Happy Monday!
Let’s talk about Cruise Loyalty Programs. These programs would be the equivalent of frequent flyer or hotel reward programs where repeated business equals perks and bonuses.
Cruising is no different. Each cruise line has some kind of loyalty program that offers onboard perks and bonuses–everything from free drinks to free cruises.Today we will cover Princess Captain’s Circle.
Princess Cruises describes its Captain’s Circle as “the best loyalty program at sea.” Guests are automatically enrolled by simply taking a cruise, and move through the four tiers in one of two ways: the total number of cruises or the cumulative number of cruise days. Guests can earn double cruise points for suite and solo bookings.
Guests begin at the Gold Tier after completing their first cruise. The perks include:
- Captain’s Circle Launch Savings–exclusive early-booking discounts, up to $100 per person
- Invitations to members-only onboard events
- Onboard support with a dedicated Circle Host
- Access to Circle Center Online, an exclusive area for Captain’s Circle members
- A Circle Savings Account
- Collectible Destination Stamps
- Gold Member Recognition Pin
Guests reach the Ruby Tier once they complete 3 cruises or 30 cruise days. They will receive all the benefits of the Gold Tier plus:
- Exclusive shoreside access to the Captain’s Circle Help Desk phone line
- Princess Platinum Vacation Protection Upgrade
- Ruby Member Recognition Pin
After 5 cruises or 50 cruise days, guests reach the Platinum Tier, and receive all the benefits of the Gold and Ruby Tiers plus:
- 50% discount on MedallionNet internet packages
- Preferred Check-In
- Early access to specialty dining reservations
- 10% off Lotus Spa treatments
- Exclusive access to the Platinum and Elite Lounge
- 10% off the Photo Gallery
- Complimentary Destination Collection–the cruise line’s annual cruise atlas and destination e-brochure
- Platinum Member Recognition Pin
Guests who reach the Elite Tier will have completed 15 cruises or 150 cruise day and receive all the benefits of the previous 3 tiers plus:
- Complimentary laundry services and shoe polishing
- Complimentary minibar set up
- Priory ship-to-shore tender embarkation
- 10% discount on shore excursions and The Shop of Princess
- Complimentary Grapevine Wine Tasting Event
- Complimentary afternoon tea in stateroom
- Deluxe canapé selection on formal nights
- Priority disembarkation
- Elite Member Recognition Pin
Separate but related to the Captain’s Circle loyalty program, Princess Cruises offers a free, quarter-sized wearable device called a Medallion which is color-coded based on your Captain’s Circle loyalty status. This Medallion pairs with the Princess app and allows all the following:
- Guests who check-in early and receive their Medallion by mail can use the “Green Lane” for father embarkation
- Keyless Stateroom Entry
- Guests can use the app to order food, drinks, and more and the crew can use the Medallion to locate and deliver directly to you anywhere onboard
- Guests can locate their shipmates for quicker meet-ups
Princess’ Captain’s Circle does not offer a free cruise at its top tier, but it does extend its loyalty tier benefits to children and teenagers making it more rewarding to families. Captain’s Circle members’ loyalty status does not expire and members do not need to requalify annually–once a guest hits Elite status, they will remain there forever.