Cruise lines build their business on loyalty.
They all offer programs designed to entice passengers to take repeated cruises on their line instead of trying another.
Most cruise lines have two loyalty programs. One will reward people based on how often they sail the cruise line. For Royal Caribbean, that's the Crown & Anchor Society, a loyalty program that issues points for each night a passenger sails with the cruise line.
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You get one point for each night spent on board, two as a solo traveler and for suite passengers, and three if you sail solo in a suite.
Once you hit the Diamond level of the program, which takes 80 points, you get access to an onboard lounge with coffee, snacks and a concierge as well as four free drink vouchers each day. When you hit higher levels, the benefits increase (as do the free drinks) and top-tier Pinnacle members are kind of the cruise line's royalty.
In addition to Crown & Anchor, Royal Caribbean's casino has its own loyalty program. You earn Club Royale points by playing in the casino. The points vary by game, but slot players get 1 point for every $5 put through the machine.
If you earn 2,500 points in the casino year — that's April 1 through March 31 — you earn Prime status for the rest of the year and the entire next casino year. Prime comes with free drinks in the casino, and people who earn that status also get a free 7-day cruise.
Higher point totals earn higher tiers, which come with more perks. Now, Royal Caribbean has made a new partnership that will offer some land-based benefits to Casino Royale customers.
Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet
Royal Caribbean partners with Hard Rock International
Royal Caribbean and Hard Rock International have shared a global partnership that will offer benefits to customers of each brand.
"Travelers around the world can take advantage of accommodations, meals, discounts and more at Hard Rock and Seminole casinos, hotels, and cafes, and on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises vacation," the cruise line said in a news release.
Royal Caribbean has a small deal with MGM Resorts International, which offers a status match to Casino Royale customers, and Caesars Entertainment sometimes offers free Royal Caribbean cruises. This deal is a much more comprehensive partnership.
"The millions of combined members of the brands’ casino rewards programs will enjoy reciprocal benefits through Unity by Hard Rock, Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale, and Celebrity Cruises’ Blue Chip Club anytime they play, stay, dine, or shop at participating Hard Rock locations, or sail on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships," the cruise line added.
What benefits will Hard Rock and Royal Caribbean customers get?
The benefits being offered as part of this new partnership are significant. Loyalty-program members at each of the two companies will be rewarded when visiting the other. Higher-level members will get free cruises and hotel stays.
- Unity by Hard Rock loyalty members will receive discounts on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity vacations and can qualify for invite-only cruise giveaways. Top-tier loyalty members will also receive an annual complimentary cruise on select ships and itineraries.
- Club Royale and Blue Chip Club members can make their Hard Rock visits even more memorable with exclusive discounts and perks at participating Hard Rock locations. These include annual complimentary trips at select Hard Rock hotels and casinos worldwide for premium-tier Club Royale and Blue Chip members.
The cruise line did not share a specific breakdown of benefits.
“Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are the perfect partners for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. This partnership expands the ways our guests can enjoy their vacations and experience entertainment, dining, and gaming from ship to shore,” said Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President Jesse Hopfinger.
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Employees of both companies will also benefit from the partnership.
"The benefits of the new partnership extend beyond the brands’ casino rewards club members," Royal Caribbean added.
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"Global team members of the combined companies, including 20,000+ in Florida, will enjoy special discounts at participating Hard Rock and Seminole Casinos, hotels, and cafes worldwide, with a discount on food, nonalcoholic beverages, select retail and select Royal Caribbean and Celebrity vacations,"
