I was wondering how important do you consider leveling up in a cruise line's loyalty program when you choose your next cruise? Do you stick with the same cruise line so that you get more perks?
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Contributor Level:
Admiral
How Important is a Cruise Line's Loyality Program When Choosing Your Next Cruise?
41 Answers
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
You make it sound worthwhile I especially like the free cocktail, I've not heard of that. We are very low on the list only being ruby but we have 3 cruises booked in the next10 months so maybe that will boost us up to at least the next level
Contributor Level:
Purser
It's important to us because you get special pricing. And - at least on RCI and Celebrity, even at the lowest level you get BOGO drinks and specialty coffee discounts. It costs nothing to join and you'll find that suddenly you are near "diamond" and getting a free 3 hour FREE cocktail hour slot every day. Why NOT join? Now if you are at the beginning of cruising don't use that to decide which cruise to take. Destination should come first, then the line based on preferences in ship size and dining style and size.
Contributor Level:
Captain
Originally posted by:
glomarrone
One time my TA suggested that I take a short inexpensive cruise on Carniival so that I would get free laundry by the time I took my next scheduled long transatlantic cruise. We did it only to discover that Carnival counted the cruise before the sailing so I would have qualified for the free laundry on the Transatlantic.
Once I was at the pool bar ordering and got to talking with a fellow about the cruise. It was his first on that line and liked it, but complained over the internet fees. Guess he was online a lot. I told him, how can that be, this is a three week cruise we are on. What does that have to do with it? Regent gives unlimited internet for 20 days and over, and you get it with them right away, don't have to wait until the next cruise. He went and checked. Next time I saw him he was a happy camper.
Contributor Level:
Admiral
Originally posted by:
AuntPinkie
It isn't extremely important usually. We find it helpful for early embarkation and disembarkation. I enjoy being rewarded for being loyal to things when they show appreciation for that loyalty.. not just cruise lines. If all things are equal, I would cruise the line where I had some perks.
One time my TA suggested that I take a short inexpensive cruise on Carniival so that I would get free laundry by the time I took my next scheduled long transatlantic cruise. We did it only to discover that Carnival counted the cruise before the sailing so I would have qualified for the free laundry on the Transatlantic. Was I annoyed? No. The cruise was dirt cheap and from my local port.
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
maybe I will look at it differently once I have amassed a few points, at the moment we are only ruby level, we have 2 cruises totally adding 30 days, don't know if that makes much difference
Contributor Level:
Captain
I am gold on Princess and Carnival and whatever is after the blue card on Celebrity. I go with the price and itinerary; the benefits (severely lacking at my level) are not a deciding factor.
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Originally posted by:
Kennicott
Hate to admit it, but very important. Didn't use to think that way until we acquired a few perks. Wife really likes the laundry and cleaning perks. I like the free internet, she doesn't. But other things add up and enhance the cruise experience, for instance, half price cocktails in the Platinum/Elite lounge almost every evening before dinner, one free mini-bar setup per segment. 10% off stuff we buy on the ship, free wine tasting events, Etc. We didn't really appreciate those until we got close to booking on a line we have never used before, like Cunard.
Even with HAL, we have free laundry resulting from our four star Mariner status but they are pretty miserly with any other benefits compared to Princess or Regent. For instance, we would need to sail with them another 250 days, I believe, in order to get just a few hours free internet. Do 20 days on Regent and you get unlimited internet, and you don't have to wait until the next cruise to collect.
maybe I will look at it differently once I have amassed a few points, at the moment we are only ruby level, we have 2 cruises totally adding 30 days, don't know if that makes much difference
Contributor Level:
Staff Captain
We should hit Platinum on Carnival in 2018 if we continue at the same pace and book all cruises with them. Perks will be nice and appreciated.
However, if I can find a cruise with a better price and similar itinerary with another line, we would likely book it even if it meant waiting another year for the Carnival perks.
We appreciate any perks we get, but price is what determines our cruise choices. We'd rather pay less and sail more often.
Contributor Level:
Captain
It's not usually important, but, given two or three choices that are basically similar, I would take the line that I have more nights with. Either to work towards the next tier, or receive the perks I am entitled to. But if a group chose a different cruise line, so be it.
I book by Itinerary, date and price. I do like my perks on RCI and Celebrity but I'm building quick on Carnival now as lately they have had the cruises I want to go on (the Carnival Concert series last year for the Journey Concert, this year Jay Leno).
I will say IMHO RCI has better perks then Carnival. On RCI you transfer your Loyalty level from RCI to Celebrity to Azmara, but can not Combine 
. Where on Carnival I'm gold but still entry level on HAL and Princess . I like the Idea that MSC at one time matched your loyalty level of any other line but I have not tried MSC yet.
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41 Answers