In the real world, things like landing a job, graduating from college, or having a baby are wildly celebrated. But somehow, earning 80 cruise points with Royal Caribbean feels just as monumental in the cruise industry.
The significant milestone comes with some impressive benefits, including access to the Diamond Lounge, complimentary internet, and free drink vouchers every day of the cruise.
I didn't reach Diamond status until I was in my 20s, but it's already changed how I cruise. For example, drink packages have become a thing of the past thanks to the four daily Diamond drinks.
In turn, this has freed my mind from the seemingly constant "is a drink package worth it" debate, since I can begin my mornings with a specialty latte, sip on a crisp Diet Coke by the pool, and sample the ship's extensive cocktail selection — all at no extra charge.
Here's why I love my Diamond Crown and Anchor status — and why I think every diehard cruise fan should strive for it.
How do you become a Diamond member on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society has six different loyalty tiers, starting with Gold. The more you cruise, the faster you will move up the ranks. However, the real benefits don't kick in until you reach Diamond status at 80 cruise points.
Through Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, every cruiser gets one point for every night of the cruise. You can earn two points per night if you stay in a Junior Suite or higher, as well as if you're traveling solo.
Crown and Anchor points never expire, which means you can continue to accrue points even if your last Royal Caribbean cruise was over a decade ago. Plus, once you reach Diamond status, you'll never be bumped back to Gold, Platinum, or Emerald.
It takes the average cruiser about 12 seven-night sailings to finally reach the Diamond tier. Guests who primarily sail on shorter itineraries may take longer to hit the milestone. For example, you'd have to take 20 four-night cruises to earn 80 points in the Crown and Anchor Society.
As mentioned, cruisers booking suites or traveling by themselves can reach Diamond status faster. Regardless of how long it takes, hitting Diamond is a rewarding achievement for all Royal Caribbean fans.
What are the best Royal Caribbean Diamond benefits?
The best benefits of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society are reserved for the top-tier members (AKA Diamond and above). Although all cruisers will receive some level of recognition through the loyalty program, the perks become noticeably more valuable once you hit 80 cruise points.
Royal Caribbean Diamond drinks
By far, one of the most popular Diamond benefits is the four free drink vouchers. Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members receive four, five, and six complimentary drink vouchers per day, respectively, leading to significant savings throughout any cruise.
These can be used on both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, each of which would cost up to $14 without the voucher. This means you can save upwards of $56 each day of your cruise, totaling around $392 on a seven-night voyage!
There are a few exclusions to be aware of. For starters, drink vouchers can't be used at the onboard Starbucks or the Bionic Bar. Additionally, there’s a $14 price limit per beverage. For the most part, however, you can order just about whatever you want, whether soda, a cocktail, a glass of wine, or beer.
There are other drink perks, too. For example, Diamond cruisers also get two coupons for 50% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda, along with 50% off Johnny Rockets milkshakes.
Royal Caribbean Crown Lounge
The Crown Lounge (formerly the Diamond Lounge) is another perk I enjoy about being a Diamond member.
This exclusive space is a private, relaxing environment on a Royal Caribbean cruise, complete with a dedicated concierge who will help with dining reservations, tender tickets, and more. Complimentary food is available in the mornings and evenings, and there's a self-serve coffee/latte maker in the lounge, too.
The biggest downsides of the Crown Lounge are that non-Diamond members aren't allowed in, so if you're cruising with other people who have lower status, you likely won't use the lounge all that much.
Moreover, due to the high number of top-tier loyalty members, access for Diamond cruisers can occasionally be restricted during peak hours on crowded sailings.
Wash & Fold laundry bag discount
Although the $10 discount likely is not enough on its own to send you straight down to Next Cruise to put down a deposit on your next sailing, it still adds up as a small but appreciated perk.
Returning home from a cruise with clean clothes is convenient, especially after longer voyages or if you simply don't want to deal with multiple loads of laundry before returning to work.
Once you reach the higher Diamond Plus tier, you’ll even receive a complimentary Wash & Fold laundry bag on all cruises of five nights or more.
Complimentary professional photograph
Many travelers don't want to haul around a professional camera on vacation, especially when it could get exposed to elements like sand, saltwater, or rain.
Well, good news! As a Diamond cruiser, you can get one professional photograph per sailing. This makes it a little easier to capture your family's memories without having to awkwardly ask a stranger if they'll snap a picture with your phone. Diamond members also get a 30% discount on another single picture, photo package, or photo book.
The best part is that it does not cost anything to have the pictures taken. As such, if you end up not liking any of the options, you aren't required to take any home. There's not really a downside to stopping for a few photos, especially on formal night or when debarking the ship in port, throughout your cruise.
Casino FreePlay
Unfortunately, gambling on a cruise ship is one of my favorite vices, especially since I cut out drinking. Even more unfortunate is that I rarely seem to walk away ahead.
Although it is very unlikely to change my life, I love using the Diamond FreePlay benefit. The $6 means I can sit down at a slot machine and play a few rounds without immediately drawing from my wallet — and you never know when that $6 will be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled!
Moreover, Crown and Anchor Society members get free jackpot cards when they purchase a multi-game bingo package. It is not a life-changing perk, but the six cards could boost your chances at walking away with a little extra cash.
Royal Caribbean status match
As I've gotten older, I've noticed that my travel preferences do not always align with the Royal Caribbean brand. Enter the company's lucrative status match program, which rewards brand loyalty across the Royal Caribbean Group portfolio.
My Diamond status with Royal Caribbean automatically grants me Elite status with Celebrity Cruises, allowing me to enjoy a range of benefits even though I have few cruise points with the premium line. My favorites are the Elite Happy Hour, complimentary laundry bag, and the free access to the Persian Garden thermal spa when in port (once per sailing).
Plus, as of this year, you no longer have to earn points with the brand you sail. In other words, you can choose which line's loyalty program you want your points to be added to. This means that you can sail with Celebrity and continue to work your way toward Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club status.
Are the Royal Caribbean Diamond perks worth it?
Overall, being Diamond greatly enhances my cruise experience with Royal Caribbean. Of course, it took a lot of time and money to reach this coveted tier. Still, the perks, recognition, and added convenience make every sailing feel rewarding.
The daily drinks, especially, are a huge benefit of reaching Diamond status. Having complimentary beverages each day of the voyage saves money, whether I was going to get a drink package or not.
I also love the free professional photograph. Normally, I would never spend $20 or more on a single picture, so getting one for free is much appreciated.
Plus, being able to match my status to Celebrity Cruises has been beneficial on numerous occasions, from sailing the Greek Isles on Celebrity Ascent to exploring Norway on Celebrity Eclipse.
All in all, Diamond status is genuinely worth it for frequent cruisers. The combination of everyday benefits, savings, and reciprocal status across sister brands makes the time and money put into climbing the Crown and Anchor Society worthwhile.
