Using Loyalty Programs and Frequent Cruiser Benefits

Okay, cruise loyalty programs—what even is happening there? One cruise, you get a tote bag (woo?), then suddenly there’s talk about secret parties, spa deals, “priority” this or that, and other stuff that sounds fake until you see it in the fine print. Some perks are actually useful, but a lot of it is just marketing glitter. The big cruise lines? They’re all competing, changing the rules, hoping you’ll keep coming back for more.

Major Cruise Lines’ Loyalty Perks

Look, most of the “free” stuff isn’t really free. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean (yeah, they’re related, but still different) love to hype up laundry discounts, but there’s always a catch—like you need a certain cabin or trip length. Holland America tosses around $400 onboard credits, but only if you book a brand-new sailing right after it launches. I swear, half the time the best perks are buried in legalese. The “specialty cocktail event” is usually just a tiny pour, and don’t get me started on Carnival’s “free” internet minutes. You can barely load your email (see this loyalty guide).

Spa discounts? Sure, but it’s always on port days, not when I actually want to use it. Norwegian’s Latitude Rewards does this all the time. And “priority embarkation?” Watched a family breeze through in Alaska, then we all waited for the same elevator. So, yeah.

Cruise Line Loyalty Tiers

Anyone can join these programs for free, but the shiny perks—free laundry, bottled water, dining upgrades—are all at the higher levels. Carnival’s VIFP Club gives you a pin and a drink, but until you hit Platinum (which is, what, 75 nights?), it’s mostly just fluff. Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society breaks everything into points: sail 30 nights, get Diamond, maybe lounge access if there’s space. It’s not always as cool as it sounds.

I hit Norwegian’s Gold once and got a single chocolate truffle and a bottle of water (one-off, not daily—just so we’re clear). Yeah, the higher up you go, the better the perks, like free specialty dining on Princess or MSC, but don’t expect much at the start. Points usually don’t expire (CruiseSheet’s loyalty guide), so if you cruise a lot, you’ll eventually get something good. Just, please, read the fine print. I’ve been burned expecting “free” laundry and getting a coupon for $5 off.

Exploring Alternative Cruise Options

Why do people always overlook the easy ways to save? I don’t get it. The best travelers I know just pick the stuff nobody else wants and end up paying half as much. It’s not magic. Just a few sneaky moves that somehow keep working.

Older Ships at Lower Prices

Booking an older ship? Honestly, I get it—maybe the carpet’s weird or the bars feel like a time capsule. But, they’re still safe, still maintained, and usually staffed by people who’ve seen it all. If you want to save, insiders say book the last-gen ships and pocket the difference. Pools aren’t fancy, no infinity edge for your Instagram, but whatever.

I did a “retired flagship” cruise last year. Everything worked, the food was just as good, and nobody fought me for soft-serve. Shoulder season sailings? Half the price of the shiny new ships. Deals on older vessels are everywhere if you look. Downside: the gym was ancient, the sound system didn’t know what Bluetooth was. Not a dealbreaker.

Solo Travel and Single Supplements

Why are cruise lines so obsessed with double occupancy? I swear, traveling solo is like a penalty box. You get hit with “single supplements” that double your price. My travel agent (she’s brutally honest) told me to skip the flashy deals and hunt for solo cabins or “no supplement” promos. She was right.

See a “solo traveler special?” Book it, don’t think. They’re rare and disappear fast. Most people don’t even know these cabins exist—cruise lines barely label them. The paperwork is a mess, but I’d rather deal with that than share a bathroom with a stranger.

All-Inclusive Cruises

“All-inclusive” always sounds too good to be true, but if you’ve ever seen my bar tab, you’ll get why I’m a fan. Drinks, excursions, gratuities, Wi-Fi, specialty dining—sometimes it’s all there, sometimes it’s just a few things. I talked to a chef on a “luxury included” cruise once, and he said most people actually end up spending more when they try to go à la carte. Makes sense.

Cruise lines sneak out all-inclusive deals during slow seasons—grab those if you see them. Dining packages can save you a bunch, and onboard credits help with coffee or steakhouse splurges. Just read the fine print. I once got stuck with unlimited Pilates classes I never used. The espresso? Still tasted like shipboard espresso. Not much you can do about that.

Best Ways to Book and Monitor Cruises

Getting a good cruise deal is basically a sport now. Everyone online has “the secret,” but half the advice is outdated, and the real savings happen before you even board.

Travel Deal Websites

Scrolling through deal sites is like digging for change in the couch cushions—sometimes you get lucky. Cruise line websites? Meh. The real steals show up on those aggregator sites with every cruise on earth in one place. I set an alert on CruiseSheet’s fare tracker and got a 2AM email about a price drop. Why do they always do that in the middle of the night?

Apps blast out flash sales at random times, and people ignore the “limited time” banners thinking a better deal will show up. Travel agents sometimes sneak in perks you never see online—onboard credit, upgrades, “free” drinks (which, honestly, sometimes expire before you get there). Just set alerts and let the bots do the work. There’s more on how agents work their magic at MadAboutCruises. I still miss deals because I’m asleep, but whatever.

Buying Your Own Flights

Cruise line air packages? Pass. I’ve watched flight prices bounce up and down, and booking on my own almost always saves money. Expedia, Skyscanner, Google Flights—just compare. I once found a business class seat for less than economy a week before sailing. No joke.

Downside: if your flight’s late, the cruise line won’t care. I always pad in an extra night at port, just in case. Save every receipt and screenshot, because sometimes cruise reps pretend your flight never existed. My travel agent told me to always buy cancel-for-any-reason insurance, even if I’m sure I’ll never use it, because “the universe gets weird near big ports.” She’s not wrong. If you’re patient and a little lucky, you’ll find airfare deals that make cruise “bundles” look like a bad joke.

Comparing Multiple Cruise Holidays

Okay, so, I used to just click “Book Now” on whatever cruise popped up first—didn’t even check if there were better cabins or different ports. Honestly, I barely understood what I was looking at, and I’d end up paying way too much. Still don’t get why a ship leaves from Miami one day, then from Fort Lauderdale the next, and the price is off by $200. I’ve asked at the desk. Blank stares. NerdWallet’s research just leaves me thinking maybe the “best” site is whichever one loads before my phone battery dies.

I scribble everything down because, well, my brain just refuses to memorize numbers at 1 a.m. Some booking sites throw in beer credits, others dangle “free” upgrades or spa stuff I never see again. I’m juggling tabs, windows, sticky notes, and I’ll still miss something obvious. Cross-checking perks like onboard credits and drink deals between booking sites and the cruise line’s own site is annoying but, yeah, worth it. UpgradedPoints says people swear by tracking everything—can’t argue. I once booked after a single search. Idiot move. If you don’t run the same cruise through at least two or three portals, you’re just tipping the cruise line for nothing.