Royal Caribbean has made two changes to Crown and Anchor Society benefits that cruisers should be aware of.
The cruise line does not update its loyalty program often, but the lineup of benefits are a critical reason many people remain "loyal to Royal".
We've noticed two major changes that have been introduced recently, and I think they could make your cruise better (assuming you qualify for them).
One change was announced via email, and another was spotted by our site readers.
Here's what's new and different in the Crown and Anchor Society benefits.
Priority tendering added for Pinnacle Club members
If you're lucky enough to have made it to the upper most tier of Crown and Anchor, there's a new perk.
Pinnacle Club members now don't have to worry about getting a tender ticket to go ashore.
"We’re introducing a new exclusive benefit for Pinnacle Club members designed to make getting ashore faster and more seamless than ever," the announcement said in an email.
Available on select European sailings, tender tickets are now distributed via the Royal Caribbean app.
- Odyssey of the Seas: Santorini tender port days
- Harmony of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days
- Legend of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days
"With Priority Digitized Tendering, you’re automatically set to head ashore — no lines, no waiting, no extra steps."
On ships where Digitized Tendering is not yet available, Pinnacle priority tendering will not be offered, just yet. However, Royal Caribbean says more ships will be added as the experience expands.
Royal Caribbean recently experimented with offering tendering on an Oasis Class ship for the first time. It was to prepare for an even larger ship, Legend of the Seas, to offer tendering as well.
Traditionally, tender tickets were distributed by hand and required guests to a location to request them. Making them digital means a more convenient way for everyone to sign up.
Single supplement discount for all Diamond Plus guests now?
Royal Caribbean updated its loyalty benefits grid, and it appears more people will have access to reduced fare if they are cruising solo.
Royal Caribbean Blog reader Mick noticed the change and posted about it on our Royal Caribbean message boards.
The current The Crown & Anchor Society loyalty benefits grid has updated verbiage that no longer mentions needing 340 points to qualify for the single supplement cruise fare reduction.
This means someone sailing alone and is a Diamond Plus member or higher only has to pay 1.5 times the cruise fare of one person, instead of two times.
Up until now, guests needed to have at least 340 points to qualify for the single supplement discount. But in comparing the previous benefit grid to the new one, the wording "for members that have 340+ Cruise Points" has been removed.
The new wording is: "Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal
and Canada sailings) from 200%".
The terms and conditions have not changed for the restrictions on this discount: Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club single members are eligible for a single supplement cruise fare at 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings). This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. This offer is not applicable to Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’ s Day, Holy Week, Easter/Spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Golden Week [Asia],Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year ’ s), or peak summer months from June 1 through August 15. Not valid on new ships within the first 365 days of service.
The single supplement discount does not apply to studio cabins, which are solo fares from the start.
Other readers mentioned the policy change is primarily in writing only, as the DP340 discount worked for any Diamond Plus member.
Twangster posted, "For those that don't know, DP340 has worked for any D+ member, even those short of 340 points for a decade now. It's like they can't seem to fix the code, so lets make it official."
