Past Passenger Programs

Virtually every major cruise line has a loyalty club for its members with different levels and benefits. Joining is free and entitles you to special perks and discounts when you book on that line. For many commonly owned cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, the offers extend across all the brands – Carnival, Princess, Holland America etc. Ditto for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. The benefits are quite far ranging. Major cruise lines generally host a “past passenger reception” on board within the first few days of sailing. This is a good time to meet your fellow cruisers and also get the latest information on any new features that the lines may have added to their loyalty programs. Most cruise lines maintain a mailing list of their past passengers and send occasional updates and special offers which can be reserved through your cruise specialist.

TIP: Many cruise lines started operation before computers and sophisticated data storage became common and can not easily retrieve data for cruises you may have taken several years ago. However, if you send a letter to the cruise line listing the ships and cruises you have been on, most will take your word and credit you with those unrecorded sailings. This might have the effect of moving you from Gold to Platinum level and significantly improve the benefits.