po cruise loyalty tiers

P&O Peninsular Club Loyalty Tiers: What You Get & When!

What’s better than a cruise holiday? How about a cruise holiday where you’re also earning rewards to put towards your next holiday? A lot of cruise lines have a loyalty scheme, and with P&O Cruises that’s called the Peninsular Club.

Let’s dive into a rundown of what the club is, and the P&O Peninsular Club benefits you’ll enjoy at each different level.

What is the Peninsular Club?

Pacific tier, atlantic tier, mediterranean tier, caribbean tier, baltic tier, ligurian tier.

• How do you join the Peninsular Club?
• How to find out how many Peninsular Club points you have
• Can you use P&O Cruises Peninsular Club points with other cruise lines?

The Peninsular Club is P&O Cruises’ loyalty and rewards club. You’ll join automatically after spending 15 nights onboard a P&O Cruises ship, earning more points every time you cruise. Depending on your total, you will be in one of the six tiers and enjoy certain rewards on your next sailing.

For every night you spend onboard a P&O Cruises ship, you’ll get 10 loyalty points. This means that you’ll join the club once you’ve completed 15 nights of sailing. However, to be clear, you only join the club once your cruise is completed.

So, if you’ve enjoyed two 7-night cruises, and you book a third, you won’t suddenly start getting rewards after the first night. You’ll have to wait for your fourth cruise for them to kick in.

Your points never expire, so you don’t need to rush to build them up. Also, all members of your cruising party can accumulate points, including children. Younger guests even get a free gift when they sail once they’ve reached the first tier, which is a nice little treat to keep them loyal to P&O.

Peninsular Club Tiers

Here’s a list of the different P&O loyalty tiers, and how many points are needed to qualify for each:

Next, let’s take a look at the Peninsular Club perks that you get in each tier…

The first tier is the Pacific Tier and you get a few nice perks to lure you into the Peninsula Club program.

Here’s what you get with the Pacific Tier:

• Peninsular Club Magazine sent to your home
• A dedicated hotline for booking your cruise
• Exclusive 5% discount on selected cruises
• 5% onboard spend discount (with some exclusions)
• Dedicated loyalty manager onboard
• Gifts for any guests under 17

The rewards at this level aren’t particularly amazing, although a 5% cruise discount is useful. They can’t offer too much though because of how many guests have sailed for 15 nights with the cruise line – this isn’t a very exclusive tier.

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Next up is the Atlantic tier, for those who have spent more than 50 nights at sea. If you like to do 14-night cruises like I do, you can get to this tier fairly quickly. This is the tier I’m in.

With the Atlantic Tier, you get all the benefits of the Pacific Tier, as well as:

• Extra 2.5% discount on onboard spend (total 7.5% discount)
• A glass of Champagne on arrival for your cruise
• A lapel pin

The Atlantic Tier ashore benefits are identical to the Pacific Tier, but onboard you do get a little bit extra with the additional discount on whatever you spend onboard. Plus, a free glass of Champagne is a nice touch.

Do you have your eye on some souvenir slippers, then this is the loyalty level that you’ll need to get them…

With the Mediterranean Tier, you get all the benefits of the Atlantic Tier, as well as:

• Extra 1% onboard spend discount (total 8.5%)
• Cocktail party on cruises of 8 nights or more
• P&O Cruises slippers

It’s not a huge amount extra considering to get to this tier you need to have cruised for over 100 nights, but remember that these are free extras on top of your holiday, and if you’ve chosen to cruise for 100 nights with P&O then you must be enjoying it.

To get into the Caribbean Tier of the Peninsular Club loyalty scheme you need to have cruised for over 200 nights with P&O Cruises.

The Caribbean Tier has all the benefits of the prior three tiers, as well as:

• 10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance
• Priority booking, so you can make sure you get your favourite cabin
• An annual gift sent to your home
• Priority arrival time allocation – get on the ship first
• Priority check-in when you arrive
• A welcome aboard reception
• An extra 1.5% discount on onboard spend (total 10%)
• A complimentary half-bottle of Champagne (one per cabin)
• An officer-hosted fine dining event on cruises of 8 nights or more

There’s a lot more to this tier, with some fantastic benefits including that all-important priority booking and priority check-in. You’ll have no trouble securing the cabin of your choice for your cruise holidays, and on embarkation day there will be a lot less waiting around.

And yes, to be clear, you do still get the glass of Champagne when you board as well as the half-bottle in your cabin. You get the half-bottle in your cabin on the first formal night, not on embarkation night.

Things get a little more complicated with the last two tiers because to qualify you don’t just need points. As well as the 2501+ Peninsular Club points for the Baltic Tier, you must also have spent between 80 and 200 nights on a P&O Cruise within the prior three years before your next sailing date.

So, say you were booking a cruise for 1 st July 2024. If you’ve got 2501 or more points and you’ve sailed for more than 80 nights between 1 st July 2021 and 30 th June 2024, then you’d qualify. If not, you’d drop down to the Caribbean Tier.

The Baltic Tier perks include all prior perks, as well as:

• Priority disembarkation
• Priority to book seats on Caribbean fly-cruise flights
• 50% discount on machine-washable laundry

With the pause in cruising, there have been fewer people in the Baltic Tier since it was harder to accumulate the number of cruising nights. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter because the extra perks aren’t that great. P&O Cruises ships have free launderettes and if you’re getting an Intercruises Cruise Connect coach home then the priority disembarkation won’t matter either.

The most exclusive of the Peninsular Club tiers, this is reserved for only the most loyal guests who have 2501 or more points and who have cruised for 200 nights or more within three years of their sailing date.

The benefits of the Ligurian Tier, as well as all prior perks, include:

• Invitations to inaugural events
• Use of a Hospitality Lounge at the home port
• The earliest embarkation timeslots
• Early access to your cabin
• Complimentary formal attire pressing

The Ligurian Tier is pretty exciting because you’ll get invitations to see the new ships before anyone else. Plus, you’ll always be first on board the ship, which can give you an extra half a day of holiday!

To enter the Ligurian Tier you’ll need to spend over 18% of your life on board a P&O Cruises ship. Now, that would be the life, wouldn’t it?

How Do You Join the Peninsular Club?

You don’t need to do anything to join the Peninsular Club with P&O Cruises. As soon as you’ve cruised for 15 nights or more with the cruise line, you’ll automatically become a member. It will be linked to the passenger account that you have with the cruise line.

Remember that you don’t become a member until the end of your cruise when your 15 th night takes place. Even if your 15 th night with P&O is at the start of a longer cruise, you’ll need to wait until that cruise is complete for you to be enrolled and to start enjoying the benefits.

How To Find Out How Many Peninsular Club Points You Have

You can find out how many Peninsular Club points you have at any time by logging onto your online account . As well as managing any bookings, you can use this online account to track your Peninsular Club tier and see how many nights you are from the next level up.

If you don’t want to log onto your account or you want to check at sea without using internet access, then you can speak to the onboard loyalty manager who will be happy to help you.

Can You Use P&O Cruises Peninsular Club Points With Other Cruise Lines?

There are no official partnerships between P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club and other cruise lines. It used to be that you could accumulate points on both P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises and they would be shared between them, helping you rise further up the tiers faster. However, that has since ended.

The one exception is with MSC Cruises. They don’t have any official affiliation with P&O Cruises and the Peninsular Club, but they do have an interesting policy called Status Match . This is something that’s more common in elite airlines, but MSC Cruises have adopted it for cruising.

With the MSC Cruises Status Match policy, you can join MSC’s Voyager Club and based on your existing Peninsular Club level will be assigned an appropriate matching level, entitling you to their benefits when you cruise.

It’s a neat way for MSC Cruises to encourage loyal cruise passengers from other cruise lines to try an MSC sailing and see if they prefer it.

Don’t expect much if you’re in the Pacific Tier with P&O, but if you’re in the Caribbean Tier or above then you would qualify for MSC Voyagers Gold or Diamond with a number of good perks.

Check out the MSC Cruises Status Match Chart to see what you can get.

How Do I Find Out My Peninsular Club Number?

You can find out your P&O Peninsular Club number by logging into your account on the P&O Cruises website and heading to the My Account section. You can also call P&O Cruises if you don’t want to login.

The Bottom Line

A lot of the rewards that come with the P&O Peninsular Club, particularly at lower levels, aren’t the most thrilling. But they are free, and you’re not having to do anything beyond keep enjoying your normal P&O Cruises holidays.

The tiers and rewards probably aren’t going to make you book more cruise holidays than you would do anyway, but they might convince you to stick with P&O Cruises instead of varying your cruise line. And if that’s something you’re happy to do, then you will get some nice perks to make your holiday that little bit extra special.

Are you in the Peninsular Club? Leave a comment letting me know, especially if you’ve made it all the way to the Baltic or Ligurian tiers!

Related Posts:

• What’s Included in a P&O Cruise?
• P&O Cruises Menus
• P&O Cruise Ships Compared: Which to Choose?

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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10 thoughts on “P&O Peninsular Club Loyalty Tiers: What You Get & When!”

I’m in Caribbean tier with P&O and I’ve not had an annual gift EVER. Why would this be?

Do solo travellers get double points like on Celebrity?

Hi. This will be my third cruise in October. My first in 2011, second 2012. Surely I have points? M friend has booked the last cruise, but has given my name and email.

Yes, you will have points. You can log in to your P&O Cruises account to see your past and future cruises and if something isn’t showing there just call them and they will add it for you.

We have a select booking with P&O which gives £600 obc but obviously costs more than saver. We are Atlantic Tier. Do you know if we get discount when using obc on board rather than my debit card

Hi Phil. No, in my experience the loyalty discount isn’t applied to any purchases made using on board credit, only to those that you’ll actually be billed for at the end of the cruise. Jenni

I am Pacific level and want to prebook some of the dining experiences using our onboard spend. Am I only able to use this if I book on board rather than prior to sailing .?

Yes. If you book before you cruise it will charge your card. If you book onboard it will take it from your onboard credit.

I’m 10 points short of joining the Peninsula club and I am going on a 100 day World Cruise, will my points be added on at the end of each segment enabling me to get discounts on purchases on board?

That’s a great question. I don’t think they will unless you booked the segments separately. It’s worth asking on board though in case they can do it. Jenni

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P&O Peninsular Club Cruise Loyalty Program

The multi-tiered Peninsular Club is P&O's cruise loyalty program for past passengers. Cruisers are automatically enrolled once they have accrued 150 points, with each night spent onboard a P&O Cruises ship worth 10 points. All members get discounts on future cruises and onboard purchases, and higher level members also get discounted travel insurance, invitations to special onboard events and more.

Also, to maintain status in the very highest membership tiers, Baltic and Ligurian, you have to cruise with P&O very regularly. Passengers who have the lifetime points necessary to attain these levels (2,501-plus points), but don't cruise 80 nights or more within the three years preceding their next cruise will either not advance from the Caribbean level, or will get put back into the Caribbean level from higher levels achieved when cruising more frequently.

Peninsular Club Levels and Benefits

Available with 150 to 500 points

5 percent discount on onboard purchases

Discounts on select sailings

Assistance of a dedicated Loyalty Manager while onboard

Access to dedicated phone help line

Delivery of Peninsular Club magazine

Available with 501 to 1,000 points

Receive all Pacific perks

7.5 percent discount on onboard purchases

Complimentary glass of Champagne during sail-away party

Lapel pin upon reaching Atlantic status

Mediterranean

Available with 1,001 to 2,000 points

Receive all Atlantic perks

8.5 percent discount on onboard purchases

Access to an exclusive onboard cocktail party on all cruises of eight nights or longer

P&O Cruises slippers in your cabin on each sailing for onboard use

Lapel pin upon reaching Mediterranean status

Available with 2,001-plus points

Receive all Mediterranean perks

10 percent discount on onboard purchases

10 percent discount on P&O Cruises travel insurance

Option to book newly released sailings before the general public

End-of-year gift from the cruise line

Priority lane at check-in

Early check-in at 1 p.m.

Complimentary half-bottle of Champagne in your cabin on the first formal night of each sailing

Access to a fine-dining lunch hosted by one of the ship's officers on all cruises of eight nights or longer

Lapel pin upon reaching Caribbean status

Available with 2,501-plus points  and  80 to 200 cruise nights (within the three years before your next cruise)

Receive all Caribbean perks

Option to choose seats on inbound and outbound flight charters to Caribbean fly-cruises before the general public

50 percent discount on laundry service

Lapel pin upon reaching Baltic status

Available with 2,501-plus points  and  201-plus cruise nights (within the three years before your next cruise)

Receive all Baltic perks

Invitations to inaugural events for the cruise line's new ships

Access to exclusive lounge prior to embarkation

Early embarkation at 12:30 p.m.

Complimentary pressing service for formal attire prior to first formal night

Lapel pin upon reaching Ligurian status

Other Cruise Line Loyalty Programs

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

P&O Cruises “Peninsular Club”

Cruise Line Name: P&O Cruises

Loyalty Program Name: Peninsular Club

Information About the Program: The club consists of six different levels, known as tiers. Entry into each tier requires a minimum number of nights to have been spent on board a P&O Cruises ship, plus at the highest levels, a degree of recency and frequency of cruising. As the number of nights you spend on board increases, so too does your tier status.

For each night you spend on board a P&O Cruises ship, you’ll be awarded 10 loyalty points applied at the end of your cruise. Once you have earned a minimum of 150 points you will automatically become a member of the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.

Entry Requirements: One you have earned 150 point you will automatically become a member of the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.

Program Tiers/Benefits:

Pacific Tier 150-500 points

• Peninsular Club Magazine
• Dedicated telephone hotline
• Member cruises
• 5% discount on board spending
• Dedicated Loyalty manager

Atlantic Tier 501-1000 points

• Pacific Tier benefits
• 7.5% on board spend discount
• Complimentary glass of Champagne at a Sailaway party

Mediterranean 1001-2000 points

• Atlantic Tier benefits
• 8.5% On board spend discount
• Cocktail party of cruises of 8 or more nights
• P&O Cruises slippers with bag to take home

Caribbean 2001+ points

• Mediterranean Tier Benefits
• 10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance
• Priority booking
• An annual gift from P&O Cruises
• Priority check-in
• Private welcome on board reception from 1:30 to 3:00 with complimentary beverages and canapes
• 10% On board spend discount
• Complimentary half bottle of Champagne on one formal night (per cabin)
• Caribbean tier Senior Officer hosted event on cruises of 8 nights and over

Baltic 2501 points plus 80-200 nights spent on board in the 3 years preceding the start of your next cruise

• Caribbean Tier Benefits
• Priority to purchase preferred seats on charter flights for Caribbean fly-cruises prior to embarkation
• Annual Gift
• 50% discount on machine washable laundry items
• Select your time of disembarkation

Ligurian 2501 points plus 201 nights or more spent on board in the 3 years preceding the start of your next cruise

• Baltic Tier Benefits
• Invitations to inaugural events, subject to availability
• Hospitality lounge
• Early embarkation
• Complimentary formal attire pressing service

1 thought on “P&O Cruises “Peninsular Club””

HI seems ok, but you don’t even get on the ladder until you have completed 15 days. We are on another loyalty scheme and we get free fresh coffee in a lounge and 4 free drinks of your choice. Which you get every day at our level, which goes up! We are trying P&O for the first time soon. We have taken several cruises on different lines, we hope you have lots to convince as to return. Regards Mel.

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P&O Cruises Loyalty Tiers: Get Rewarded & Stay Loyal!

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly swimming against the current in life? That you’re always fighting to earn rewards and recognition?

Well, what if I told you that there’s a loyalty program that makes you feel like you’re floating effortlessly downstream? That’s right, P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club loyalty program rewards you for doing what you love most – cruising – and encourages you to stay loyal to the brand.

As a frequent cruiser, I know how important it is to feel valued and appreciated. That’s why I’m excited to share with you the different tiers and rewards of the Peninsular Club loyalty program.

With six membership levels, each offering unique benefits and privileges, this program is designed to make you feel like a VIP every time you step onboard a P&O cruise.

So, sit back, relax, and let me take you on a journey through the waters of P&O Cruises loyalty.

• P&O Cruises has a loyalty program called the Peninsular Club, with six tiers based on the number of nights onboard and loyalty points earned.
• Each tier offers different rewards, such as discounts on cruise fares and onboard spending, priority booking and check-in, and exclusive events and amenities.
• Loyalty points are linked to the passenger account with P&O Cruises and cannot be used with other cruise lines, except for MSC Cruises’ Status Match policy.
• While rewards at lower levels may not be exciting, they are free and may incentivize passengers to stay loyal to P&O Cruises.

What is Peninsular Club?

Oh, great, another loyalty program – just what I needed! But wait, P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club actually sounds pretty enticing with its six tiers and rewards that increase with each level.

As soon as you’ve spent 15 nights on board, you’re automatically enrolled in the program and can start earning loyalty points for every night you spend on a P&O Cruises ship. What’s more, all members of your cruising party can accumulate points, which never expire.

As you earn more points, you’ll progress through six tiers of the Peninsular Club, each with its own set of benefits. From discounts on future cruises and onboard spend to priority check-in and disembarkation, cocktail parties, and even invites to inaugural events, there are plenty of perks to keep you motivated.

So, if you’re a frequent cruiser, joining the Peninsular Club is a no-brainer. Just sit back, enjoy your cruise, and watch the loyalty points roll in!

Membership Tiers and Benefits

I can earn loyalty points every night I spend onboard with the Peninsular Club, and these points accumulate towards six different tiers, each with their own set of benefits.

The Pacific Tier is the first level and provides a 5% cruise discount, while the Atlantic Tier offers an extra 2.5% discount on onboard spend and a free glass of Champagne on arrival.

Moving up to the Mediterranean Tier, I can enjoy a cocktail party and PO Cruises slippers. And as I continue to accumulate points, I can unlock even more rewards and benefits.

Redeeming rewards is easy with the Peninsular Club, and I can use my points to get discounts on everything from travel insurance to onboard purchases.

With each tier, I also get access to more loyalty program perks, such as priority booking and check-in, annual gifts, and even invitations to inaugural events.

While the rewards at lower levels may not be as thrilling, they’re still free and can be a great incentive to stick with PO Cruises.

Overall, the Peninsular Club loyalty program provides a great way to earn rewards and benefits while enjoying unforgettable cruise experiences.

Earning and Using Points

Well, isn’t it just fabulous that I can earn loyalty points for every night spent onboard and use them to get discounts on things like travel insurance and onboard purchases with the Peninsular Club loyalty program? As a member, I can maximize benefits by earning points not only for myself but also for the other members of my cruising party. These points never expire, so I can save up for bigger rewards such as priority disembarkation and early access to cabins in the Ligurian Tier.

To help you understand better, here’s a table of the loyalty points needed and benefits for each tier:

By redeeming rewards, I can make the most out of my loyalty points and get discounts and perks that make my cruises with PO Cruises even more enjoyable. So, I always make sure to check my points balance and plan ahead to use them for my next cruise.

Comparison with Other Cruise Lines

When comparing loyalty programs across different cruise lines, it’s important to consider the benefits and rewards offered at each loyalty tier.

While P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club loyalty program offers various perks such as cruise discounts, priority booking, and exclusive events, other cruise lines also have enticing loyalty programs.

For example, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society has six tiers of membership with benefits such as priority check-in, onboard discounts, and exclusive access to lounges and events.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards program offers perks such as priority embarkation, free internet minutes, and discounts on shore excursions and spa treatments.

Ultimately, it’s important to compare loyalty programs across different cruise lines to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

How do I join the Peninsular Club loyalty program?

To join the Peninsular Club Membership, simply sail with P&O Cruises for 15 nights or more and you’ll be automatically enrolled. As a member, you’ll earn loyalty points for every night onboard and enjoy various benefits of the loyalty program.

Can points earned in the Peninsular Club be used for discounts on purchases made with on board credit?

Unfortunately, Peninsular Club points cannot be used for onboard credit purchases. However, the loyalty program offers benefits beyond discounts, such as priority booking, gifts, and exclusive events. Explore and enjoy the perks of the program.

Is there a limit to the number of points that can be accumulated in the Peninsular Club loyalty program?

The maximum points accumulation in the Peninsular Club loyalty program is not specified. However, loyalty points can be used for benefits other than discounts, including priority booking, check-in, and disembarkation, annual gifts, and access to exclusive events and lounges.

Are there any restrictions on using loyalty discounts for bookings made through travel agents?

I’ve found that loyalty discounts for frequent cruisers can be restricted when booking through travel agents due to their commissions. It’s important to compare prices from all agents to ensure the best loyalty program benefits.

Can loyalty points be earned for past cruises taken with P&O Cruises?

Unfortunately, loyalty points cannot be earned for past cruises with P&O Cruises. However, redeeming points for benefits such as discounts on onboard purchases and travel insurance is a great perk of the loyalty program.

• Jun 30, 2022

How does P&O Cruises reward program work?

With six tiers, all named after the oceans cruised by P&O ships, The Peninsular Club offers rewards to those who spend their precious holiday time with P&O Cruises.

For each night spend onboard, P&O awards you with 10 loyalty points. Once you have accumulated 150 points (15 nights onboard), you automatically become a member of the Peninsular Club. All tiers, from Pacific to Ligurian, offer the same 5% discount on future cruises, as well as a varying level of discount for on-board spend, what's best, is the tier system is automatic, you don't have to do anything! Well, except spend more nights on board a P&O Cruises ship of course.

So what do you get in each tier?

Pacific Tier

The first tier that you will encounter is the Pacific Tier, awarded at 150 points (15 nights). In the Pacific Tier you will have access to the Peninsular Club Magazine, a dedicated hotline, and also an exclusive 5% discount on future cruises.

While on board you will also be offered a 5% discount for on-board spends, any under 17s will receive a gift, and you will also have access to loyalty manager.

Atlantic Tier

The next tier, the Atlantic Tier will be awarded once you achieve 501-1,000 points. Similar to the Pacific Tier, you will have access to the Peninsular Club Magazine, access to the dedicated hotline, and a 5% discount on future cruises. However, instead of the 5% discount you receive on board with the Pacific Tier, you will receive a 7.5% discount.

You will also receive a gift for guests under 17, a glass of champagne, and a lapel pin.

Mediterranean Tier

This tier runs between 1,001 and 2,000 points.

You will receive the same benefits as above; Peninsular Club Magazine, Dedicated hotline, Exclusive 5% discount on future cruises, Dedicated loyalty manager onboard, gifts for guests under 17, glass of champagne, and lapel pin.

In addition to the above, you will also receive an 8.5% discount for on-board spends, P&O Cruises slipped, and a Cocktail party (on cruises of 8 nights or more)

Caribbean Tier

If you have over 2,001+ points, you will enter the Caribbean Tier.

You will receive the same benefits as the above Mediterranean Tier, with the addition of a 10% discount on P&O Cruises travel insurance, priority booking, and an annual gifts.

In addition, you will be welcomed onboard with a priority arrival time, priority check in, followed by a welcome onboard reception. While on board, you will also be given a 10% on-board spend discount, a complimentary half bottle of champagne, and an Officer-hosted fine dining event (on cruises of 8 nights or more)

Baltic Tier

If you have 2,501 or more, plus 80-200 nights onboard in the last three years, you will become a member of the Baltic Tier. These tiers reward your repeat custom over time, and need to be maintained by frequent travel onboard P&O Cruises.

In addition to those benefits in the Caribbean Tier, you will also have priority to book a preferred seat on a Caribbean fly-cruise, as well as Priority Disembarkation at the ned of your cruise. The benefits at Southampton when boarding a ship are the same as the Caribbean Tier; priority arrival check in, priority check-in, and a welcome on board reception.

While on-board, you will receive a 10% discount with your onboard spend, dedicated loyalty manager, gifts for guests under 17, a glass of Champagne, and the half bottle of Champagne. You will also be invited to an Officer-hosted fine dining event and a Cocktail party (subject to the cruise being 8 nights or more), you will also receive a lapel pin, a P&O cruises pair of slippers, and be offered 50% discount on machine washable laundry.

Ligurian Tier

This tier is available to those guests who have 2,501 points, plus have spent 201+ nights onboard in the last three years.

In addition to all the perks above, there's only a couple of extras offered in the Ligurian Tier. The extras are; Invitations to inaugural events, access to a hospitality lounge at Southampton, and complimentary formal attire pressing.

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Comparing the cruise lines' loyalty programs

Repeat customers enjoy discounts, onboard credits, vip invites & more.

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CruiseClout score: 95.0

Repeat cruisers account for two-thirds of cruise passengers. So it's no surprise that the cruise lines have set up loyalty programs — some of them fairly elaborate — to entice past passengers to return for their next sailing.

Passengers often become loyal customers in a way that's similar to joining an airline's frequent flyer program: You just like the brand, and you get induced to return by reduced fares or special amenities.

What some people don't realize is that membership in a cruise line loyalty program is free and the perks increase the more often you cruise. Typically the rewards add up with the number of sailing days, though sometimes it's based on the number of cruises you take.

Benefits of joining a cruise line's loyalty program

Some of the benefits for repeat customers include reduced fares, priority check-in, cabin upgrades, reduced deposits,  onboard credits , access to special events or private functions such as cocktail receptions, invitations to dine with the captain  or officers, complimentary Wi-Fi, free laundry service, first-in-line dinner or show reservations, casi­no vouch­ers, lo­go-item sou­venirs and tasty treats such as fruit, choco­late-cov­ered straw­ber­ries or welcome-aboard champagne. Once you build up enough credits, you might even earn a free cruise.

Rundown of cruise line loyalty programs

Although the perks vary by cruise line, membership does have its privileges. Here's a current rundown of the loyalty programs at the mainstream cruise lines. (We'll cover upmarket and river cruise lines in Parts 2 and 3 of this series.)

Carnival Cruise Lines: VIFP Club 

At Carnival, you’re more than just a VIP. You’re a VIFP — A Very Important Fun Person. It’s Carnival’s way of recognizing guests who keep on coming back. The  Carnival Cruise Lines VIFP Club is based on points. Depending on how many points you rack up, benefits include priority boarding and debarkation , invitations to members-only cocktail receptions, priority tender boarding, priority spa reservations, upgrade of two cabin categories when available and more.

Carnival Corp. operates nearly half the cruise ships on the high seas, sailing under such brands as Carnival, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard Line and Costa Cruises, among others. Note that each cruise line operates its own loyalty program and Carnival generally lets you transfer points from one sister cruise line to another. 

Celebrity Cruises: Captain's Club 

Captain’s Club  is Celebrity Cruises' recognition and rewards program. There are six tiers: Preview, Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith. You earn more points when you stay in one of the upper-end staterooms. Benefits at the Elite plus level, for example, notch you a complimentary 240-minute Internet package, complimentary coffee drinks, discounts on specialty restaurant dining and beverage packages, access to the Persian Garden spa and more. 

Captain's Club and its encompassing benefits and activities are applicable to all Celebrity ships with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition (no mention of Celebrity's two new small expedition ships yet in the program description). The program offers reciprocity with Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor program and Azamara's Le Club Voyage program.

Costa Cruises: Costa Club 

There are six benefit levels in the Costa Cruises Costa Club with a variety of incentives to keep you coming back. Priority embarkation to special events like a Cocktail with the Captain and a souvenir photo are part of the program. T he more Costa cruises you take, the easier it will be to build up the points you need to move up from the Aquamarine Club to the Gold Pearl Club and enjoy increasingly exclusive privileges.

Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Club 

Once you complete your first cruise on one of Disney's four ships, you become a  Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club member with benefits based on the number of times you sail. That number gets you assigned to the Silver, Gold or Platinum tier. Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club offers its past guests a variety of benefits that include the ability to make advance shore excursion bookings, members-only check-in line at the cruise terminal and the option of making advance reservations at the popular specialty restaurants Palo and Remy or at the Senses Spa & Salon.

Holland America Line: Mariner Society 

When you cruise with Holland America Line, you’re automatically enrolled in the Mariner Society . Members earn Cruise Day credits for every day they cruise and for each onboard purchase, such as dining in Pinnacle Grill or having a spa treatment.

MSC Cruises: MSC Voyagers Club 

There are five tiers available in the MSC Cruises MSC Voyager Club . Rewards are based on points. Benefits include:

• Up to 20% discount on dozens of select sailings
• 5% discount for all sailings — anytime, anywhere
• Priority boarding
• Complimentary basket of fresh fruit in stateroom
• Complimentary one-hour thermal area session
• Complimentary specialty restaurant dinner for two (excluding beverages)
• Entry to Black Card party
• Priority disembarkation

Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes Rewards Program

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently revamped its  Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program . It now includes six member tiers. Points are based on how many days you sail, and extra points are earned if you stay in a suite or in the Haven.

Benefits  include priority boarding, discounts in duty-free shops ranging from 10-15%, additional Internet minutes, an exclusive cocktail party, onboard discounts on shore excursions and $100 onboard credit on select sailings. Members of the Platinum, Platinum Plus and Ambassador tiers receive a complimentary dinner for two at Cagney's, Le Bistro, Moderno or La Cucina. Members in the highest tier can earn a complimentary 7-day cruise.  

P&O Cruises: Peninsular Club 

For each night you spend on board a P&O Cruises ship, you'll be awarded 10 loyalty points applied at the end of your cruise. Once you've earned a minimum of 150 points, you'll automatically become a member of the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club . The tiers are based on the number of nights spent on board, which are then converted into points with the Caribbean tier being the highest confirmed tier.

There are six tiers. Benefits in the Caribbean Tier, for example, include priority boarding, discounted fares on select cruises, a private welcome reception on board and 10% savings on all purchases in the ship's bars, shops, spas, salon and on-shore excursions.

Princess Cruises: Captain's Circle

Af­ter your first cruise, you are en­rolled as a Gold Mem­ber in the Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle . Your perks add up based on the number of completed cruises or sailed — whichever is more beneficial to you. (Nice!) There are four tiers: Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite. 

All members who book ear­ly on se­lect cruis­es re­ceive a $100 per per­son dis­count. Platinum members receive preferred check-in, a special disembarkation lounge, complimentary Internet minutes and more. Elite members, who have sailed on 15 Princess cruises or more, receive a complimentary mini-bar setup, 10% discounts in the ship's shops and priority embarkation and debarkation , among other benefits.

Royal Caribbean International: Crown and Anchor Society 

The Royal Caribbean International Crown and Anchor Society  offers a combination of exclusive savings, onboard rewards and benefits on land. After your free enrollment, you earn one point for every sailing and an extra point if you stay in a suite. 

There are six tiers in the program. If you attain Diamond Plus status, for example, you get priority boarding and departure, up to 25% off fares for close-in sailings, discounts on balcony and suite staterooms, access to exclusive events, priority seating at theater, ice show and AquaTheater events, upgrades at reduced rates and more. 

How about you?  Do you belong to a cruise line's loyalty program? Do the perks keep you coming back? Tell us below. 

This is an update and rewrite of an earlier feature on this subject.

In our Loyalty Program series

This is Part 1 of our series on cruise lines' loyalty programs.

• Part 1: Mainstream cruise lines‘ loyalty programs (above)
• Part 2: Luxury, premium & expedition cruise lines
• Part 3: River cruise lines‘ loyalty programs

Related guides

Super guide to booking a cruise, complete guide to cruise ship drink packages.

• Guide to all-inclusive pricing on cruise ships
• Guide to VIP enclaves on cruise ships 
• Consumer guide to duty-free shopping

JD Lasica I'm Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Cruiseable. Follow your cruise bliss to any land where it may lead. Let's connect! I'm @jdlasica on Twitter.

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P&O Peninsular Club Cruise Rewards

If you are a member of the Peninsular Club with P&O Cruises , you can still get all of your cruise club benefits and more when you book with Iglu Cruise. The Peninsular Club (formerly known as the Portunus Club) is the passenger reward club of P&O Cruises . You will be enrolled in the club automatically and free of charge after your first 15 nights onboard with P&O. This is great news for everyone who sails with P&O Cruises, as the more you cruise, the more benefits you will receive, with 10 points for every night spent onboard a P&O Cruises' ship.

P&O Cruises have announced that for Peninsular Club members, the iconic cocktail parties* are back! Applicable for those travelling on holidays over 7 days, alongside the cocktail parties, members will have access to a wide range of events; including some that senior officers attend. 

World Cruise and Grand Tour events are also returning. And for those within the Ligurian tier (those with over 2,500 points and 201 nights onboard), there will be an exclusive event included during your cruise. 

The Peninsular Club tiers are divided into six levels, the first being Pacific into which you are automatically enrolled after 15 nights onboard with P&O Cruises. However, it must be noted that entry into the next tier only occurs at the end of your cruise. Tiers and P&O Peninsular Club benefits are as follows:

The existing tiers and benefits from the old P&O Portunus Club are ineffective as of April 2012.

P&O Peninsular Club FAQ

How can I check my points balance and membership tier? You can keep track of your nights spent onboard, your points total and membership tier with your online P&O Cruises Peninsular Club login. Simply login online . You can also obtain information regarding your account via the dedicated peninsular hotline or onboard Loyalty Manager. Will my points expire? No, there is no expiry date for Peninsular Club membership points When are points activated? Your points are rewarded at the end of the cruise holiday on which they were earnt and visible in your membership account when you return home. On world cruises, points are accumulatively added to your account at the end of each segment. Can my children be members of the Peninsular Club? Yes. 16-18 year olds are entitled to the same membership benefits as adults, with alcohol being replaced by non-alcoholic alternatives. Children under the age of 16 will receive a gift plus the onboard spend discount applicable to their tier group. Onboard spend discount is non-transferable. What can my onboard spend discount be used on? Your onboard spend discount depends on your membership tier and can be used for the following onboard purchases.

• Shore excursions
• Drinks from the ship’s bars and restaurants
• Spa and salon services, including beauty products
• Celebration packages and canapes ordered onboard
• Internet packages
• Laundry service
• Book purchases
• Ship’s photographers
• Ship to shore telephone calls
• Cover charges in select dining venues

P&O Cruises 2020 Launch 

Pre-register your interest for P&O Cruises 2022  collection with us now. We will contact you once further details are released.

*Cocktail parties and afternoon tea are unavailable on both Arvia and Iona. Senior officers may be unable to attend an event due to operational reasons.

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Loyalty Club

• Shore excursions
• Spa & Wellness
• Drinks Packages
• Onboard entertainment & activities

Loyal passengers of P&O Cruises will become members of the Peninsular Club and get many benefits on board and discounts on select cruises .

How it works:

For each night you'll spend on board our ships, you'll get 10 loyalty points at the end of your cruise. When you have spent at least 15 nights on board and earned 150 points, you'll automatically become a member of the Peninsular Club. The Peninsular Club is devided into several tiers which are connected to the number of points you've already earned so that your tier status will increase with the number of points you've earned:

• Pacific Tier: 150-500 points Benefits: Telephone hotline on board, member cruises, loyalty manager, Peninsular Club Magazine | 5% onboard discount
• Atlantic Tier: 501-1000 points Benefits: All benefits of the Pacific Tier plus a complimentary glass of champagne | 7,5% onboard discount
• Mediterranean Tier: 1001- 2000 points Benefits: All benefits of the Atlantic Tier plus an invitation to a cocktail party (8+ nights) | 8,5% onboard discount
• Caribbean Tier: From 2001 points Benefits: All benefits of the Mediterranean Tier plus priority embarkation, welcome reception, a complimentary bottle of champagne, a special dining event and an annual gift | 10% onboard discount
• Baltic Tier: From 2501 points and 80-200 nights on board within the last three years Benefits: All benefits of the Caribbean Tier, priority booking for flights and 50% discount on machine washable laundry | 10% onboard discount
• Ligurian Tier: from 2501 points and at least 201 nights on board within the last three years Benefits: All benefits of the Baltic Tier plus invitations to events, access to our Hospitality Lounge within the cruise terminal, complimentary pressing service | 10% onboard discount

In addition to the benefits on board, members of the Peninsular Club will get a discount of 5% on the following cruises:

• Caribbean & Azores 28 nights from/to Southampton 11.11.-09.12.2018 with Oriana Book now
• Canary Islands & Azores 16 nights from/to Southampton 21.11.-07.12.2018 with Arcadia Book now
• Norway 12 nights from/to Southampton 28.11.-10.12.2018 with Aurora Book now
• Caribbean & Azores 28 nights from/to Southampton 09.12.2018-06.01.2019 with Arcadia Book now
• Caribbean & Azores 28 nights from/to Southampton 04.01.-01.02.2019 with Ventura Book now
• Caribbean & Central America 35 nights from/to Southampton 06.01.-10.02.2019 with Oriana Book now
• Caribbean & USA 35 nights from Southampton 05.02.-12.03.2019 with Ventura Book now
• Norway 12 nights from/to Southampton 10.02.-22.02.2019 with Oriana Book now
• Caribbean & Azores 28 nights from/to Southampton 22.02.-22.03.2019 with Oriana Book now
• Norway 12 nights from/to Southampton 27.02.-11.03.2019 with Aurora Book now
• Norway 12 nights from/to Southampton 11.03.-23.03.2019 with Aurora Book now
• Norwegian Fjords 12 nights from/to Southampton 05.05.-17.05.2019 with Arcadia Book now
• Central Mediterranean 19 nights from/to Southampton 11.05.-30.05.2019 with Oriana Book now
• British Isles 13 nights from/to Southampton 15.06.-28.06.2019 with Oriana Book now
• Baltic 16 nights from/to Southampton 21.06.-07.07.2019 with Aurora Book now
• Northern Europe 14 nights from/to Southampton 23.06.-07.07.2019 with Ventura Book now
• Eastern Mediterranean 19 nights from/to Southampton 02.09.-29.09.2019 with Azura Book now
• Western Mediterranean 17 nights from/to Southampton 01.10.-18.10.2019 with Aurora Book now
• Caribbean & Azores 28 nights from/to Southampton 29.10.-26.11.2019 with Arcadia Book now

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P&O Cruises rewards and loyalty | The Peninsular Club

P&O Cruises Peninsular Club Cruise Rewards

P&O Cruises operate a points system so that every night you spend onboard a P&O Cruises ship you are earning loyalty points. These loyalty points can be redeemed against rewards the next time you cruise with P&O. Once you have earnt at least 150 points you will automatically become a member of P&O Cruises Peninsular Club, which features six different tiers of membership and rewards. P&O Cruises Peninsular Club cruise rewards include things like exclusive discount, membership only events, priority boarding and more. How does it work? Spend 1 night onboard = Earn 10 loyalty points Spend 15 nights onboard = Earn 150 loyalty points and become a member of the Peninsular Club  

Book your P&O cruise holiday with Planet Cruise and you will still recieve your P&O Cruises loyalty benefits plus more!

What are the membership tiers?

What benefits can i get ashore, are there any membership benefits at southampton.

Yes! P&O Cruises Peninsular Club members can benefit from a range of advantages when sailing from Southampton. See which benefits your membership qualifies for in the table below

What benefits can I enjoy whilst onboard?

P&O Cruises have recently announced that their Peninsular Club cocktail parties are returning. A popular event, guests are guaranteed a night of glitz and glam. Alongside the cocktail party, for guests travelling on a cruise that’s longer than 7 days, there will be a wide variety of exclusive events to enjoy - some of which are attended by senior officers* onboard the ship.

P&O Cruises have also brought back the beloved Grand Tour and World Cruise events; alongside exclusive events for those within the Ligurian tier. 

Anything else I should know?

You're bound to have a few questions of your own, try our list of frequently asked questions below or give us a call What can I use my onboard spend discount on? The amount of your onboard spend discount is dependent on your membership tier (see above) and can be used in the following ways: Shore excursions, drinks from the ship’s bars and restaurants, spa and salon services (including beauty products), celebration packages and canapes ordered onboard, internet packages, florist, shops, laundry service, book purchases, ship’s photographers, ship to shore telephone calls, cover charges in select dining venues. When are my new points rewarded? Points are accumulated and awarded at the end of each cruise. You will be able to see any new points in your online account once you have returned home. How do I view my points balance? You can view your points balance with your online Peninsular Club account. Simply visit your online account where you will also be able to keep track of your membership tier. Will my points ever expire? No, your points can not expire As a family cruising, can my children earn points and be members? Yes your children can have their own Peninsular Club membership once they have accumulated 150 points (at least 15 nights onboard). Some benefits change making them appropriate for child members. Children under the age of 16 receive an age appropriate gift depending on their tier membership plus onboard spend discount (onboard spend discount is non-transferable). Children aged between 16-18 will receive the same benefits as adults with alcohol being replaced by a non-alcoholic alternative.  

*Both afternoon tea and the cocktail party are unavailable onboard Iona and Arvia. Unfortunately due to operational reasons, senior officers may be unable to attend certain events.

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Guide to Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Circle loyalty program

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Like most cruise lines, Azamara Cruises has a branded loyalty program, Azamara Circle, which allows frequent cruisers to maximize their travel investment by earning points for each night they sail with the brand. As passengers earn points, they move up the ranks of five loyalty tiers, earning additional perks and amenities — including onboard discounts, free cruise nights and access to exclusive parties.

This article breaks down the program, from earning points to what each loyalty level offers and which cabin category bookings will allow you to punch above your weight in terms of perks.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s  cruise newsletter.

Ways to earn points

Azamara’s points-earning system is fairly straightforward. The line has eight cabin categories, each of which earns passengers a certain number of points per night they cruise.

• Club Interior (2 points)
• Club Oceanview (3 points)
• Club Veranda (5 points)
• Club Veranda Plus (6 points)
• Club Continent Suites (8 points)
• Club Spa (18 points)
• Club Ocean (18 points)
• Club World Owner’s Suites (18 points)

Note that the number of points you’ll receive depends on the cabin category you booked rather than the category you end up with. If you’re upgraded to a higher-level cabin, you won’t receive a higher number of points.

Because Azamara’s ships do not have accommodations for solo cruisers , anyone traveling alone must pay two cruise fares, as all cabins are designed for double occupancy. Therefore, all solo passengers will receive double points for each night of their voyage.

Program tiers and benefits

There are five tiers in the Azamara Circle loyalty program:

• Adventurer (1-149 points)
• Explorer (150-299 points)
• Discoverer (300-749 points)
• Discoverer Plus (750-2,999)
• Discoverer Platinum (3,000-plus points)

Adventurer is the easiest level to obtain, as you reach it after just one sailing, meaning your benefits will kick in on your second voyage. (To enroll, you must create an account with Azamara.)

All loyalty tiers receive 10% off select voyages once per quarter, free internet minutes based on tier level, discounts and upgrades on Hertz car rentals, the services of a loyalty ambassador and onboard host, a members-only happy hour on each sailing, exclusive email updates, future cruise credits of $300 per cabin for each referral who books with the line and beverage package discounts. Additional perks and specifics for each tier are below.

Unlike the first level of most other cruise lines’ loyalty programs, cruisers at the Adventurer level earn some valuable savings in addition to the ones already mentioned:

• 5% off future cruises booked on board
• Savings on future voyages in the form of up to $300 in onboard credit (when  you book future cruises on board during the first half of your cruise) and a 50% reduced deposit
• 30 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 20% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 10% off signature spa treatments
• 5% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Many other cruise lines reward passengers with free cruises only after they have reached the highest loyalty tier. However, Azamara begins awarding free cruise nights to passengers when they hit the Explorer level and each subsequent level thereafter. That means passengers can enjoy further savings on top of percentage discounts when they book cruises from Explorer level onward.

Cruisers can reach Explorer level in as few as nine nights (or five nights if traveling solo) if they stay in one of the three top-level cabin types. Explorer perks include:

• Two free cruise nights (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• Savings on future voyages in the form of up to $300 in onboard credit (when you book future cruises on board during the first half of your cruise) and a 50% reduced deposit
• 60 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 35% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• Free laundry service for one bag of items per cabin per seven-night sailing (two bags if booked in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 15% off signature spa treatments
• 10% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

You can attain the Discoverer tier after 17 nights (or nine nights if traveling solo) in one of the three highest-level cabins. Discoverer-level cruisers receive:

• Four free cruise nights (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 6% off future cruises booked on board
• 90 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 50% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 20% off signature spa treatments
• 15% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package
• Priority check-in at select ports
• Exclusive onboard get-together

Each level of the loyalty program is entitled to free Wi-Fi minutes, depending on tier level. However, those staying in Club Veranda Plus cabins or higher will receive more, based on a combination of cabin type and loyalty level, according to the following chart — even if they’ve only reached Adventurer status.

Additionally, passengers at Explorer level or higher will receive two bags of complimentary laundry service if booked in any of the cabin categories listed on the chart below.

Royal Caribbean Group sold Azamara to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, in early 2021. Effective Feb. 1, 2023, the line’s loyalty program is no longer reciprocal with those of former sister brands Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises .

The elite level that makes a difference

The Discoverer Plus level is one that spans the largest number of points, making it the first level at which cruisers can earn enough to take a weeklong sailing almost completely free. Six nights are awarded when this level is first reached, along with three additional nights at 1,500 points and another three at 2,250 points.

Azamara Circle members at this level are entitled to:

• Six free cruise nights, plus three additional nights at 1,500 points and 2,250 points (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 7% off future cruises booked on board
• 120 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 75% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• Free laundry service for one bag of items per cabin per seven-night sailing (two bags if booked in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• 25% off signature spa treatments
• 20% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Best elite perk

Discoverer Platinum is Azamara Circle’s highest level of loyalty. It’s the only tier that, when reached, rewards cruisers with enough nights for a completely complimentary sailing of at least a week in length. However, apart from the initial four additional free cruise nights, free Wi-Fi and an extra 5% discount on the Ultimate Beverage Package, this tier doesn’t offer much that’s different from what you’ll receive at the Discoverer Plus level.

Discoverer Platinum amenities are:

• 10 free cruise nights, plus three additional nights every 750 points after reaching Discoverer Platinum status (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 10% off future cruises booked on board
• 150 free minutes of Wi-Fi or a free unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• 25% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Bottom line

Because Azamara is a premium line, it’s no surprise that its loyalty program offers passengers quite a bit more discounts and opportunities to earn free cruise nights than mainstream lines.

There are marked differences between Azamara Circle tiers, but cruisers hit the sweet spots when they achieve at least the Discoverer Plus level.

Because joining the program requires minimal work — just a registration — there’s no reason not to join, as the perks can add up over time, especially if you plan to cruise with Azamara regularly.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
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And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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