Points and Perks: How Cruise Line Loyalty Programs are Evolving

For decades, cruise loyalty followed a familiar formula: Sail with a cruise line. Return often enough. Gradually unlock better benefits. That model still exists. But it no longer tells the whole story.

A lot has changed since our first comparative analysis, and today’s loyalty programs are no longer evolving in the same direction.

Over the past year, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises began honoring each other’s status. Seabourn restored selected elite events, reworked its complimentary-cruise rewards and moved some benefits to earlier levels. Virgin Voyages’ program is giving returning passengers practical onboard benefits, including coffee, laundry, Wi-Fi and Bar Tab credit after specified numbers of eligible voyages. And Explora Journeys introduced status matching from other cruise lines.

And now, we are on the cusp of a new shift in cruise line loyalty programs this September, when Carnival launches its new Carnival Rewards program. In what may be a cruise industry first, passengers who use the Carnival Rewards Mastercard will be able to contribute to their cruise status through eligible everyday spending.

Carnival’s upcoming program launch has reopened the old discussion with a new twist. Should loyalty be measured by cruises taken, nights sailed, dollars spent and where that spend happened? And what, exactly, should a cruise line reward?

In this, our second annual cruise line loyalty program comparison, we expanded our scope and examined loyalty programs across 24 ocean, expedition and river cruise brands. The results show that loyalty programs have become more than collections of perks. They now differ substantially in what they reward, when meaningful benefits begin and how far a passenger’s loyalty can travel.

And what you find in our loyalty comparative table below just might surprise you.

When Do You Get Meaningful Benefits?

Most cruise loyalty programs let passengers join early. That does not mean their most useful benefits arrive straight away. A membership number, newsletter or members-only offer may be welcomed.

But many travelers want to know when a program will begin changing the actual cruise experience. That could mean a lower fare. It might be complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry or onboard credit. It could also mean an airport transfer or another service passengers would otherwise pay for.

Windstar Cruises is an example of early financial value. Passengers enter Windstar’s Yacht Club after one qualifying cruise. At the One Star level, members receive a 5% discount on qualifying cruise fares. The basic proposition is easy to understand: Take one Windstar cruise, then begin saving on another.

On the rivers and coasts, American Cruise Lines passengers can join the Eagle Society after their first voyage. The immediate benefits are less about discounts and more about access. Members can book selected Eagle Society cruises, receive advance reservations for new ships and itineraries, and receive quarterly newsletters.

One of the program’s most distinctive benefits is the ability to invite family and friends aboard during port calls. This privilege was once more common across the industry. But as security has tightened in an ever-evolving world, inviting visitors aboard has become a rare opportunity.

Virgin Voyages takes a different approach. After completing two eligible voyages, Sailing Club members receive perks such as a daily specialty coffee, a laundry allowance and an invitation to an exclusive cocktail reception. After four eligible voyages, members receive additional benefits such as premium Wi-Fi, priority boarding and a $100 Bar Tab.

For the first timer, how soon you realize benefits is as important as what those benefits are.

Benefits Depend on Your Style—and Cruise Line

What kinds of benefits do you actually want – and use?

Cruise programs offer many of the same broad rewards. These include discounts, priority services, complimentary amenities and invitations to events. Yet the balance can be very different from one program to another.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society emphasizes progression through a visible tier structure. Members advance from Gold through Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club. At the higher levels, benefits include daily drink vouchers, internet allowances and access to the Crown Lounge on eligible sailings. Members also receive priority services and invitations to loyalty events.

Royal Caribbean also marks longer-term milestones with Crystal Blocks. These are physical awards presented at specified cruise-point levels. For some passengers, those visible markers of progress may carry value beyond the benefits attached to their tier.

Seabourn offers another model. At several Seabourn Club levels, members choose benefits from a menu. Depending on status, options can include Wi-Fi, laundry, a massage, spa access and savings on shore excursions, premium wines or spirits.

This makes the program personal. One passenger may value laundry during a longer voyage. Another might prefer a massage or an excursion discount. The benefit changes, but so does the person choosing it.

Crystal Cruises places more emphasis on milestones. Crystal Society members receive savings beginning with their second qualifying full-fare cruise. As they continue traveling, they collect Milestone Credits. Some levels include a choice of onboard credit, fare savings, upgrades or cruise credits.

The financial value can be significant. But the ceremonial elements are just as interesting. Pins, private in-suite celebrations, and hosted dinners do not work like Wi-Fi or onboard credit. But they acknowledge the history a passenger has built with the cruise line.

No single combination will suit every passenger.

Travelers who rarely drink may not care about complimentary cocktails. Passengers who always purchase an internet package may place a high value on Wi-Fi. Someone taking a long voyage might appreciate laundry far more than a logo gift. Another passenger may remember a hosted milestone dinner long after the onboard credit has been spent.

The most useful question may not be which program offers the most benefits. It may be which program offers the benefits that fit the way you travel.

The Finer Print

The table below brings together the main features of loyalty programs across 24 cruise brands. We examined enrollment, earning rules, tier thresholds, benefit timing, recurring benefits, milestone awards, expiration policies, cross-brand recognition and major exclusions.

Use the search box above the table to find a cruise line, program name or benefit. Searching for terms such as “Wi-Fi,” “laundry,” “status match” or “complimentary cruise” can help narrow the results. You can also sort the table by selecting a column heading. On a phone or smaller screen, swipe horizontally to view the remaining columns or turn your phone 90 degrees.

As always, offers may change, and availability can depend on itinerary, market, fare type or voyage length. This table is therefore a research tool, not a promise that every listed benefit will apply to every booking.

Cruise Line	Program	Enrollment	Earning Method	Tiers	Expiry	Status Validity	Core Benefits	Milestones & Recognition	Reciprocity	Status Match	Restrictions	Cruise Type
AmaWaterways	AmaWaterways Loyalty Benefits	Automatically recognized based on completed cruises	Cruises sailed.	Blue: 2nd cruise; Silver: 3rd cruise; Gold: 4th+ cruise.		Benefits apply during the cruise corresponding to the member’s level.	Blue: $100 cruise savings and Welcome Back Celebration. Silver: adds welcome amenity and complimentary airport transfers. Gold: complimentary one-category upgrade.				Benefits apply to new bookings only, are non-transferable and per stateroom unless stated otherwise. Loyalty savings are not cumulative. Upgrades are subject to availability, limited to one category and exclude suites (except Africa). Complimentary airport transfers apply only on eligible brochure itineraries.	River
American Cruise Lines	Eagle Society	Opt in on board or after first completed cruise.		Single membership level.		Benefits apply to future cruises after enrollment following the first completed cruise.	Members-only cruises, advance booking for new ships and itineraries, quarterly newsletter, family-and-friends ship visits during port calls (subject to approval), complimentary Shore Excursions and cruises.	Complimentary Premium Shore Excursions after 3 cruises. Complimentary 11th cruise after completing 10 cruises.	American Cruise Lines and Pearl Seas Cruises count equally toward Eagle Society.		Family-and-friends ship visits require advance notice and are subject to availability.	River, Coastal
Atlas Ocean Voyages	Atlas Yacht Club	Automatic after completing the first Atlas cruise of seven nights or longer.	Nights sailed.	Purple 7–35; Bronze 36–75; Silver 76–125; Gold 126–200; Captain’s Yacht Club 201+.		Status is based on completed nights. Current terms say a passenger who crosses a tier during a voyage receives the new benefits during that voyage.	Pins, savings, advance notice, events, wine, OBC, bridge tour, spa credit, officer dining, bathrobe, gift, transfers and high-tier private experiences.	Captain’s Yacht Club includes one complimentary Atlas expedition for two, up to 10 nights, subject to availability and bookable within 45 days of departure.			Benefits require completion of a first Atlas cruise of at least seven nights. Travel-advisor promotional, seminar-at-sea and interline rates are excluded. The complimentary expedition is availability-controlled.	Expedition, Ocean
Azamara	Azamara Circle	Auto-enrolled on booking, but full eligibility requires completion of a qualifying full-fare cruise.	Points per night by booked cabin: 2 Interior; 3 Oceanview; 5 Veranda; 6 Veranda Plus; 8 Continent; 10 Grandview; 18 top suites. Solo passengers earn double.	Adventurer 0–149; Explorer 150–299; Discoverer 300–749; Discoverer Plus 750–2,999; Discoverer Platinum 3,000+.	Complimentary nights must be redeemed within one year of tier change.	New tier benefits apply on the next cruise.	Future-voyage savings/OBC, internet, laundry, spa and beverage discounts, priority check-in and member events.	2 nights at Explorer; 4 at Discoverer; 6 at Discoverer Plus, plus 3 at 1,500 and 2,250; 10 at Platinum, plus 3 every 750 points.			Complimentary nights require a new booking of 7+ nights, cover only the member’s fare and exclude taxes/fees; cruisetour land cannot earn or redeem them.	Ocean
Carnival Cruise Line	Carnival Rewards	Launches Sept. 1, 2026. Existing VIFP members must opt in; primary Carnival Mastercard holders are automatically opted in.	3 redeemable Points and 3 Status Qualifying Stars per $1 eligible Carnival spend; casino points also earn. Card and partner activity can add earning.	Red at enrollment; Gold 10,000 Status Qualifying Stars; Platinum 50,000; Diamond 100,000+.	Points expire after three years without earning or redemption; never expire for Carnival Mastercard members.	Status upgrades immediately when earned and remains valid for the rest of the current earning period and the following two years. Requalification is then required every two years, except for grandfathered Diamond members.	Redeemable points can pay cruise fare, deposits, pre-cruise products and onboard purchases. Tier benefits include priority and recognition.	New day-based milestones at 50, 100, 200 and every 100 days thereafter. Existing VIFP milestones must be used by Dec. 31, 2030.			Points and stars are split among eligible passengers in a cabin; purchaser does not earn if not sailing. Reward details partly pending.	Ocean
Celebrity Cruises	Captain’s Club	Opt in.	2 Club Points/night (Inside & Ocean View); 3 (Veranda); 5 (Concierge Class & AquaClass); 8–24 (Suites). Single occupancy earns double Club Points. Power Up Points convert to Club Points at 10:1. Separate earning tables apply to Galápagos and River Cruises.	Preview 0; Classic 2–149; Select 150–299; Elite 300–749; Elite Plus 750–2,999; Zenith 3,000+.			Priority check-in; Captain’s Club Celebration; beverage, specialty dining and shopping discounts; complimentary laundry; complimentary Wi-Fi/internet by tier; stateroom upgrades; exclusive events; partner offers.	Complimentary cruises at 3,000 Club Points (7-night Veranda), 6,000 (7-night AquaClass), and 9,000 plus every additional 3,000 Club Points (7-night Sky Suite), on select Caribbean or Bermuda sailings. Awards expire if not redeemed within one year.	Royal Caribbean Group Shared Status across Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea.	Equivalent tier granted across the three brands. Underlying Club Points, Cruise Points and Venetian Society Days do not transfer. Separate loyalty accounts and point balances are maintained. Certain earned-status and milestone benefits remain reserved for members who qualified directly.	Galápagos exclusions apply to numerous Captain’s Club benefits. Complimentary stateroom upgrades are subject to availability. Shared Status does not transfer underlying points or milestone entitlements.	Ocean, river
Crystal Cruises	Crystal Society	Benefits begin on the second full-fare cruise.	Earn 1 Milestone Credit for each full-fare cruise of 5–15 nights or 2 Milestone Credits for cruises of 16+ nights. Cruises under 5 nights don’t earn Milestone Credits. Back-to-back cruises, Grand Journeys and World Cruise segments are counted separately. Milestone Credits are awarded after each qualifying cruise.	Milestone levels rather than conventional tiers: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, etc.	Crystal Society Milestone credits are cumulative and do not expire. Voyage-specific As You Wish credits must be used on that voyage; unused amounts are forfeited at its end.	Benefits begin on the second full-fare cruise. Milestone Credits post only after completing and disembarking from the qualifying voyage. Some benefits apply on the milestone voyage; others become available after it is completed.	2.5% Crystal Society Savings from the second voyage; an additional 2.5% saving when booking onboard; hosted Crystal Society cocktail party; milestone-based As You Wish Credits or fare savings; selected one-category upgrades; private-transfer allowances; and unlimited Osteria d’Ovidio and Umi Uma reservations from Milestone 50.	Recognition pins at Milestones 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 300. An in-suite celebration appears at Milestone 30; hosted recognition dinners begin at Milestone 50 and recur at selected levels. Reward choices at specified milestones include As You Wish Credit or fare savings, one-category upgrades on voyages up to 12 nights, and Crystal Society Cruise Credits beginning at Milestone 25 ($3,000 or $5,000 by booked category) and Milestone 50 ($5,000 or $8,500).			Milestone rewards must be requested at booking and before final payment; after final payment, only As You Wish Credits may be requested. Upgrades exclude Junior Crystal Penthouse and Crystal Penthouse.	Luxury, Ocean
Emerald Cruises	Scenic & Emerald Rewards	Opt in.	Status Points per day: Emerald Europe river cruises, 100–150 by cabin; Southeast Asia river cruises, 100–150; yacht cruises, 140–190; land journeys and extensions, 100. MyRewards earns up to 1% of eligible new booking value after travel.	Gold: entry after first journey; Diamond: 15,000 Status Points; Emerald: 30,000 Status Points; Chairman’s Club: invitation only (50,000+ Status Points and/or Executive Selection).	MyRewards credits are valid for up to three years from issue.	Gold begins after the first journey. Diamond and Emerald begin when the published Status Point threshold is reached. Chairman’s Club requires an invitation.	MyRewards earning and redemption across Scenic and Emerald; member-only offers and early access; dedicated member contact; home/airport transfers or transfer credit from Diamond; complimentary pre- or post-journey accommodation on qualifying trips; private destination transfers, laundry, welcome amenities and invitation-only dining from Emerald tier; Chairman’s Club adds priority concierge service, suite upgrades, premium transfers, massage or facial treatments, Champagne amenities and other selected cruise benefits.	Chairman’s Club is invitation-only. Invited members may claim one nontransferable complimentary 7-night Europe or Asia river cruise on specified itineraries in a lead-in balcony suite. Port charges, taxes and specified transfers are included; airfare is excluded, and the benefit is not combinable with normal loyalty entitlements or other offers.	One Scenic & Emerald Rewards account, one combined Status Points balance and one MyRewards balance across Scenic and Emerald Cruises. Members earn and redeem across both brands.		MyRewards excludes port charges, taxes, airfare taxes and gratuities, is issued after completed travel, cannot be exchanged for cash and expires after three years.	River, Ocean
Explora Journeys	Explora Club	Automatic for U.S. residents after reserving their first Journey; opt-in in other countries.	100 points per night, multiplied by suite category: Ocean Suite ×1; Ocean Penthouse ×2; Ocean Residence ×3; Owner’s Residence ×10. Earn 100 points for each full €/$1,000 spent on eligible onboard services or Destination Experiences. Points are added within 10 days after disembarkation.	Classic 0; Silver 1–5,000; Gold 5,001–20,000; Platinum 20,001–50,000; Diamond 50,001+.	All points expire after five years without completing a Journey, and the member returns to Classic.	New tier is awarded after the qualifying Journey. Status Match approved before embarkation applies on that Journey; approvals received onboard or after disembarkation apply from the next Journey.	Classic: member offers and early access to new Journey Collections. Silver: welcome gift, birthday Champagne, 5% Journey boutique savings, 5% future Journey savings, priority support, cocktail with ship leadership. Gold: surprise gift, one complimentary laundry bag per Journey. Platinum: 100 JEC for Ocean Wellness, 100 JEC for Destination Experiences, daily laundry and bridge tour. Diamond: private port transfer, one-category suite upgrade, dedicated embarkation area, culinary experience, President Journey experience and private shopping advisor.	Diamond members receive one complimentary Journey for two in an Ocean Suite after reaching 400 qualifying nights.		One Status Match request per lifetime using the published conversion matrix for Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Ponant, SeaDream Yacht Club, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Oceania Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. Approved members receive the matched Explora Club tier and the minimum points for that tier, then continue earning from that balance. Members who already hold a higher earned Explora Club tier keep their existing status.	No points on Net Rates, Complimentary Bookings, Explora Journeys Travel Advisor Benefit, MSC Family Benefit or Interline fares. Eligible onboard spending earns points only in complete €/$1,000 blocks.	Luxury, Ocean
Holland America Line	Mariner Society	Automatic after first completed cruise.	1 Cruise Day credit per sailed day; suite bonus doubles Cruise Day credits; 1 bonus Cruise Day credit per US$300 eligible combined onboard spend (both capped at cruise length); Alaska Cruisetour land days count.	One-Star after one cruise; Two-Star 30; Three-Star 75; Four-Star 200; Five-Star 500 credits.		One-Star benefits begin on the second cruise; new Star levels apply on the next cruise; Grand Voyage upgrades take effect immediately after the new tier is earned.	One-Star: early booking onboard credit, collectible gift, Mariner Cocktail voucher; Two-Star: ship photo, spa discounts, Welcome Reception, 50% Sommelier Suite discount; Three-Star: 50% specialty dining, coffee and minibar discounts, Regional Wine Tasting, complimentary laundry, priority check-in/tendering/disembarkation; Four-Star: free third/fourth guest fares, logo shop discount, Sel de Mer discount, two specialty dinners, Thermal Suite pass; Five-Star: internet credit, 50% third/fourth guest fares with free kids, additional logo shop and dining discounts.	Bronze Medallion: 100 cruise days; Silver: 300; Gold: 500; Platinum: 700; medallions are based on Cruise Days only.		Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Seabourn and Costa passengers automatically receive One-Star Mariner status when booking their first Holland America Line cruise; Cruise Day credits and higher Star levels do not transfer.	Suite bonus applies only to qualifying published suite or penthouse fares. Certain reduced, complimentary, promotional, and working-personnel fares may not earn bonus Cruise Day credits. Casino spending, cash advances, and Future Cruise deposits are excluded from eligible onboard spend.	Ocean
Hurtigruten	1893 Ambassador	Opt-in; open before travel.	No points or credits; 3+ consecutive-night cruise unlocks Level 2.	Level 1: on enrollment; Level 2: 3+ consecutive-night cruise.		Level 1 begins when the membership number is issued; Level 2 is added automatically about 24 hours after qualifying travel. Existing eligible members start at Level 2.	Level 1: Wi-Fi, cabin welcome gift, 5% excursion discount, partner offers; Level 2: all Level 1 benefits plus 5% off eligible Coastal Express, Svalbard Line and North Cape Line voyages, 5% off Hurtigruten Svalbard hotels and activities, higher partner discounts.				Voyage discounts apply only to qualifying sailings of three or more consecutive nights. Group bookings are excluded. Members must remain subscribed to program communications; unsubscribing removes benefits, and rejoining resets status to Level 1.	Expedition, Coastal, Ocean
MSC Cruises	MSC Voyagers Club	Automatic after sailing for U.S. residents or voluntary enrollment before sailing; minors may enroll through guardian.	Points by paid Experience and voyage length; 100 per $/€150 eligible prepaid services; package and promotional bonuses; world cruise triple and selected advance bookings double.	Welcome 0; Classic 1–2,199; Silver 2,200–4,299; Gold 4,300–9,999; Diamond 10,000–24,999; Blue Diamond 25,000+.	Membership and all points expire after 60 months without a completed cruise.	Points generally post about 10 days after sailing. A newly earned tier is reflected on the next cruise; upgrades across sailings fewer than 10 days apart may not update in real time. Matched status is effective after approval.	5% cruise discount from Classic; Voyagers Selection discounts; events, gifts, onboard discounts, priority services, dining and high-tier Blue Diamond recognition.	Tier recognition includes membership pins and a Blue Diamond welcome kit. No complimentary-cruise milestone is stated.	No shared sister-brand earning with Explora stated.	One-time external Status Match; comparable tier granted. Blue Diamond is excluded from Status Match.	Club number must be added at booking. Personal and cabin benefits are treated differently; points are personal and nontransferable. Status Match can be requested only once, and Blue Diamond cannot be obtained through Status Match.	Ocean
Norwegian Cruise Line	Latitudes Rewards	Automatic within 48 hours after first completed cruise	1 point per cruise night; +1 point per night for full-fare Suite or The Haven bookings; +1 point per night on Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer sailings.	Bronze: 1–19; Silver: 20–44; Gold: 45–74; Platinum: 75–149; Sapphire: 150–349; Diamond: 350–699; Ambassador: 700+.		Membership begins within 48 hours after the first completed cruise; points post within 48 hours after each sailing. New tiers apply after points post; separately booked back-to-back cruises receive new-tier benefits on the second sailing.	Bronze: member-only offers and onboard discounts. Silver: Cocktail Party, shore excursion, photo and spa discounts. Gold: 50% laundry, priority tendering/disembarkation. Platinum: priority embarkation, concierge, two specialty dinners with wine, Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Wines Around the World, Wi-Fi discount. Sapphire: priority dining/entertainment seating and Dinner with Officers. Diamond: Sail & Sustain Mixology Experience. Ambassador: highest discounts and onboard benefits.	Diamond: one-time complimentary cabin upgrade (book within 1 year; sail within 2 years). Ambassador: one complimentary 7-day balcony cruise for two (book within 1 year; sail within 2 years) and Ambassador gift.	Status honored on Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises on a per-cruise basis using the published tier-recognition chart; points remain with the brand sailed.	Norwegian Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum map to the same-named tiers at Oceania and Regent; Sapphire maps to Oceania Platinum and Regent Titanium; Diamond maps to Diamond at both; Ambassador maps to Oceania President’s Circle and Regent Commodore. Recognition is temporary and milestone benefits are excluded.	Suite bonus applies only to full-fare Suites and The Haven. Many onboard benefits require sailings of 5+ nights. Status Honoring excludes milestone benefits, including complimentary cruises, cabin upgrades and Ambassador gifts.	Ocean
Oceania Cruises	Oceania Club	Automatic; Oceania Club number created with the first cruise.	Credits by voyage length: 1 up to 24 days; 2 for 25–34; 3 for 35–44; 4 for 45–54; 5 for 55–64; 7 for 65–99; 10 for 100–157; 15 for 158+ days.	Bronze: 2 Cruise Credits; Silver: 10; Gold: 15; Platinum: 20; Diamond: 40; President’s Circle: 60+.			Bronze: cocktail receptions, member-only offers, 10% logo merchandise savings, private-label wine, $100 shipboard credit. Silver: $500 shipboard credit, two spa credits up to $150 each, 10% Prestige Select savings. Gold: officers’ dinner, $650 shipboard credit, two spa credits up to $150 each, 10% Prestige Select savings, two Custom Air Fee waivers. Platinum: priority terminal check-in, $750 shipboard credit, two spa credits up to $200 each, 10% Prestige Select savings, two Custom Air Fee waivers. Diamond: wine tasting, $1,000 shipboard credit, two spa credits up to $200 each, 10% Prestige Select savings. President’s Circle: $1,250 shipboard credit, complimentary Prestige Select package, General Manager’s VIP List, complimentary laundry.	Membership pin and embroidered cap on each new tier. Complimentary cruise at Platinum, Diamond and President’s Circle milestones; must be taken on the milestone cruise, limited to 14 days.	Status honored on Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises on a per-cruise basis using the published tier-recognition chart; Cruise Credits remain with the brand sailed.	Oceania Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum map to the same-named tiers at Norwegian and Regent; Diamond maps to Norwegian Ambassador and Regent Titanium; President’s Circle maps to Norwegian Ambassador and Regent Titanium. Request required at least 10 days before sailing; recognition is temporary and milestone benefits are excluded.	Complimentary cruise excludes airfare, transfers, taxes, fees, promotions and Around the World voyages or segments; no Cruise Credits are earned on the complimentary cruise.	Ocean
Princess Cruises	Captain’s Circle	Automatic after first completed Princess cruise.	1 cruise credit per completed cruise; Full Suite (mini-suites excluded) and solo exclusive occupancy fares earn 2 cruise credits. Cruise days count separately toward tier qualification and are never doubled.	Gold: after first completed cruise; Ruby: 3 cruises or 30 cruise days; Platinum: 5 cruises or 50 cruise days; Elite: 15 cruises or 150 cruise days.		Cruise credits post after each completed voyage; new tier begins on the next cruise after meeting the required cruise credits or cruise days.	Gold: Launch Savings, early itinerary access, preferential pricing, members-only events and onboard support. Ruby: dedicated Captain’s Circle Help Desk. Platinum: 50% MedallionNet, early dining reservations, 10% Lotus Spa, 10% Photo Gallery, disembarkation lounge. Elite: 10% Shops of Princess, 10% shore excursions, priority water shuttle and disembarkation, Grapevine wine tasting, mini-bar setup, deluxe canapés, afternoon tea, complimentary laundry and shoe polishing.				Land portion of Cruisetours does not count. Only Princess cruises and eligible P&O Australia sailings count; P&O UK cruises no longer qualify. Double cruise credits apply only to cruises (not cruise days) on Full Suite and solo exclusive occupancy fares; mini-suites excluded.	Ocean
Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Seven Seas Society	Automatic after first completed Regent voyage.	1 loyalty night per night sailed; solo passengers paying a 175%+ single supplement earn double loyalty nights.	Bronze: after first completed voyage; Silver: 21–74 nights; Gold: 75–199; Platinum: 200–399; Titanium: 400–999; Diamond: 1,000–1,999; Commodore: 2,000+.		First-time passengers booked for 21+ nights receive Silver benefits from embarkation. Existing members receive new-tier benefits from embarkation once their booked voyage reaches the qualifying threshold.	Bronze: cocktail reception, priority dining and shore-excursion reservations. Silver: $100 shipboard credit. Gold: unlimited Wi-Fi and priority disembarkation. Platinum: exclusive onboard/ashore event, 10% Regent Choice excursion/hotel/land-program discount. Titanium: private transfers, unlimited valet dry cleaning, 25% Regent Choice excursion/hotel/land-program discount and suite ready at 1 p.m. Diamond: 5% cruise-only fare savings, one Regent Choice excursion up to $250 per voyage segment and new-ship christening invitation. Commodore: 10% cruise-only fare savings.	Commemorative tier pin; Platinum leather luggage tags; Diamond invitation to a new-ship christening; Commodore officer’s jacket and commemorative plaque displayed aboard every ship in the fleet.	NCLH Status Honoring with Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises; equivalent status applies only to the requested cruise, and nights or points accrue only with the brand sailed.	Regent Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum map to the same-named tiers at Norwegian and Oceania; Titanium maps to Norwegian Sapphire and Oceania Diamond; Diamond maps to Norwegian Diamond and Oceania President’s Circle; Commodore maps to Norwegian Ambassador and Oceania President’s Circle. Request required at least 10 days before sailing; recognition is temporary and milestone benefits are excluded.	Hotel and land-program nights do not count. Reduced-rate and travel advisor fares do not earn loyalty nights or benefits. Platinum-and-higher Regent Choice discounts exclude Overland Adventures and private cars/vans.	Luxury, Ocean
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection	Marriott Bonvoy	Opt-in to Marriott Bonvoy; active account required.	5 base points per eligible US$1 of the cash Cruise Fare; 1 Elite Night Credit per completed cruise night personally paid for.	Member; Silver Elite: 10–24 nights/year; Gold Elite: 25–49; Platinum Elite: 50–74; Titanium Elite: 75+; Ambassador Elite: 100+ nights and US$23,000+ annual qualifying spend.	Points expire after 24 months without qualifying account activity.	Existing Bonvoy status is recognised onboard; Points and Elite Night Credits post up to 14 days after the completed cruise.	Member: earn and redeem points. Silver: Elite Reception. Gold: in-suite welcome gift. Platinum: first-evening laundry pressing. Titanium: priority boarding and departure. Ambassador: early S.E.A. reservations and complimentary laundry throughout the cruise.		Marriott Bonvoy members use the same account, points balance, Elite Night Credits and status across participating Marriott brands.		Points are earned only on eligible Cruise Fare; airfare, transfers, taxes, fees, port expenses, excursions, spa services and other separately charged items do not qualify.	Luxury, Ocean
Royal Caribbean International	Crown & Anchor Society	Opt-in; Gold status after first completed cruise.	1 Cruise Point per completed night; +1 per night for an eligible paid Suite; +1 per night for qualifying solo occupancy. Solo passengers in eligible Suites can earn 3 points per night.	Gold: after first completed cruise; Platinum: 30; Emerald: 55; Diamond: 80; Diamond Plus: 175; Pinnacle Club: 700.		Points can take up to 30 days; a tier reached onboard takes effect on the next sailing.	Gold: member fares and onboard discounts. Platinum: robes and photo discount. Emerald: welcome waters. Diamond: 4 daily drink vouchers, 1 free internet day and Crown Lounge access. Diamond Plus: 5 daily drink vouchers, 2 free internet days, 30% Deluxe Beverage Package discount and complimentary laundry bag. Pinnacle Club: 6 daily drink vouchers, unlimited internet, 40% Deluxe Beverage Package discount and specialty breakfast.	Crystal Blocks begin at 140 Cruise Points and every 70 points thereafter. Complimentary cruise certificates: Balcony at 700 and 1,050 points; Junior Suite at 1,400 points and every additional 350 points.	Shared status with Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club and Silversea Venetian Society.	Gold matches Celebrity Classic; Platinum matches Select; Emerald matches Select; Diamond matches Elite; Diamond Plus matches Elite Plus; Pinnacle Club matches Zenith. Shared status also applies with Silversea Venetian Society using the published tier-equivalency chart.	Reduced-rate and affinity-group sailings may not earn Cruise Points. Complimentary, promotional or reduced-rate Suite upgrades do not earn the extra Suite point.	Ocean
Scenic Luxury Cruises	Scenic & Emerald Rewards	Opt in.	Status Points per day: Scenic river 100–150; Scenic ocean 170–300; Scenic land 100; Emerald river 100–150; Emerald yacht 140–190; Emerald land 100. MyRewards: earn up to 1% of eligible new booking value toward a future Scenic or Emerald journey.	Gold: after first journey; Diamond: 15,000 Status Points; Emerald: 30,000 Status Points; Chairman’s Club: invitation only, 50,000+ Status Points.			Gold: MyRewards, member offers and pre-release access. Diamond: transfers, airport hotel/transfer credit, one-night pre/post accommodation (20+ day journeys) and priority ocean bookings. Emerald: concierge, laundry, welcome amenities and invitation-only dining. Chairman’s Club: suite upgrade, complimentary 7-night river cruise, annual event and enhanced transfers.	Chairman’s Club members receive one complimentary 7-night Europe or Asia river cruise on select itineraries in a lead-in balcony suite; benefit is non-transferable and may be claimed once.	One membership, combined Status Points and shared MyRewards across Scenic and Emerald; earn and redeem across both brands.		MyRewards exclude port charges, taxes, airfare taxes and gratuities; issued after completed travel and cannot be exchanged for cash. Transfers, accommodation, insurance, upgrades and selected benefits are subject to market, journey and availability.	Luxury, Ocean, River
Seabourn	Seabourn Club	Opt in.	Club Points: 1 per eligible sailed day; 1 extra per penthouse/premium-suite day; 1 per eligible Seabourn Journey day; 1 per $500 eligible spend, capped by cruise length. Separate Club Days track award cruises.	Member; Silver 15; Gold 50; Platinum 100; Diamond 200; Diamond Elite 500.	Club Days and unused Club Award Cruises expire after three years without sailing with Seabourn.	New level benefits apply on the next cruise; points/days may take 7–10 days to post.	Member: onboard events and Club Host. Silver: choose 1 benefit, including Stream Wi-Fi, shore-excursion savings or one laundry bag. Gold: choose 2 benefits, including unlimited laundry. Platinum: choose 3 benefits. Diamond: all member-choice benefits plus priority embarkation and laundry with pressing. Diamond Elite: spa credit, transfers, reduced single supplements and upgraded Champagne.	Complimentary cruise awards: 7 days at 350 Club Days; 14 days at 460; another 7 days every additional 110 Club Days. Awards cover the cruise fare in a V1 Veranda Suite; members may pay to upgrade.			Club Days and Club Points are not earned on charters, Club Award Cruises or specified reduced fares. Suite bonus requires a fully paid eligible suite; complimentary upgrades do not qualify.	Luxury, Expedition, Ocean
Silversea Cruises	Venetian Society	Automatic after first completed voyage; passengers may enroll earlier.	1 VS Day per completed eligible sailing day; 1 per eligible City Stay or Land Program day; +1 per sailed day for solo occupancy paid at 200%. Promotional bonus VS Days may apply but generally do not stack.	Milestones: 1, 15, 50, 100, 250, 350 and 500 VS Days.		VS Days post within 30 business days after the voyage; new Milestone benefits apply only to future voyages and are not retroactive.	1 VS Day: 5% savings on Venetian Society sailings, $500-per-suite referral savings, Reunion Voyage events and early itinerary access. 50 VS Days: booking benefits and shipboard credit. 100 VS Days: premium Wi-Fi. 250 VS Days: complimentary laundry, upgraded Champagne and priority embarkation. 500 VS Days: private executive transfers.	Complimentary cruises at 250, 350 and 500 VS Days; each award is issued once. An additional complimentary 7-day cruise is awarded every 150 VS Days thereafter. Complimentary cruises require earned VS Days; matched status does not qualify.	Shared status with Royal Caribbean International Crown & Anchor Society and Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club.	1 VS Day matches Royal Caribbean Gold and Celebrity Classic; 15 matches Platinum and Select; 50 matches Emerald and Select; 100 matches Diamond and Elite; 250 and 350 match Diamond Plus and Elite Plus; 500 matches Pinnacle Club and Zenith. Matched status does not confer VS Days or Milestone rewards.	Reduced-rate sailings do not earn VS Days. Complimentary or promotional upgrades generally do not earn additional VS Days.	Luxury, Expedition, Ocean
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises	River Heritage Club	Automatic after first completed Uniworld cruise.		Single membership level.		Benefits begin after first completed cruise.	River Heritage Club cruise savings, dedicated phone number, in-room treat, referral credit toward a future cruise, priority notice of new cruises, one complimentary laundry service per member per cruise, Riverviews e-magazine and members-only cocktail party.		Uniworld members receive up to 5% savings on select trips with Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and African Travel. Past passengers of those TTC brands receive US$100–$500 savings on Uniworld cruises.		River Heritage Club savings are calculated after other cash discounts and are combinable with current Uniworld promotions. Onboard amenities may differ on selected itineraries.	River
Virgin Voyages	Sailing Club	Automatic after one eligible paid voyage.	Eligible completed voyages count toward perks: Blue Extras after 2 voyages, for use on voyages 3–4; Deep Blue Extras after 4 voyages, for use from voyage 5.	Sailing Club: 1 completed eligible voyage; Blue Extras: 2; Deep Blue Extras: 4.		Voyage credit posts about 30 days after completion. Newly earned perks do not apply to an immediately following back-to-back voyage.	Sailing Club: member-only offers. Blue Extras: dedicated support, cocktail event, one laundry bag and one specialty coffee daily. Deep Blue Extras: adds $100 promotional Bar Tab, unlimited premium Wi-Fi, priority boarding, two pressed items, one specialty-cleaned item and two specialty coffees daily.				Casino, complimentary, gifted, travel-advisor, interline and other reduced-rate bookings do not count and do not receive earned perks. Blue Extras and Deep Blue Extras under the current terms are available through December 31, 2026.	Ocean
Windstar Cruises	Yacht Club	Automatic after first qualifying Windstar cruise.	1 point per eligible cruise night; 1.5 points per night in Wind Class Suites and Deluxe Suites; 2 points per night in Owner’s, Classic, Star Suites and Bridge Suite categories. Complimentary upgrades do not earn bonus points.	One Star 1–15; Two Star 16–39; Three Star 40–89; Four Star 90+.		Status updates the day after a qualifying cruise is completed. Benefits earned during a Star Collector voyage apply after the entire cruise is completed.	One Star: 5% cruise savings, 5% onboard booking/Welcome Home savings, Wi-Fi, laundry and merchandise discounts. Two Star adds $50 onboard credit and beverage and shore-excursion discounts. Three Star adds officer dinner, larger discounts and $75 onboard credit. Four Star adds captain or senior officer dinner, complimentary laundry, complimentary Wi-Fi, 15% shore-excursion and merchandise savings and $100 onboard credit. All members receive members-only sailings, cocktail party, deployment previews and Xanterra offers.	No separate milestone reward is stated. Officer and captain dining, member sailings and commemorative items are tier-based or event-based benefits rather than one-time mileage milestones.	Discounts at Xanterra Travel Collection sister companies; promotional and property-specific terms vary.		Certain reduced-rate and charter sailings do not qualify. Complimentary or reduced-rate premium suites do not earn bonus points.	Ocean
Cruise Line	Program	Enrollment	Earning Method	Tiers	Expiry	Status Validity	Core Benefits	Milestones & Recognition	Reciprocity	Status Match	Restrictions	Cruise Type

Reciprocity, Program Networks and Beyond the Ship

Cruise loyalty once tended to stay within one brand. A passenger earned status with a cruise line. The benefits usually remained there. However, that boundary is becoming less fixed.

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea now recognize equivalent status across their sister brands. The three brands still maintain separate programs and points balances. For instance, points earned with Royal Caribbean do not become Celebrity Club Points or Silversea Venetian Society Days.

On the other hand, Scenic and Emerald operate one shared Scenic & Emerald Rewards structure. Members maintain a combined Status Points balance and can earn or use MyRewards across both brands.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises take a more limited approach. Members of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards, Oceania Club and Regent’s Seven Seas Society can request that status be honored for a cruise with another group brand. The recognition applies only to the requested voyage. Points remain with the program in which they were earned.

Uniworld connects passengers with its wider Travel Corporation family in another way. Its River Heritage Club provides members with savings on selected sister brands, including Trafalgar and Insight Vacations. Travelers from those brands may also qualify for savings on a Uniworld cruise. This is not shared status. It is a network of reciprocal offers.

Other cruise lines recognize loyalty earned outside their corporate family.

MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys both allow eligible travelers to request a one-time status match from select outside loyalty programs. In both programs, the matched level continues beyond the first cruise, allowing members to use that status on future sailings. For travelers trying either brand for the first time, that means they do not always have to begin at the lowest level.

When Loyalty Leaves the Ship

Carnival Rewards will introduce another major shift when it launches on Sept. 1, 2026. The program will replace the VIFP Club’s largely days-based status structure with two separate currencies.

Carnival Rewards Points will be redeemable. Passengers will earn them through eligible Carnival spending and use them toward cruise fares, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, drinks, Wi-Fi and other qualifying experiences.

Status Qualifying Stars will serve a different purpose. They will determine whether a passenger reaches Red, Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, with each level unlocking its own benefits and recognition.

The Carnival Rewards Mastercard will extend that calculation beyond the vacation itself. In what may be a cruise industry first, eligible card spending will allow passengers to contribute to their Carnival status between sailings.

A grocery purchase or restaurant bill will not replace taking a Carnival cruise. But it could become part of the same loyalty journey.

That is a meaningful departure from the current VIFP Club. Today, status is based mainly on accumulated sailing days. Under Carnival Rewards, cruise spending, onboard purchases and eligible card activity will help determine status.

Days sailed will still matter through Carnival’s separate Milestones program. The company has outlined the broad structure, although further details about some milestone rewards and card benefits are still expected.

That gives passengers plenty to watch over the coming months.

We will soon see how the new earning model works in practice, how members respond to fixed qualification periods and whether everyday spending changes the way passengers think about cruise loyalty.

Carnival Rewards may also influence a wider industry conversation.

Will more programs begin connecting status with spending beyond the ship?

That brings us back to the question raised at the beginning.

Should loyalty be measured by cruises taken, nights sailed, dollars spent and where that spend happened?

Beginning this September, Carnival will start giving passengers one possible answer.