If you want to get Diamond status on Royal Caribbean, there's a good strategy for doing it faster.

I think the the sweet spot of Royal Caribbean loyalty program perks is at the Diamond level because you get four free drinks per day, and that perk alone can save hundreds of dollars on every cruise.  

Plus, there's also a free day of WiFi, access to the Crown Lounge, and more that comes with being a Diamond member.

Royal Caribbean gives all of its repeat cruisers discounts, special offers, and even freebies to reward their allegiance to the cruise line. By far, the most lucrative benefits begin when you reach the Diamond tier, which requires 80 cruise points.

If you want to get to Diamond as fast as possible, here are the best ways to get you there beyond simply booking a bunch of cruises.

Marry someone that's Diamond status

In all seriousness, the absolute fastest way to get to Diamond is to marry someone that's already there.

Royal Caribbean gives spouses the same status as their other spouse, based on whoever has reached the highest level.

Your actual point total doesn't change, but you would instantly be granted your spouse's higher status.

Start booking suites instead of regular cabins

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra cruise point per night if you book any suite, including Junior Suites.

Moving up from one point per night to two points will cut the number of nights you need to cruise in order to reach Diamond, and it's the simplest approach.

Staying in a suite means you can bring your family with you as per normal, but instead of a lower category cabin, you move up to a suite.

As you might guess, staying in a suite will cost you more money. However, if you're flexible, I've found the price difference to move up to Junior Suite or Grand Suite is not as egregiously expensive as you might think.

One thing to watch out for is RoyalUp, which allows you to bid for a stateroom upgrade.

If you win a bid to move up from a lower category cabin (i.e. balcony) to a suite, you will not get double points.

Go on a cruise alone

You can also earn an extra cruise point per night if you happen to cruise alone in a cabin.

Because cruise ship cabins are sold on a double occupancy basis, Royal Caribbean will give solo cruisers more points because they're effectively paying for a second person due to the single supplement fee.

There are two things to look out for when cruising solo in order to get that extra point.

First, studio cabins don't qualify for the extra point. These are cruise ship rooms specifically designed for solo travelers. As such, they don't have the single supplement fee or the double points.

Second, to get that extra point, you need to book the original reservation as a solo cruiser. This means you cannot book the cruise with someone else on the reservation and then later drop them or have them not show up for the cruise at all while still booked.

It used to not matter, but Royal Caribbean began enforcing that rule recently.

The fastest way is to combine both strategies

If you really want to get to Diamond status as fast as possible, then I'd recommend booking a suite as a solo cruiser.

When you stay in a suite by yourself, you'll earn 3 points per night. This is the most points you can earn per night on any cruise.

If you were to employ this strategy on a 7-night cruise, you would earn 21 points from that sailing.

Taking it one step further, you could book two cabins for your family and book one adult in one cabin solo. This way you can accrue 3 points per night while still going on a cruise with your family.

Alternatively, you could book two separate standard cabins and at least earn double points for one of the adults.

In either scenario, make sure the adult with the most Crown and Anchor points is the one booked in the cabin alone.

In case you're wondering, the cruise line doesn't care where you sleep, so you can book two rooms, but sleep together in the same room.

How much money can Diamond status save you?

While the four free drinks per day are probably the best benefit you can get from being a Diamond member, there are many more great perks too.

The four free drinks you get add up to $56 per day. And don't forget, that's per person because everyone in your immediate family gets the same status.

The free day of WiFi access is equivalent to the $29.99 cost for a 24-hour pass.

You'll also get $6 of free play in the casino. You never know, that could end up generating a lot more money for you, but let's assume $6.

There are a number of coupons to apply to drinks. You'll need to specify them when you order, but it adds up.

• 50% off any two glasses of wine, beer or soda when purchased together: $7 x 2 = $14
• 50% off any two Johnny Rockets Milkshakes: $4.50
• 20% off any glass of wine, beer or soda: $1.38
• Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one Specialty Restaurant dinner: $8.95

Finally, there are shopping and service discounts you can get by being a Diamond member.

• 20% off any Spa Service (excluding Medi-Spa): $19.80 (60 minute Swedish massage)
• 15% off RCCL Logo Products (must spend $25): $3.75
• One free Photo: $19.99
• 10% off a Photo Package or Photobook: $19.90
• $5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press: $5
• $10 off a $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings): $10
• Receive a discounted Stateroom Phone rate of $2 per minute: $5.95 per minute savings x 2 = $11.90

If you took advantage of every single Diamond discount given to you on a sailing, you could save $175.17 per person. Not every benefit will likely be used, but there are at least a few that most people should be able to take advantage of on every sailing.

Stepping stone to the top tiers

Once you make it to Diamond, I think you'll find it a gateway tier to the best perks Royal Caribbean can offer.

Many cruisers point to attaining Diamond status as a key milestone in their cruising journey because of the benefits it adds.

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One of the best aspects of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program is that you can pass your benefits onto your kids, greatly enhancing the value of a cruise.

Cruising with kids is the core focus of Royal Caribbean.  Their family-focused business is at the heart of what they offer on any of their cruises.

Read more: 7 best cruise ships for kids

I have two kids who have been cruising since they were each six months old, and there's doubt we've saved so much money over the years because of our Crown and Anchor perks.

Royal Caribbean awards points for every cruise you take, and whomever has the most points in the household passes their tier onto others in the household, including minors.

This means a newborn could crawl right into a top tier level of Crown and Anchor Society on their first cruise.

Families that will cruise often will find a lot of benefits when they bring their kids.

Extending program benefits to children

Royal Caribbean will extend your Crown and Anchor Society status to your children, and even spouse, living in the same household as you.

There are a few rules, but it's fairly straightforward.

Anyone under the age of 18 will automatically qualify for the top status among the household.  That means if you have Diamond status, but your spouse only has Platinum, your kids would get Diamond level benefits.

Each child needs their own Crown and Anchor Society account before you can match them.

The "catch" is your kids would get your status, but not your points.

Let's assume you never cruise again, your kids would have zero points but Diamond status. So for them to get to Diamond Plus, they'd have to get enough points on their own to move up to Diamond Plus.

Once the kid turns 18, their accounts are no longer linked with yours and now are individual. They retain their Crown and Anchor Society level and must earn points (and tiers) on their own going forward.

When they are 18 their accounts are no longer linked with yours and now are individual. Their account will now reflect the points actually earned from the cruises they took while linked to your account.

Spouses also get your status

Children aren't the only ones to benefit from your loyalty to Royal Caribbean.

If you get married and you or your spouse has a higher Crown & Anchor tier, you can status match to each other. In addition, partners qualify too.  Royal Caribbean isn't particular about if you're married or not, just that you're declaring you are in a relationship with someone else.

You'll need to call the loyalty program at ‭(800) 526-9723‬ and request your new spouse be added in a relationship with you. Alternatively, you could email [email protected] but I recommend calling for faster service.

Just like the kids, your spouse needs their own membership number.

It can take a few days for the linking to complete.

Once it's linked their points tally will appear to be the same as yours, however if the relationship ever ends their points tally will return to what they have accumulated based on their own cruise history. 

There is a limit to family matching with children

Your kids can get your Crown and Anchor Status up the loyalty program ladder, but not not quite all the way.

If you or your spouse get to Pinnacle Club status, which is the top most tier within Royal Caribbean's program, your kids will remain at Diamond Plus.

Pinnacle Club member tier status can only be earned by an individual, spouse or significant other by one of them accumulating at least 700 Cruise Points or more in the CAS program. That means kids must earn that status on their own.

Spouses, however, still get Pinnacle status if their spouse gets it first.

Onboard benefits for kids

Anyone under the age of 18 has their own subset of benefits that differ slightly from what adults get. These benefits work on every cruise, which makes it advantageous to take advantage on every sailing.

The Youth Member Benefits are as follows: 

Gold

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Platinum

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Emerald

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Diamond

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 4 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Diamond Plus

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 5 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Pinnacle Club

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 6 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

In case you're wondering, no, adults cannot use their kids complimentary drink vouchers for alcoholic beverages for themselves.

Royal Caribbean offers some of the best loyalty program benefits in the industry, so how do you move up the levels faster?

The Crown and Anchor Society offers rewards, discounts, and special events to its members, and it's all based on which tier you're at. 

Similar to hotel or airline offerings, Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program has different tiers based on how many points you have, with points earned based on travel.

Unlike other forms of travel customer loyalty programs, Royal Caribbean's points never expire.  And that means you can move up to a higher level even if you haven't cruised in a few years.

When you reach Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club, Royal Caribbean will give you free drinks every day of your cruise, free internet access, laundry services, and even a free cruise.

If you want to get more points to get to a higher Crown and Anchor level faster, there are a few strategies you can employ.

Read more: How to reach Diamond level quickly

Stay in a suite

Perhaps the easiest way to get more Crown and Anchor points is to book a suite.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra point per night if you book a suite instead of a standard cabin:

• 1 point per night in an inside, oceanview, or balcony cabin
• 2 points per night in a Junior suite or higher

Booking a Junior Suite is often an affordable way to get that extra point, as Junior Suites are not nearly as expensive as the suites that come with full suite benefits.

It's worth noting that Royal Caribbean has begun adding some Junior Suites on their newest ships that have full suite benefits, such as the Sky Junior Suite on Icon of the Seas.

Not only will a suite double the points you will get for every night of the cruise, but they also come with some great benefits to enjoy along the way. I find staying in a suite when you're at a lower Crown and Anchor level is advantageous since there is some overlap between the benefits.

Book a longer cruise

It's simple math: the more you cruise, the more points you earn.  So if you want to accumulate points quicker, book a longer cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers short weekend cruises, week-long sailings, and even cruises that are about two weeks.  Whenever possible, opt for a longer cruise to get more nights in.

Transatlantic cruises are some of the best cruises to rack up Crown and Anchor points because they're usually between 10-14 nights in duration, and priced quite well.  There's less demand for a transatlantic cruise because of the length, number of sea days, and the flight logistics.

If you book a transatlantic cruise and stay in a suite, you could really get a lot of points quickly out of one trip.

The other strategy is to make your cruise longer by not leaving.

Book a back to back cruise, where you book the same ship two times or more in a row. This allows you to sail longer at one time without having to find an exotic itinerary that has the same amount of nights.

Ideally, you'll book a back to back cruise where each sailing has a different itinerary so that you can enjoy different ports on each sailing. However, there's nothing wrong with doing the same itinerary twice. 

This is especially easy with short cruises.  Royal Caribbean's brand new Utopia of the Seas offers 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas.  If you book two sailings in a row, you'll cruise for a week.

Booking a back to back cruise gets you more time on the ship to enjoy what that ship has to offer, and it also stretches your flight value out because you'll be away for more days.

Cruise solo

Besides staying in a suite, if you book a standard cabin by yourself, you'll get an extra point per night too.

Just like staying in a suite, booking a solo cruise gets you more points for every night of your cruise.

The catch is not to book a studio cabin because you won't get an extra point. Select Royal Caribbean ships have cabins designed for solo cruisers, and these would not earn you more Crown and Anchor points faster.

And yes, you can combine the strategies in this post and book a suite by yourself and get 3 points per night.

Booking a suite alone is hands down the fastest path to earning the most Crown and Anchor points. It might seem egregious, but more people do it than you might think.

You cannot buy points

Unlike some other loyalty programs, Royal Caribbean does not allow you to buy points.

There is no mechanism to purchase points without traveling, no matter how few points you need to get to the next tier.

Quite often I'll see posts on the Royal Caribbean message boards asking if they can use a credit card or call the cruise line and buy a point or two.

The only way to earn points in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program is to sail on a cruise ship.

Avoid bidding for a stateroom upgrade

Be forewarned, if you bid for a stateroom upgrade from a lower category cabin to a suite, you will not get that extra point per night.

Points are based on the cabin you originally booked, so Royal Up will not get you any extra points. 

If you had a balcony or lower category, and then successfully bid to a suite, you would only receive 1 point per night.

Read more: 6 reasons to refuse to upgrade your cabin

Pro tip: Stay in a cabin alone while family is in another cabin

In all my years of cruising, I picked up on a strategy people that cruise a lot to employ in order to get to the highest Crown and Anchor levels.

They'll book one person in a cabin alone to get the extra point, and put the rest of their family in another cabin.

This strategy works best once you hit 340 points so that you'll a “single supplement discount”. With the single supplement discount, instead of paying 200% fare, you’re only charged 150% extra. 

Marcy Miyar employed this strategy by booking Junior Suites alone in order to get to Pinnacle Club status faster.

It's not necessarily a great money saving idea, but the faster you get to the higher tiers, the sooner you get to enjoy their benefits. Once you have the benefits, it opens up a lot of possibilities for maximizing the loyalty program value.

I never advocated for cruising for the sake of status, but it's hard to deny how lucrative it is being a Pinnacle Club member now and that it's added tremendous value to my cruises.

Once you take a single cruise with Royal Caribbean, there are a number of great customer loyalty reward program benefits you receive on every subsequent cruise.

The exact benefits depend on your Crown and Anchor Society level. The more you cruise, the more points you get and your Royal Caribbean benefits never expire. This means you can get more value out of your cruises.

You can expect discounts, vouchers, and even freebies just for having sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past.

Depending on your cruising style and preferences, all the benefits may not be useful, but there are certainly a few that stand out as must-uses on nearly every cruise.

It should come as no surprise that the best benefits are reserved for the top tier members (Diamond and above), but there is still great value even at the entry level.

Let's dive into each membership tier and provide detailed tips on how to make the most of the benefits.

Beverage coupons - All tiers

Whether you are Gold or Pinnacle, you'll get coupons preloaded on your SeaPass card every sailing for drinks.

If you don't have a Royal Caribbean drink package, these beverage coupons can save you money on alcohol, coffees, and more.

• 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

Higher tiers, beginning with Platinum will get a free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of a specialty restaurant dinner.

All you have to do is inform the waiter or bartender that you'd like to use your drink coupon and they can apply it on the spot. No physical coupon required.

Casino free play - All tiers

I couldn't believe it when someone told me I could play a few dollars in the casino every cruise, but it's true.

Crown and Anchor members get a range of free play to enjoy, and the exact amount varies depending on a few factors. It's available for the full cruise but if you go during the first couple of days, you get an extra $2.

All you have to do is go to any slot machine in the casino, enter your SeaPass card, create a new PIN and then transfer the money to your personal banker casino account. 

The PIN you need at first is your birth month and birth day in 4 digits MMDD then it will prompt you create a new PIN.  

The process on the machine to transfer the freeplay money is not completely intuitive but once you figure it out it's the same ship to ship.

You cannot cash out the free play, and must play through until you use it up. Any winnings are yours to keep and cash out.

Free/discount souvenir photo - All tiers

While there's no cost to take a photo with the ship's photographers, a single photo will set you back $19.99.

Depending on your tier, you're entitled to either a free photo or big discount.

From Gold through Emerald, you'll get a buy one, get one 50% off photo.

At Diamond, you get one free photo.

These are wonderful keepsakes from the cruise, especially if you can get everyone dressed up.

Balcony discount - Platinum and above

Should you book an inside cabin or is it worth it to move up to a balcony? If there's a discount on a balcony, that might sway your decision.

Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society members will receive an increased discount for making a reservation for
a sail date outside of six months.

Once you achieve Platinum status, you can get an automatic discount on any balcony or suite you book.

In many cases, this discount can save a lot of money. The key is to book a cruise more than 6 months in advance, or these rates drop.

Free beverage vouchers - Diamond and above

Perhaps the best known and most valuable benefit are the free drinks Royal Caribbean gives its top tier guests every day.

If you are Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle, you can get a set amount of complimentary beverages every day of your cruise, which includes alcoholic beverages.

It's simple enough to redeem, you just tell the bartender you'd like to use your Diamond drink voucher and you pay nothing for the drink.

Read more: How Royal Caribbean's free drink vouchers for Diamond and higher members works

Even kids can get free non-alcoholic drinks if they're a Diamond or higher cruiser.

I'm not aware of any other cruise line that offers its loyal customers free alcoholic drinks in this manner. For a lot of people, it becomes their defacto drink package, and a compelling reason to make it to Diamond.

Free internet access - Diamond and above

Diamond guests get one free day of wifi, while Diamond Plus get two free days of Surf & Stream internet package per sailing. 

If you make it Pinnacle Club, you actually get a free internet package for the duration of your cruise.

The only catch is you cannot pre-book, so you must wait to use it until you get onboard the ship.

BOGO Specialty Restaurant meal - Diamond Plus and above

The jump from Diamond to Diamond Plus isn't substantial, but there are some lucrative benefits to enjoy.

My favorite is the buy one, get one cover charge at a specialty restaurant for dinner on the first or second night of the cruise.

Just like the free wifi offer, you can't pre-book, but I've found it quite easy to redeem.

This is also great to use with family and friends, as you can apply the BOGO offer to other guests that are dining with you.

Free laundry once per cruise - Diamond Plus and above

I always have to remind myself of this benefit, but Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club guests get a free wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ night cruises.

Royal Caribbean offers a Wash and Fold offer to all guests, which comes at a price of $34.99 and allows you put as many small pieces of laundry in a bag as you can for a fixed rate.

This is great for t-shirts, underwear, socks, and bathing suits. You can either use it mid-cruise to replenish your clean clothing, or at the end of the sailing to ensure there's less laundry waiting for you when you return home.

Crown Lounge access - Diamond and above

It's fairly impressive that Royal Caribbean reserves a place on each cruise ship for use by its top tier members.

The Crown Lounge (formerly known as the Diamond Lounge) is part social and part functional.

At its heart, it's a place for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers to go to for a private enclave. A lot of cruisers enjoy the social aspect of the lounge, especially in the evening. This is when guests can meet other guests and perhaps make a friend.

A 24 hour coffee and espresso machine is available to use, which can save you money on specialty coffees elsewhere.

The finger foods they have in the lounge each evening are delectable, and there's a breakfast spread too earlier in the day. You won't get a meal here, but it's enough to tide you over.

Where can I see a list of my benefits?

There are two kinds of Crown and Anchor Society benefits: onboard and all around.

Prior to your cruise, you can take advantage of certain benefits simply by associating your loyalty number with your reservation. 

Assuming you put your loyalty number in your reservation when you booked your cruise, you'll receive a letter in your stateroom with your Crown and Anchor Society benefits.

The letter you get onboard the ship in your cabin lists even more benefits you can use:

Gold

Platinum

Emerald

Diamond

Diamond Plus

Pinnacle

Thanks to Twangster for sharing these scans.

The Royal Caribbean customer loyalty program has different levels of rewards for anyone that cruises multiple times with them.

The frequent cruiser program is called the Crown and Anchor Society, and the more nights you go on a cruise ship, the more points you earn.  With more points, you can reach higher levels.

Some of the most popular perks include priority check-in, onboard discounts, and even complimentary beverages during their cruise. Additionally, members have access to dedicated venues, private cocktail parties onboard the ship, and more.

At the top tier levels, you'll get complimentary drinks every day of your cruise, free photos, internet access, and even a free cruise if you reach the very top tier.

All in all, Crown and Anchor Society provides great incentives for frequent Royal Caribbean passengers who want to take advantage of special offers throughout their cruising experience. It's a great way for guests to be rewarded for their loyalty.

How to earn Crown and Anchor points

You'll earn points for the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program based on each night of a cruise you sail.  

• 1 point for each night of the cruise
• 1 bonus point per night if you are in a suite
• 1 bonus point her night if you are cruising solo

For example, if your cruise is seven nights, you will earn seven points in a standard cabin that you share with at least one other person.

Staying in a suite or cruising solo will get you a bonus point per night. 

Points are not rewarded until after you have completed a sailing. This means if you technically reach the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society on day two of a cruise, your upgraded status will not be recognized until your next cruise.

Crown and Anchor points never expire and the status you earn is good indefinitely.

Joining the Crown and Anchor Society is free and we recommend creating an account prior to your first cruise. If you did not have a Crown and Anchor Society account before your cruise, you can create one and link past sailings from the previous 12 months.

Royal Caribbean levels

There are six tiers to the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society program:

• Gold 3 points
• Platinum 30 points
• Emerald 55 points
• Diamond 80 points
• Diamond Plus 175 points
• Pinnacle Club 700 points

There is also the Pre-Gold level, which is where every guest will start on their first Royal Caribbean cruise. As most sailings are 3 nights or longer, the majority of guests will reach Gold status after their first cruise.

Gold

Ranging from 3-29 points, the Gold level is the first official tier of the Crown & Anchor Society program. As a Gold member, you do not receive an extensive list of benefits, but you will receive the following:

• SeaPass card recognition
• Crown and Anchor Exclusive Rates
• 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)
• Access to a private departure lounge with continental breakfast
• 10% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda (this is separate from the above coupon offer)
• 25% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• 10% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
• Crown and Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries
• $2 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• One free card when buying a bingo package
• 10% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• 10% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
• Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
• Additional cruise points for purchasing suite accommodations and/or single pricing type
• Exclusive email offers
• Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive member newsletter
• Loyalty match with Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club and Silversea Venetian Society

Platinum

From 30-54 points you will be a Platinum member of the Crown and Anchor Society. If you have accumulated this many points, you are likely a seasoned cruiser compared to your Pre-Gold days. Platinum members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 50% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks
• 15% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
• Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ sailings
• $4 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 3 free cards when buying a bingo package
• Robes for use onboard
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• $5 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• 20% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• 15% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms

Emerald

An Emerald member does not see a substantial increase in onboard and cruise planning benefits compared to the Platinum level. Emerald members, from 55 to 79 points, receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 2 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• $6 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 6 free cards when buying a bingo package
• 25% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Platinum member

If you took eight week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Emerald level fastest.

Diamond

Becoming a Diamond member is where the elite benefits really kick in for cruisers. The Diamond level, from 80 to 174 points, is where you begin to receive benefits that will better impact your cruise vacation.

As a Diamond member, one of the best benefits you receive is access to the Crown Lounge. Reaching 80 points means that you now have access to a completely new area onboard and all of the benefits that come with it, like complimentary food, coffee, and access to the Diamond concierge.

Diamond members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• Milestone recognition
• 20% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
• 4 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 1 free day of internet (for 1 device)
• Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions/Vitality Spa services
• Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
• Entertainment Tour on 5+ sailings
• Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
• $10 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
• Chef's Choice gift on 5+ sailings
• 30% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• 1 free digital or printed photo
• 15% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
• 20% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• Signature lapel pin
• Milestone crystal block (beginning at 140 cruise points)
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to an Emerald member

If you took 12 week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Diamond level fastest.

Diamond Plus

The jump from Diamond to Diamond Plus in the Crown and Anchor Society is a big milestone. Whereas you can reach the Diamond level after “just” 80 points, reaching Diamond Plus requires more than double that at 175 points.

And once you reach Diamond Plus you will likely stay in this tier for a long time, as Diamond Plus ranges from 175-699 Crown and Anchor points.

Solo cruisers are sure to love the 150% reduction (125% for transatlantic, transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) in the single supplement charge that occurs at 340 points.

Diamond Plus members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 25% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
• 5 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
  • Valid for dinner reservations on the first or second night only. Excludes Celebration Table, Chef's Table, Empire Supper Club, Hooked, Izumi, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, Potside BBQ, and Royal Railway.
• 30% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• 2 free days of internet (for 1 device)
• Personalized Gift/Amenity (per household)
• Exclusive Top Tier Event
• Early access to Royal Theater, ice show, and AquaTheater events
• Cheers with an Officer for members with 340+ cruise points on 7+ nights
• Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340+ cruise points
• 3 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• One free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ nights
• Bonus gift (per household)
• Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes medi-spa services)
• Exclusive access to Diamond Plus & Pinnacle Club call center staff members
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340+ cruise points
  • This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Easter/Spring break) and the peak summer months of June 15 through August 15 are not included in this offer.
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Diamond member

Pinnacle Club

The most coveted tier of the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society is the Pinnacle Club. Making up only a very small percentage of C&A members, a whopping 700 points must be earned to reach the Pinnacle Club level.

Reaching Pinnacle is a huge milestone for Royal Caribbean fans. As Royal Caribbean Blog writer Marcy Miyar explained, though, you don’t necessarily have to spend 700 nights on a cruise ship to reach Pinnacle. Booking suites or cruising solo allows you to earn more than one point per night, thus making your pathway to Pinnacle Club a little bit quicker.

Pinnacle Club members receive the very best benefits of all, including what's been listed above with the addition of:

• 6 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 40% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• Coastal Kitchen access (varies by ship)
• Suite/Concierge Lounge access
• Flexible arrival
• $25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis and Quantum Class ships only and excludes the same specialty restaurants as mentioned above)
• Free unlimited internet for 1 device
• Personalized lapel pin for Pinnacle Club
• Daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
• Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-night balcony stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
• Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter
• Bigger discount on Balcony & Suite staterooms compared to a Diamond Plus member

Member benefits for kids and spouses

Your kids can get the same loyalty perks as you up until they turn 18.

Family members in the same household of a Crown and Anchor Society member can be added into a relationship with the member and receive equal tier status. Points listed in the family member’s account will be according to the amount of cruises that individual has taken. However, they will still receive all benefits of the tier level they earned as someone in the household of a Crown and Anchor Society member.

For example, if you are a Diamond Plus member, your kids will automatically be Diamond Plus members as well after their first cruise, even if their own Crown and Anchor Society account only has a few points. 

The only exception to this rule is with the Pinnacle Club. Dependents are not able to receive Pinnacle Club status from their parents or guardians and must achieve that milestone themselves. Spouses and domestic partners are able to reach Pinnacle status through their partners.

Other benefits for youth members of the Crown and Anchor Society include:

• 50% off one scoop of ice cream at the ice cream parlor (on select ships)
• Internet discounts equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second free
• Spend $15 in arcade credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in arcade credits to get $25 off
• Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)
  • 4 for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus, 6 for Pinnacle

Matching status with other cruise lines

Royal Caribbean guests can status match to perks with Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises. Cruisers, however, do not earn collective points. Each program is still on its own in terms of accruing points based on nights you sail.

Royal Caribbean Group, which owns all three brands, offers new status matching opportunities that began in June 2024.

Once you attain any status within the Crown and Anchor Society, you can qualify for matching status with Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club loyalty program or Silversea's Venetian Society.

Depending on your status within Crown and Anchor Society, you could get different benefits across the other sister brands.

You'll get matching status at the Select level in the Captain's Club Program. That will get you benefits such as:

• 25% discount on internet packages
• 30% discount on photo packages
• 10% discount on spa treatments
• Priority status for the shore excursion waitlist

Royal Caribbean's Diamond members and Celebrity's Elite members who match their status to the 250 Venetian Society Days level in the Silversea program will instantly qualify for a 10% discount on Silversea cruises. Additionally, they will enjoy other exclusive perks that are not typically available to first-time Silversea cruisers.

If you can get to Diamond in Crown and Anchor Society, you can match to Elite Level within Captain's Club. Status matching across both lines is a great way to maximize the value of your loyalty because you will get more benefits such as:

• 90 complimentary minutes of streaming
• 40% off a digital or print photo package
• $200 off The Studio photo packages
• Unlimited free drinks from the Captain’s Club menu each day between 5 and 7 p.m. at most bars and lounges on the ship
• Access to the Captain’s Club Coffee Lounge
• Free access to the Persian Garden spa zone on one port day of your choice (Millennium & Solstice Class ships only)
• 30% off Wi-Fi packages and upgrades
• 15% discount on a drink package or a premium drink package upgrade

The best benefits for status matching are for the top-tier guests on each line, who can instantly qualify for top-tier status with the other lines and enjoy the best benefits. Members are now able to match all the way up to the highest tiers, Zenith and Pinnacle.

To qualify for the status matching, cruisers must enroll in a program before receiving a status match.

Royal Caribbean won't be moving the goal posts back in terms of reaching its highest loyalty tiers.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program, the Crown and Anchor Society, has many tiers, and some cruisers are concerned with how many members are now reaching the top tiers.

One point is gained per night of cruising (or double points for suite and solo guests).

To reach the highest tier, the Pinnacle Club level, cruisers need to have 700 points.

Especially now that Royal Caribbean matches loyalty statuses between its three cruise lines, some cruisers believe that there are too many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members in the fleet.

During a Q&A during this year's President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas, one passenger asked if the cruise line would ever raise requirements to make it more difficult to hit the upper most echelons of the Crown and Anchor Society.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, who was fielding questions at the event, answered that there is no plan to do so.

Royal Caribbean will not make it more difficult to reach the top tier of the Crown and Anchor Society 

During the Q&A sessions, Amy Weber from Missouri shared that she and her husband reached Diamond Plus during the President's cruise.

"There's concern about Royal raising the qualification for those loyalty levels going forward," she said.

"What do you know about the plans for the loyalty program modifications?"

Mr. Bayley answered that Royal Caribbean has "no plans to do that."

"We're not planning on doing that," he maintained.

Royal Caribbean's requirements for the Diamond Plus and Pinnacle tiers will remain the same.

Read more: Pathway to Pinnacle: How I reached the top of Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program

To reach the Diamond Plus level, cruisers need 175 points. To reach Pinnacle, guests need to have a total of 700 points.

Royal Caribbean will not be changing these numbers.

The only requirements that have changed recently are within the loyalty match program.

If a cruiser has 500 Venetian Society Days, the highest level in the Silversea Cruises loyalty program, they will automatically be granted the Pinnacle Club level in the Crown and Anchor Society.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars

Are there too many Pinnacle members?

According to Amy Weber, many cruisers are concerned about Royal Caribbean changing the Pinnacle requirements.

This is because some believe there are too many members in the program's highest tiers.

"We have interacted with a lot of other loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers, and I've heard some grumbling about how many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members there are," she explained.

Michael Bayley also spoke to this point when he answered her question.

"Sometimes we get these comments," he said, "and they're valid comments [but] they're often based upon certain sailings."

Looking at specific sailings packed with more Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members can lead guests to believe that there are an extreme amount of members.

However, Mr. Bayley clarified that on "90% of the sailings, it's just not true."

"You can go on many of our ships many times and there are only a few Pinnacle members sailing with us."

Certain sailings have a higher number of exclusive loyalty cruisers, such as Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, and President's cruises.

Mr. Bayley pointed out that longer sailings tend to have more Pinnacle members as well. 

"It's logical because as you get to Pinnacle, you're typically getting older." And since older people are usually retiring, they have more time for longer cruises. 

There are no official numbers as to how many Pinnacle members there are, but Mr. Bayley put it into perspective during the Q&A session.

"In the grand scheme of how many people sail with us, next year 7 million guests will sail with Royal Caribbean International. So sometimes it feels like a lot [of Pinnacle members], but it's not."

Michael Bayley says Royal Caribbean is making "extremely positive changes" to loyalty program

As he fielded questions about Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, Mr. Bayley also emphasized the impact the Royal Caribbean Group unification has had.

By unifying all the loyalty programs within the Royal Caribbean Group family, the cruise line is making several changes to the programs.

Mr. Bayley said that he believes these changes are "extremely positive."

"It makes it so much easier for you to move between brands and, depending upon lifestyle choices, you can stay within the family and get all of the benefits you've earned over time."

Some great improvements have been made within the Crown and Anchor Society, and, according to Michael Bayley, "there's a lot more planned over the next few years."

Read more: 8 things you might not know about Royal Caribbean’s CEO

The cruise line is currently investing in new technology to bring it all together.

Within the next few years, cruisers can expect to "feel happier with the loyalty program."

Mr. Bayley said to look forward to improvements in the accessibility of information and the way the Crown and Anchor Society is presented to guests.

What benefits do Pinnacle members get?

The Pinnacle tier of the Crown and Anchor Society features many valuable benefits for its members.

These include:

• 50% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda (2 coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (2 coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
• 25% Discount on any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage (excludes Starbucks)
• Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
• 6 Complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
• 40% Discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• Coastal Kitchen access
• $25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis & Quantum class only)
• Exclusive daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
• Free Unlimited surf and stream Internet access for 1 device only for the length of your voyage
• Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ night sailings 
• Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions and Vitality Spa services
• Exclusive Backstage Tour on 5+ night sailings
• Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
• Priority access and seating at Theater, Ice show, and AquaTheater events
• Cheers with an Officer on 7+ night sailings
• Suite/Concierge Lounge access
• Flexible arrival
• $6 Casino Royale FreePlay
• Buy a bingo package and receive 6 free Jackpot cards
• Robes for use onboard (delivered upon request)
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• $10 Discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• 3 Complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
• Chef’s Choice on 5+ nights
• Personalized gift/amenity (per household)
• One Free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ Nights
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• 30% Discount on a single photo, photo package, or photo book
• One (1) free digital or printed photo of your choice
• 15% Discount on Royal Caribbean logo products sold onboard (min. $25 purchase)
• 20% Discounts on any spa service (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Milestone recognition beginning at 140 cruise points (Crystal Block)
• Personalized lapel pin
• Discounts on Balcony & Suite Staterooms
• Exclusive access to call center staff members
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200%
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-Night Balcony Stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite Stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter

And the Pinnacle status isn't just for older cruisers, despite the time it takes to reach. 

The tier has specific Youth Member benefits, which include:

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• Surf and Stream internet discount equal to parents’ benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second Free
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off 
• 6 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

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

What would you do to reach the top tier of Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program?

The Crown and Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean's member rewards program, and there are enviable benefits for those at the top.

For every night a cruiser spends onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, they'll gain one point (or double points if they've booked a suite).

The highest level is Pinnacle, and it requires a total of 700 points.

The small percentage of cruisers who reach this level gain a host of attractive benefits.

To gain these benefits, one couple made a detailed plan—complete with an Excel spreadsheet.

They use a spreadsheet and a host of other tools to track their progress and plan the cruises they need to take to reach the Pinnacle level.

Read more: Pathway to Pinnacle: How I reached the top of Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program

The Notarnicolas realized early on they were going to take a lot of cruises

Dorothy and Steve Notarnicola took their first Royal Caribbean cruise on Independence of the Seas, in 2016.

They took the cruise as a way to celebrate their older son's graduation and were immediately hooked.

"We realized early on that we love cruising and knew that we were going to be taking cruises a lot in our future."

Onboard Royal Caribbean ships, they've come to love music in the Pub and Schooner Bar.

The family appreciates any venues "where we can engage 'cruise brain,' have a cocktail, and relax."

Neither of them grew up cruising, but Steve had some experience on big ships as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.

Read more: After 68 cruises, I'm about to reach the top tier of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society: here’s what being a Pinnacle member means

The Pinnacle level became their ultimate goal

The Notarnicolas are very goal-oriented and want to enjoy all the benefits of the Crown and Anchor Society.

The Pinnacle level includes the following benefits:

• Priority check-in at the pier
• Concierge Club access for complimentary continental breakfast, evening drinks, and hors d'oeuvres
• Reserved seating at shows in the main theater, AquaTheater, Studio B, and Two70
• Priority departure at the end of the cruise
• Exclusive access to the Pinnacle Lounge
• Complimentary specialty dining experience for two
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours
• Exclusive Pinnacle Club cocktail reception with senior ship officers
• Complimentary 7-night cruise for two in a balcony stateroom, available once you reach 700 cruise points
• Personalized milestone recognition gifts
• Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa appointments
• Complimentary VOOM Internet package
• Access to a dedicated Loyalty Call Center

Read more: Royal Caribbean adds new benefit for Pinnacle Club members

The Notarnicolas especially love breakfast in Chops Grille every morning, spending time in the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club, and dining at Coastal Kitchen.

Additionally, since Steve works as an operations analyst and Dorothy as a librarian, having early embarkation and disembarkation allows them to get to their cruises or back to their jobs quickly, using maximum vacation time.

The Notarnicolas told us that the Pinnacle members they've met on their cruises are "the most engaging, personable, friendly, and helpful people."

"We just really thought it would be great to join that group."

The Notarnicolas developed a detailed plan to reach the ultimate level of the Crown and Anchor Society

To become part of the Pinnacle membership level, the Notarnicolas came up with a unique plan.

In 2021, they had 33 points and were still at the Platinum level.

That spring, while the pandemic forced cruises to come to a stop, they realized that "getting to Pinnacle might be possible if we planned it out." 

With his experience as an analyst, Steve enjoys figuring out multiple scenarios to achieve a specific result.

Since the family had already been tracking their cruises, building and implementing a plan felt organic for them. 

They planned to book up to ten 3-night weekend cruises and two 7-night cruises throughout 2022 and 2023, all in Junior Suite cabins.

They estimated that booking these cruises would give them a total of 88 points per year.

They started with an Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs, and finding a quality travel agent.

The spreadsheet tracks every cruise, past or future—the ship, length of the cruise, date, excursions, ports visited, stateroom type, and points earned per night.

They also have a page that projects how many points they'll need to earn per year, and what year they expect to reach Pinnacle.

Their travel agent serves as a helpful "enabler"

As of August 2023, The Notarnicolas had 310 Crown and Anchor points, with 21 more cruises planned.

They project that they will have 508 Crown and Anchor points by March 2025.

"Obviously we’re not there yet, but we are comfortable with our plan," Steve Notarnicolas said.

The Notarnicolas work with Kelley from MEI Travel, who calls herself their "enabler" when it comes to the cruising scheme.

With Kelley's help, they find good deals and fill in any gaps to maximize their cruises.

For example, Kelley helped them rebook a 15-night Transatlantic cruise from a guaranteed balcony to a guaranteed suite stateroom.

Thanks to this change, they ended up gaining double points on the 15-night cruise!

They stay flexible to enjoy different kinds of ships and itineraries

With a detailed plan to reach Pinnacle status, the Notarnicolas have a fun but focused way to keep cruising and maximize future benefits.

They also began planning to start a legacy of cruising.

"As our kids start having kids, we really want to introduce and reinforce with them how great cruising is," Steve Notarnicolas said.

It's not all just for the points.

"We really love cruising with Royal, and as such, we are always open to experiencing new ships and new itineraries."

When the Notarnicolas see group cruises or new ship itineraries that interest them, they're willing to adjust the plan and add another sailing.

They are booked to sail on both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas in 2024, ships that were launched after they first developed the spreadsheet.

The Notarnicolas offered a few tips for other cruisers who want to reach Pinnacle

For any cruisers who want to try a similar plan (or are simply looking forward to reaching Pinnacle), the Notarnicolas advise enjoying the journey.

"The best advice is to not look at the plan as an absolute," they told us.

"Don't get too focused on points."

They also extended other tips for planning ahead and gaining those extra points.

For example, the Notarnicolas use the Shipmate app to track past cruises as well as upcoming cruises on one single screen.

This helps them find any gaps in their cruise booking schedule, and fit in more sailings.

The Notarnicolas also take advantage of the Club Royal at the Casino, earning benefits and complimentary cruises there.

The Casino Royale has its own loyalty program that offers benefits like discounts, free drinks, and even a free cruise!

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

This has accelerated their Pinnacle Plan by adding even more cruises to the schedule.

What happens when they reach Pinnacle?

The Notarnicolas love cruising with Royal Caribbean and say that they would still be cruising even if there was no Pinnacle level to achieve.

Thus, they look forward to continuing cruising even after they reach this ultimate Crown and Anchor achievement.

They might even have a double Pinnacle plan in the works!

Status or no status, the Notarnicolas aren't going to stop cruising anytime soon.

Royal Caribbean wants to add more value to its guests at the very top of its customer loyalty program.

Pinnacle Club guests received an email on Wednesday informing them of an update to their Pinnacle Club benefits.

Pinnacle Club status is the top tier within its loyalty program, requiring a total of 700 points to attain it.

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Overview of the new benefit

Effective on sailings beginning March 15, 2024, and onwards, each Pinnacle Club member may now bring one guest staying in their immediate stateroom to accompany them into the Suite/Concierge Lounge, Suite Sun Decks, and Coastal Kitchen.

Crown Lounge (formerly known as the Diamond Lounge is not included) in this change.

There are some special rules with this new option:

Non-Pinnacle Club guests must be always accompanied by a Pinnacle Club member.

Beverages consumed in these venues will be charged to guests' SeaPass cards - Diamond and above members may redeem their daily drink vouchers. 

On sailings where the number of eligible Suite & Pinnacle Club guests exceeds the Suite venue capacity, access for Pinnacle Club members will be determined by cruise points and extended to one of their stateroom occupants. Those eligible will receive access notifications 48 hours before the sailing and a reminder on boarding day in the Welcome Letter.

Access to Coastal Kitchen is based on space and availability. Reservations are required and can only be made once onboard.

Royal Caribbean went on to say that this new benefit for Pinnacle Club members has not changed Crown Lounge access and remains exclusive to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members, unless communicated otherwise.

Why the change? Royal Caribbean wants to deliver the very best benefits to its most loyal cruisers, "We are committed to ensuring your cruise experience is exceptional, and we believe these updates contribute to that goal."

Adding the new benefit means Pinnacles can bring someone in their cabin with them to enjoy the reserved space.  Prior to this change, the benefit was only applicable to the Pinnacle Club guests.

The gap between Pinnacle Club and the next tier down, Diamond Plus, is significant at 175 points to 700 to move up.

Pinnacle Club benefits comparison

Beyond the benefits shared with lower tiers, Pinnacle Club guests enjoy a great deal of benefits.

Chief among them is a free cruise once they reach the tier. There's a free cruise for two people on a 7-night balcony stateroom for 700 and 1050 cruise point thresholds. 

Plus, a milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter.

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

How to qualify for Pinnacle Club

If you'd like to get to Pinnacle Club, you'll need to accrue at least 700 points in Crown and Anchor Society.

You'll earn one point per night of your cruise in a standard cabin (balcony cabin or smaller), which means you'd need 700 cruise nights to get there.

There is a faster way if you're willing to spend extra.  Staying in a suite gets you two points per night. Likewise, booking a standard cabin alone will get you two points per night.

If you stay in a suite by yourself, then you'll earn three points per night, which is the most you can earn per night in Crown and Anchor Society at the moment.

Unlike most hotels or most airlines, your points never expire and you don't have to requalify for your status annually.

Royal Caribbean is adding a new souvenir photo benefit to most of its loyalty program tiers.

Members of the Crown and Anchor Society received an email on Thursday notifying them of the program change.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program has many benefits for repeat cruisers and the photo benefits have been updated.

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Beginning on sailings departing on or after December 9, 2023, guests will have updated photo benefits.

Here's a breakdown of what each tier will receive:

Platinum

20% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

Emerald

25% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club

• Free digital or printed photo of your choice
• 30% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

It should be noted Jewel, Radiance, Grandeur and Vision of the Seas do not offer digital downloads, and only prints.

A single photo or digital download sold onboard the ship usually costs $19.99 for a single print or download. 

In the announcement, Royal Caribbean said they were making this change to reward guests, "Your loyalty deserves to be celebrated, and what better way than capturing and preserving those unforgettable moments?"

What's different about this change?

If you're curious, this new benefit replaces a photo benefit that previously existed.

According to our notes, this change replaces the buy one, get one discount that was previously offered:

Platinum

Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo

Emerald

Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo

Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club

10% off a Photo Package or Photobook

Changing benefits

The addition of these new benefits is part of an ever evolving benefit structure by Royal Caribbean.

Earlier this year, the cruise line announced a change to the name of its loyalty lounge.

Also in 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced a new design to its crystal blocks for top tier members. They also made other changes, including Emerald members no longer have the option to pre-select your welcome beverages, because all guests will now receive complimentary water in their stateroom when they arrive.

Additionally, the cruise line removed the welcome snack as a loyalty benefit.

The value of daily drink vouchers for Diamond members and above went up to $14.

Lastly, the free bag of laundry on sailings five nights or longer is restricted to be redeemable only on the day of the ship's Wash & Fold laundry promotion.

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

How to use this offer

You can redeem the photo benefits that Crown and Anchor provides you once onboard your ship. It's not available to use pre-cruise.

If your ship has an interactive kiosk you can use to order prints, then this is very simple.

Just scan your SeaPass card to view any photos you have taken with the ship's photographers.  Select which prints you would like to buy, and then look for a promotions icon in the top right corner.  

Once you click on it, you'll see whichever photo offers you have.  The photo benefit tied to your Crown and Anchor Society level should automatically appear.

Every person in your family that has the same tier status is entitled to the benefit, so you could redeem this offer for each person.  For example, a married couple that is Diamond status, could get 2 free prints by logging in as each person via the kiosk and ordering a print.

Alternatively, you can ask one of the crew members working in the photo gallery to assist.

Royal Caribbean wants to make it clear why top-tier members aren't allowed inside loyalty lounges on some cruises.

Royal Caribbean members have reported incidents on certain sailings when Diamond members haven't been allowed in the Crown Lounge, which is a dedicated space for top-tier members.

Those reports have compelled Royal Caribbean to respond to its members in a newsletter update.

Royal Caribbean sent out an email announcing that on sailings with a high number of top-tier members, Suite, & Pinnacle Club guests, access to the Crown Lounge, Suite/Concierge Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, and Coastal Kitchen will be limited. 

However, this is not a fleetwide policy change for all sailings.

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

(Thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog reader OCSC Mike for the above picture of the Crown Lounge logo on Allure of the Seas)

If there are a lot of Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club cruisers on your next sailing, you may find that access to the Crown Lounge will be limited at certain hours of the day. 

"On sailings with a high number of top-tier members, the Crown Lounge will be reserved for Diamond Plus & Pinnacle Club members during the evening, with beverage service from 5 - 8 p.m," read the email.

"However, the lounge and its services will remain fully accessible to all Diamond and above members at all other times. This includes continental breakfast in the morning, snacks throughout the day, and entry during dedicated concierge service hours."

There are no changes to the number of daily drink coupons that eligible Crown & Anchor members will receive. Diamond members will still get four complimentary drinks per day, while Diamond Plus will get five and Pinnacle six. 

Diamond members unable to go to the Crown Lounge between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. can still use these coupons at other bars throughout the ship, whether it's Boleros, Schooner Bar, etc. 

Related: How Royal Caribbean's free drink vouchers for Diamond and higher members works

These changes will only apply to sailings with a high number of top-tier Crown & Anchor members

At this time, Royal Caribbean is not making any other changes to its Crown & Anchor program. Additionally, the above adjustments are not permanent; they're based on the number of top-tier cruisers on each sailing. 

Possible sailings that could be impacted include but are not limited to charters, crossings, repositioning cruises, inaugurals, and President's Cruises.

Suite and Concierge Lounges, Suite Sun Deck, and Coastal Kitchen

When a sailing has a high number of Suite & Pinnacle Club guests, access to the Suite/Concierge Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, and Coastal Kitchen will be limited to guests staying in qualifying Suites, as well as to our top Pinnacle Club members onboard, based on cruise points," the email said. 

"Access will also extend to the guests in their stateroom. The number of top Pinnacle Club members granted access will vary depending on space and availability."

More members than ever

The top tiers of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor loyalty program have increased by 30% within the last year, according to Royal Caribbean International's CEO, Michael Bayley. 

The result has been overcrowding in loyalty and suite lounges. 

Royal Caribbean is not the only company seeing overcrowding in lounges. Recently, Delta Airlines has made changes to who can access their Sky Clubs in order to combat the issue. American Express Platinum cardholders, for instance, will no longer have unlimited annual visits. Instead, they'll be limited to ten per year. 

Rather than completely ban certain loyalty members from accessing the onboard lounges, Royal Caribbean sent out an email announcing that on sailings with a high number of top-tier members, Suite, & Pinnacle Club guests, access to the Crown Lounge, Suite/Concierge Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, and Coastal Kitchen will be limited. 

News comes just weeks after Royal Caribbean announced that the Diamond Lounge will be renamed

Courtney Brant, Director of Loyalty for Royal Caribbean announced that "...over the next few weeks, the Diamond Lounge — beloved by our Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members — is being specially renamed as the Crown Lounge across our fleet."

When this change was announced, Royal Caribbean Blog readers had numerous theories as to why they were implementing this fleetwide change.

"Seems like a no brainer to me that this is the first step to ultimately removing Diamonds from having lounge access," wrote Margaret. 

Reader Rackham said, "I'm speculating that with the name change, Diamond access could be determined on a cruise-to-cruise basis depending on how many Diamond and up C&A members are aboard." 

While just a theory at the time, his prediction ended up becoming reality within a month! 

It is important to keep in mind that Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members will still have access to the Crown Lounge on every sailing.

If the lounge ends up being reserved for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club passengers between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m each night, Diamond guests will still be able to access it at any other time. It may be the case that one sailing you're on sees a temporary adjustment, with the next having no restrictions whatsoever. 

Related: Royal Caribbean to rename Diamond Lounge to Crown Lounge