cruises) - free laundry and dry cleaning, priority tender tickets, wine tasting, minibar setup, evening hor'doevers and a 10% discount in the onboard botiques.

 

You can also quilify for the higher levels based on number of days on Princess. This helps if you take longer cruises.

 

There is also a Captain's luncheon for the top customers on each cruise.

[cruisemom42]

Here is a link to this topic from last week for some additional responses (ore maybe the same ones....;) )

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=832002

[Solara]

For sure it's Princess!!!:p

[firefly333]

Here is a link to this topic from last week for some additional responses (ore maybe the same ones....;) )

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=832002

 

You beat me to it. Same thread that is still being discussed. Obviously it is RCL. Princess folks are saying how they get next cruise and all that, ahhhh, so does RCL plus lots of better things, like $$$ off cruises.

 

I dont see how anyone can believe Princess has the best past cruiser perks other than its only because they are loyal to the Princess brand and ignoring the perks on RCL because its not their brand of choice.

[bumbles]

Here is a link to this topic from last week for some additional responses (ore maybe the same ones....;) )

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=832002

 

 

Whoops! :o I did a search...honest!! Thanks for the link!!

[barbarah33]

I have to give the biggest thumbs-up to Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society. I am diamond with them and platinum with Princess so I have certainly experienced each. (And my next two cruises are with Royal and Princess so I do like both.) However, RCCL not only has lots of perks like cocktail parties, priority embarkation and debarkation - and their debarkation is much better than Princess's where you simply get a room to wait in: on Royal they give you a lounge to wait in then escort you off ahead of the crowds. You also get a coupon book with each cruise and once you hit diamond that book has some great things in it like a free photo, free cocktail in a souvenir glass, free wine or beer, free ice cream from Ben and Jerry's, etc. But those aren't even what I would consider the best part/perk. With RCCL you make a reservation for whatever cruise you want at a price you are happy with then you, or your TA, calls the Captain's Club and depending on what kind of cabin you booked, they just take off additional money! How can you beat that - that is money in the bank so-to- speak.

I think any past-passenger program is great and any perk is wonderful and I appreciate the cruise lines offering such things but, IMHO, Royal Caribbean has the best.

[caber]

Princess!

Having my laundry done is just wonderful.

[gertz]

Princess!

Having my laundry done is just wonderful.

 

And dry cleaning.

 

GERTZ

Princess Elite

Next Tahitian Vancouver to Honolulu

Coral 4/12 FLL to LA

Island 8/17 Back to Alaska 4th time w/grandson:D

[fllady]

Although Princess, after doing 15 cruises will do laundry, dry cleaning etc, I am not there yet, and so I give my vote for RCL. I like the concierge room, especially, and the little gifts we get each day makes my grandchildren happy too. The coupon book is well worth being Diamond andAlso enjoy the Meet and Greet party, which I don't have to try and get going like I do on Princess. Now when I reach my 16th cruise on Princess I might have to change my vote!:D ;)

[BILLP1]

Regent. After 21 days you get free internet as well as one hours worth of free phone call from the ship and some kind of limited free clothes pressing. Also discounts on some cruises and a very nice cocktail party on the ship.

[sail7seas]

Remember nothing in cruising is free. All these wonderful programs all cost money. All of these 'free' things have all been built into prices paid.

 

Go by the ship, the itinerary, the crews, the price...... the 'package' you like best.

 

JMO........

[cruiselover57]

Hi All,

 

I'm fairly new to cruising having just booked our second cruise - but I must say, our first cruise was a great time had by the entire family! My husband and I especially enjoy it because we don't have to do anything! No cooking, no cleaning, no driving...

 

Our kids are going to be out of high school in a few years and my husband and I will no longer be restricted by school vacations, etc. when booking a cruise...so we're hoping to do it more often.

 

In your opinion, which cruise lines offer the best frequent cruiser programs...and are the cruise line branded credit cards worth taking a look at?

 

Thanks!

Stacy

 

Hi Stacy,

 

I'm Diamond on RCI, Elite on Celebrity, Elilte on Princess and Platinum on Carnival (they are all the top dog as we say)! As of right now, I'd probably say Princess wins hands-down because of the laundry, dry cleaning, internet time, etc. I don't remember RCI doing laundry (Carnival does) but I do remember RCI giving free access to their Concierge Lounge before/after dinner for about 3 hours (free drinks, hors d'oeuvres, etc.) but I heard that might have changed to people who book suites only - not sure though. It was a nice touch though - haven't been on RCI over a year but will be on Princess in December on the Golden. You should take a look at each of their websites and they should list all the perks.

[jagoffee]

Don't be afraid to try different lines and not just stay with one cruise line for the "Perks". Personally I do not think that the perks are more valuable than the other factors like the ship and itinerary. I do have my favorites, but I try others. It is also important to not let the experience on one ship in a cruise line prevent you from trying a different ship especially if the first one was an older ship.

[shining gem]

Although Princess, after doing 15 cruises will do laundry, dry cleaning etc, I am not there yet, and so I give my vote for RCL. I like the concierge room, especially, and the little gifts we get each day makes my grandchildren happy too. The coupon book is well worth being Diamond andAlso enjoy the Meet and Greet party, which I don't have to try and get going like I do on Princess. Now when I reach my 16th cruise on Princess I might have to change my vote!:D ;)

You don't need to do 16 cruises anymore! You need a certain number of sea days now. The system has changed slightly and I think you need a total of 150 sea days now to qualify for Elite. You may be there already.

We have done only four cruises but our sea day total has us Platinum with Princess already as our cruises are usually long ones. After our next one we will have Elite and will be able to have our laundry done, yippee! So, check it out!

[geoherb]

I am not very loyal. I'm looking for the best price and itinerary that meet our limited timeframe. Our last cruise was on Princess--and it was our sixth Princess cruise. The free Internet minutes were great. But I'd gladly give them up to sail again on HAL or Celebrity this year if the prices work out better.

[silentbob007]

I agree with others ... perks are nice, but I try not to be blinded by them and instead chose the ship, itinerary, and ... price that I really want.

[WEELYNCRUZER]

I just got of RCCL. We are 2 cruises away from Diamond plus. Diamond gives us a lot of perks like free drinks in the concierge lounge. We usually book inside cabins. When we hit diamond plus 15 cruises we get free laundry as well.Weave done 12 on princess no free laundry but they do have laundramats if your so inclined to use them.

[WEELYNCRUZER]

I just got of RCCL. We are 2 cruises away from Diamond plus. Diamond gives us a lot of perks like free drinks in the concierge lounge. We usually book inside cabins. When we hit diamond plus 15 cruises we get free laundry as well.Weave done 12 on princess no free laundry but they do have laundramats if your so inclined to use them.

[cassieroll]

I have to say Royal Caribbean also. :D

[Teetype]

Hi All,

 

I'm fairly new to cruising having just booked our second cruise - but I must say, our first cruise was a great time had by the entire family! My husband and I especially enjoy it because we don't have to do anything! No cooking, no cleaning, no driving...

 

Our kids are going to be out of high school in a few years and my husband and I will no longer be restricted by school vacations, etc. when booking a cruise...so we're hoping to do it more often.

 

In your opinion, which cruise lines offer the best frequent cruiser programs...and are the cruise line branded credit cards worth taking a look at?

 

Thanks!

Stacy

 

Hi Stacy:

 

When I hopped in and answered with my oversimplified "PRINCESS!" I really should have qualified it.

 

I am simply not interested in cocktails parties (though Princess has one for repeats), free mugs, t-shirts, other ship trinkets. Nor do I care about special lounges for embarkation (I got right on my last ship, no wait) or debarkation.

 

I do care about coming up with only $100 pp to hold any cruise. I do LOVE getting free on board credits for both people in the cabin even when only one used an FCC. I VERY much care about the special promotions they run just for repeaters -- on my two next cruises not only is the rate terrific but I got a ton of OBC on each.

 

There are 3 levels for repeaters, I'm at the lowest, but after 1 cruise, anyone can buy FCCs so I'm a happy camper. At higher levels, people get one free bar set-up per stateroom, free laundry and dry cleaning services, free internet time. I guess there are a few more perks.

 

Basically, when I look to loyalty programs, I look for the practical. Mugs and glasses will only go to the back of my cupboard for a few years then end up at Goodwill. :)

 

Tee

[Solara]

Hi Stacy:

 

When I hopped in and answered with my oversimplified "PRINCESS!" I really should have qualified it.

 

I am simply not interested in cocktails parties (though Princess has one for repeats), free mugs, t-shirts, other ship trinkets. Nor do I care about special lounges for embarkation (I got right on my last ship, no wait) or debarkation.

 

I do care about coming up with only $100 pp to hold any cruise. I do LOVE getting free on board credits for both people in the cabin even when only one used an FCC. I VERY much care about the special promotions they run just for repeaters -- on my two next cruises not only is the rate terrific but I got a ton of OBC on each.

 

There are 3 levels for repeaters, I'm at the lowest, but after 1 cruise, anyone can buy FCCs so I'm a happy camper. At higher levels, people get one free bar set-up per stateroom, free laundry and dry cleaning services, free internet time. I guess there are a few more perks.

 

Basically, when I look to loyalty programs, I look for the practical. Mugs and glasses will only go to the back of my cupboard for a few years then end up at Goodwill. :)

 

Tee

I'll second again for Princess. The FCC credits that you only have to put down a $100 deposit and still get onboard credit can' be beat.

[Plant]

Hi Stacy:

 

When I hopped in and answered with my oversimplified "PRINCESS!" I really should have qualified it.

 

I am simply not interested in cocktails parties (though Princess has one for repeats), free mugs, t-shirts, other ship trinkets. Nor do I care about special lounges for embarkation (I got right on my last ship, no wait) or debarkation.

 

I do care about coming up with only $100 pp to hold any cruise. I do LOVE getting free on board credits for both people in the cabin even when only one used an FCC. I VERY much care about the special promotions they run just for repeaters -- on my two next cruises not only is the rate terrific but I got a ton of OBC on each.

 

There are 3 levels for repeaters, I'm at the lowest, but after 1 cruise, anyone can buy FCCs so I'm a happy camper. At higher levels, people get one free bar set-up per stateroom, free laundry and dry cleaning services, free internet time. I guess there are a few more perks.

 

Basically, when I look to loyalty programs, I look for the practical. Mugs and glasses will only go to the back of my cupboard for a few years then end up at Goodwill. :)

 

Tee

 

I agree with Tee, too. Practical perks are much better than trinkets! We really enjoy Princess, so besides the repeater's "Perks" we also have the Princess credit card so that we can get other "Perks".

[bumbles]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. Sounds like there's some research to do, and I will definitely look into the Princess program. I appreciate you taking the time to post! :)

 

Happy cruising!