Crown and Anchor Society cruise loyalty program info, tips and secrets

In:

15 Sep 2024

By:

Jenna DeLaurentis

Royal Caribbean has a rewards program for anyone who cruises multiple times with them that acts as their customer loyalty program.

The Crown and Anchor Society is the frequent cruiser program offered to Royal Caribbean cruise guests. There are different status levels that anyone can attain, simply by cruising with Royal Caribbean. Benefits on future cruises include priority check-in, onboard discounts, and even complimentary beverages during their cruise. Additionally, members have access to dedicated venues, private cocktail parties onboard the ship, and more.

At the top tiers, you'll get complimentary drinks every day of your cruise, free photos, internet access, and even a free cruise if you reach the very top tier.

All in all, Crown and Anchor Society provides great incentives for frequent Royal Caribbean passengers who want to take advantage of special offers throughout their cruising experience. It's a great way for guests to be rewarded for their loyalty.

How do I earn points?

Earning Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program points is fairly simple. Each night on a cruise earns you one point. Therefore, if your cruise is seven nights, you will earn seven Crown and Anchor points.

There are a few ways to earn points more quickly. If you are staying in a suite, you will earn double points per night, making a 7-night cruise worth 14 points. Likewise, you will also earn double points by cruising solo in a regular (non-studio) cabin.

If you happen to be cruising solo and are staying in a suite, you will earn a whopping 21 Crown and Anchor points on a 7-night cruise.

Points are not rewarded until after you have completed a sailing. This means if you technically reach the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society on day two of a cruise, your upgraded status will not be recognized until your next cruise.

Joining the Crown and Anchor Society is free and we recommend creating an account prior to your first cruise. If you did not have a Crown and Anchor Society account before your cruise, you can create one and link past sailings from the previous 12 months.

Royal Caribbean status levels

There are six tiers to the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society program:

Gold - 3 points
Platinum - 30 points
Emerald - 55 points
Diamond - 80 points
Diamond Plus - 175 points
Pinnacle Club - 700 points

There is also the Pre-Gold level, which is where every guest will start on their first Royal Caribbean cruise. As most sailings are 3 nights or longer, the majority of guests will reach Gold status after their first cruise.

Gold

Ranging from 3-29 points, the Gold level is the first official tier of the Crown & Anchor Society program. As a Gold member, you do not receive an extensive list of benefits, but you will receive the following:

SeaPass card recognition
Crown and Anchor Exclusive Rates
50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda (two coupons per sailing)
50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (two coupons per sailing, on select ships)
Access to a private departure lounge with continental breakfast
10% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda (this is separate from the above coupon offer)
25% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
10% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
Crown and Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries
$2 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
One free card when buying a bingo package
10% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
10% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
Additional cruise points for purchasing suite accommodations and/or single pricing type
Exclusive email offers
Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive member newsletter
Loyalty match with Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club and Silversea Venetian Society

Platinum

From 30-54 points you will be a Platinum member of the Crown and Anchor Society. If you have accumulated this many points, you are likely a seasoned cruiser compared to your Pre-Gold days. Platinum members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

50% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks
15% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ sailings
$4 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
3 free cards when buying a bingo package
Robes for use onboard
$5 off $25 dry-clean or press
$5 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
20% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
15% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms

Emerald

An Emerald member does not see a substantial increase in onboard and cruise planning benefits compared to the Platinum level. Emerald members, from 55 to 79 points, receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

2 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
$6 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
6 free cards when buying a bingo package
25% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Platinum member

If you took eight week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Emerald level fastest.

Diamond

Becoming a Diamond member is a right of passage for Royal Caribbean cruise fans. Whereas Gold, Platinum, and Emerald all see a few benefits, the Diamond level, from 80 to 174 points, is where you begin to receive benefits that will better impact your cruise vacation.

As a Diamond member, one of the best benefits you receive is access to the Crown Lounge (formerly known as the Diamond Lounge). Reaching 80 points means that you now have access to a completely new area onboard and all of the benefits that come with it, like complimentary food, coffee, and access to the Diamond concierge.

Diamond members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

Milestone recognition
20% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
4 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
1 free day of internet (for 1 device)
Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions/Vitality Spa services
Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
Entertainment Tour on 5+ sailings
Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
$10 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
Chef's Choice gift on 5+ sailings
30% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
1 free digital or printed photo
15% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
20% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
Signature lapel pin
Milestone crystal block (beginning at 140 cruise points)
Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to an Emerald member

If you took 12 week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Diamond level fastest.

Diamond Plus

The jump from Diamond to Diamond Plus in the Crown and Anchor Society is a big milestone. Whereas you can reach the Diamond level after “just” 80 points, reaching Diamond Plus requires more than double that at 175 points.

And once you reach Diamond Plus you will likely stay in this tier for a long time, as Diamond Plus ranges from 175-699 Crown and Anchor points.

Solo cruisers are sure to love the 150% reduction (125% for transatlantic, transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) in the single supplement charge that occurs at 340 points.

Diamond Plus members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

25% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
5 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
- Valid for dinner reservations on the first or second night only. Excludes Celebration Table, Chef's Table, Empire Supper Club, Hooked, Izumi, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, Potside BBQ, and Royal Railway.
30% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
2 free days of internet (for 1 device)
Personalized Gift/Amenity (per household)
Exclusive Top Tier Event
Early access to Royal Theater, ice show, and AquaTheater events
Cheers with an Officer for members with 340+ cruise points on 7+ nights
Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340+ cruise points
3 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
One free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ nights
Bonus gift (per household)
Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes medi-spa services)
Exclusive access to Diamond Plus & Pinnacle Club call center staff members
Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340+ cruise points
- This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Easter/Spring break) and the peak summer months of June 15 through August 15 are not included in this offer.
Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Diamond member

Pinnacle Club

The most coveted tier of the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society is the Pinnacle Club. Making up only a very small percentage of C&A members, a whopping 700 points must be earned to reach the Pinnacle Club level.

Reaching Pinnacle is a huge milestone for Royal Caribbean fans. As Royal Caribbean Blog writer Marcy Miyar explained, though, you don’t necessarily have to spend 700 nights on a cruise ship to reach Pinnacle. Booking suites or cruising solo allows you to earn more than one point per night, thus making your pathway to Pinnacle Club a little bit quicker.

Pinnacle Club members receive the very best benefits of all, including what's been listed above with the addition of:

6 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
40% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
Coastal Kitchen access (varies by ship)
Suite/Concierge Lounge access
Flexible arrival
$25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis and Quantum Class ships only and excludes the same specialty restaurants as mentioned above)
Free unlimited internet for 1 device
Personalized lapel pin for Pinnacle Club
Daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-night balcony stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter
Bigger discount on Balcony & Suite staterooms compared to a Diamond Plus member

Member Benefits for Youth & Companions

Your kids can get the same loyalty perks as you up until they turn 18.

Family members in the same household of a Crown and Anchor Society member can be added into a relationship with the member and receive equal tier status. Points listed in the family member’s account will be according to the amount of cruises that individual has taken. However, they will still receive all benefits of the tier level they earned as someone in the household of a Crown and Anchor Society member.

For example, if you are a Diamond Plus member, your kids will automatically be Diamond Plus members as well after their first cruise, even if their own Crown and Anchor Society account only has a few points.

The only exception to this rule is with the Pinnacle Club. Dependents are not able to receive Pinnacle Club status from their parents or guardians and must achieve that milestone themselves. Spouses and domestic partners are able to reach Pinnacle status through their partners.

Other benefits for youth members of the Crown and Anchor Society include:

50% off one scoop of ice cream at the ice cream parlor (on select ships)
Internet discounts equal to parents' benefit
Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second free
Spend $15 in arcade credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in arcade credits to get $25 off
Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)
- 4 for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus, 6 for Pinnacle

Recent Policy Changes

Since the restart of cruises in 2021, Royal Caribbean has added enhancements and temporary adjustments to the Crown and Anchor Society benefits. These benefits include:

Flexible arrival for Pinnacle Club and Suite guests, allowing early check-in at the terminal
Pinnacle members are still able to dine in Coastal Kitchen, but reservations are required
“Master Class-type experience” for an insider view into the ship’s entertainment
Early access at onboard entertainment for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members
“Meal with an Officer” for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members has been evolved to a physical-distanced “Cheers with an Officer”

Royal Caribbean announced in December 2022 that Diamond Plus guests would no longer have access to the Concierge Lounge on ships that lack a Suite Lounge.

Due to high counts of top-tier members on most sailings, Royal Caribbean decided it had to limit access to the Concierge Lounge altogether.

What is the Crown Lounge (Diamond Lounge)?

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle guests can access the Crown Lounge (which used to be called the Diamond Lounge) while onboard. The Crown Lounge is open 24 hours a day and is an exclusive area only for Diamond members. Comfy seating and complimentary snacks and coffee are available throughout the day.

In addition, the Crown Lounge has a concierge available that can help with booking things like dining, entertainment, shore excursions, and spa appointments while onboard. They are also available for general questions about the ship and any problems you may encounter.

The Crown Lounge also has a happy hour each evening. Prior to the cruise industry shutdown, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages in the Crown Lounge were complimentary during happy hour. This benefit has changed, though. Now Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members are given a select number of drink vouchers per day to be used at happy hour or at bars around the ship. Diamond members receive 4 vouchers, Diamond Plus receive 5, and Pinnacle Club members receive 6 vouchers per day.

Most Royal Caribbean ships have a Crown Lounge. If a ship does not have a Crown Lounge, a Diamond-exclusive event will be held each night at a designated venue onboard.

Crown and Anchor Society Onboard Offers

When you board a cruise ship as a member of the Crown and Anchor Society, there will be a paper waiting for you in your stateroom listing your exclusive onboard offers. These offers increase by your Crown and Anchor Society tier and help you save money on your cruise vacation. Here are the current offers by membership level:

Gold

Wine & Dine

50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
25% off any coffee beverage (Starbucks not included)
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets milkshakes
10% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass

Entertainment

Buy a Bingo Package, get one free Jackpot Card
10% off any Internet Package
$2 Free Play

Shopping & Services

10% off RCCL logo products (must spend $25)
10% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)

Platinum

Wine & Dine

50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
50% off any coffee beverage (Starbucks not included) (two coupons per sailing)
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets milkshakes
10% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass
Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner

Entertainment

Buy a Bingo Package, get three free Jackpot Cards
15% off any Internet Package
$4 Free Play

Shopping & Services

20% off a single photo, photo package, or photobook
10% off RCCL logo products (must spend $25)
15% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)
$5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press
$5 off a $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings)

Emerald

Wine & Dine

50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
50% off any coffee beverage (Starbucks not included) (two coupons per sailing)
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets milkshakes
10% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass
Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner

Entertainment

Buy a Bingo Package, get six free Jackpot Cards
15% off any Internet Package
$6 Free Play

Shopping & Services

25% off a single photo, photo package, or photobook
10% off RCCL Logo products (must spend $25)
15% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)
$5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press
$5 off a $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings)

Diamond

Wine & Dine

Four free drinks daily up to $14 value (except Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets milkshakes
20% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass
Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner

Entertainment

One free day of internet for 1 device or price equivalent discount
Buy a Bingo Package, get six free Jackpot Cards
$6 Free Play

Shopping & Services

One free photo
30% off a single photo, photo package, or photobook
15% off RCCL Logo Products (must spend $25)
20% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)
$5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press
$10 off a $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings)
Receive a discounted stateroom phone rate of $2 per minute

Diamond Plus

Wine & Dine

Five free drinks daily up to $14 value (except Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
25% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets milkshakes
30% off Deluxe Beverage Package
Buy one specialty restaurant cover charge, get one free. For dinner on Day 1 or 2 only (exclusions apply)
Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner

Entertainment

Two free days of Surf Internet for 1 device or price equivalent discount
Buy a Bingo Package, get six free Jackpot Cards
$6 Free Play

Shopping & Services

One free photo
30% off a single photo, photo package, or photobook
15% off RCCL Logo Products (must spend $25)
Complimentary add-on spa service (excluding Medi-spa)
20% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)
10% off a photo package or photobook
A free $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings)
$5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press
Receive a discounted stateroom phone rate of $2 per minute

Pinnacle Club

Wine & Dine

Six free drinks daily up to $14 value (except Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda (two coupons per sailing)
25% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass
Two 50% off coupons for Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
40% off Deluxe Beverage Package
Buy one specialty restaurant cover charge, get one free. For dinner on Day 1 or 2 only (exclusions apply)
$25 off specialty dining on Oasis or Quantum Class ships (exclusions apply)

Entertainment

Free internet package for the full voyage on one device
Buy a Bingo Package, get six free Jackpot Cards
$6 Free Play

Shopping & Services

One free photo
30% off a single photo, photo package, or photobook
15% off RCCL Logo Products (must spend $25)
Complimentary add-on spa service (excluding Medi-spa)
20% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa)
10% off a photo package or photobook
A free $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings)
$5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press
Receive a discounted stateroom phone rate of $2 per minute

Loyalty matching with other cruise lines

Royal Caribbean guests can status match to perks with Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises. Cruisers, however, do not earn collective points. Each program is still on its own in terms of accruing points based on nights you sail.

Royal Caribbean Group, which owns all three brands, offers new status matching opportunities that began in June 2024.

Once you attain any status within the Crown and Anchor Society, you can qualify for matching status with Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club loyalty program or Silversea's Venetian Society.

Depending on your status within Crown and Anchor Society, you could get different benefits across the other sister brands.

You'll get matching status at the Select level in the Captain's Club Program. That will get you benefits such as:

25% discount on internet packages
30% discount on photo packages
10% discount on spa treatments
Priority status for the shore excursion waitlist

Royal Caribbean's Diamond members and Celebrity's Elite members who match their status to the 250 Venetian Society Days level in the Silversea program will instantly qualify for a 10% discount on Silversea cruises. Additionally, they will enjoy other exclusive perks that are not typically available to first-time Silversea cruisers.

If you can get to Diamond in Crown and Anchor Society, you can match to Elite Level within Captain's Club. Status matching across both lines is a great way to maximize the value of your loyalty because you will get more benefits such as:

90 complimentary minutes of streaming
40% off a digital or print photo package
$200 off The Studio photo packages
Unlimited free drinks from the Captain’s Club menu each day between 5 and 7 p.m. at most bars and lounges on the ship
Access to the Captain’s Club Coffee Lounge
Free access to the Persian Garden spa zone on one port day of your choice (Millennium & Solstice Class ships only)
30% off Wi-Fi packages and upgrades
15% discount on a drink package or a premium drink package upgrade

The best benefits for status matching are for the top-tier guests on each line, who can instantly qualify for top-tier status with the other lines and enjoy the best benefits. Members are now able to match all the way up to the highest tiers, Zenith and Pinnacle.

To qualify for the status matching, cruisers must enroll in a program before receiving a status match.

Crown and Anchor Society questions

Do Royal Caribbean points expire?

No, points you earn in Crown and Anchor never expire and the status you earn is good indefinitely.

In fact, if you cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past and never created an account, you can still get credit for those sailings and the points you earned. You just need to call the Crown and Anchor Society phone number with your sail date and ship name to have it added to your account.