700 pts Pinnacle cruise

[Pattycruise]

Can someone who has earned Pinnacle or has a good sense of interpretation explain this?  I’ve read it a few times, is the cruise on which you hit 700 points free? Or do you earn that cruise once you hit 700 pts and then you can choose a free cruise?

(the excerpt is from the C&A member benefits flyer)

[twangster]

On the cruise that you cross the 700 threshold the loyalty ambassador will submit the paperwork to have your Pinnacle welcome kit started in motion.  While the stratum crystal block and name badges can take 3 to 6 months to reach you (or more these days) the free cruise certificate is typically ready very soon after the 700 cruise.  Within a few weeks after the 700 cruise the free cruise certificate will be on file and you can use it before physically receiving it.  

The free cruise certificate is an actual certificate in the welcome package but it is essentially an FCC with special conditions applied that will be attached to your CAS profile so a week or two after your "700" cruise should be able to call in and tell the CAS person you are Pinnacle and want to use your free cruise certificate.  They'll transfer you to resolutions who can book your free cruise. 

For example I boarded Anthem with 667 points.  I was solo in a JS on an 11 night cruise.  As a solo in a JS I earned 3 points per night so on an 11 night cruise that was 33 points.  667 + 33 = 700 exactly.  Since I reached 700 on this cruise this was my Pinnacle "recognition" cruise.   While the full Pinnacle benefits would not be realized until my next cruise this is the cruise where I was called on stage during the top tier event, had a picture taken with the HD and Captain and where the loyalty ambassador sat down with me to walk me through the paperwork that he would submit after the cruise that eventually resulted in my Pinnacle kit arriving at my home.   

I didn't get free internet, full access to Coastal Kitchen or any other Pinnacle benefits since I was still Diamond Plus for all of this "700" cruise.  Those Pinnacle benefits would only kick in on the next cruise.  Since I was in a JS I had dinner privileges in CK like all JS suite guests do.  As a courtesy the loyalty ambassador invited me to the suite & Pinnacle party on the winchpad (no "helipad" on Quantum class) but other than that I was not Pinnacle on my "700" cruise.  This can vary as some loyalty ambassadors will extend some or all Pinnacle benefits to newly recognized Pinnacle members at their discretion.  

In my case my next cruise was roughly two weeks later.  For that cruise I boarded the ship as a Pinnacle with full benefits.  Nothing was done on that cruise in terms of being announced at the top tier or picture taken, I was already a Pinnacle so it was just a regular Pinnacle cruise, the first of many that would follow as a Pinnacle member.

[twangster]

The free 700 and 1050 cruise have two primary methods of use.  Are you familiar with those already?  Or the conditions applied?

[Neesa]

That was really so interesting. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! While I'm not sure we could ever cruise that much on Royal, I really enjoyed hearing about the monumental achievement! 

[BrianB]

@twangsterMy experience with reaching Pinnacle was the same as your’s. I accumulated 700 points midway through a cruise in February and the Loyalty Ambassador reached out to tell me I was going to be recognized on that cruise. As the Tier Party was on day 2, technically I wasn’t even Pinnacle yet (not for another two days) and the points wouldn’t have been applied until 10-14 days after the cruise…but that was my milestone cruise. I didn’t receive ‘The Box’ with the actual certificate until August.

When I called about two weeks after that cruise, the Pinnacle free cruise certificate was waiting for me in my account and I had no problem applying it to an existing cruise towards a suite. I didn’t need to book a new cruise. I don’t know if that is the current policy or if it was one of those ‘Covid Period Temporary Things’. 

I just made my 1050 milestone last week. Same procedure…my recognition was done on day 2 of the cruise whereas technically I didn’t accumulate the 1050 until midway through the cruise. I’ll wait two weeks and call to see if the free cruise certificate is in my account.

[Pattycruise]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

The free 700 and 1050 cruise have two primary methods of use.  Are you familiar with those already?  Or the conditions applied?

Thank you for the in depth explanation! I am not familiar with the use of those cruises.  I do have a bit of a time to get there but I was planning out my cruises and thought it read the cruise I was on would be my free cruise.  I didn’t want that being a casino comp!

 

[BrianB]

@PattycruiseI understand your concern. That part of the description is sort of a typo and I thought it would be changed or even clarified by now. It makes it seem that the cruise upon which you reach 700 points will be your ‘free Pinnacle cruise’. As if you didn’t have a choice. 
It doesn’t make any sense and should be corrected.
Happy cruising and enjoy your journey to the P Club!

[GatorCruiser]

I’m crossing the 50 point threshold on my upcoming cruise , I expect an ambassador to sit down with me as well….. to discuss my future emerald status 

[twangster]

9 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Thank you for the in depth explanation! I am not familiar with the use of those cruises.  I do have a bit of a time to get there but I was planning out my cruises and thought it read the cruise I was on would be my free cruise.  I didn’t want that being a casino comp!

 

The free cruise cannot be used on a ship in its first year of service and holiday cruises are not eligible. 

The free cruise can be used in one of two primary ways.

1. Seven night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony cabin.  If you choose a cruise that matches all 3 of those conditions then the base cruise fare is free except for port fees, taxes and gratuity.  Find the most expensive 7 night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony (or extended balcony) and they pay 100% of the cruise fare portion.  Wonder for example will be out of its first year of service in April 2023 and it is currently the most expensive ship doing the Caribbean.  If an extended balcony cabin for two on Wonder for 7 nights in the Caribbean costs $6,200 plus port fees and taxes all you pay is port fees and taxes, plus gratuity.

If you desire to change any of those 3 items then option 2 is required.  If you want to upgrade to suite, or do a 9 night cruise, or go somewhere other than the Caribbean then its option 2.

2. $2,400 towards the regular cruise fare. If you have or desire to book a cruise that doesn't match 7 night & Caribbean & Balcony then the $2,400 is deducted from the cruise fare portion of the undiscounted fare.  Don't plug in your CAS number when searching for a cruise to find the regular fare that a never cruised with Royal would pay, then take $2,400 off the cruise fare portion not including port fees, taxes, gratuity, insurance, transfers, etc.  If you have already booked a cruise that has some CAS discounts they may be removed when you apply the free cruise certificate.  Just ask them.  

Let's say a cruise cost $4,200 for a newbie who has never sailed Royal, of which $305 is port fees and taxes.  The base fare is then $4,200 - $305 = $3,895.  Subtract $2,400 from that for your cost.  $3,895 - $2,400 = $1,495 plus port fees, taxes and gratuity.

Under option 2 you can't use any CAS discounts but most promos fares available at the time of booking will still be applicable.   

If you normally have Royal shareholder OBC that is also ineligible for the free cruise.

You can normally apply the free cruise towards an existing booking but there can be exceptions.  Just ask them when you call.  If you booked a cruise through a TA then the TA won't get any commission for that cruise.  

RoyalUp is still an option for a free cruise.  

Normally a cruise with no cruise fare doesn't earn CAS points but there are ways around that such as they charge $1.  Some agents are more aware of ways to get this done.  

Normally absolutely no changes are allowed so choose wisely.  You can call multiple times, ask questions and call then back once you decide so don't rush into a decision.

You normally have 6 months to apply the free cruise certificate to something and it must sail within 12 months.  They were really good to work with through the pandemic when my free cruise was cancelled and cancelled again.  There may seem like a lot of conditions and stuff but they are pretty good to work with so don't hesitate to call and have them walk you through it.  

The standard Royal Caribbean customer experience applies - despite everything stated above there will be someone who managed to apply a free cruise certificate that isn't normally allowed like on a holiday sailing or some other condition.  They got lucky, it's not the norm, but it happens.

Clearly the best way to get maximum value is to choose option one.  If you choose option 2 and pick a cruise with only a $2,000 cruise fare then you have "wasted" $400 worth of potential fare reduction.  Choose wisely.  

My original 700 free cruise in Alaska was lost to the pandemic then lost again the next year so I ended up switching to option 1 and chose a March Break cruise in an extended balcony.  I was allowed to break the no-change rule AND the must sail within 12 month rule since they cancelled the original cruises due to the pandemic.  Since it was a free cruise I used RoyalUp to end up in a loft suite. Total cost for a loft suite during March break using a free balcony cruise upgraded through RoyalUp was way cheaper compared to booking a loft suite during March break so I ended getting over $8,000 in value from this approach.  

For my 1050 free cruise on another sailing I applied $2,400 to a Star Class booking I already had. 

Generally speaking with soaring cruise fares the free cruise option 1 has more and more value everyday.  

 

[Pattycruise]

7 hours ago, twangster said:

The free cruise cannot be used on a ship in its first year of service and holiday cruises are not eligible. 

The free cruise can be used in one of two primary ways.

1. Seven night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony cabin.  If you choose a cruise that matches all 3 of those conditions then the base cruise fare is free except for port fees, taxes and gratuity.  Find the most expensive 7 night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony (or extended balcony) and they pay 100% of the cruise fare portion.  Wonder for example will be out of its first year of service in April 2023 and it is currently the most expensive ship doing the Caribbean.  If an extended balcony cabin for two on Wonder for 7 nights in the Caribbean costs $6,200 plus port fees and taxes all you pay is port fees and taxes, plus gratuity.

If you desire to change any of those 3 items then option 2 is required.  If you want to upgrade to suite, or do a 9 night cruise, or go somewhere other than the Caribbean then its option 2.

2. $2,400 towards the regular cruise fare. If you have or desire to book a cruise that doesn't match 7 night & Caribbean & Balcony then the $2,400 is deducted from the cruise fare portion of the undiscounted fare.  Don't plug in your CAS number when searching for a cruise to find the regular fare that a never cruised with Royal would pay, then take $2,400 off the cruise fare portion not including port fees, taxes, gratuity, insurance, transfers, etc.  If you have already booked a cruise that has some CAS discounts they may be removed when you apply the free cruise certificate.  Just ask them.  

Let's say a cruise cost $4,200 for a newbie who has never sailed Royal, of which $305 is port fees and taxes.  The base fare is then $4,200 - $305 = $3,895.  Subtract $2,400 from that for your cost.  $3,895 - $2,400 = $1,495 plus port fees, taxes and gratuity.

Under option 2 you can't use any CAS discounts but most promos fares available at the time of booking will still be applicable.   

If you normally have Royal shareholder OBC that is also ineligible for the free cruise.

You can normally apply the free cruise towards an existing booking but there can be exceptions.  Just ask them when you call.  If you booked a cruise through a TA then the TA won't get any commission for that cruise.  

RoyalUp is still an option for a free cruise.  

Normally a cruise with no cruise fare doesn't earn CAS points but there are ways around that such as they charge $1.  Some agents are more aware of ways to get this done.  

Normally absolutely no changes are allowed so choose wisely.  You can call multiple times, ask questions and call then back once you decide so don't rush into a decision.

You normally have 6 months to apply the free cruise certificate to something and it must sail within 12 months.  They were really good to work with through the pandemic when my free cruise was cancelled and cancelled again.  There may seem like a lot of conditions and stuff but they are pretty good to work with so don't hesitate to call and have them walk you through it.  

The standard Royal Caribbean customer experience applies - despite everything stated above there will be someone who managed to apply a free cruise certificate that isn't normally allowed like on a holiday sailing or some other condition.  They got lucky, it's not the norm, but it happens.

Clearly the best way to get maximum value is to choose option one.  If you choose option 2 and pick a cruise with only a $2,000 cruise fare then you have "wasted" $400 worth of potential fare reduction.  Choose wisely.  

My original 700 free cruise in Alaska was lost to the pandemic then lost again the next year so I ended up switching to option 1 and chose a March Break cruise in an extended balcony.  I was allowed to break the no-change rule AND the must sail within 12 month rule since they cancelled the original cruises due to the pandemic.  Since it was a free cruise I used RoyalUp to end up in a loft suite. Total cost for a loft suite during March break using a free balcony cruise upgraded through RoyalUp was way cheaper compared to booking a loft suite during March break so I ended getting over $8,000 in value from this approach.  

For my 1050 free cruise on another sailing I applied $2,400 to a Star Class booking I already had. 

Generally speaking with soaring cruise fares the free cruise option 1 has more and more value everyday.  

 

Again Amazing detailed explanation.  Thank you for taking the time to explain everything!

I’ll ask another question though I suppose I know the answer.  How does a spouse fall into this? Hubby will not have earned 700 points.  I assume he cannot get his “own” free cruise.  If that’s the case, when he reaches  his own 700 points would he get a cruise? Or is this all on a “per household” basis.

[twangster]

51 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Again Amazing detailed explanation.  Thank you for taking the time to explain everything!

I’ll ask another question though I suppose I know the answer.  How does a spouse fall into this? Hubby will not have earned 700 points.  I assume he cannot get his “own” free cruise.  If that’s the case, when he reaches  his own 700 points would he get a cruise? Or is this all on a “per household” basis.

Your question leads me to a question...

Why haven't you requested that your husband be placed in a relationship with you so that he would become Pinnacle when you become Pinnacle?  Most married couples are placed into a CAS relationship so you both appear to have the points that the highest person in the relationship has.  As the higher points person levels up, so does the associated person in a CAS relationship regardless how many points they actually have.  This includes leveling up to Pinnacle.

If you log into his CAS account, does his points counter equal your points or his actual earned points?

But to answer your question... normally a couple are treated as a household.  The free cruise is for two guests in that household, or you could go solo on the free cruise if desired, or you could probably invite a friend to join you on the free cruise and leave hubby at home.  However he would then lose out on the free cruise.  Just as the number of bottles of CAS wine delivered to the cabin is per household, not for each CAS D+/P member in a cabin.

The only way to have your both earn a free cruise would be for you and your husband to appear to be not married.    If you and he were friends for example, who happened to cruise a lot and sometimes together, you both would earn 700 points on your own cruising points then in theory they wouldn't treat you as a household, maybe. 

If you have a long cruising history together and especially if you both have the same street address in your CAS profile I'm surprised you weren't placed in a CAS relationship already so it's not a common scenario.  

[Pattycruise]

15 minutes ago, twangster said:

Your question leads me to a question...

Why haven't you requested that your husband be placed in a relationship with you so that he would become Pinnacle when you become Pinnacle?  Most married couples are placed into a CAS relationship so you both appear to have the points that the highest person in the relationship has.  As the higher points person levels up, so does the associated person in a CAS relationship regardless how many points they actually have.  This includes leveling up to Pinnacle.

If you log into his CAS account, does his points counter equal your points or his actual earned points?

But to answer your question... normally a couple are treated as a household.  The free cruise is for two guests in that household, or you could go solo on the free cruise if desired.  Just as the number of bottles of wine delivered to the cabin is per household, not for each CAS D+/P member in a cabin.

The only way to have your both earn a free cruise would be for you and your husband to appear to be not married.    If you and he were friends for example, who happened to cruise a lot and sometimes together, you both would earn 700 points on your own cruising points then in theory they wouldn't treat you as a household, maybe. 

If you have a long cruising history together I'm surprised you weren't placed in a CAS relationship already so it's not a common scenario.  

We ARE in the relationship, and he will be Pinnacle when I am however on the backend he had not earned my points as I’ve done a lot of solo cruising.  I guess being overtired was not the time to try to reason something out!  It’s clear to me now he’ll earn pinnacle when I do so it would not be a matter of “when he earns 700 points”, household is the same so there’s that too-they don’t give 2 gifts on the same sailing, even when sailing in 2 cabins….so why would they give 2 different Pinnacle cruises!

[twangster]

16 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

We ARE in the relationship, and he will be Pinnacle when I am however on the backend he had not earned my points as I’ve done a lot of solo cruising.  I guess being overtired was not the time to try to reason something out!  It’s clear to me now he’ll earn pinnacle when I do so it would not be a matter of “when he earns 700 points”, household is the same so there’s that too-they don’t give 2 gifts on the same sailing, even when sailing in 2 cabins….so why would they give 2 different Pinnacle cruises!

Right... crystal blocks are per household as well. 

Both of your names will appear on the 700 stratum crystal block that is shipped to your house in the kit.  You'll both be called up to the stage at top tier as well.  Both names will appear on the free cruise certificate.

[twangster]

I should have included this earlier but It just dawned on me where it was.  Names and dates redacted.

Here is a somewhat recent free cruise certificate.

 

 

And here is the fine print blown up so maybe it will be readable in this thread if you tap or click on it.

 

 

 

[AlmondFarmer]

My wife shares my higher count. Her individual count is 32 lower by my math. 
I’m thinking as a household we could end up money ahead to hire a divorce lawyer prior to my pinnacle recognition. As a gentlemen, I will allow her to join me on complimentary pinnacle cruise. Then a handful of cruises later she would earn pinnacle herself and the complimentary cruise for two. (Fingers crossed she reciprocates the invite)

It the above is correct, then the simple calculation* is the cost of divorce lawyer being less than complimentary balcony Caribbean cruise for two correct?

*stress and counseling costs ignored. 

[twangster]

55 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said:

My wife shares my higher count. Her individual count is 32 lower by my math. 
I’m thinking as a household we could end up money ahead to hire a divorce lawyer prior to my pinnacle recognition. As a gentlemen, I will allow her to join me on complimentary pinnacle cruise. Then a handful of cruises later she would earn pinnacle herself and the complimentary cruise for two. (Fingers crossed she reciprocates the invite)

It the above is correct, then the simple calculation* is the cost of divorce lawyer being less than complimentary balcony Caribbean cruise for two correct?

*stress and counseling costs ignored. 

I'd be more concerned a woman would be willing to marry me a second time.

[smokeybandit]

15 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'd be more concerned a woman would be willing to marry me a second time.

Yeah once would be enough, why would she want to do it again?

[Pattycruise]

On 12/9/2022 at 5:02 PM, twangster said:

You normally have 6 months to apply the free cruise certificate to something and it must sail within 12 months.  They were really good to work with through the pandemic when my free cruise was cancelled and cancelled again.  There may seem like a lot of conditions and stuff but they are pretty good to work with so don't hesitate to call and have them walk you through it.  

 

 

Alright, we made it!  Pinnacle this week. Ceremony done!

and you f course a question. The loyalty ambassador is not knowledgeable.  
certificate earned this sailing ending January 20th.  Does the booked cruise need to take place within the 12 months of recognition/700 pt mark? Or is it 12 months from when you call to book?

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

[CGTLH]

39 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Does the booked cruise need to take place within the 12 months of recognition/700 pt mark? Or is it 12 months from when you call to book?

Think it has to be applied to a booking within 12 months. Dated booked doesn't matter, just applied.

[AshleyDillo]

45 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

I think you may get the points if you pay to upgrade to a JS.

[WAAAYTOOO]

Congratulations, Patty !

We just went through this for the first time ourselves.  The Pinnacle cruise is for an oceanview balcony.  There is no differentiation between subcategories so book the highest level of OV balcony you can find with a cabin you’re happy with.  Therefore, there is no way to upgrade from one OVB subcategory to another.  Your lowest cost upgrade would be to a JS as Ashley noted.  If you pay the upgrade to JS then you will receive C&A points.  If you do not, you will not get any C&A points.

We booked on Wonder and the upgrade to a JS was prohibitive so we’re sticking with the OVB and -0- points.

Yippee !  We’re not the baby Pinns anymore !  

[twangster]

5 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Alright, we made it!  Pinnacle this week. Ceremony done!

and you f course a question. The loyalty ambassador is not knowledgeable.  
certificate earned this sailing ending January 20th.  Does the booked cruise need to take place within the 12 months of recognition/700 pt mark? Or is it 12 months from when you call to book?

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

Congratulations!!!

Caveat on my response - Royal may have changed things since my 700 cruise in early 2020.  That's 4 years ago.  My how time flies.  This may have changed.

My 700 cruise ended 1/16/20.  My certificate had an issue date of 1/17/20.  The expiration is listed as 6/17/20 or 6 months later.

The certificate has to be redeemed within 6 months but the cruise does not need to be sailed or taken within the same 6 month period.  This is where Royal can be a little inconsistent... go figure.  The general policy seems to be the cruise must sail with 12 months but some interpret that as 12 months from the date you redeem the certificate, some view it as 12 months from the issue date.  YMMV.  If you don't like the answer when you try to redeem it, thank them and try another time, you never know.  

Here is the back of my certificate from 700:

 

All the details are in the verbiage at the bottom which is hard read as a web image attached to this post so here is an image to text scan:

*The complimentary cruise is based on double occupancy and applicable to any cruise on which the 700, 1050, 1400, 1750, 2100 (extending every 350 Cruise Points) cruise points are earned or after reaching your milestone before the expiration date or the offer will be considered forfeited. Cruise does not include taxes, fees, air transportation and/or transfers to the port of embarkation or disembarkation; or items of a personal nature (including but not limited to, shore excursions, gratuities, some meals and beverages, photographs,service fees, and medical service). This Certificate is redeemable only by the person named on the Certificate and is non-transferable. Certificate cannot be combined with other promotions or Crown & Anchor Society benefits. One Cruise per household. Offer is subject to stateroom availability at the time of redemption request. Redemption request must be submitted to Royal Caribbean no less than ten (10) days prior to sailing. If you have already booked or reserved your Cruise through another channel, this Certificate is null and void. Certificate is applicable to a new or existing cruise booking that meets the restrictions stated in the Cruise Certificate Details; cruises within final payment are ineligible. Prior to contacting us. please select your ship and sailing date based on the Cruise Certificate Detail. Changes, transfers or cancellations are not permitted for any reason once the reservation has been made. Guest will not receive a refund or credit of any kind for a cancellation or change. Complimentary cruise includes cruise ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages, and most entertainment aboard the vessel. Offer applies to: 1) Up to Balcony stateroom categories on up to 7-night Caribbean sailings or $2,400 towards the purchase of a cruise at 700 or 1050 Cruise Points; and 2) Up to a Junior Suite category on up to 7-night Caribbean sailings or $3.200 towards the purchase of a cruise at 1400 Cruise Points and above. Offer is subject to availability. Specific cruise and cruise dates to be determined by Royal Caribbean in its sole discretion. Complimentary cruises are non-assignable and non-transferable and may not be given, bartered, sold, or exchanged for cash. Cruise may not be upgraded, and no substitution by the Crown & Anchor Society member will be allowed. Complimentary cruises provided are subject to the terms and conditions in the Royal Caribbean International guest ticket cruise contract It can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer. Travel agent commission will not apply. Gratuities will be charged at the time of reservations. Offer does not apply to any ships in their first 365 days of service and holiday sailings. All rules that apply to guests purchasing a cruise apply to the Certificate holder, including the terms and conditions listed in the brochures and Cruise Ticket Contract. Royal Caribbean International 18062278 • 3/7/2019

[twangster]

6 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Alright, we made it!  Pinnacle this week. Ceremony done!

and you f course a question. The loyalty ambassador is not knowledgeable.  
certificate earned this sailing ending January 20th.  Does the booked cruise need to take place within the 12 months of recognition/700 pt mark? Or is it 12 months from when you call to book?

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

As far as earning points, the general wisdom with Royal and free cruises is that if you pay nothing, you earn nothing.  Casino comps notwithstanding, for the most part if you pay nothing out of pocket you don't typically earn points.  

Having said that, Royal can be inconsistent as we all know.

For my 700 certificate I paid nothing by selecting a Caribbean, 7 night, balcony cruise.  I wasn't expecting points.  I won a RoyalUp and therefore I had added revenue to the booking.  I earned points for that cruise.  

For my 1050 certificate I used the $2,400 option and paid something more that the $2,400 to make up the difference. I earned points.   In fact I earned double points due to the double promo that was in effect for the dates involved with this cruise.

If you surveyed 1,000 Pinnacle you would likely get close to 1,000 different outcomes.  This is absolutely a YMMV item. 

[twangster]

6 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Alright, we made it!  Pinnacle this week. Ceremony done!

and you f course a question. The loyalty ambassador is not knowledgeable.  
certificate earned this sailing ending January 20th.  Does the booked cruise need to take place within the 12 months of recognition/700 pt mark? Or is it 12 months from when you call to book?

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

Your free cruise cert will be on file within a day or two of the 700 cruise.  You don't need to wait to receive the paper cert to redeem it, just call CAS and explain you need to talk to someone regarding your Pinnacle free cruise.  They'll transfer you and you can ask all the questions you want or if you know already you can book it long before the paper cert arrives.

Back before the shutdown the processing time was 8 - 12 weeks before your "kit" and cert arrived.

After the shutdown it was way longer than that.  In many cases the cert didn't arrive for months.  Royal seemed to loosen the policy on the 6 month redemption window as a result.  I don't know if that is still the case.  

When shopping for the free cruise remember during a mock booking that CAS discounts such as balcony discounts don't apply.  Do the mock booking like you have no status.  That is likely what the pricing will resemble.  

[twangster]

Royal has a strict policy that once booked you can't make changes to the free cruise.  Choose wisely.

Having said that...  my original 700 free cruise was using the $2,400 for a JS in Alaska.  That cruise was whacked by the shutdown.  They allowed me to change and my replacement cruise was subsequently whacked by the shutdown.  They allowed me to change it a 3rd time and it changed completely.  

I don't know how much deviation from policy is still be allowed given the pandemic is over but I can say whenever I have interacted with CAS for my free cruises they have been fantastic to work with.  There are rules but they walk you through it and might show some tolerance to vary.  YMMV.

[HeWhoWaits]

8 hours ago, twangster said:

My 700 cruise ended 1/16/20.  My certificate had an issue date of 1/17/20.  The expiration is listed as 6/17/20 or 6 months later.

That's only five months to expiration. Something for folks to keep an eye on.

[HeWhoWaits]

14 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Just a side note: I heard no C&A points on the free pinnacle cruise (but yes points on the discounted cruise).

Other than getting a little closer to the next glass block, there's nothing lost by getting no points once you hit Pinnacle.

[bobroo]

Congratulations Patti, welcome to the club!

Couple things: I turned a year ago, here is my experience. As others have said you have the free cruise as the C & A footnotes stipulates. The 12 month expiration countdown meter starts on the last day of the cruise you achieve Pinnacle on. The actual sailing date can be long after the 12 month deadline.

For me anyway, there was no cruise certificate issued, even in the Pinnacle box. There was no secret redemption code, no free cruise document, no secret handshake--it really was a computer entry only a Royal booking agent can see. It was still called a Pinnacle Free Cruise Certificate.

My box took 4 1/2 months to receive and I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I opened it. So you have even another surprise to look forward to.

I used my cert to apply the $2500 dollar amount to a balcony. The issue for me is the sailing is over the 7 nights stated in the footnotes, I was happy to pay the taxes, fees, and a few hundred for the extra night. I bring this up because it will be interesting to see if points show up, not by upgrading but by simply sailing on a greater than 7 night voyage. I'll be able to tell you my results soon, I leave on a 8 nighter on Odyssey tomorrow.

 

Congratulations!

 

[WAAAYTOOO]

We were very fortunate.  Our box arrived almost exactly 2 months after the date of our "turning".  Most people are seeing a much longer wait.

One thing to note...you CAN apply your Pinn cert to an already-existing booking.  They told me this and I booked a Wonder cruise in anticipation but I'll be honest.  I was sooo nervous that they weren't going to allow me to use my cert on that pre-booked cruise.  I worried and worried about it....but they did.

Again, congratulations !!

[Riley]

Congrats Patty! Enjoy those 6 daily drink vouchers!

As other folks have noted, using the value of the "free" cruise toward a more expensive option means you get points for the cruise - we used the $2400 as a credit toward a nice balcony on one of our Alaska cruises and enjoyed it tremendously.

[Pattycruise]

15 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Other than getting a little closer to the next glass block, there's nothing lost by getting no points once you hit Pinnacle.

Pinnacle can earn another free cruise at 350 points.  I truly don’t see that happening for me but it’s a current available perk.

[twangster]

Thanks to the double points promo I reached my second free cruise pretty quickly.  My next milestone free cruise is going to take a lot longer to reach.  With the current state of affairs I am sailing other lines more and can't justify the rates that Royal charges.  

There is a reason to continue earning points but as it has always been, it doesn't make sense to make points earning a priority or the reason to cruise.  Cruise for the love of cruising on whatever cruise line or itinerary looks best in that moment.  

I'm boarding a Royal ship today.  I booked a studio cabin as it was the only semi-reasonable rate I could find.  The rate for a non-studio cabin was ridiculous.  I'm not cruising for points but then again I never did specifically cruise just for the points.  

Who knows, maybe in 2026 or 2027 I'll have reached the next milestone for another free cruise.   Time will tell. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'm boarding a Royal ship today. 

Which ship ?  Have a great time !

[bobroo]

7 hours ago, twangster said:

 

There is a reason to continue earning points but as it has always been, it doesn't make sense to make points earning a priority or the reason to cruise.  Cruise for the love of cruising on whatever cruise line or itinerary looks best in that moment.  

 

Chase experiences, don’t chase points!

[CrznTxn]

Congrats Patty! We are a ways off but are looking forward to our Pinnacle call up on-stage. The wife is ahead of me and will probably get there sooner as I send her on cruises more than I (she is retired and I am not). I am hoping you have the best adventures and wish you the best going forward.

[twangster]

2 hours ago, CrznTxn said:

Congrats Patty! We are a ways off but are looking forward to our Pinnacle call up on-stage. The wife is ahead of me and will probably get there sooner as I send her on cruises more than I (she is retired and I am not). I am hoping you have the best adventures and wish you the best going forward.

Once your wife gets there, you will too.  Keep sending her on cruises! 

Just make sure CAS has you in a "relationship" so you earn her status as she levels up.  

PS - Putting here in a suite solo gets her (and you) there faster. 

[Pattycruise]

21 hours ago, CrznTxn said:

Congrats Patty! We are a ways off but are looking forward to our Pinnacle call up on-stage. The wife is ahead of me and will probably get there sooner as I send her on cruises more than I (she is retired and I am not). I am hoping you have the best adventures and wish you the best going forward.

Exactly what Twangster said.

ensure you are in a relationship for crown and Anchor.  I was the points earner in our relationship.  I sailed solo a lot.  It was a great experience, meeting lots of friendly people and going places I’ve never been.  Hubby quit his retirement job to join me now and I still maintain some solo sailings connecting with friends I’ve met. 

[bobroo]

On 1/19/2024 at 6:56 AM, bobroo said:

I bring this up because it will be interesting to see if points show up, not by upgrading but by simply sailing on a greater than 7 night voyage. I'll be able to tell you my results soon, I leave on a 8 nighter on Odyssey tomorrow.

 

 

 

For the record, I received points for my Pinnacle cruise by just being one night longer than the 7 nights given. No upgrade necessary.