Comparing Cruise Line Loyalty Programs: Which Offer the Best Free Perks?

By Jeff Lowe • January 18, 2026

Cruise line loyalty programs tend to fly under the radar for many travelers.

Unlike airline miles or hotel points, cruise perks build slowly, and for occasional cruisers they can feel almost invisible.

That’s been our experience. My wife and I genuinely enjoy cruising and have sailed with Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and I’ve also cruised with my father on Norwegian.

Every trip has been a great experience, but we don’t cruise often enough to rack up loyalty status. Still, when you step back and look at these programs side by side, patterns emerge. Some cruise lines reward loyalty faster than others, while some really shine only if you stick with them long term.

This article compares the major cruise line loyalty programs with a very specific lens: free perks. Not discounts you may or may not use, and not vague promises of “exclusive benefits,” but tangible things like complimentary laundry, Wi-Fi, drinks, priority boarding, and onboard credits.

Even if you’re an occasional cruiser like us, understanding how these programs work can help you decide whether loyalty is worth chasing or whether it’s better to simply book the ship and itinerary you like best.

How Cruise Loyalty Programs Really Work

Before diving into individual cruise lines, it helps to understand the basics. Most cruise loyalty programs are based on number of nights sailed, not dollars spent. A seven-night cruise counts the same whether you’re in an inside cabin or a suite. Some lines add bonus credits for suites or certain fare types, but nights sailed remain the foundation.

The other key thing to know is that perks ramp up slowly. Entry-level status usually comes with very little beyond a newsletter and maybe a pin. The meaningful free perks tend to appear at mid-to-upper tiers, which can take years for casual cruisers to reach. That’s why reputation matters so much here. Some programs are known for rewarding loyalty faster, while others are clearly built for repeat, brand-loyal cruisers.

Royal Caribbean – Crown & Anchor Society

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is one of the most well-known cruise loyalty programs, and for good reason. It’s straightforward, widely used, and the perks are clearly defined.

How it works

• Points are earned per night sailed.

• Higher-tier cabins earn extra points.

• Status levels range from Gold to Pinnacle Club.

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary drinks (starting at Diamond level)

• Free daily happy hour beverages

• Free Wi-Fi minutes

• Complimentary laundry services at higher tiers

• Priority boarding and departure

Reputation and consensus
Royal Caribbean is often praised for offering tangible perks at a reasonable loyalty level. Diamond status is where things really start to feel rewarding, especially with the daily drink benefit. For occasional cruisers, though, that tier still requires a serious commitment.

Who it’s best for

• Cruisers who consistently choose Royal Caribbean

• Travelers who value drinks, Wi-Fi, and priority access

• Families and multigenerational travelers who want predictable benefits

From an occasional cruiser’s perspective, Crown & Anchor has one of the clearest value propositions, but it’s still very much a long game.

Carnival Cruise Line – VIFP Club

Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club has a reputation for being simple and friendly, which aligns well with Carnival’s overall brand.

How it works

• Points are earned per day sailed.

• No bonus points for cabin category.

• Five tiers, from Blue to Diamond.

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary laundry at Platinum and Diamond levels

• Priority boarding and check-in

• Free drinks on select days at Diamond level

• Priority dining reservations and tender access

Reputation and consensus
Carnival’s loyalty perks are often described as practical rather than flashy. Free laundry is one of the most appreciated benefits, especially on longer cruises. However, meaningful perks are heavily back-loaded into the top tiers.

Who it’s best for

• Loyal Carnival cruisers who take multiple cruises per year

• Travelers who appreciate simple, useful perks

• Casual cruisers who aren’t chasing luxury extras

We’ve enjoyed our Carnival cruises, but like many travelers, we’ve never cruised often enough for VIFP status to materially affect our experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Latitudes Rewards

Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program is often mentioned as one of the more generous programs on paper, though opinions vary on how valuable the perks feel in practice.

How it works

• Points are earned per night sailed

• Bonus points for suite and Haven guests

• Seven tiers, from Bronze to Ambassador

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary specialty dining credits

• Discounts on shore excursions

• Priority check-in and boarding

• Laundry service at higher tiers

• Invitations to exclusive cocktail parties

Reputation and consensus
Norwegian’s program is frequently praised for offering earlier access to discounts and dining perks, but some cruisers note that truly free benefits still require higher tiers. The program works best if you sail Norwegian consistently.

Who it’s best for

• Cruisers who enjoy Norwegian’s freestyle dining concept

• Travelers who value dining and excursion credits

• Guests who plan to sail Norwegian repeatedly over several years

Our Norwegian cruise was a great experience, but like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, it didn’t feel like loyalty perks would meaningfully change the experience unless cruising became a regular habit.

Princess Cruises – Captain’s Circle

Princess Cruises offers a loyalty program that’s more subtle and refined, much like the cruise line itself.

How it works

• Credits are earned per cruise or per day

• Fewer tiers compared to other lines

• Benefits focus on service and convenience

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary internet credits

• Free laundry services

• Priority boarding and disembarkation

• Captain’s Circle events and tastings

Reputation and consensus
Princess is known for quietly rewarding loyalty, especially for longer itineraries. The free laundry benefit is a consistent favorite, and internet credits are practical rather than gimmicky.

Who it’s best for

• Destination-focused cruisers

• Longer voyages and repeat itineraries

• Travelers who value comfort over flashy perks

Celebrity Cruises – Captain’s Club

Celebrity’s Captain’s Club is often cited as one of the more generous programs, particularly for premium cruising.

How it works

• Points earned per night

• Higher cabin categories earn more points

• Six tiers, including the exclusive Zenith level

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary drinks at higher tiers

• Wi-Fi access

• Laundry services

• Priority embarkation

• Exclusive onboard events

Reputation and consensus
Celebrity consistently earns praise for high-quality perks that feel genuinely premium. The combination of drinks, Wi-Fi, and service upgrades makes loyalty feel worthwhile, especially for couples.

Who it’s best for

• Adult travelers and couples

• Premium cruise enthusiasts

• Cruisers who value consistency and service

Holland America Line – Mariner Society

Holland America’s Mariner Society is one of the most traditional loyalty programs at sea.

How it works

• Credits earned per cruise day

• Bonus credits for suites

• Long-term loyalty is heavily rewarded

Free perks that stand out

• Complimentary laundry and pressing

• Discounts on future cruises

• Priority boarding and tendering

• Invitations to exclusive events

Reputation and consensus
This program is widely viewed as excellent for long-term loyalists, especially retirees or extended cruisers. The perks grow substantially over time.

Who it’s best for

• Repeat cruisers

• Longer itineraries

• Travelers who value consistency and tradition

Disney Cruise Line – Castaway Club

Disney’s Castaway Club is unique because the brand experience often overshadows the loyalty perks.

How it works

• Status earned by number of cruises, not nights

• Three tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum

Free perks that stand out

• Early booking windows

• Exclusive onboard gifts

• Priority port arrival

• Special character experiences

Reputation and consensus
Disney loyalty is more about access and experience than traditional freebies. Families value early booking far more than onboard perks.

Who it’s best for

• Families with young children

• Repeat Disney cruisers

• Travelers who value planning advantages

MSC Cruises – MSC Voyagers Club

MSC’s loyalty program is gaining traction, especially in Europe and the Caribbean.

How it works

• Points earned per cruise night

• Status match opportunities available

• Multiple tiers with escalating benefits

Free perks that stand out

• Welcome back onboard credits

• Complimentary drinks at higher tiers

• Priority boarding

• Laundry discounts

Reputation and consensus
MSC is often praised for status matching, making it easier for experienced cruisers to gain perks quickly.

Who it’s best for

• International cruisers

• Travelers interested in status matching

• Budget-conscious cruisers seeking added value

So… Are Cruise Loyalty Programs Worth It?

For travelers like us who enjoy cruising but don’t do it frequently, cruise loyalty programs are nice to understand but not something to chase aggressively. The general consensus is clear: real value comes with repeated, long-term loyalty. If you’re cruising once every few years, it’s smarter to pick the ship, itinerary, and price that excite you most rather than forcing loyalty.

That said, if you find yourself naturally gravitating toward one cruise line, the perks can quietly add up over time. Free laundry, drinks, Wi-Fi, and priority access may not sound exciting at first, but after a long travel day or during a packed embarkation port, those little benefits can make a noticeable difference.

Choosing Loyalty Without Overthinking It

Cruise loyalty programs aren’t about winning a game. They’re about consistency. If you cruise often, they reward you. If you cruise occasionally, they shouldn’t dictate your choices. Our approach has always been simple: enjoy the cruise, appreciate the experience, and let loyalty perks be a bonus rather than a goal. That mindset seems to align with how these programs work best anyway.