Royal Caribbean is adding a new souvenir photo benefit to most of its loyalty program tiers.
Members of the Crown and Anchor Society received an email on Thursday notifying them of the program change.
Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program has many benefits for repeat cruisers and the photo benefits have been updated.
Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets
Beginning on sailings departing on or after December 9, 2023, guests will have updated photo benefits.
Here's a breakdown of what each tier will receive:
Platinum
20% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook
Emerald
25% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook
Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club
- Free digital or printed photo of your choice
- 30% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook
It should be noted Jewel, Radiance, Grandeur and Vision of the Seas do not offer digital downloads, and only prints.
A single photo or digital download sold onboard the ship usually costs $19.99 for a single print or download.
In the announcement, Royal Caribbean said they were making this change to reward guests, "Your loyalty deserves to be celebrated, and what better way than capturing and preserving those unforgettable moments?"
What's different about this change?
If you're curious, this new benefit replaces a photo benefit that previously existed.
According to our notes, this change replaces the buy one, get one discount that was previously offered:
Platinum
Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo
Emerald
Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo
Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club
10% off a Photo Package or Photobook
Changing benefits
The addition of these new benefits is part of an ever evolving benefit structure by Royal Caribbean.
Earlier this year, the cruise line announced a change to the name of its loyalty lounge.
Also in 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced a new design to its crystal blocks for top tier members. They also made other changes, including Emerald members no longer have the option to pre-select your welcome beverages, because all guests will now receive complimentary water in their stateroom when they arrive.
Additionally, the cruise line removed the welcome snack as a loyalty benefit.
The value of daily drink vouchers for Diamond members and above went up to $14.
Lastly, the free bag of laundry on sailings five nights or longer is restricted to be redeemable only on the day of the ship's Wash & Fold laundry promotion.
Related: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise
How to use this offer
You can redeem the photo benefits that Crown and Anchor provides you once onboard your ship. It's not available to use pre-cruise.
If your ship has an interactive kiosk you can use to order prints, then this is very simple.
Just scan your SeaPass card to view any photos you have taken with the ship's photographers. Select which prints you would like to buy, and then look for a promotions icon in the top right corner.
Once you click on it, you'll see whichever photo offers you have. The photo benefit tied to your Crown and Anchor Society level should automatically appear.
Every person in your family that has the same tier status is entitled to the benefit, so you could redeem this offer for each person. For example, a married couple that is Diamond status, could get 2 free prints by logging in as each person via the kiosk and ordering a print.
Alternatively, you can ask one of the crew members working in the photo gallery to assist.
