Cruise Lines that Share the Loyalty

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Like hotels, restaurants, and airlines, many cruise lines operate customer loyalty programs. All a passenger has to do is sign up, earn points with each cruise taken on that line, and enjoy the benefits. The benefits vary by cruise line, but can range from a complimentary onboard beverage to members-only events, dinner with the ship’s officers, or even a free future cruise. And, some cruise lines automatically sign new passengers up so they start gaining points or status right away.

You’ll earn the most loyalty points and benefits if you sail regularly on the same cruise line. That works well when there’s a cruise line you love so much you wouldn’t consider any other. But if you don’t want to be limited to one cruise line, note that some will match loyalty program status from other lines, or even from other travel operators.

With some cruise lines, status matching and point sharing are especially easy because they have the same ownership. For example, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises are all part of the Royal Caribbean Group. When you have loyalty status with one, you can easily “status match” with the other two. This group’s top loyalty rewards involve free cruises – a very attractive incentive to be loyal.

MSC Cruises will match passenger status from a variety of other brands – and not just cruise lines, but selected airlines, hotel groups, and casino operators as well. But, MSC’s program allows you to select a matching loyalty program only once, no matter how many times you sail with MSC. So, if you belong to more than one loyalty program, be sure to request your status match to the program where you have the highest status.

Virgin Voyages periodically offers limited-time status match programs. Virgin matches loyalty status from a variety of selected cruise lines, airlines, and hotels, but passengers must apply within a set application window.

Note that status matching is usually not automatic; you may need to submit a request via the cruise line’s website or mobile app. Your professional travel advisor can help with the details.

And, know that most cruise lines let members keep their loyalty status indefinitely, but some require that members cruise within a certain timeframe – such as every five years – to maintain their status. Again, your professional travel advisor can alert you to special requirements and keep you informed about changes to the status programs you favor.

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