Travel brand loyalty programs allow you to earn points for doing what you love: traveling! If you’re a frequent cruiser, and you’re loyal to one particular cruise line, then it’s worthwhile to enroll in that cruise line’s loyalty program (and they all have one!).
You’ll receive amazing benefits as a result. If you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser — or maybe you just took your first Royal Caribbean cruise and now plan on becoming one — but you’ve yet to join the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society, here’s everything you need to know.
In This Article:
What is Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society?
While you may be a member of a hotel or airline loyalty program that comes with a credit card, and then rewards you with points or miles for spending on that credit card, that’s not how the Crown and Anchor Society operates.
Instead, the Crown and Anchor Society rewards you exclusively for booking and sailing with Royal Caribbean. Every cruiser who cruises with Royal Caribbean is automatically enrolled in the society the first time they step onto a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (so, no, you don’t even need to sign up or register, if you’ve already sailed with Royal Caribbean!). Then, they start earning points automatically.
Royal Caribbean does have a credit card with credit card spending-based rewards, but that’s a different program entirely. With the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card, you earn MyCruise Rewards points for any and all spending on the card, and then those points get you rewards both during cruising and when enjoying other travel.
If you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser, consider looking into both points-earning options: both the Crown and Anchor Society and the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card.
Earning Points
So, how do you go about earning Crown and Anchor Society points? Called “cruise points,” within the program, you’ll earn one point for every night you cruise with Royal Caribbean, and an additional cruise point for every night you cruise with Royal Caribbean if you’re staying in suite accommodations. Your number of eligible cruise points dictates your membership tier.
Loyalty Status Match Program
Royal Caribbean Loyalty Program Across Brands
In May 2024, Royal Caribbean announced an industry first for cruise line loyalty programs.
Now, thanks to a new loyalty status match program, cruisers can enjoy an equal loyalty status across Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
That means, if you have attained a high loyalty status in the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society, you’ll enjoy very similar perks whenever you cruise with any of these three lines.
Cruisers already enrolled in one of the three loyalty programs will automatically receive matched status when they enroll in one or both of the other two programs. The status matching went into effect in June 2024.
Membership Tiers
Crown and Anchor Society Membership Tiers
There are six different membership tiers within the Crown and Anchor Society program. You’ll be automatically enrolled as a Gold member, but the more points you earn, the higher your status and the more perks you can earn (like a complimentary cruise!).
The six membership tiers are Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club. To become a Platinum member, you need 30 cruise points. To become an Emerald member, you need 55 cruise points.
To become a Diamond member, you need 80 cruise points. To become a Diamond Plus member, you need 175 cruise points. To become a Pinnacle Club member, you need at least 700 cruise points.
Do note that, for example, when you level up from Gold status to Platinum status, you don’t lose your prior 29 points and have to start from scratch again, accumulating a new 55 points to reach Emerald status. Your points accrue over time, so that you can keep working toward a higher and higher status the more you cruise.
There is, though, one other way to achieve a higher status within the Crown and Anchor Society, beyond cruising. If you already have loyalty status with another cruise line within the Royal Caribbean Group, you’ll receive a loyalty status match, for comparable benefits within the Crown and Anchor Society.
This loyalty status-matching offer extends to Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock
So, if you have Classic status within the Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club, you have Gold status within the Crown & Anchor Society. Captain’s Club Select status equates to Crown & Anchor Society Platinum and Emerald status. Elite equates to Diamond, Elite Plus equates to Diamond Plus and Zenith equates to Pinnacle Club.
With Silversea’s Venetian Society, 1 VS Day equals Crown & Anchor Gold status, 100 VS Day equals Platinum status, 250 VS Days equals Diamond status, 350 VS Days equals Diamond Plus Status and 500 VS Days equals Pinnacle Club Status.
If you’re already a member of one of these three loyalty programs, you’ll receive an email letting you know if you’re eligible for a status upgrade, based on the loyalty status matching program.
If you’ve not received such an email and believe you are eligible for a status upgrade or match, address membership inquiries to Royal Caribbean and have your Anchor Society membership number at the ready.
Do realize, though, that even if you do get a status match and now have new, elevated status in the Crown & Anchor Society, you might not get all of the benefits that come with your newly elevated status. Certain benefits are still being reserved for members who earned their status the old-fashioned way.
These benefits include:
- Complimentary Pinnacle Club milestone cruises
- Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club amenities
- Single supplement cruise fare reduction
- Access to certain onboard event
- Upgraded bathroom amenities
- Pinnacle Club milestone recognition
- Chef’s Choice amenities
Benefits for Gold Level Members
Docked Royal Caribbean Ships (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
But let’s get into what exactly you can expect, in terms of membership benefits of the Crown and Anchor Society. There are numerous exclusive perks.
Gold tier status members (and, remember, this is the basic membership tier that anyone can take advantage of, with just one sailing) will enjoy:
- Two coupons per sailing for 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda
- Two coupons per sailing on select ships for 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake
- Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
- 10% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
- 25% off any coffee beverages (excluding Starbucks coffee beverages)
- Anchor exclusive rates for 10% off Stream internet access and internet packages purchased on board
- Access to a Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Desk
- $2 Crown Royale Free Play credit
- 1 free Jackpot bingo package card
- 10% discount on select Royal Caribbean logo products purchases
- 10% discount on any spa service, excluding medi-spa services
- Access to a member newsletter
- Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
- Exclusive cruise rates, reduced cruise fares and special savings
Kids members also enjoy a few extra perks, including 50% off a scoop of ice cream on select ships and at the ice cream parlor, internet discounts, buy-one-get-one-free movie rentals and arcade credits.
Benefits for Platinum-Status Members
Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
In the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society, Platinum status members enjoy all of the above, but also:
- Free coffee beverage with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner
- Access to an exclusive society event on certain sailings (for example, on five night sailings)
- In-room robes
- Discounts on laundry and press service
- 20% discount on photo purchases, such as a photo book or individual photo
- Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms
They also get greater discounts, such as 50% off coffee instead of 25%, a 15% Stream internet discount instead of 10%, and a 15% discount on spa services instead of 10%. They also get more value in casino benefits like slot machine credit.
Benefits for Emerald-Status Members
For the next tier benefits and point status, Emerald status is very much the same as Platinum status, but with a few extras. You’ll get more FreePlay credits and Jackpot cards at the casino, greater discounts on photo packages and complimentary welcome waters.
Benefits for Diamond-Status Members
Royal Caribbean’s Photo Venue (Credit: Royal Caribbean)
When you achieve Diamond status, you get the above perks, but additional perks include:
- Priority waitlist seating request in the main dining room
- Four complimentary daily drinks up to $14 in value, with certain venues excluded
- One free day of internet usage or an equivalent discount
- Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa services
- Exclusive top-tier events like an exclusive backstage tour on select cruises
- Crown Lounge access with a nightly happy hour
- A stateroom phone discount rate
- Chef’s Choice gifts on certain sailings
- A bonus gift of a single photo of your choice
- A commemorative lapel pin and personalized gift
Additionally, you’ll receive greater discounts and credits, including on wine, beer and soda; laundry services; photo packages; branded products; and Vitality spa services. Children likewise get up to four complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 in value, with exclusions.
Benefits for Diamond Plus-Status Members
Spectrum of the Seas Dining Room (Photo Credit: I Love Drones)
Diamond Plus members get all the above, as well as:
- Buy-one-get-one specialty dinners for your second guest (with exclusions)
- 30% discounts on deluxe beverage packages
- Priority access and priority seating at the theater, the ice show and AquaTheater shows
- Complimentary add-on spa services
- Exclusive access to call center staff
- Reduced single cruiser fares
Greater discounts are also given for wine, beer and soda. You’ll also enjoy more complimentary daily drinks (for both adults and children), more casino vouchers and two days of free internet.
Benefits for Pinnacle Club-Status Members
Coastal Kitchen
Lastly, if you manage to make it to the most elite level, the Pinnacle Club, you’ll enjoy a huge number of perks beyond all of the above, including:
- Access to and complimentary dining in the Coastal Kitchen restaurant (normally reserved for suite guests only)
- Discounts on a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge
- Exclusive daily breakfast
- Free internet for one device
- Suite or concierge lounge access, as well as access to the suite-level sun deck and pool area
- Flexible arrival privileges
- Free cruise certificates for cruise vacations in either a balcony stateroom or junior suite stateroom, as you continue to earn points and reach certain points-earning milestones
You’ll also enjoy more complimentary daily drinks, and better onboard offers for deluxe beverage packages.
How to Earn a Higher Status Faster
While many points- and miles-earning fanatics are always looking for the easiest way to earn a higher status, faster, with Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, it’s not really possible.
The program is very cut and dry, simple and straightforward. You earn points and the more points you earn, the more perks you get. You don’t have to redeem your points for anything and there’s no fast-track to a higher membership tier.
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The only way to get those coveted Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club membership benefits is by cruising often with Royal Caribbean, cruising on longer itineraries and opting to stay in a suite versus a regular stateroom — or obtaining a similar status on another Royal Caribbean International brand.
Partnerships
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: marleyPug)
Thanks to a few Royal Caribbean partnerships, you can enjoy certain perks with other travel brands as well, if you’re a Crown and Anchor Society member — and remember, so long as you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past, you’re already a member!
Members can claim Hertz Gold Plus membership status, which comes with perks such as counter-free pickup, better rental cars and more
Members can also receive a tier status match with MGM Rewards, MGM Resorts’ loyalty program. Gold members receive MGM Rewards Sapphire status, Platinum members receive MGM Rewards Pearl status, Emerald and Diamond members receive MGM Rewards Gold status and Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members receive MGM Rewards Platinum status.
Most recently, as of the latter half of 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with IAG Loyalty, which will be of interest to cruisers based in the U.K., Spain, or Ireland. The cruise line also has a rewards partnership with Hard Rock International.
When you book through Royal Caribbean websites in those countries, you’ll now be eligible to earn Avios, which is basically the rewards currency/points used by British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub and Vueling Club.
How Does it Compare to Other Cruise Line Loyalty Programs?
Deck of an MSC Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee)
However, if you’re not married to the idea of becoming a lifelong Royal Caribbean cruiser, should you skip the Crown and Anchor Society and, instead, sign up for another cruise line’s loyalty program?
In general, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society is pretty generous (you can get a free milestone cruise certificate, after all!).
Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person Club operates very similarly, giving you one point for every cruise night, but the perks aren’t overall as good as what you’ll get with the Crown and Anchor Society. The same goes for Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club.
The Holland America Mariner Society gives you more ways to earn additional points than these other loyalty programs, such as by making purchases or using the cruise line’s credit card.
Read Also: Loyalty Programs – Should You Stay Loyal to One Cruise Line?
Similarly, MSC Cruises’ MSC Voyagers Club is on the more flexible side, too, allowing you to match loyalty status with a large array of partners, including, Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott.
Ultimately, though, the best cruise line loyalty program for you will simply be the loyalty program for the cruise line you cruise with most often. Just make sure to join before your next cruise!
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
