Loyalty Programs - Are they important to you?

cruisetarp · August 22, 2012

If you belong to any of the cruise lines loyalty programs, how important is the program in keeping you sailing with them? Would you not try other lines simply because of the perks you receive from one line?

We were loyal to RC until they restructured their program. They added a new level so far removed from the previous high level that attaining it was just about impossible for us. They also took away some of the benefits we had in the past. We then tried some other lines and had mostly very good experiences and would sail with most of them again.

Jan115 · August 22, 2012

My husband certainly is loyal to Princess. He wouldn't veer from them until he reached Platinum status. Now that he's platinum, he won't cruise with any other line until he reaches elite, and since we only cruise once a year, it's going to take a while. As much as I love Princess, I would love to give some of the other cruise lines my business. I guess I'll have to go solo! :rolleyes2:

DebbieandJerry · August 22, 2012

We have finally reached VIP status with Carnival and certainly keep that in mind when looking for a vacation. But, with that being said, we certainly look at other lines if the price is right and the itinerary is what we are looking for.

To me, this is no different that the local grocery store scan card and getting coupons in the mail based on my shopping experiences. I kinda like that ...!

KeithnRita · August 22, 2012

We don't really pay that much attention to the loyalty programs. We like to try as many lines as we can.

WeCruiseToo · August 24, 2012

We like the perks that we get for having sailed some of the cruise lines more than others, but it’s never really a factor in deciding what our next cruise is.

RayColey · August 24, 2012

We're the same way. Perks are nice, but not a real factor in deciding with which line to cruise. Itinerary is the most important thing. Beside which, most of the perks are things that we can easily do without (a chocolate on your pillow? Now really, how much is that worth?)

AndiD · August 24, 2012

Ditto here! We sail mainly on 3 lines: RCI, Princess and Celebrity, but have also done HAL and would like to do Disney and maybe some others............We are at the level on these 3 where we get free internet packages and that is so far the perk we like the most! I look at itinerary, price, ship and timing - those pretty much determine which cruise we'll take.

Shari2 · August 27, 2012

We haven't sailed with one line long enough to get too many of the perks, but when getting a suite twice on different ships it was really nice to have the special boarding privleges, and also the tender privleges. We would still choose to be on the line/ship we like the most and which is going to the ports we want whether we have perks or not.

ChrisMorgan · August 30, 2012

I think Carnival has a great program. It just takes along time to get the good tier! Maybe if they had some small incentives to add in thru the years to get to the platinum level would be nice 25-75 is a big jump! The platinum level has many great perks but it would take an average person many years to get there. I'm at 29 with Carnival. If we averaged a 5 day cruise a year it would take 9 years. I might have to step it up a bit!!!

GottaCruz · August 31, 2012

Last December, we really enjoyed the perks we got on RC. They gave us more perks than we usually get because it was right before the holidays, I guess. Every night , in the cabin, another gift was delivered, either a food item or a tote bag or something with the logo. We also very much enjoy access to the Diamond Club lounge that offers free cocktails and appetizers , I think it was 5-8 PM. They had meatballs, shrimp, petit fours, etc. The Diamond Club lounge access we get on every cruise, but the gifts were unusual to get every night. If we wanted to try another line, we wouldn't let the perks stop us, we're just content to stick to RC, at least for now.