Let Me Try Again - How Do Other Cruise Lines Loyalty Program Compare to RCCI?

[ChevyCruiser]

Please share a summary of your first-hand knowledge of cruise line's loyalty program benefits.

 

THANKS!

[ortrud]

They do not compare in any way.

[CruisinManiac]

I agree. RCCL and Celebrity win hands down with the loyalty program. ;)

[njdevil08]

Hehe, now THIS is better wording! :D ;)

 

I was curious too, so I did a little googling:

This is Carnival's, doesn't look even close to RC IMO:

Gold Benefits (you become this level after your 2nd cruise)

● Exclusive past guest offers

● Complimentary subscription to Currents magazine

● Vacation Interchange Privileges on Carnival sister brands

● Special Gold Sail & Sign card

● Invitation to special cocktail reception (5 day or longer cruise)

● Past Guest reunion cruises loaded with extras

Platinum (Carnival Concierge Club) Benefits (you become this level after your 10th cruise)

All Gold Member Benefits, plus Carnival Concierge Club benefits* including:

● Personalized stationery

● A special Carnival logo item

● Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

● Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**

● Spa Carnival priority reservations

● Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening

● Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

● Priority tender boarding

● Priority embarkation and debarkation

 

This is Norwegians, better than Carnival's but still not close to RC IMO:

Bronze Benefits (members with 1 to 4 completed cruises*)

● Access to Latitudes customer service desk

● Complimentary subscription to Latitudes, a quarterly members-only magazine

● Latitudes pricing on all sailings

● The added enjoyment of Polo Club benefits when sailing on Orient Lines' Marco Polo

● Special Latitudes check-in

● Latitudes ship pin

● Latitudes onboard liaison to answer your questions at sea

● Members-only cocktail parties hosted by the Captain

Silver Benefits (members with 5 to 8 completed cruises*)

Includes all benefits of Bronze membership, plus:

● Exclusive gathering

● Tasty treat delivered to your stateroom two times during your cruise

Gold Benefits (members with 9 to 13 completed cruises*)

Includes all benefits of Bronze & Silver membership, plus:

● Priority check-in

● VIP service, which includes: Welcome basket, Priority restaurant reservations, Priority tender tickets, Priority disembarkation*, Invitation to the Captain's cocktail party

Platinum Benefits (members with 14 or more completed cruises*)

Includes all benefits of Bronze, Silver, & Gold membership, plus:

● Complimentary dinner in Le Bistro

 

I'll continue to search and post. It just seems nothing can stack up to the C&A society.:)

[njdevil08]

Here's the Princess Loyalty Program, appears to be a long list of benefits that amount to not much compared to RC:

Gold Membership Benefits (2nd through 5th cruise)

● Preferential Pricing Offers: Throughout the year, Princess specially selects itineraries they know you love and will keep you informed of special offers and deals.

● Members only onboard Events: As a member, you will be invited to exclusive events during your cruise with Princess. These are a great way to meet fellow members!!

● Princess Passport: Their special Princess Passports are another member exclusive, giving you a unique way to record your memories of treasured adventures.

● Collectible Destination Stamps: Every time you sail with Princess, they will give you a stamp depicting the destination you have traveled. The stamps are signed by the Captain and can be displayed in your Princess Passport.

● Circle Host: Onboard every vessel, there is a Circle Host - a representative of the Princess Captain’s Circle, ready to make sure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled.

● Member Benefits Card: You have been issued a membership card which indicates your member status. This card should be kept handy at all times and your member number quoted when making a reservation. Providing this number guarantees that you will receive all the benefits to which you are entitled.

● Princess Captain’s Circle Quarterly Magazine: Every three months, you will receive their Magazine, published exclusively for members of the Princess Captain’s Circle. As well as advance notification of promotions and new itineraries, you will be the first to hear about their new ships. They are also pleased to share behind the scenes information with you and feature your favorite Princess crew members, taking a peak at what they like to do when they are back at home!

Platinum Membership Benefits (6th through 15th cruise or 50 to 149 cruise days)

Includes all benefits of Gold membership, plus:

● Complimentary Cruise Atlas: Every year you will automatically receive a copy of their Princess Cruise Atlas. With details on all itineraries and sailings for the year, you will be able to plan ahead easily!

● Free upgrade to TravelCare Gold: As a Platinum member, when you purchase their Standard Travel Care travel protection plan, they will automatically give you a free upgrade to the Gold package - that’s double the coverage, on them!

● Preferred Check-In: When you arrive at the port, don’t wait in line. If you are a Platinum member, you and your family or guests will be invited to use the Preferred Check-In desk to help expedite your embarkation.

● Platinum Members Lounge: In recognition of your loyalty, and to make your last morning with them more enjoyable, they invite Platinum members to use the Platinum Members Lounge, offering light refreshments and peace while you await disembarkation.

● Complimentary Internet Packages: Each Platinum Member will receive a credit towards the purchase of a package in their Internet Cafés: $75 for voyages of 7 days or less (equivalent to 150 minute package), $100 for voyages of 8-20 days (equivalent to 250 minute package), and $200 for voyages of 21 or more days (equivalent to two 250 minute packages). You can use your credit towards a larger package if necessary, or enjoy all those minutes - compliments of the Princess Captain's Circle! (Does not include wireless internet access; effective on voyages beginning on or after April 1, 2007)

Elite Membership Benefits (16th cruise and above or 150 cruise days and above)

Includes all benefits of Gold & Platinum membership, plus:

● Priority Tender Embarkation: As a well-traveled guest with Princess, you have the opportunity to travel ashore quickly and without waiting in line. Simply present your Priority Tender Ticket directly at the gangway instead of waiting with other passengers in the lounge area. You will then join any remaining passengers and board the tender as soon as it is clear to embark.

● Priority Disembarkation: You'll be contacted towards the end of your cruise by the Circle Host to determine approximately what time would be most convenient for your disembarkation. If you'd like to linger onboard longer, they'll be more than happy to give you a later disembarkation group. If you'd like to be one of the first groups to disembark, they'll gladly accommodate - the choice is yours!

● Shoe Polishing Service: Your shoes will be polished upon request - this service is complimentary.

● Complimentary Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services: Upon request, your cabin steward will organize your laundry to be cleaned - compliments of Princess Captain’s Circle!

● Complimentary Mini Bar Set Up: Your stateroom will receive one mini bar set up according to your personal preferences. If no preferences have been indicated in your Member Profile with Princess, the standard selection will be given. Drinks will be refilled upon request and you will only be charged for the additionally requested drinks consumed.

● Deluxe Canapes Selection: You may receive, upon request, a complimentary selection of deluxe canapés specially created by the Chef, delivered to your stateroom on formal night. This benefit can be ordered through room service and should be requested at least 6 hours prior to the desired delivery time.

● Afternoon Tea: Complimentary afternoon tea may be served in your stateroom, should you wish. You may request this via room service at least 6 hours prior to the desired delivery time.

● Upgraded Bathroom Amenities: Your stateroom bathroom will be stocked with the upgraded amenities reserved for Suite guests.

● 10% Boutique Discount: Their Boutiques are second to none for choice and gift selection. Now, as an Elite Member, take advantage of a 10% discount storewide to buy those extra gifts for all your family back home! Your Cruise Card is your key to this wonderful benefit - simply show it when you make any purchase, and their Boutique Staff will automatically deduct 10% from your purchase price.

● Complimentary Wine Tasting: Their Wine Tasting Events are popular and many of their members attend, so they have made arrangements to pick up the cover charge for you! Space is limited at these events so, should you wish to attend, you must confirm with the Circle Host who will contact you at the beginning of your cruise.

[njdevil08]

Here's Disney's, not a very large loyalty program as I imagine because they only have two ships, most pax are not repeat customers:

Castaway Club Benefits (you become a member after your 1st cruise)

Priority Planning:

● Early booking for shore excursions, Palo, Vista Spa & Salon, youth activities and Flounder's Nursery

● Priority check-in at the Castaway Club desk in the port terminal

Onboard Exclusives:

● A Castaway Club gift in your stateroom

● Invitation to an exclusive cocktail party with senior ship officers

Back on Shore Benefits:

● Receive a Shoreside Survival Kit in the mail shortly after you get back on land from your cruise.

● Get individual Castaway Club I.D.s for every member of your family. (Be sure to keep your I.D. number to receive Castaway Club benefits!)

 

Here's HAL, the worst of them all IMO:

Mariner Society Benefits (you become a member after your 1st cruise)

● Preferred pricing on many cruises.

● Champagne reception and awards party: hosted by the Captain and available only to Mariner Society members.

● Lapel pins and medallions to acknowledge your Holland America Line cruise history.

● A special Collectable gift in your stateroom.

● Complimentary subscription to Mariner, a full-color magazine featuring news and Mariner Society savings.

● Mariner bag tags and buttons: these identify you as a member of the Mariner Society during embarkation ( offered on any length cruise )

 

From my "extensive:rolleyes:" research, it appears sticking with RCI gives you the best benefits. Looks like I'm here to stay!:D

[rdhnd]

No doubt about it

RCCL benefits are still outstanding in comparison with other lines even with the latest changes.

RDHND

[njdevil08]

No doubt about it

RCCL benefits are still outstanding in comparison with other lines even with the latest changes.

RDHND

I've always been told it, but after doing some research, no other line comes close!

[Mikew0805]

Hehe, now THIS is better wording! :D ;)

 

I was curious too, so I did a little googling:

This is Carnival's, doesn't look even close to RC IMO:

Gold Benefits (you become this level after your 2nd cruise)

● Exclusive past guest offers

● Complimentary subscription to Currents magazine

● Vacation Interchange Privileges on Carnival sister brands

● Special Gold Sail & Sign card

● Invitation to special cocktail reception (5 day or longer cruise)

● Past Guest reunion cruises loaded with extras

Platinum (Carnival Concierge Club) Benefits (you become this level after your 10th cruise)

All Gold Member Benefits, plus Carnival Concierge Club benefits* including:

● Personalized stationery

● A special Carnival logo item

● Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

● Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**

● Spa Carnival priority reservations

● Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening

● Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

● Priority tender boarding

● Priority embarkation and debarkation

 

 

A little off but mostly there.. it actually starts with the 10th not after, plus need to add in the milestones. This program actually has benefits I would use... the balcony discount is the one I find appealing on C&A, however I can get a balcony cheaper than that even with the discount on Carnival.. anytime.. and since I like Carnival.. that works! Anyway, here it is copied right from Carnival:

 

After first Cruise:

• Exclusive past guest offers

• Complimentary subscription to Currents magazine

• Special Gold Sail & Sign card

• Invitation to special cocktail reception (5 day or longer cruises)

 

Starting with 10th Cruise:

• All Gold member benefits

• Carnival Concierge Club benefits* including:

• Personalized stationery

• A special Carnival logo item

• Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

• Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**

• Spa Carnival priority reservations

• Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening

• Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

• Priority tender boarding

• Priority embarkation and debarkation

• Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under

18 years of age

 

Milestone for 25th/50th/75th/100th:

Sail and celebrate your Carnival “milestone” with our exciting new guest recognition program. Past guests who sail on a “milestone” 25th, 50th and 75th “Fun Ship” cruise will receive shipboard credit representing 25 percent, 50 percent, or 75 percent of their cruise fair, respectively, for that particular voyage. And, for your 100th earn a complimentary Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or Alaska voyage up to eight days in length. These “milestone” cruise benefits are in addition to the other amenities and privileges of being a “Platinum” cardholder.

[TEXASMUNK]

In order to attain the higher level rewards of "the other guys'

you have to suffer through their product....repeatedly

 

No thank you

[Host Kewlguy]

I agree. RCCL and Celebrity win hands down with the loyalty program. ;)

 

Celebrity's loyalty program is a joke. The benefits are worthless. No concierge lounge, no balcony discount, their "Elite" coupon book is laughable, we used one coupon from it on our last X cruise. Royal has by far the best loyalty program in the cruise industry.

[kyriecat]

I really like the offerings from Princess. I would use complementary laundry to reduce the amount to pack and it would be nice to have some free internet minutes to send off a quick e-mail to friends/family. Seriously, the $10 that RC gives you only gets you about 15 minutes. I think 150 minutes on a 7 day cruise would cover what I needed so I wouldn't have to find an internet cafe in port to keep in touch at reasonable prices.

 

Maybe I need to look into Princess - I've been thinking about a Tahiti cruise anyway.

[Mikew0805]

In order to attain the higher level rewards of "the other guys'

you have to suffer through their product....repeatedly

 

No thank you

 

Or through RCI's.. cuz the Splendour was the lamest excuse for a cruise we have ever experienced.:rolleyes: Good thing we already had Hawaii booked, or we might not have given them a second chance.

[piercetc4]

perk not listed for ncl- ?

when playing in the casino you earn points towards dollars off your seapass bill- sil earned $40 off and brother earned $100 off - they said they werent in the casino but 2 nights of the 7 night cruise- i think this is sort of a perk- on the other hand they said the food was NOT that great- ncl spirit-

 

there may be other little things not listed on a lines loyalty program that we would consider a perk of that line- they may not be listed so the line can offer it and then take it away without much hoopla- now you see it..............now you dont' philosophy...lol

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Here's Disney's, not a very large loyalty program as I imagine because they only have two ships, most pax are not repeat customers:

Castaway Club Benefits (you become a member after your 1st cruise)

Priority Planning:

● Early booking for shore excursions, Palo, Vista Spa & Salon, youth activities and Flounder's Nursery

● Priority check-in at the Castaway Club desk in the port terminal

Onboard Exclusives:

● A Castaway Club gift in your stateroom

● Invitation to an exclusive cocktail party with senior ship officers

Back on Shore Benefits:

● Receive a Shoreside Survival Kit in the mail shortly after you get back on land from your cruise.

● Get individual Castaway Club I.D.s for every member of your family. (Be sure to keep your I.D. number to receive Castaway Club benefits!)

 

 

IDK if it would fall into the loyalty program, but when you re-book onboard DCL you get $200 OBC per stateroom, as well as 10% off the cruise you are booking. I don't have experience with booking on board with other lines, so I can't compare them...

[jaynne2001]

Another Princess perk that wasn't mentioned:

 

After we sailed with them this year (our first cruise) they have continued to send us weekly or bi-weekly brochures in the mail highlighting certain cruises or regions. The pricing found in these brochures is phenomenal! You go on their website and price the same cruise and it's often much more expensive. So there are definitely significant savings to be had on future Princess cruises once you sail with them once. I don't necessarily enjoy their ships or amenities as much as RCCL, but they certainly have excellent itineraries to boot, one of the main reasons I would consider them again--after all, I consider a cruise a great opportunity to 'see' the world, so an itinerary often plays an important role. I wish Royal Caribbean would look into offering better itineraries!!

[Mark_K]

No doubt about it

RCCL benefits are still outstanding in comparison with other lines even with the latest changes.

RDHND

What changes?

[pmshirl]

What changes?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=870594

 

Not being able to combine certain benefits after 12/31/08

[mommamd]

riginally Posted by njdevil08 Here's Disney's, not a very large loyalty program as I imagine because they only have two ships, most pax are not repeat customers:

Actually, DCL has a high percentage of repeaters, and I agree that the loyalty program STINKS, and survives because this is a niche market of Disneyphiles who will put up with very high prices for this particular brand of vacation, including the "Same great shows" for 10 years. We got the same DCL beach towel for 2 cruises as our "in cabin gift", the de rigeur cocktail party, and that's that. No other level, no diamonds, golds, platinums here.