It Pays To Be A Repeat Cruiser
Recently, my family and I saved over $1,500 on a
Princess Cruise from a simple coupon. The coupon was from Princess'
Captain's Circle, a past guest program. Cruise line loyalty programs
like Princess' not only lure passengers back to the seas, but offer
significant savings. Some even offer free cruises.
Most
lines give passengers membership as soon as they complete one
cruise. Members then receive mailings or coupons that urge them to
book another cruise at a special discount. Onboard, members receive
extra perks such as cocktail parties, dinner with the Captain,
gifts, upgrades, credits, or free shore excursions. The following is
a selection of cruise loyalty programs benefits:
Carnival Cruise Lines: Past passengers receive a
copy of Currents magazine three times a year for two years
after their first cruise. Inserts notify members about special
offers for repeaters.
Celebrity Cruises: Once passengers cruise with
Celebrity, they can join the Captain's Club by calling 800-760-0654
and paying a one-time membership fee of $35 per couple. Members are
entitled to a one-category upgrade (based on availability) on future
sailings, special first-class boarding and departing privileges,
preferred dining assignments, cocktail parties with the captain, an
invitation to the annual Captain's Club Reunion Cruise, and
newsletters with special offers.
Costa Cruise Lines : Repeat cruisers learn about
discounts from monthly mailings and can attend cocktail parties just
for past passengers.
Cruise
West: Cruisers who sail twice with Cruise West become members of
the Quyana Club. Cruise West designates several departures each year
as Quyana Club sailings. Members who sign up for the sailings
receive a five percent discount for themselves and traveling
companions.
Crystal Cruises: With your first cruise, you are
automatically enrolled in the Crystal Society. As a member, you are
entitled to special savings and society-only events. These benefits
increase the more you sail, and include stateroom upgrades, onboard
spending credits, special events and gifts, and even free cruises.
You'll also receive the quarterly magazine, Crystal Cruises'
Passport, with the latest info on itineraries, destinations, special
offers, and relevant news.
Cunard Line: Passengers become members of the
Cunard World Club after their first cruise. On later sailings, they
receive 10 to 20 percent off the brochure price and an additional
five percent discount if they book onboard. Members will also
receive mailings for special offers, a newsletter, onboard Club
parties, e-mail access to the Club Desk, and 10 percent discounts on
Seabourn sailings. Passengers can also earn customized awards based
on the number of days sailed.
Disney Cruise Line: After your first Disney
cruise, passengers are eligible for complimentary membership in
Disney Cruise Lines' Castaway Club. Cruise Guests in the Castaway
Club enjoy special amenities such as priority check-in and an
exclusive cocktail party with the ship's Captain and officers. Other
offers include shipboard credit of up to $200 on select
sailings.
Holland America Line: Guests become members of the
Mariner Society after their first cruise. Members are entitled to
preferential pricing, upgrades, and bonus privileges on many
cruises. Mariner Society members receive Mariner magazine
which offers news and special offers on upcoming cruises, as well as
insider information concerning new ships and product enhancements.
Repeaters also earn certificates or medallions for reaching
milestones. Onboard perks include preferential check-in, an
invitation to a champagne reception and awards party, and a surprise
pillow gift. Members may extend privileges to traveling
companions.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes members can
obtain upgrades, discounts on select sailings, early embarkation
from some ports, onboard credits (on designated Latitudes Member
cruises only), a cocktail reception, and bridge and galley tours on
select cruises.
Orient
Lines: On every repeat sailing, Polo Club members receive an
onboard credit, a bottle of wine, and a cocktail party. Members are
also informed of special discounts, which can be extended to up to
four non-member companions.
Princess Cruises:
After completing one Princess cruise, guests become Captain's Circle
members. On each cruise, members are invited to a cocktail party. In
addition, members receive Captain's Circle updates for exclusive
deals.
Radisson
Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC): Seven Seas Society members receive a
five percent discount on the best RSSC rates, an invitation to an
annual holiday party on a RSSC vessel, and access to exclusive
itineraries and land excursions. In addition, members of the Seven
Seas Society earn 10 Gold Points per cruise fare dollar on their
Gold Points Rewards card, which can be used for more cruises,
resorts, hotels, and other Gold Points Rewards partners.
Regal Cruises: Regal's past passengers receive the
News Wave newsletter, which contains Regal Rewards coupons
good for up to $100 off early-booking rates. Guests are also invited
to an onboard cocktail party.
Royal Caribbean International: After an initial
cruise, passengers are eligible for complimentary membership in
Crown & Anchor Society. Members receive Crown &
Anchor magazine, savings certificates, a five percent gift shop
discount, and an invitation to a cocktail party on their next
cruise. After completion of a fifth cruise, guests receive lapel
pins, luggage tags, 10 percent off gift shop purchases, and robes to
use onboard. After 10 cruises, passengers save 20 percent on gift
shop purchases and are entitled to priority embarkation.
Royal Olympic Cruises: Members of the Royal Circle
Club receive special offers by mail twice a year.
Seabourn Cruise Line: Past guests become members
of the exclusive Seabourn Club. Privileges include 50 percent off
select sailings, 10 to 20 percent off all Seabourn and Cunard
cruises, an additional five percent savings when booking a future
cruise onboard, a cocktail party, a newsletter, notices of special
discounts, e-mail contact with the Club Desk, and a free 14-day
cruise after 140 sailing days with Seabourn. Additional gifts are
awarded after guests sail for 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500
days.
Silversea Cruises: Past guests become members of
the Venetian Society, entitling them to anywhere between five and 25
percent off selected sailings. Those who cruise 100 days or more
receive a Tiffany gift and another five percent off any future
cruise. Members save 10 percent after 250 sailing days. A seven-day
cruise comes with the 350-day milestone, and a 14-day cruise is
awarded after 500 days. Repeaters also get a $250 onboard credit per
couple, a cocktail party, and laundry service.
Star Clippers: Past passengers receive Star
Clippers' quarterly newsletter, Topgallant. Savings range
from $500 per person for select voyages to half-price rates for the
second person sharing a cabin.
Windstar Cruises: Passengers who sail with
Windstar are automatically admitted into the Foremast Club. Members
receive two-for-one discounts on select cruises, a newsletter
subscription, and invitations to exclusive onboard events. Members
also qualify for free stays in Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide based on days sailed with
Windstar.
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