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.

One person just reached his 1,000th cruise with Royal Caribbean, something that seems impossible to most travelers.

Mario Salcedo is sailing on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas this week and it's an important milestone for the cruise line's biggest fan.

Known by the moniker, "Super Mario", Mr. Salcedo celebrated 1,000 cruises total, and all with Royal Caribbean.

Salcedo hit the 1000 cruise milestone while aboard the 3,286 passenger Explorer of the Seas. The ship departed Miami on January 5 on an 11-night voyage to Panama and the Southern Caribbean.

Super Mario began cruising with an 8-night Western Caribbean cruise on Majesty of the Seas on December 31, 1994. Majesty is no longer in the fleet and has been destroyed, that's how old long he's been cruising.

It's an incredible milestone, but he's been setting and breaking his own records for the most everything with Royal Caribbean for quite a while.

A special event was held on the ship's Royal Promenade to celebrate the occasion with Super Mario himself, along with the ship's senior staff.

"Join us in celebrating the extraordinary milestone of Super Mario completing his 1000th sailing with Royal Caribbean," the announcement said in the ship's daily newspaper.

"He has become a beloved member of our cruising family and Pinnacle Club member in our Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program. He has completed the most cruises on Liberty of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and this sailing marks his 54th cruise on Explorer of the Seas."

As you probably guessed, he reached and maxed out Royal Caribbean's upper most loyalty level a long time ago.

Pinnacle Club is when you get to 700 points, which would take you 100 seven-night cruises to reach if you stayed in a cabin less than a suite and never sailed alone.

Pinnacles get free internet packages for duration of every sailing, lapel pins, priority embarkation with the suite guests, and daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant.

After every 350 points earned, Pinnacle Club members get a free cruise certificate good for a Junior Suite cabin.

A cruising legend

If you cruise long enough with Royal Caribbean, you'll probably hear someone talk about Super Mario because of how incredible his achievements are within the line.

He practically lives on cruise ships year-round. Most years, he only spends a few days on land.  The rest of the year he's on a ship.

According to Royal Caribbean, he spends about 50 weeks a year on the line's ships.

The only time in the past 20 years he hasn't cruised most of the year was during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020-2021.

In 2022, he hit the 10,000 point milestone with the line's customer loyalty program.

To put this in perspective, Crown & Anchor Society members earn one point for each night spent on a Royal Caribbean cruise, with an extra point per night awarded for staying in a suite or cruising solo in a double-occupancy cabin.

It took Super Mario 870 cruises to reach that number.  But since August 2022, he's taken another 130 cruises in just 29 months.

His favorite itineraries are to the Caribbean, and his favorite stop is the cruise line's private destination in Labadee, Haiti.

How Mario became Super Mario

Mr. Salcedo became Royal Caribbean's top cruiser years ago, but he only got started in 2000.

His family moved from Cuba to Miami in the early 1960s to start a new life in pursuit of freedom and opportunity.

"We are eternally grateful to this country for having welcomed us with open arms," he said about moving to the United States.

He began cruising 20 years ago back when he was 47-years-old and doesn’t seem to have any regrets.

Read more: Life at sea - An interview with Royal Caribbean's top cruiser, Super Mario

In 1997, Mr. Salcedo opened a small business managing investments for clients in 1997. That same year he took his first cruise and fell in love with the experience and began sampling different lines, regions, and itineraries.

Since then, cruising has become a way of life.

Since his first Royal Caribbean cruise in 2000, Mario has sailed exclusively on Royal Caribbean International ships around the world -- that’s 25 years and counting!

In an interview with All Things Cruise in 2021, he said: "I’m so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land."

"For 23 years. Always on Royal Caribbean...Cruising never gets old."

He said in 2019 he paid about $72,093 a year if he stayed in an inside cabin. 

That number went up to $101,258 for a cabin with a balcony.

Super Mario told told Condé Nast Traveler: "I’ve lost my land legs, so when I’m swaying so much I can’t walk in a straight line. I’m so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land."

How long will we cruise? As long as he can.

"With so many friends and memories made out at sea over the years, I plan to continue cruising indefinitely so long as I’m in good health and having fun."

Mario's favorite cruise memory

Mr. Salcedo shared recently the answer to what is his most memorable cruise memory.

“Without a doubt, the ‘hurricane evacuation’ cruise onboard Enchantment of the Seas in September 2017.

Hurricane Irma was headed towards South Florida packing maximum winds of 150 mph. Evacuation orders were issued, but there were no flights, car rentals, or hotel rooms. Bottled water and essential items ran out quickly and even gasoline was scarce. Miami’s residents were essentially trapped.

A famous CEO came up with the brilliant idea to offer Enchantment of the Seas to the Miami-based shoreside employees and their immediate families as a means of quick, safe, and free evacuation.

I believe the ship carried nearly 3,000 employees and families as she sailed out of Miami and out of harm's way for a 4-day cruise to nowhere. I may have been the only real guest onboard.  

That sailing gave me the unique opportunity to meet, chat, and socialize with many shoreside employees. It was a new and truly unforgettable experience.

I love the onboard crew, but this unplanned encounter with the shoreside employee population was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.”

Royal Caribbean offers some of its best loyalty benefits when you reach Diamond level, and one passenger got there as fast as possible.

Crown & Anchor Society rewards loyal cruisers with perks like free drinks, exclusive lounge access, Casino Royale FreePlay, laundry discounts, and more. However, the true benefits start once you've reached Diamond status. 

To become a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, you must accumulate 80 cruise points. Typically, guests receive one cruise point per night, meaning if you take a 7-night cruise in a standard cabin (i.e., interior, ocean view, or balcony), you'll get 7 cruise points. 

However, cruisers in suites and traveling solo get two cruise points per night, so they'd get 14 points for a 7-night cruise. Similarly, a Royal Caribbean passenger on a 3-night cruise in a Grand Suite would receive 6 cruise points. 

Considering you need 80 cruise points to reach Diamond status, it takes years for the average cruiser to climb to the fourth tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

To achieve this, you’d need to complete 12 weeklong cruises in a standard cabin or 6 in a suite. Alternatively, you’d have to take 20 4-night Royal Caribbean voyages if you prefer shorter cruises. 

Recently, one cruiser shared how they went from a Gold to Diamond C&A member in just one month. Shared to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread, macacofreco explained how he managed to fast-track his way to Diamond status by booking back-to-back cruises sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

Read more: How to earn Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Delayed transatlantic cruise 

macacofreco received four free C&A points due to the delay of his transatlantic cruise, which resulted in a refund for two missed days. In addition, four ports of call were canceled during the journey. 

He got 26 cruise points for the 13-night transatlantic cruise on Adventure of the Seas. The sailing departed from Barcelona, Spain, and arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 7. 

Despite not being on board for the entire 13 nights, the points he earned for the sailing helped him reach the highly coveted Diamond tier. Otherwise, he would have been three points short after his final cruise in 2024. 

Four ships from four different classes

Following Voyager of the Seas, macacofreco boarded Oasis of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, Haiti. He earned 12 cruise points during this sailing. 

After disembarking from Oasis, macacofreco remained in Fort Lauderdale overnight awaiting another 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Freedom of the Seas. While he returned to Jamaica and Haiti, he also visited Grand Cayman, earning an extra 12 cruise points.

Finally, the determined cruiser spent Christmas aboard Grandeur of the Seas, a Vision Class ship that launched in 1996. For the 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Haiti and Grand Bahama Island, he accumulated 10 more cruise points. He noted that he thought Grandeur should be retired. 

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

The average cost was $160 per day

There are two ways to earn more than one cruise point per sailing. The first is to cruise solo. Because you're paying double occupancy, Royal Caribbean rewards you with two points per night. 

The second is to book a suite. The category doesn't make a difference. In other words, if you book a Star Class suite, you'll receive the same two points per night as passengers staying in Sky Class cabins. 

To climb the ranks as quickly and affordably as possible, macacofreco sailed by himself in the cheapest cabin available, nothing that he had a window stateroom on two sailings. 

Because he ascended ranks during his month-long journey, he had to call the Crown & Anchor Society support team to credit the points to his account so he could benefit from Platinum and Emerald perks while on board. 

"I had to contact [the] C&A deck to upgrade me twice because the points [take] a week to be credited automatically, and they did it," he wrote.

"You might also need to contact [the casino] host to get the extra free play credits after the upgrade."

macacofreco also talked about The Key, stating he'd only purchase the VIP package again if he were to get internet. He added that it's only worth the extra cost if you appreciate the exclusive FlowRider session. 

The Key program includes priority terminal access during designated arrival times, carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your cabin, welcome lunch with an exclusive menu, access to fast lane at onboard events, private FlowRider time, priority departure at tender ports, dedicated seating for shows in select venues, VOOM Surf & Stream internet for one device, and choice departure and á la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, 

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's The Key after hearing lots of negative reviews

Poor weather in November and December

Unfortunately, while macacofreco succeeded in reaching Diamond status in just one month, his journey was not without its challenges. 

"Many activities were canceled...due to bad weather," he explained. If the activity wasn't canceled, it was less enjoyable because of the inclement weather. 

"I would say the quantum class is the best option for [off-season] cruise[s] such as transatlantic, if you are an active [cruiser]," he added. 

Read more: Second cruise ship slams into Atlantic storm causing damage

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program provides exclusive benefits at sea, but it also entitles members special offers while on land.

Most cruise lines offer loyalty programs, but the Crown & Anchor Society is among the most enticing. With onboard benefits like complimentary drinks, a private lounge, and free wifi at higher tiers, the loyalty program is undeniably useful while on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Most cruisers know they can utilize Crown & Anchor Society benefits onboard, but did you know there are also a variety of benefits to use on land? Even if you’re not on a cruise ship, you may be able to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships with hotels, car rental services, and airlines to save money on an upcoming vacation.

If you're cruising often and earning loyalty points faster, you could take advantage of your benefits even when you're not cruising.

Here’s a list of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships you should know about in order to make the most of your Crown & Anchor Society benefits.

First, Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards provides perks and savings at select resorts

Planning an upcoming trip to Las Vegas or another casino destination? Don’t forget to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards.

MGM Rewards is the loyalty program of MGM Resorts, and the program allows members to receive perks at select MGM Rewards Destinations. Crown & Anchor Society members can take advantage of a status matching program, entitling them to MGM Rewards benefits even if it’s their first time staying at an MGM Rewards property.

What are the benefits of MGM Rewards?

Three MGM Rewards tiers are available to Crown & Anchor Society members: Sapphire, Pearl, and Gold.

Gold members in the Crown & Anchor Society can match their status to MGM Rewards’ Sapphire status, the lowest tier in the loyalty program. Benefits in this tier include a dedicated reservations line, member-only offers to MGM Rewards Destinations and partners, and discounts on hotel stays, retail stores, entertainment and sporting events, and Avis car rental rates.

Related: How do Royal Caribbean and MGM Resorts shared benefits work?

Platinum members in the Crown & Anchor Society are matched to MGM Rewards’ Pearl status. In addition to receiving all Sapphire Tier perks, Pearl members also receive invitations to member-only events, complimentary tickets to select MGM Rewards concerts in Las Vegas, complimentary self-parking, and no expiration of MGM Rewards Points and Slot Dollars, among other perks.

Those with higher status in the Crown & Anchor Society—Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club—are matched to MGM Rewards’ Gold Tier. In addition to Sapphire and Pearl Tier benefits, Gold benefits also include an expedited reservations line, tier appreciation events, VIP line access to select nightclubs in Las Vegas, a waived resort fee when booking direct, enhanced room upon check-in, and complimentary valet parking at participating locations.

The most lucrative benefits could save Crown & Anchor Society members hundreds of dollars during a stay at an MGM Rewards Destination. Resort fees, for instance, can cost around $50 per night, but the fee is waived for those with Emerald status and above.

A full list of benefits for each tier can be found here.

How do you status match to MGM Rewards from Royal Caribbean?

To match your Crown & Anchor Society status to MGM Rewards, members should first create an MGM Rewards account online.

Once the account has been created, contact MGM Rewards through the Member Services number at 1-866-761-7111. You will be asked to provide your Crown & Anchor Society number, at which point MGM Rewards will confirm the information and match your status to the applicable MGM Rewards tier.

Alternatively, those near an MGM Rewards location can do this step in person.

Where are MGM Rewards Destinations?

The majority of participating MGM Rewards Destinations are in Las Vegas. Crown & Anchor Society members who match their status to MGM Rewards can enjoy benefits at the following Las Vegas hotels and resorts:

• Bellagio
• ARIA
• Vdara
• MGM Grand Las Vegas
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Mandalay Bay
• Delano Las Vegas
• Park MGM Las Vegas
• NoMad Las Vegas
• New York-New York
• Luxor
• Excalibur

Outside of Las Vegas, other MGM casinos around the United States participate in MGM Rewards:

• Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi)
• Borgata (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
• Empire City Casino (Yonkers, New York)
• MGM Grand Detroit (Detroit, Michigan)
• MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, Maryland)
• MGM Springfield (Springfield, Massachussets)
• MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, Ohio)

A new partnership with Hard Rock International started in 2024

In April 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with Hard Rock International. In this partnership, members of Royal Caribbean’s casino loyalty program—Club Royale—can receive benefits through Hard Rock’s Unity loyalty program.

There are four tiers in Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale program: Choice, Prime, Signature, and Masters. Hard Rock International benefits vary by tier, but each level includes, at a minimum, a discount on one hotel room per stay at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino properties in Hollywood and Tampa, Florida.

Choice members receive a 5% discount, Prime receive 10%, Signature receive 15%, and Masters members receive a 20% discount on each stay.

The hotel discount can be applied an unlimited number of times during the qualifying year. The discount does not apply to resort fees at the selected property.

In addition, those with higher status in Club Royale—Signature and Masters members—will appreciate an annual 3-night complimentary stay at a Hard Rock Seminole gaming property in either Hollywood or Tampa.

During the stay, Signature members receive a $300 property credit whereas Masters members receive $600 to spend throughout the stay.

How to earn loyalty in Club Royale to receive perks with Hard Rock International

In order to take advantage of Hard Rock International benefits, Crown & Anchor Society members must first earn status in the Club Royale program.

Status can be earned by gambling in Royal Caribbean’s casinos as long as guests tap their SeaPass card at slot machines or present the card to casino staff at table games. All passengers start at the Choice tier. One Reward Point is earned for every $5 played into slot machines and every $10 spent at Video Poker machines. Points earned on table games vary by the average bet and length of play.

For more detailed information on Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale loyalty program, check out the following article:

• I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

Crown & Anchor Society members also save on Hertz car rentals

If you plan to rent a car on an upcoming trip, consider renting with Hertz to earn perks. Through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status, which allows members to save time through the program’s Skip the Counter and E-Return access.

Additionally, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can earn points toward free rentals and save on base rental rates.

To book a car rental through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members should use this link.

Lastly, guests in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland can earn Avios airline points when booking Royal Caribbean cruises

This August, Royal Caribbean International announced a brand-new partnership with IAG Loyalty, which allows cruisers booking their next sailing through Royal Caribbean’s U.K., Spain, and Ireland websites to earn Avios points on balcony and suite bookings.

Avios are the currency of several major airlines, which can be used to book flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and other experiences. Currently, Avios are the currency of the British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, and Vueling Club. As part of the Oneworld alliance, however, Avios can also be used to book airfare on a wide range of partner airlines, including American Airlines, Finnair, and Alaska Airlines.

Related: Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking

Guests will earn 3 Avios for every £1/€1 spent on a Royal Caribbean booking, but only if staying in a balcony or suite cabin. To receive the benefit, passengers must input their frequent flyer number on the confirmation page during the booking process.

Currently, this benefit is only available in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, so guests in other regions cannot take advantage of this partnership.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society offers loyal cruisers lucrative perks to help enhance the value of their cruise vacation. In addition to daily drink vouchers, a complimentary photo, and access to an exclusive lounge, some lesser-known benefits can be enjoyed by higher-ranking members.

Though cruisers can take advantage of a private departure lounge and 50% off two glasses of wine, beer, or soda after their first sailing, the best perks don’t start rolling in until you’ve accumulated 80 cruise points and reached Diamond status.

For example, guests within the Diamond tier receive four daily drink coupons that can be used on alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, saving upwards of $56 per day. 

The complimentary drinks are often a deciding factor on whether a drink package is worth the extra cost or not. Even if you pay for four extra beverages daily, the total amount spent on drinks is typically less than what a drink package would cost out of pocket. 

Moreover, Diamond cruisers get one complimentary day of Surf & Stream Wi-Fi per sailing, which can transfer to a discount of equivalent value if you'd rather purchase a Wi-Fi package for your entire cruise. 

With over 30 Crown & Anchor benefits available to Diamond cruisers and above, it’s clear that loyalty is rewarded. Beyond the daily drink vouchers, discounted Wi-Fi, and access to the Crown Lounge, here are 4 lesser-known perks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Program available to passengers with at least 80 cruise points.

Reserved seating at shows

I forget every cruise about the reserved seating at the production shows for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members.

While you still need to make reservations, Royal Caribbean holds back seats at the ice skating and stage shows for its top tier members.

The seating is actually lumped in with suite guests and anyone that bought The Key, but it's a good standby just in case you're running a few minutes late.

I particular like the reserved seating for us Crown and Anchor members in the Aquatheater, because it is in the center section and starts about halfway back, so well behind the splash zone

Chef’s choice on sailings 5 nights and longer

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers will receive some treats delivered to their stateroom on cruises that are at least 5 nights long.

When onboard Quantum of the Seas earlier this summer, I received a plate of assorted pastries, including a chocolate-covered strawberry, Rice Krispies treat, chocolate muffin, and more.

After a cold and rainy day in Skagway, Alaska, it was fun to return to my cabin and discover the present. My dad and I enjoyed having a small snack to nibble on while getting ready for dinner. 

Read more: What makes being a Pinnacle Club member worth it

According to the Crown & Anchor Society’s terms and conditions, “[the g]ift and frequency of delivery to the stateroom [vary] by ship and length of sailing.” In other words, you cannot predict what will be included in the Chef's Choice perk. 

It's easy to obtain sweet treats on your Royal Caribbean cruise, but it's even better when they're delivered to your cabin! 

Read more: I reached Diamond status with Royal Caribbean

Exclusive backstage tour

On cruises that are 5 nights or longer, you can get an exclusive look at the behind-the-scenes operations of the theater.

While all passengers can enjoy one of the original production shows or Broadway-style musicals, only Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers are eligible to attend the exclusive backstage tour. In addition to walking backstage, there’s typically a Q&A session with the dancers and cast members. 

It's a great time to learn more about the background of the dancers, as well as get a glimpse into the daily life of a performer on a cruise ship. 

It's different from the All-Access tour for purchase, though. During the backstage tour, you won't visit the Galley, Bridge, or other crew-only areas. If that's something that interests you, you'll have to pre-purchase it through the Cruise Planner. 

Royal Caribbean notes that they can cancel the event without notice. However, if you’re interested in participating, check your Crown & Anchor benefits sheet left in your cabin on embarkation day for instructions on how to RSVP.

If you have any questions, visit the Crown & Anchor Loyalty Desk as soon as possible.

Priority waitlist seating in the Main Dining Room

Fans of traditional cruise ship dining can choose the early and late seating, meaning you'll eat in the Main Dining Room at the same time each evening. Plus, you'll sit at the same table and have the same wait staff. 

Sometimes, however, we make the wrong selection during the booking process. If you're unhappy with your decision and are a Diamond cruiser or above, you can move to the top of the waitlist for your desired seating. 

Ensuring you have the dinner seating that aligns with your travel party's needs is important. Otherwise, you may have fussy children fighting to stay awake until dinner, as the late seating typically doesn't begin until around 8:00pm—although the time varies depending on your sailing. 

Alternatively, perhaps you want to spend more time on the pool deck or don't want to feel rushed after a long day ashore. In that case, the later time would work best for you, freeing up space during the first seating for passengers who want to retire early or have evenings free for entertainment. 

The priority waitlist doesn't apply to My Time Dining. If you don't make reservations, you must wait in the standby line. However, if you chose My Time Dining and like to move back to traditional, you will be placed at the top of the waitlist. 

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty program tier offers the very best onboard perks a cruiser can get.

Pinnacle Club requires 700 points to reach, and it's 525 points more than the next tier down.  It may seem like a lifetime of cruises away to reach the level, but every time I cruise, I'm grateful to have made it.

I have taken almost 100 cruises with Royal Caribbean, and accumulated over 800 points within the Crown & Anchor Society. My point total is pretty small compared to most other Pinnacles I know, but it still counts!

Read more: How to earn Crown & Anchor points quicker

I was never one to cruise just for loyalty status, but the benefits as you get towards the top are undeniably nice to have.  Royal Caribbean's benefits offer easy ways to save time and money, and it's difficult to imagine cruising without them.

Here's a glimpse at the exclusive perks that come with Pinnacle Club membership.

Priority everything

One thing that changed a lot when I moved from Diamond Plus to Pinnacle is you truly feel like you're cruising first class, even when you're not in a giant suite.

Royal Caribbean grants Pinnacle Club members priority boarding with suite guests, which means you have a special boarding line and lounge area in the cruise terminal.  When it comes time to board the cruise, you're among the first to board too.

Once onboard the ship, Pinnacles are allowed access to the Suite Lounge for the duration of the cruise (assuming there aren't too many onboard). This is a less busy alternative to the Crown Lounge, and also comes with great views too.

Access to Coastal Kitchen on the new ships is a tremendous benefit too, as it adds a new complimentary restaurant choice.  I've started eating more often at Coastal Kitchen than I ever did when I stayed in a suite.  Maybe it's because of the added value, or maybe it's because they have French onion soup on the dinner menu every night.  You decide.

Pinnacles have the option of wear a gold name tag that's given to them when the turn Pinnacle. Personally, I've never worn it, but many Pinnacles swear by it because they notice enhanced service from crew members.

I think my gold colored SeaPass card for being Pinnacle stands out enough, but you can't deny it crew members tend to do a double take when they see you're Pinnacle.

Just like embarkation, the suite concierge will escort you off the ship on the final day of the cruise, and you'll get luggage tags for the first group too.

Special added events

As a Pinnacle Club member, you'll get invited to various events during your cruise. Depending on your sailing length, there can be different events to choose from.

On my most recent sailing on Anthem of the Seas in Europe, I was invited to a Pinnacle lunch event where we had a group meal with other Pinnacles onboard and the chance to meet the officers.

Known as "Cheers with an officer", it's basically the Chops Grille lunch served in the Main Dining Room, and since everyone is a Pinnacle Club member, there are a lot of "war stories" being shared among big time cruisers.

Topics of discussion included favorite itineraries, upcoming cruises booked, and pretty much anything relevant happening in cruising right now.  It's like a super cruiser discussion thread in real life.

Pinnacles are also invited to other events, such as behind the scenes tours, Top Tier events, and more.

It's optional to attend any of them, but going adds a dimension of community you won't find at the other tiers.

So many free drinks

I thought getting 4 free drinks a day as a Diamond member was nice, but having 6 as Pinnacle makes a big difference.

Royal Caribbean gives free drink vouchers to use at any bar, restaurant or lounge every day of the cruise. It's an incredible benefit:

• Diamond: 4 drinks per day, per person
• Diamond Plus: 5 drinks per day, per person
• Pinnacle: 6 drinks per day, per person.

My kids get free drinks too, albeit they're at Diamond Plus level.

Since moving up to Pinnacle Club, I haven't bought a drink package since turning Pinnacle because I get so much value from my free drinks (and casino benefits).

Even if I use up all my drink vouchers for the day and pay out of pocket for 3 or 4 drinks, I'm still saving money compared to a Royal Caribbean drink package.

Free cruise incentive

If you think once you hit Pinnacle that you max out the rationale to continue cruising with Royal Caribbean, think again.

Besides wanting to take advantage of the added perks I already mentioned, Royal Caribbean will continue giving Pinnacles free cruises in the future.

When you hit 700 points, you'll get a free seven night cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony cabin to use. If you choose a cruise that matches all three of those conditions, then the base cruise fare is free except for port fees, taxes and gratuity.

If you want something else, then you have the choice to take a $2400 value to use towards any cruise, which means you could upgrade to a suite, or do a 9-night cruise, or simply sail elsewhere in the world.

You'll get another free cruise every 350 points after that, which means there's a good reason to keep going.  For example: 700, 1050, 1400, 1750, 2100, et al.

Incredible status matching with Celebrity

Royal Caribbean recently updated its status matching with sister line Celebrity Cruises, and the result is incredible.

I just sailed on Celebrity Reflection and was granted full Zenith level membership, which is Celebrity's top loyalty level.  

I was given a complimentary premium drink package, premium one-device wifi package, access to The Retreat (suite lounge), priority embarkation/disembarkation, and more.

I was blown away by how lucrative being a Zenith member is, and I got it all simply for being a Pinnacle Club member.

I sailed on Celebrity Apex last year before the status matching change, and the updated benefits make sailing on Celebrity so much more tantalizing.

Moving up to Pinnacle means you not only reach the top level of Royal Caribbean, but also Celebrity. That adds a major bonus to the value.

Reaching Pinnacle has changed how I cruise

While I don't think chasing loyalty status is a good reason to cruise, I can't deny I've enjoyed the benefits that have come with being Pinnacle.

In short, it's made me feel more valued by the cruise line for my loyalty, and meeting other Pinnacles has been a real highlight.

I think the benefits you get at Diamond are plenty good on their own, but if you find down the line getting closer to that 700 point threshold, it might make sense to think about a strategy to get there given how nice these added perks have been for me.

Royal Caribbean's loyalty program offers some of the best benefits in the cruise industry, but you can only utilize them while on a cruise.

As much as you might want to cruise frequently, vacationing is a luxury, and it can be hard to find time to plan your next sailing.

So while on those infrequent cruises, how can you best maximize your Crown and Anchor Society benefits? 

The program offers great value at every level: you can expect to receive discounts, vouchers, and even free cruises as part of your rewards.

Specific cruises will offer the best value for loyalty members who want to utilize their benefits.

If you'd like your next sailing to use all the advantages available from the Crown and Anchor Society, certain cruise ships, itineraries, and ship classes will help you maximize your experience.

Icon and Oasis Class ships offer more ways to redeem

When booking your cruise, you'll want to think about the amount of opportunities you'll have to redeem your reward vouchers and discounts.

Depending on your tier of the loyalty program, you'll get discounts on drinks, complimentary specialty beverages, free casino plays, and even BOGO dinners at specialty restaurants.

Every tier of the Crown and Anchor Society receives:

• 50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• 25% off any coffee beverage
• 10% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass

Ships with more venues will offer more opportunities and varied choices when it comes to redeeming these coupons, so Royal Caribbean's mega-ships (such as its Oasis and Icon Class) are your best bet for maximizing these benefits. Plus, kids get these benefits too.

From the amount of casino machines to bars onboard, everything about these ships offers more ways to cash in.

Read more: How to earn Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Icon of the Seas, for example, has 14 specialty restaurants and 18 bars and lounges—offering a wide selection of menus and themes.

Throughout the length of your cruise, you could redeem complimentary daily drinks at an assortment of bars.

Use drink vouchers on a stop at a private island

Those drink vouchers turn into complimentary daily drinks once you reach the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle tiers of the Crown and Anchor Society.

And since drink discounts and packages also apply while on Royal Caribbean's private destinations, booking a cruise that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, Haiti will grant you extra time to take advantage.

Since most discounts only apply on the ship, you might be tempted to stay onboard during port days to make the most of free WiFi and drinks.

However, stopping off at a Royal Caribbean private destination allows you to still use both while enjoying beautiful beaches and luxurious cabanas.

Booking a sailing that stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, Haiti is a great way to maximize even more benefits.

Read more: What being a Pinnacle member means to me

Get discounts when you book a balcony or suite

The Crown and Anchor Society also offers discounts to its members who are booking balcony cabins or suites, so look at upgrading when you book your next cruise.

Starting at 30 points, cruisers can get discounts when booking balcony and suite staterooms.

While spending more on a cabin might not sound like a good deal, you'll be rewarding yourself with more luxurious accommodations while also taking advantage of loyalty offers.

Not only that, but cruisers also receive an increased discount for making a reservation more than six months ahead.

Royal Caribbean tends to reward guests for booking further ahead of time, so booking a balcony or suite stateroom far in the future will give you extra deals.

Consider the Crown Lounge onboard 

Royal Caribbean has a dedicated area on all of its ships just for passengers that have reached at least Diamond level.

Access to the Crown Lounge is included in benefits for the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle tiers.

Open 24/7, this exclusive area features complimentary food, coffee, access to the Diamond concierge, and nightly happy hours.

To ensure that you're making the most of this benefit, you can research the Crown Lounge onboard specific Royal Caribbean ships.

Cruisers like to discuss their preferred size, layout, and style of the Crown Lounge, so look for a ship that best suits your preferences.

Some members prefer a bigger lounge, where they can spread out and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Others visit the exclusive venue for the social aspect, enjoying meeting other loyal Royal cruises, so they look for a more intimate experience.

Whatever your tastes, look for a specific ship to meet those needs.

Book an Alaska, Asia, or Europe sailing for your free cruise

The highest tier of the Crown and Anchor Society is rewarded with a free cruise.

Once passengers reach 700 points, they receive a free 7-night cruise in a balcony cabin (at the prevailing rate of a Caribbean cruise). Once they reach 1,400 points, the 7-night cruise is upgraded to a Junior Suite.

A free cruise sounds like a dream come true.

Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to book this sailing on a brand-new ship (it must be more than a year old), so you'll want to maximize these benefits by booking more expensive itineraries. 

The cruise line visits destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, France, Spain, Greece, Singapore, and Japan—all of which can be booked on your yearly free cruise.

Read more: I planned out 6 years of cruises so I could reach Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty tier

However, the free sailing doesn't include taxes, fees, or transportation, so you'd still have to pay for travel to and from the cruise port.

Use package discounts on shorter cruises

3-5 night sailings are a great opportunity to save money on WiFi and drink packages—with fewer days onboard, the daily packages cost even less.

When purchased onboard Diamond Plus members get 30% off deluxe drink packages, while Pinnacle members get 40% off.

Gold, Platinum, and Emerald members get discounts on Internet packages purchased onboard, while Diamond guests get one free day of internet access.

Diamond Plus cruisers earn two free days of Surf & Stream internet package per sailing, and Pinnacle Club members get a free Internet package for the length of the cruise.