Royal Caribbean Group announced a change to how cruisers earn loyalty points that will make it easier to cruise between its brands and earn status at the same time.

During an earnings call with investors, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty revealed his company's plans to introduce Points Choice.

Coming at some point in 2026, Points Choice will change how cruisers earn loyalty points when they cruise between lines.

Up until now, if you sailed with Royal Caribbean International, you would earn loyalty points within just the silo of that line.  A cruise on sister brand Celebrity Cruises would earn a separate point count.

That appears to be changing.

Introducing Points Choice

Coming soon will be Points Choice, which is the name of an expanded loyalty status match program.

In 2024, the company introduced status matching between Royal Caribbean Group's three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

Points Choice will go beyond that, "Building on the success of status match, I'm excited to announce Points Choice, the next evolution, and how guests earn and apply loyalty points across our family of brands beginning in early 2026," said Mr. Liberty.

"Guests will be able to apply loyalty points to the Royal Caribbean Group brand they prefer, regardless of which brand they are sailing with."

For the first time, guests will be able to apply loyalty points earned on any Royal Caribbean Group brand toward the brand program of their choice. This applies to Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society, Points Choice.

For example, if a Royal Caribbean guest is sailing with Celebrity Cruises for the first time, they can choose to apply the points earned for the Celebrity sailing to either brand’s loyalty program.

One other note, members will not have the option to apply points already earned to a different brand.

"Points Choice will be offered only on cruises departing on or after the launch date," according to Celebrity Cruises' website.

Furthermore, benefits will remain the same for Crown & Anchor, Captain’s Club and Venetian Society program.

In addition, the Status Match program is not changing. Members can still receive one-for-one tier matching across all three Royal Caribbean Group brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

The program will debut in early 2026, with details on exchange rates, eligibility, and program rules to follow ahead of launch.

Making the change to combine guest demand and profitability

On the surface, it's clear Royal Caribbean Group offering point sharing between its brands matches a customer need while likely driving additional revenue.

Mr. Liberty said he thinks this change will build loyalty with its customers, "This initiative further strengthens the overall value of our loyalty proposition, deepening engagement across our portfolio and reinforcing our commitment to putting the guests at the center of our orbit as our ecosystem expands."

He sees it a way to compel cruisers to cruise more because it allows them to get to higher loyalty status, "It creates a virtuous cycle of demand, value and advocacy, one that drives both short term performance and enduring growth. It's a model that compounds over time, and we're just at the beginning of what it can become."

Royal Caribbean hinted at better loyalty enhancements

Today's announcement makes comments clearer made by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during a fan event earlier this summer.

He was asked about improving the Crown and Anchor Society so that points could be earned interchangeable between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

He answered it before the Points Choice announcement, but it's clear this has been a program that's been worked on for a while, "You'll see over the coming months and year or two that things will continue to improve in terms of accessibility, simplicity, making it easier to sail between the brands, get offers, this type of thing."

"Ultimately, we have not defined this yet, but ultimately we are going to get to a one platform database of our loyalty members for Royal Caribbean Group."

"I don't have the exact timeline. And I think we've had this discussion before, and we've maybe over the last couple of years, we started this journey with loyalty two years ago."

"Now this is awesome news!"

News of Points Choice spread quickly among cruisers, and most of our readers seemed excited for the change.

Renne Patterson posted, "Now this is awesome news!," she shared on Facebook because it will allow her to move up the loyalty ladder even if trying another line.

"This will definitely impact our choices positively! Might even result in us cruising a bit more!"

Michael Lewis wrote, "This is how you keep your loyal cruisers, unlike Carnival." His comment alludes to changes Carnival Cruise Line made to its loyalty program that have been received poorly by fans.

Luke Wallace added, "Yes, I've been thinking they should do something like this for a while! I was hoping it would be a system where you earned points on every loyalty program at the same time, but maybe with status match this is effectively the same. Time to book a Celebrity cruise!"

Jenny Schuber posted, "Finally! This has been stopping me from trying Celebrity. Nice they status match but I want the points to count towards overall nights across the board."

Carnival Cruise Line announced a massive overhaul to its loyalty program, and it appears Royal Caribbean won't make the same change.

While speaking on Utopia of the Seas during the line's annual President's Cruise event, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley was asked about the future of the loyalty program.

He took the opportunity to mention Carnival's changes and then call it out as a direction he doesn't want his cruise line to take.

"Carnival announced changes to their loyalty program," Mr. Bayley said at the event, which was met with a chorus of boos from the audience.

"And that is exactly what we're trying to avoid," he then said, and that was met with a round of applause.

His comments come after Carnival's change sparked a great deal of concern that Royal Caribbean might do something similar.

What Carnival is doing

Beginning June 1, 2026, Carnival will implement a new  loyalty system that will change how points are earned and status retained.

In short, it will move to a more dynamic, spending-based model similar to airline frequent flyer programs. 

Known as Carnival Rewards, guests earn stars based on cruise and onboard spending, as well as purchases made through the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

Moreover, status is no longer lifelong. Tier levels will reset at the start of each new two-year earning period.

Since then, Carnival walked back some changes, likely due to negative customer feedback.

Loyalty matters

The reality is loyalty to Royal Caribbean works for both customer and company.

During Royal Caribbean Group's second quarter earnings call earlier this year, Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, talked about how Royal Caribbean is doubling down on its commitment to its guests, stating that loyalty is a "two-way street." 

"Loyalty is very important. I think people want to be recognized. They want to not just be recognized for their spend today, but be recognized for all that they have done in the past," said Liberty.

Working on improvements to the program

Mr. Bayley's comments about Carnival's changes came after a cruiser asked him about improving the Crown and Anchor Society so that points could be earned interchangeable between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

He explained how there is a leadership team within the company that regularly reviews the program and works on solutions for the future.

"You'll see over the coming months and year or two that things will continue to improve in terms of accessibility, simplicity, making it easier to sail between the brands, get offers, this type of thing," he said.

He admitted there isn't yet a clear vision for if or when they'll get to one program across both brands.

"Ultimately, we have not defined this yet, but ultimately we are going to get to a one platform database of our loyalty members for Royal Caribbean Group."

"I don't have the exact timeline. And I think we've had this discussion before, and we've maybe over the last couple of years, we started this journey with loyalty two years ago."

Not tipping over the apple cart

While simplifying loyalty programs may seem like a good idea, he also said their team is concerned with making changes that cause more problems than they solve.

"I think we're incredibly sensitive to not tipping over the apple cart," Mr. Bayley explained.

"We don't want to make decisions that maybe are short term benefits and then and then upset our loyal team members."

He also said technically, it's a difficult task to merge things. Merging data between different platforms and databases with the overlap.

"Our aim is to make everybody happy and and also benefit the company in terms of the shareholders and etc., etc.. So we're going to get there and just, you know, try and be a little patient."

Royal Caribbean shares loyalty matching with its two sister cruise line brands, and it means different perks if you sail on one or the other.

When you go from Royal Caribbean to Celebrity, you don't get your Crown and Anchor benefits. Instead, you get the equivalent status benefits in Captain's Club.

Royal Caribbean Group revamped its status matching to make it significantly better, and that's enabled me to try more cruises on both Silversea and Celebrity.

I wanted to share with you the best perks at each tier, biggest differences, and who benefits most from each program.

Loyalty program overview

Before we dive into each program, here's a quick look at what each cruise line offers its most loyal guests.

Tier breakdown

When you look at each cruise line's program, the best benefits are always at the top.

One other difference is Royal Caribbean typically includes more benefits in their program than the other cruise lines because the other cruise lines include more benefits in their base fare.

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society

• Gold to Diamond
  • Benefits like priority check-in, onboard discounts, welcome events, free drinks in the Diamond Lounge.
• Diamond Plus & Pinnacle
  • Upgraded perks larger loyalty discounts, more drink vouchers, priority tendering, and suite lounge access (if eligible).
• Best Perk: Daily free drinks and access to exclusive lounges from Diamond level onward.

Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club

• Classic to Select
  • Discounts, onboard events, and priority check-in.
• Elite & Above
  • Complimentary laundry, private breakfast lounges, and cocktail hours.
• Zenith
  • Unlimited specialty dining, premium drinks, complimentary cruises for two.
• Best Perk: Unlimited specialty dining & premium drinks at Zenith level.

Silversea Cruises Venetian Society

There aren't exactly tiers with Venetian Society. There's one tier, but you earn Venetian Society days for the more you sail with them.

You get one Venetian Society day for each day you sail, regardless of the type of suite you're booked in.

• Member (after 1 voyage)
  • Invitations to member events, special offers.
• 100+ Days
  • 5% savings on future voyages.
• 250, 350, 500+ Days
  • Free voyage rewards, milestone recognition, enhanced onboard experiences.
• Best Perk: Free voyages at 350 and 500 days sailed.

How status matching works

Within Royal Caribbean Group, it's the easiest it's ever been to get equivalent status across each line.

Once you've earned status with one line, you can apply to have a status match with the others.

The key differences are the benefits between the programs are not identical and points earned on each cruise line are separate.

You can link your accounts through either the mobile app or the respective websites. Silversea doesn't have an app, so it's an online form to fill out.

Once it's processed, you'll instantly get the equivalent status. For example, a Diamond member in Crown & Anchor is automatically Elite in Captain’s Club.

It's a great advantage to be able to hop between cruise lines and have some level of recognition and benefits on your first sailing.

Key differences between the cruise loyalty programs

While each loyalty program is now potentially linked between each other, they aren't the same.

In my experience trying all three, it's clear each has its own approach to how loyalty benefits work and how it's best used. I was surprised how Silversea doesn't mention loyalty status at all on its Seapass card, but that's because it's not a focal point for their customers.

One major difference is how each line counts your points.

Royal Caribbean is one point per night, but you can earn more points per night if you're in a suite or cruising solo. Celebrity is similar, but points are earned based on cabin type and cruise length. Silversea is completely different and simply counts nights onboard and there are no tiers.

Another important difference is how each cruise line rewards their cruisers with perks.

Among these lines, Royal Caribbean includes the least with its cruise fare, so its loyalty program focuses on onboard perks, such as drinks, lounge access, and discounts. 

Celebrity Cruises is similar, but includes more emphasis on discounts for things that cost extra, such as photo packages or internet.

Silversea has all-inclusive fares, so their approach with the Venetian Society is to offer incentives to sail again. 

The top tier at each line is where you'll see some very impressive benefits.

You'll earn a free cruise after reaching any of them, and that's a substantial value before you dig into any of the additional perks.

The Zenith level in Celebrity has a free drink package, which was truly impressive to me when I tried them.

Crown and Anchor offers a blend of perks for suite guests and Pinnacle-only benefits that I always take advantage of when I sail.

A powerful way to enjoy freebies on any line

Ever since Royal Caribbean Group introduced their revamped status matching, I think it's enabled more cruisers to try the various lines.

While you don't earn points by sailing the lines interchangeably, it does allow you to take advantage of status with one line and extend it to the others.

I found it so much more approachable to try Celebrity and Silversea if I knew I'd be starting off already with some level of recognition to it. Cross-brand matching makes it easier to experiment with new cruise lines without starting from scratch.

As each line launches new ships, I think the status matching enables cruisers to try them out and get a sense of what's different and better.

Royal Caribbean could have changes coming to its co-branded credit card.

During the Royal Caribbean Group second quarter earning call with investors, company executives hinted at changes are coming to its credit card offering.

Royal Caribbean has a Visa credit card that is offered through Bank of America.

When asked about the card and its future, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said, "We do have a co-branded credit card. It is tied today to our loyalty program, but not in the way that fits our ambition."

That statement appears to point towards a change consumers can expect in the future.

Something coming "very soon"

Mr. Liberty didn't talk specifics, but he did elaborate a bit more on the subject, tying it into the cruise line loyalty program.

"I think you’re going to see something very meaningful coming out of that very, very soon," he said. This is the strongest signal yet that the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card may undergo a major revamp.

While no timeline was given, the fact he said "very soon" is more interesting considering the changes rival Carnival Cruise Line made to its program.

Carnival recently rolled out controversial changes to its loyalty program, including a brand new credit card.

Royal Caribbean's Visa Signature credit card isn't tied to its loyalty program in the same way that Carnival's new co-branded credit card will be tied to Carnival Rewards.

With no annual fee, the credit card offers cardholders the ability to earn points on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades, cruise discounts, merchandise, and more.

Carnival's card is far more integrated and crucial to its new loyalty program. 

As part of Carnival Rewards, it allows cruisers there to earn points towards a loyalty program. 

Royal Caribbean's card is limited to simply onboard experiences and cruise bookings. It has minimal synergy with Crown & Anchor Society.

A credit card ties into its loyalty program

The credit card change appears to be part of a deeper push towards loyalty members.

Royal Caribbean is aggressively investing in its loyalty and digital ecosystem. During the earnings call, they mentioned 40% of guests now come from loyalty members and loyalty guests spend 25% more per trip than new passengers.

"Loyalty that really impacts guest behavior… keeps them inside of our ecosystem," Mr. Liberty said.

"Our guests are very focused on recognition and also being incentivized for the spend and loyalty that they provide." 

He went on to say, "Especially on the loyalty program side, we are very tuned into and have a lot of plans on what things our guests and our brands feel are a value to them that would result in them behaving even more loyal to us."

A new credit card could further incentivize high-spending guests, boost repeat bookings, and even compete with hotel and airline programs.

What could a new Royal Caribbean credit card look like?

There were no details shared during the earnings call beyond the vague ambition to change its credit card, but we might have a vision for it based on public filings.

Royal Caribbean recently filed trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for phrases that sound a lot like they could be used for a new credit card.

• ROYAL ONE
• ROYAL ONE PLUS
• ROYAL ONE REWARDS
• ROYAL ONE RESERVE
• ROYAL ONE POINTS
• ROYAL ONE PREMIER

In fact, the description of some of these trademarks specifically say they're for a credit card.

"ROYAL ONE RESERVE™ trademark registration is intended to cover the category of magnetically encoded credit cards and loyalty cards that track customer purchases for reward purposes."

"ROYAL ONE POINTS™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of retail and online retail store reward program; Credit card reward programs services; the administration of incentive award programs related to the sale and use of credit card accounts."

Loyalty war is heating up

It remains to be seen if Royal Caribbean will go as aggressively into rebuilding its loyalty program as Carnival, but it does appear they are very keen on building its base out.

By expanding into river cruises, building new ships, and developing private destinations around the world, it's clear Royal Caribbean wants to leverage its product lineup as a differentiator among a crowded travel field.

They've made it no secret competing with land vacations is a goal of ships like Star of the Seas or Icon of the Seas, and having these best-in-class assets is a major component.

During the call, Mr. Liberty made a bold statement, "If somebody goes outside of our ecosystem… we should look at that as a fail."

By being all-encompassing, they believe they can hold onto existing customers better while at the same time appealing to new cruisers with flashy offerings that are unrivaled.

Royal Caribbean is making it clear that they value their repeat cruisers.

On July 29, Royal Caribbean Group released its second quarter results, revealing the company is seeing strong demand for its products from previous cruisers, with 40% of guests being repeat passengers. 

According to Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the company is tuned into its guests' wants and has a lot of plans to make sure they want to continue cruising with Royal Caribbean Group, whether aboard a Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea ship. 

Not only does this mean investing in new hardware, like new ships and exclusive island destinations, but also giving repeat cruisers special offers and loyalty perks. 

Loyalty impacts guest behavior

"Repeat cruisers continue to rate cruising as the best value for their vacation spend, with brands that consistently lead in guest satisfaction and vacation options that range from weekend getaways to bucket list adventures on ocean and on land," said Liberty during the Q2 earnings call on July 29. 

It helps that Royal Caribbean's consumer base continues to feel financially confident, with three out of four guests indicating they feel financially secure. This aligns with the fact that loyalty members are spending 25% more per trip than new cruisers. 

"Holistically, as we get to see millions of spending activities per day, we see a very healthy customer. When we dig into that customer, they have strong, great jobs; they have strong balance sheets; and they're confident in spending and making sure that they're they're receiving the vacation experience that they're looking for," Liberty explained. 

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean has seen strong intent among millennial-aged cruisers and younger, who continue to represent half the company's customer base. Additionally, 7 in 10 of Royal Caribbean's customers from younger generations are more likely to book their cruise closer to departure, reflecting more spontaneity and flexibility. 

"More than half of the millennials tell us they are more likely to consider cruising today compared to two years ago, driven mainly by the attractive value proposition of [a] cruise," Liberty said. 

Although new ships and destinations play a role in attracting customers, building trust and connections with guests means they will be more likely to choose a vacation with Royal Caribbean Group than other competitors, whether they're land-based or another cruise line. 

Liberty added, "We're trying to increase repetition, which ultimately leads to an increase in lifetime value of the customer, lowers our acquisition costs, and positions us to close the gap further to land-based vacations."

By wanting to grow their repeat customer business, consumers will hopefully get better recognition and incentives in the future. 

Loyalty is a two-way street

Recently, Carnival Cruise Line has been under fire for its overhaul of the line's Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club. Starting in 2026, cruisers are no longer rewarded based on how many nights they've spent on Carnival ships. Instead, Carnival loyalty status is determined by total spend. 

However, points earned through Carnival's co-branded credit card will also feed directly into the Carnival Rewards ecosystem. This means that guests can work their way up the loyalty tiers not only by cruising on Carnival's fleet but also through everyday spending with the credit card. 

However, the biggest shocker was that status is no longer lifetime. You must requalify every two years, similar to airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

Read more: Rival Carnival Cruise Line made drastic changes to its loyalty program

In the weeks following the announcement, many Carnival cruisers have expressed that they feel like the new system devalues their loyalty to the cruise line.

In contrast, Royal Caribbean is doubling down on its commitment to its guests, stating that loyalty is a "two-way street." 

"Loyalty is very important. I think people want to be recognized. They want to not just be recognized for their spend today, but be recognized for all that they have done in the past," said Liberty.

As such, creating the status match program between Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea helps ensure that consumers are rewarded for their history with the company, regardless of which brand they choose to sail.

For example, a guest who holds Diamond status with Royal Caribbean will enjoy comparable perks when sailing with Celebrity or Silversea, and vice versa. 

This cross-brand recognition strengthens the connection between the cruise lines and makes it so there are options for all types of cruisers within the brand's portfolio, whether you're seeking a family-focused vacation on the world's largest ships, an ultra-luxury getaway, or an upscale European cruise.

The Crown Lounge on Royal Caribbean is an exclusive onboard venue for top-tier loyalty members within the Crown & Anchor Society. 

Formerly known as the Diamond Lounge, the Crown Lounge was rebranded to honor the legacy of Royal Caribbean's maritime heritage. 

The lounge is a quiet and comfortable spot where eligible guests can enjoy complimentary snacks throughout the day, as well as benefit from concierge services. They're found on every vessel within Royal Caribbean's fleet, from Grandeur of the Seas to Icon of the Seas. 

Here's everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge, including how to access the private space and tips for maximizing the experience. 

Access to the Crown Lounge is reserved for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers

There are six tiers within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society: Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club. The bottom three — Gold, Platinum, and Emerald — don't have access to the Crown Lounge. 

In fact, it's not until you reach Diamond status that you start to access worthwhile perks, such as complimentary drink vouchers, free internet, and entry into the exclusive Crown Lounge.  

Diamond cruisers must accumulate 80 cruise points in the loyalty program. You earn points on a per-night basis. However, there are a few opportunities to double your nightly earnings, such as when traveling in a suite or solo. 

That said, it takes the average cruiser 12 weeklong sailings to become a Diamond cruiser within the Crown & Anchor Society. 

If you're a Diamond member — rather than Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club — be aware that Royal Caribbean has the right to temporarily restrict access during peak hours, such as 5:00pm - 8:00pm. 

This happens when there are a lot of top-tier Crown & Anchor Society members on board. They will let guests know of any restrictions on embarkation day in a letter delivered to the cabins.

Access to the Crown Lounge can't be shared with friends and family members, and minors must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Moreover, only guests who have earned a higher loyalty tier can enter the Crown Lounge, regardless of their cabin category. Gold, Platinum, and Emerald cruisers staying in qualifying suites can enjoy the Suite Lounge, though. 

Read more: The secrets to achieving Diamond status quickly on Royal Caribbean

Crown Lounge locations

Many Crown Lounges are located near the Viking Crown Lounge at the top of the ship, offering cruisers panoramic views of the ocean and ports of call. However, this isn't the case on every vessel. 

Here's where you can find the Crown Lounge on every ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet:

Icon Class

Icon of the Seas: Near the Royal Escape Room, Deck 6,

Star of the Seas: Near the Royal Escape Room, Deck 6

Oasis Class

Oasis of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4

Allure of the Seas: Near the Mason Jar, Deck 15

Harmony of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4

Symphony of the Seas: Near Studio B, Deck 4

Wonder of the Seas: Near Social 100, Deck 16

Utopia of the Seas: Near Social 100, Deck 16

Quantum Class

Quantum of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4

Anthem of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4

Ovation of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4

Odyssey of the Seas: Near the Royal Theater, Deck 4

**Spectrum of the Seas: Near the Solarium, Deck 14

**Spectrum of the Seas does have a lounge for loyalty members, but it's shared with suite cruisers. Called the "Silver Lounge," it's located in the front of the ship on Deck 14, near the Solarium and suite-only dining room. 

Freedom Class

Freedom of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Liberty of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Independence of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Voyager Class

Voyager of the Seas: Near the Star Lounge, Deck 5

Adventure of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Explorer of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Mariner of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 14

Navigator of the Seas: Near the Star Lounge, Deck 5

Radiance Class

Radiance of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13

Jewel of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13

Brilliance of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13

Serenade of the Seas: Near the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 13

Vision Class

Grandeur of the Seas: Near the South Pacific Lounge, Deck 6

Vision of the Seas: Near the Some Enchanted Evening Lounge, Deck 6

Enchantment of the Seas: Above the Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 12

Rhapsody of the Seas: Near the Shall We Dance Lounge, Deck 6

What to expect inside Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge

There are many perks that come with gaining access to the Crown Lounge. 

First and foremost, the space is designed to be a peaceful retreat for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members of the Crown & Anchor Society. As such, the laid-back ambiance is ideal for reading, relaxing, or socializing before dinner. 

Throughout the day, however, the Crown Lounge also serves as a place for complimentary snacks and beverages, starting with a continental breakfast in the mornings. 

The self-serve coffee machine is also a favorite, with higher-quality, espresso-based brews not available from the standard drip machines throughout the ship. 

Before dinner, the Crown Lounge becomes a gathering spot for elite Crown & Anchor Society cruisers. During the nightly happy hour, guests can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres. If the lounge doesn't have a dedicated bar, such as on Vision of the Seas, bartenders are often roaming to take drink orders. 

Although these beverages aren't included, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members can use their daily drink vouchers for complimentary cocktails, wine, beer, or soda. 

It's not uncommon for ship Officers to wander into the Crown Lounge during happy hour, too. This gives frequent cruisers a chance to mingle with some of the ship’s senior crew members. 

In addition to the snacks, the Crown Lounge features a dedicated concierge who is available to assist with various onboard needs, so you don't have to worry about going to Guest Services. They can help make dining and show reservations, check on billing disputes, and more. 

Read more: 4 lesser-known perks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Program

Tips for enjoying the Crown Lounge

Whether you’re a first-time Diamond cruiser or a few cruises away from reaching the coveted Pinnacle Club tier, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your access to Royal Caribbean's Crown Lounge. 

First, skip the Windjammer Marketplace in the morning. Although the buffet has more offerings, the Crown Lounge is ideal for cruisers who don't care about piling their plates high with eggs, pancakes, and bacon. 

Instead, those who go to the Crown Lounge for breakfast can enjoy basic continental options, like pastries, fruit, and muffins, with a quality cup of coffee in a quieter atmosphere. 

After breakfast, try to visit the lounge during the off-peak hours to enjoy peace and quiet. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are usually less crowded, as the Crown Lounge can see an influx of guests during the nightly happy hour. 

Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with other cruisers, either. Making new friends is one of the best parts about taking a cruise, and the Crown Lounge attracts Royal Caribbean’s most seasoned travelers. You never know what advice others will have. You may enjoy just swapping travel stories over a beverage, too! 

Finally, don't underestimate the concierge. They can be a huge asset throughout your cruise vacation, whether you need help booking specialty restaurants, reserving shows, or making plans for a family photoshoot. 

I think Royal Caribbean has the best cruise line loyalty program, and the crown jewel is what you get at the Diamond tier.

One of the best changes Royal Caribbean made since restarting cruises in 2021 was to overhaul its free drink coupons from a happy hour and limited selections to vouchers that can be redeemed at any bar.

Diamond members in Crown and Anchor Society get 4 free drinks per day, every day of the cruise. They can be used at any bar, restaurant or lounge, and it's good for any drink up to $14 in value.

It gets even better as you move up the loyalty ladder, because Diamond Plus members get 5 drinks per day and Pinnacle Club members get 6.

When I tell people why I think Royal Caribbean's loyalty program is the best, I'll start off with the drink benefit because no other cruise line has anything remotely close to this offering.

Just this perk alone has saved me thousands of dollars over the years, and it's a key reason why I continue to cruise with Royal Caribbean.

A built-in drink package

While some loyalty perks are difficult to place a dollar value on, the complimentary drink vouchers at Diamond are as straight forward as it comes.

Everyone in the family gets four drinks at Diamond, and it's kind of like having a rudimentary drink package on every cruise that costs you nothing extra.

I'll still sometimes buy a Royal Caribbean drink package when the price is below $60 per person, per day, but quite often I'm content relying on my loyalty drinks.

Since I'm Pinnacle, I get 6 per day and that's a lot to start off with.  The way I look at it, even if I use every single free drink voucher, I could probably pay for another 3-4 drinks out of pocket and still come out ahead compared to buying a drink package.

On my port intensive itineraries, such as when I've cruised to Alaska or Europe, I've skipped buying a drink package. Instead, I rely on the Crown and Anchor drink benefit.

It saves me money and it's practical too.

It works for kids too

One lesser known side benefit of reaching Diamond is many of the perks you get extend to your children.

If your kids are under the age of 18, they share your Crown and Anchor status level.  That means they get 4 drinks per day as well.

The only restriction is they can only order non-alcoholic drinks with their benefit, even if you order them with their card.

The fact they get free drinks every day means more money saved on the premium coffees, sodas, or mocktails that they'd otherwise be bugging me to get during the cruise.

I'll usually use one of their drinks for a coffee for me.  I tell them as a dad, consider this a professional courtesy.

The casino hack that maximizes this perk

If you combine the Diamond drinks with the casino program, you could end up with one of the best values out there.

Royal Caribbean's casino has its own loyalty program, which also includes free drinks at the Prime tier.

The benefit offers unlimited drinks at the casino bar. The caveat is it's only at the casino bar, and the casino bar isn't open all the time.  Nonetheless, it's a pretty good benefit.

To reach Prime status, you need to collect 2,500 points during the casino calendar year, which is April 1 - March 31. Points are cumulative, so you can add them all up across various cruises.

Once you hit 2,500 points, you can stop gambling and enjoy the free drink benefit immediately and Prime status is yours to keep for the following year.

Combining the free Diamond drinks with the Prime benefits is really good deal since you have an unlimited source of drinks in the casino, along with the convenience of the loyalty vouchers to use elsewhere.

On Royal Caribbean ships that have an easy to access casino, like the Voyager or Freedom Class, it's a very nice strategy for saving money on drinks.

Diamond status is where the best benefits begin

There are many lucrative perks when you reach Diamond status with Royal Caribbean, but I think the free drinks are probably the most notable amenity out there.

Getting a free day of internet and various discounts is nice, but the free drinks are a game changer for a lot of people.

The more you cruise, the more times you can enjoy this benefit. I know it's saved me a lot, especially for my kids.

Considering you need 80 points to reach Diamond level, it's an attainable status for most people that are willing to cruise once or twice a year. At that pace, you'll hit Diamond at the same time you're clearly invested in cruising as a preferred type of vacation.

Royal Caribbean just reported it's had the best start to the year in its company's history, and cruise fans are a big reason why.

While some areas of travel are reporting troubling numbers related to an economic downturn, Royal Caribbean Group sees its loyalty program as being an economic moat protecting them.

The company's fiercely loyal cruisers are proving to be quite the powerhouse. Consumer habits shift a lot across the economy, but Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program is helping it outperform expectations.

"Our unified loyalty programs connect all our brands under one ecosystem, encouraging repeat travel and unlocking more opportunities to engage across ocean and river cruising along with our exclusive destinations," said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty.

The numbers shared during the company's first quarter earnings call on Tuesday exemplify how well customer loyalty factors into the cruise giant's bottom line.

Loyalty is driving revenue

Usually cruise lines tout how many new cruisers they attract, but this time Royal Caribbean Group executives focused on repeat business and how it's making a difference.

Nearly 40% of bookings in 2024 came from loyalty program members during the quarter. More importantly, loyalty members spend 25% more per trip than non-members.

In fact, Mr. Liberty shared repeat cruisers are now twice as likely to book through the Royal Caribbean app compared to non-members.

That's a big factor to have its customer loyalty leading the company's economic charge ahead, and a sign they're doing things right.

Deepening loyalty through status matching

Royal Caribbean Group also believes one change they made is having an impact on keeping customers in their ecosystem.

In May 2024, the company unveiled status matching across its brands, and that is making a difference.

They're seeing cross-brand bookings increasing, and that means more guests are trying different styles of vacations without ever leaving Royal Caribbean Group’s portfolio.

"The ecosystem is working. Cross-brand bookings are increasing, loyalty members are more likely to book in the app, and spend significantly more per trip," said Mr. Liberty during the call.

They call it "a commercial flywheel" because it turns as the customer becomes more invested in the RCG brands.

With each cruise someone takes across the brands, it fuels a fuels deeper loyalty and more engagement. 

When you add in new ships and private destinations opening over the next few years, it gives loyal cruisers more reasons to stay inside Royal Caribbean’s world.

Star of the Seas will launch this summer, followed by Legend of the Seas next year.  Plus, there's going to be new beach clubs and Perfect Day Mexico opening over the next three years.

Loyal cruisers are so valuable with economic uncertainty

Repeat business is always good to have, but much more so when the economic situation is not so clear.

Generally speaking, when there are economic concerns, consumers may cut back. However, the public is reluctant to give up their vacations, especially among committed cruise guests.

Surveys show 9 out of 10 consumers prioritize value for money when planning vacations — an area where cruising beats land vacations.

Royal Caribbean sees no signs of loyalty members trading down or cutting spend.

"Cruisers are more financially secure and more likely to protect their travel budgets during times of uncertainty," Liberty said.

"When financial concerns impact lifestyle or spending, travel is not the first place consumers indicate they will pull back."

Getting to Diamond level in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program literally changed how I enjoy my cruises.

I think Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society is the best cruise line loyalty program in the industry because of how lucrative it is, especially at the upper tiers.

I made it to Diamond status many years ago, and have since reached Pinnacle Club. The higher the tier, the better the benefits and it's encouraged me to cruise even more.

You don't need to get to Pinnacle to enjoy the best benefits, because Diamond level is the sweet spot for the perks available to guests.

Diamond level requires 80 points, which is about 12 weeklong cruises in a standard cabin. You could get to Diamond faster if you book a suite or cruise solo.

Once you get there, here's what I'd change about cruising to maximize the benefits.

You can possibly skip the drink package

It's incredible that Royal Caribbean gives all of its Diamond members four free drink vouchers per day to use on pretty much any drink.

For a lot of people, this is just enough beverages to warrant not buying a costly drink package.

If you're a casual drinker, or someone that doesn't buy that many alcoholic beverages, relying on your Diamond drinks could be a much better value.

Kids get them too, and it's the reason I've never bought my kids a drink package ever.

While I get six free drinks for being a Pinnacle Club member, I do occasionally still buy the drink package when I can take advantage of a good sale.

Ironically, your Diamond status can actually get you some of the lowest prices on a drink package with some of the recent sales I've seen offered before the cruise begins.

Nonetheless, the Diamond vouchers have saved me a lot of money over the years, and it's easily the top benefit.

Take a free photo souvenir every cruise

Souvenir photos are a great way to capture a memory from a particular trip, and I like getting at least one to have for home.

Because we cruise a lot, we don't take that many onboard photos, but it's still nice to get them on formal night or when there's a good backdrop available.

This is especially important with our kids, as cruises have become milestones in them growing up. Each cruise is kind of like a way to remember a special age or occasion.

Plus, your spouse or partner gets one too, so effectively we get two photos per cruise to take for free.

Strategically use free internet day

Diamond members get one free 24 hour pass of internet access, so you can use that to your advantage.

Never use it on the first day, because by the time your ship leaves port, you still have cellular coverage for most of the day.

Ideally, try to stagger your free day so it's used on a day when you can get the most use of it.  Sea days seem to be the best idea, because I'd hate to be off the ship on a shore excursion when I have internet access.

Just like the photos, your spouse gets a free day too.  Same for kids.  So spreading it out and sharing the login is a good strategy.

Gamble away free money

Whether you're a gambler or not, everyone likes free money.

Diamond members get a few extra dollars to gamble with their freeplay onboard.

Everyone gets a few dollars of free play to use in Royal Caribbean's casino on the first two nights of the cruise. It's enough for just a few spins on a slot machine, but it's true when they say, "you can't win if you don't play".

You never know - you could turn that $6 into hundreds!

Hang out more in the Crown Lounge

Every Royal Caribbean ship has dedicated space just for you, and I'd start going there instead of public lounges.

The Crown Lounge is open to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members. It's open 24 hours a day, with snacks and drink service during certain times.

Most of the day, it's quite empty and it's the perfect place to read, play cards, socialize with friends, or meet cruisers.

There's also a complimentary coffee machine in here that you can use 24 hours a day, and it's a good way to save your Diamond drink vouchers for something else instead of coffee.

Plan cruises around blocks

Some Diamond cruisers will plan out their future sailings in order to time it with a crystal block giveaway.

Once you reach 140 points, you will receive a beautiful crystal block that has the name and photo of your ship.  You will then receive one every 70 points thereafter. 

They are lovely keepsakes, and I use them around the house as bookends, paperweights, and conversation pieces.

It's a good idea to think about your bookings and "do the math" as to when you'll reach every 70 point tier in order to avoid getting the same ship again.

You can now start to cruise with Celebrity

Ironically, reaching Diamond is the perfect time to start cruising with another cruise line.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are sister brands, and thanks to loyalty status matching, this is the right time to dip your toe into this line.

I think Diamond status coincides well with the equivalent status in Captain's Club, and it's a good opportunity to give Celebrity a try.

I've done a few cruises on Celebrity so far, and it's opened up different options and ways to sail.  While I prefer Royal Caribbean, I can appreciate the things Celebrity does better.

Royal Caribbean might have one of the best cruise line loyalty programs in the entire cruise industry, so you'll want to take maximize all of your benefits.

From my early days of cruising, I was impressed how much you get on your ship after just a few cruises from Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society.

There are discounts offered for drinks, spa treatments, packages, and more.  While the best loyalty benefits are available beginning with the Diamond level, every discount helps.

After you take just one cruise, you automatically qualify to be a member of Crown and Anchor, and that means you can start getting onboard benefits with your next sailing.

You'll earn one point for every night you sail, and the more points you accrue, the higher you move up within Royal Caribbean's program.

It seems most cruisers are aware of the offers, but may not know how to use them all.  Here's an easy explanation of how to use your cruise offers and discounts.

View your list of benefits

Before your can redeem your benefits, you need to know what you have.

Waiting in your stateroom will be a list of every discount you have, and you can refer to this sheet during your sailing. The paper is always on the desk in your cabin.

Everyone has their own set of benefits, including your kids. Minors have similar benefits to adults, with a few tweaks.

If the paper is not there, you can stop by the Loyalty Ambassador's desk onboard to get a list and verify it has you eligible for discounts in their system.

It's your responsibility to be aware of them and know which ones you've already used.

I recommend taking a photo of it so you have a copy to easily refer to, although you could fold it up and keep it in your pocket too.

Examples of what's offered

To give you an idea of what's available, here are a few of the most useful rewards that will be available onboard.

Keep in mind as you move up the levels, benefits stack.  So something you got in Gold, you'd continue to get in Platinum.

Gold

• 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda (two coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (two coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• 25% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• $2 in Free Play at shipboard casinos

Platinum

• 50% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• $4 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 15% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• 3 free cards when buying a bingo package

Emerald

• 2 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• $6 in Free Play at shipboard casinos

Diamond

• 4 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 1 free day of internet
• 1 free digital or printed photo

Diamond Plus

• 5 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 2 free days of internet (for 1 device)
• 3 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• BOGO specialty restaurant cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340+ cruise points

Pinnacle Club

• 6 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Free cruise at 700 points (and more thereafter)
• Free unlimited internet for 1 device

Most aren't available before the cruise begins

While there are some minor Crown and Anchor benefits you can use before the cruise begins, all the discounts are only redeemable on the ship.

As an example, you cannot "stack" a drink package discount offered by the Diamond Plus tier with the pre-cruise discount Royal Caribbean offers.

There are a few Crown and Anchor discounts available while at home, but I find they rarely get used.

There's a balcony discount that begins at the Platinum level, but it's not combinable with other discounts.  So in practice, it's rarely useful because of the constant sales Royal Caribbean offers that block Crown and Anchor option.

Another so-called benefit is when a new deployment is released, Crown and Anchor members are supposed to get a 24 hour head start on the general public to buy them.

While Royal Caribbean does advertise this, the reality is anyone can book a cruise. 

Crown and Anchor benefits require you to ask for them

Don't worry about the pre-cruise benefits, because the real savings are once you're on the ship.

Essentially, all those discounts you see on the sheet are loaded onto your SeaPass card automatically. Years ago there were paper coupons, but those were discontinued a long time ago.

If you want to use your coupon, you need to ask to use it.  Some crew members will see you have a coupon and may ask if you want to redeem it.  In my experience, this happens less than half the time.

For example, when you order a glass of wine and give the bartender your SeaPass card, you just need to tell that person you want to apply the 50% off glass of wine discount.

You should get a receipt with the discount shown there, but it's a good idea to double check your SeaPass account periodically to verify it's been applied.

It sounds easy enough, but I've found it's somewhat difficult to remember you have them and then ask to use them.

All of your rewards are "use them or lose them", so you can't save them for another cruise (even if you're doing a back to back sailing).

The most valuable Crown and Anchor benefit

Without a doubt, I think the most lucrative reward that Royal Caribbean bestows on its customers are the daily drink vouchers that begin at the Diamond level.

When you reach Diamond level, you're entitled to four complimentary drinks per day across the ship, including alcoholic beverages

You get the four drinks every day, and many people think of it like an almost free drink package.

I'm not aware of any other cruise line that gives away that many extra cost beverages every day of the cruise.