Are there benefits to using the same cruising company?

Question

My husband and I went on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas last year and it was okay. We weren't very impressed but the price was good. It seemed the entire time like they were trying to pretend everything was nicer than it really was...

We would like to go an Alaska cruise this summer. We weren't sure if we should try Carnival again - I heard there are benefits to using the same company more than once - or try a different company. Are they all generally the same? We're looking for something for young married couples. Not the party scene, but also not the family or retired scene either.

Any recommendations?

Answer 1

staying with the same cruise line does have it's benefits, but it's also great to experience other cruise lines as they all have something great about them =)

From Carnival

MIAMI (May 18, 2006) – Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new loyalty program providing past guests with a variety of value-added benefits and features, including priority embarkation and debarkation, guaranteed supper club reservations and dining times, personalized stationery and custom-designed Carnival logo items.

Available exclusively to “Platinum” cardholders who have sailed aboard the “Fun Ships” 10 or more times, the new “Carnival Concierge Club” benefits are designed to recognize and reward those longtime Carnival guests for their loyalty over the years.

“Carnival is committed to the highest standards of guest service and hospitality. The new ‘Carnival Concierge Club’ is just one more way of showing our appreciation to our loyal past guests by making their ‘Fun Ship’ cruise even more special and memorable,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Platinum cardholders are entitled to the following shipboard benefits and features:

* Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin one evening

* Personalized stationery

* A special Carnival logo item

* Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

* Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack tournament

* Spa Carnival priority reservations and complimentary treatment upgrade

* Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

* Priority tender boarding

* Priority embarkation and debarkation


Additionally, a fully staffed concierge desk for Platinum cardholders has been established at the purser’s information desk aboard every Carnival ship. A dedicated phone line is available fleetwide, as well.

Special luggage tags indicating guests are “Carnival Concierge Club” members are included in guests’ cruise documents. “Carnival Concierge Club” members also receive a special Welcome Aboard letter from Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson detailing the exclusive amenities and privileges available during their cruise.

For additional information on the new “Carnival Concierge Club” and reservations on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” cruises, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Answer 2

There are definitely benefits to being loyal to the same line. A few things to keep in mind though.

With just one cruise, the benefits are pretty limited. Typically you can expect to receive some special pricing, an invitation to a "welcome back" reception, maybe a coupon book or some other welcome aboard gift. Once you hit 4 to 5 cruises, you start seeing additional benefits.

Now, one of the nice things is that being a past cruiser with Carnival you are eligible for "past passenger" rates with Princess, Holland America, Costa, Cunard and a few other lines in the Carnival group.

Unlike say air travel, there are some differences between the lines, there are budget, mid-price and luxury lines and your experience will differ depending on the line.

Both Princes and Holland America have the strongest programs to Alaska. They've been offering Alaska cruises longer than anybody else and have invested a lot in their Alaska offerings over the last several years. Based on the information you provided, I would recommend Princess over Holland America, only because Princess attracts a younger crowd than Holland America. Since both are part of the Carnival group you would be eligible for past passenger rates from them.

Another option is Royal Caribbean, in particular one of their Radiance Class ships. While they don't have as strong a program as Princess and aren't a part of the Carnival group, Royal Caribbean's offerings to Alaska are very good. For something a bit more upscale, consider Celebrity.

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to consult with a travel agent that specializes in cruises. They can help you navigate your options, I recommend Cruise Planners at 888-286-9827 www.mycruiseplanner.net They are very knowledgeable, can provide you with all of the past passenger rates that you are eligible for, and don't charge any service fees.

Answer 3

There are many benefits associated with "brand loyality" for a cruise line. However, the first thing you need to do is find your fit - which cruise line you and your husband really enjoy. Most reading will tell you that Carnival is a good "entry-level" cruise experience. However, once you've determined if you like cruising, it's time for you to broaden your horizons by moving up to higher rated cruise lines.

I cruise 2 -3 times a year and have been on every major cruise line. I would strongly suggest Royal Caribbean or Celebrity (our favorite), which is the highest rated "Premium" cruise line. Both have clubs - Crown & Anchor Society on Royal Caribbean and Captain's Club on Celebrity. I just came home from a 12-day Celebrity cruise last week (our 8th on Celebrity), and have some quick information about their Captain's Club:

- One-Category Upgrade
- Complimentary Custom Air Request
- Presailing Specialty Restaurant Reservations
- Priority Embarkation (where available)
- Exclusive Captain's Club Cocktail Party
- Welcome back gift
- Onboard amenities including gift with purchase at the Steiner's AquaSpa® by Elemis and certificates for the Celebrity casino and more
- Preferential Debarkation (where available)
- Reunion Cruises
- Online Newsletter
- Additional sailing credit on itineraries of 12 nights or more (maximum of three sailing credits per sailing)
- Additional sailing credit for booking a Concierge Class stateroom or Suite (maximum of three sailing credits per sailing)

And this is only after 1 cruise - after 5 it's all the above plus more.

Ask your travel agent to price both Royal and Celebrity for your Alaska cruise - you will not be disappointed!

Bon voyage!

Answer 4

Each cruie line has it's own frequent cruiser club. Royal Caribbean has the Crown and Anchor Society, Princess has it's Captains Club, Norwegian has it club and they all give discounts on future cruises booked while on ship (usually $50 to $100 per person, depending on the length of the cruise) they also will send you via regualr mail and by email if you want, information on all of their special cruises for cruise club members which are discounted. In addition for some cruises they will give you $50 to $100 dollars per person on board credit. In other words when you check in for your cruise you have this amount to use for gratuities, gifts or anything else charged to your room account. The cruise clubs also have aspecial function, usually a cocktail party for members, while you are on board.

Carnival is a bargain basement cruise line with cheaper fares and amenites not as nice as the other ships like Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian or Cunard. I would not recommend that you stick with them. You need to try another line to have your own comparison. I have been on many cruises with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess and Celebrity. I found the best crowds are on RC, Celebrity and Princess. Another point to consider is that cruises to the Caribbean draw more young people and kids than do those going to Alaska, Europe, the Baltic or Panama Canal. If you want to stay away from the really old people just stay away from Holland America. If you want to stay away from kids, stay away from Disney.

A few years ago we did the Alaska cruise on Princess and we did the cruise tour which included a train ride after the cruise portion all the way to Fairbanks, Ak. We had a stayover of a night in Denali National PArk. If you are going to Alaska you should do a cruise tour with Princess, Royal Caribbean or Holland America; they are the only 3 lines which have the train ride and that is a fantastic trip and I highly recommend it.

Answer 5

I believe the benefits would be the free upgrade in the cabin you pay for. In my opinion, you can get free upgrades two weeks before the cruise sets sail on any cruise line you book as long as the ship isn't filled yet. I always book the cheapest cabin with a window, so I get the free upgrades of a cabin with a window. (If you get a cabin without windows...you can only upgrade to a cabin without windows).

In my opinion, most of the cruise lines I've been on have been about the same, although Carnival had lots more to do while on ship with all their games planned and yes, there seemed to be a lot more twenty somethings on board. Part of the fun for me was watching them play the games, and my husband loved the eye candy.

I usually find a good deal through this site. It posts the latest travel deals, sorta like a newspaper it states, and has all the best cruise lines and travel companies to compare their deals. Try iBtraveling.com and perhaps you'll find something there too.

Answer 6

Carnival Corporation owns carnival, princess, holland america, cunard, costa, yachts of seabourn - as a past guest on ccl you now have Vacation Interchange Priv (VIP). Princess is my favorite in Alaska (invented AK cruises, good for young and old, premium line, good value, newer ships in the market, in AK have authority from AK govmt to sail into restricted glacier bay)- when pricing out the vacation let princess know you have sailed on the other.
CCL is a good enough line, but not a great value in AK.
If you sail with Royal Carib they are sister company with Celebrity - restriction there - you have to sail at least 5 times with one to have the benefits of the other.

Answer 7

Yes, NCL has benefits for repeat customers. The more you cruise with them, the better the benefits are. They have a great Alaskan cruise and their ships, employees, service, and food are all great. Benefits go something like on your second cruise, you get a free gift basket and a free dinner at one of the high end restaurants, your fifth cruise you get the gift basket and dinner and then you're invited to an exclusive party and with your tenth cruise you get free transportation to and from the airport. Just things like that.

Answer 8

yes there are but if you weren't happy with the cruise why do them again for a few dollars more you can up grade to royal Caribbean or princess etc. rccl. has crown and anchor program the more you sail the more the benefit moneys off at spa. and bar tabs so check out the carnival program and make your decision . good luck

Answer 9

carnival is more likely to upgrade past guest. you also get an invite to the past guest party which is pretty nice actually. the drinks are free and they have a band playing good couples dancing songs.

also, the alaskan cruises don't have as much emphasis on the party scene as the caribbean ones do.

Answer 10

I've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. By far Princess cruise line was the best!!!!!!!!