Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could be rewarded for doing something you love? Thankfully, that notion isn’t so far-fetched. Cruise lines are introducing new loyalty programs and improving old ones as a way of thanking repeat passengers. There are loads of bonuses on offer – here are a few to get you going.

Carnival Cruise Line 

The Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program is “like being a VIP, only way more fun”, announces Carnival. It’s broken up into five tiers, where each day you sail comes with a point: Blue (for first-time sailors), Red (second sail, up to 24 days at sea), Gold (25 to 74 days), Platinum (75 to 199 days) and Diamond (200-plus days). You can look forward to these bonuses:

  • Earn points every time you sail
  • Members-only offers
  • Invitations to exclusive cocktail receptions
  • Priority boarding
  • Cabin upgrades
  • Free laundry
  • Collectible Carnival memorabilia
  • Complimentary beverage at sea-day brunch
  • Priority spa reservations
  • Complimentary wash and fold service

Princess Cruises 

Princess makes it very well known that every time you book and sail in a full suite or sail alone in a cabin in which you pay the exclusive occupancy fare, it will be counted as two cruises in the Captain’s Circle rewards program. More benefits up for grabs include:

  • A saving of up to $100 per person and a reduced deposit of 10% when a cruise is booked early (generally one year in advance)
  • Members-only onboard events
  • An exclusive ‘Princess passport’ and collectible destination stamps to be displayed inside it
  • The quarterly Captain’s Circle magazine
  • Recognition pin

Benefits increase through the four levels of membership – Gold (upon completion of one Princess cruise), Ruby (from your fourth to fifth cruise, or 31 to 50 days at sea), Platinum (from your sixth to fifteenth cruise, or 51 to 150 cruise days) and Elite (from your sixteenth cruise, or 151-plus sea days).

Royal Caribbean 

The six-tier Crown & Anchor Society program provides more benefits the higher you get. Some of the ‘basic’ rewards include:

  • Value booklet with onboard offers
  • Invitation to the Welcome Back Party
  • Priority check-in
  • Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
  • Exclusive trivia
  • Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
  • Reduced-rate upgrades (when available)
  • Access to the members-only section on Royal Caribbean’s website