Whether you’re checked into a cosy inside cabin or a spacious balcony suite, contemporary cruising is a luxury experience that will leave you feeling utterly spoiled. Yet for holidaymakers that want to take the concept of exclusivity to a whole new level the world’s leading lines offers membership to VIP clubs that come with a plethora of perks. Want in? Read on for an overview of some of the most popular cruising clubs and what they offer their members.
In exchange for every night spent on the high seas Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society members receive one cruise point. The society is made up of six tiers, with members receiving scaled rewards depending on their status. This includes everything from priority check in and on-board vouchers to Diamond Lounge/Concierge Lounge access and behind the scenes ship tours.
Cunard is a long-standing line that’s renowned for its elegance, luxury and attention to detail. The Cunard World Club amplifies this reputation and offers passengers the ultimate VIP experience. Depending on the number of cruises amassed over the years passengers are welcomed into Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Cunard World Club status. Loyal Cunard connoisseurs enjoy access to a dedicated Cunard World Club Desk helpline, team of on-board representatives and exclusive website. Higher up members receive free merchandise, complimentary Wi-Fi, exclusive party invitations, preferred reservations, priority check-in, luggage delivery and on the house meals at the ship’s fine dining restaurants.
This five tiered membership program partners up with Celebrity’s Captain’s Club and Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society to offer passengers some great rewards. These include the opportunity to make pre-sailing restaurant bookings, jump shore excursion waiting lists, take advantage of complimentary laundry, enjoy free Wi-Fi, attend Le Club Voyage events and redeem free nights. Le Club Voyage can also snap up discounted itineraries released throughout the year. Points are issued depending on the length of your cruise as well as the calibre of your accommodation.
With a less exclusive feel and a heightened focus on fun Carnival’s VIFP Club is all about offering every passenger a great time. The club is made up of five tiers which categorise cruisers into the number of days they’ve spent on-board a Carnival vessel. Perks vary quite dramatically and can include anything from free bottled water, priority check in and spa queue jumps to complimentary meals, free cabin upgrades and discounted fares. The more you sail, the greater the rewards.
Joining the Crystal Society gets you an immediate influx of benefits including a tote bag, lapel pin, invites to VIP shore excursions and a quarterly copy of the line’s Passport magazine. Additional benefits are earned as passengers rack up more cruises and hit milestone sailings. Five cruises earns a $150-$200 on-board credit voucher, 10 cruises earns a free cabin upgrade, 30 cruises translates into a complimentary weeklong cruise while passengers with 100 voyages up their sleeve will receive a free sailing in the Crystal penthouse.
Another all-inclusive membership scheme, the Castaway Club initiates all passengers on their very first cruise. Status is then accelerated as more voyages are racked up. Given Disney’s extreme popularity perks are limited however they do include merchandise discounts, priority check-in and free meals at specialty restaurants.
After accruing 150 points (each night on-board a P&O ship equates to 10 points) passengers are admitted into the Peninsular Club at Pacific level. Ligurian is the epitome of VIP, with members needing to have racked up over 201 nights over a period of three years.
The Captain’s Circle club is divided into four tiers, with passengers receiving one point for every voyage as well as immediate invitations to VIP cocktail soirees. The real benefits kick in at Platinum and Elite level where passengers enjoy free internet, daily in-cabin afternoon teas, nightly canapé’s and a 10% discount on on-board boutique buys.
Want to start reaping the benefits of one of these VIP cruising clubs? Cruise 1st offers great deals on itineraries from all of the mentioned lines, and more!
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Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Don McCullough
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