Royal Caribbean Cruise Freebies By Loyalty Tier Crown Anchor Society Benefits

Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program offers cruisers numerous freebies and benefits that increase in value as members accumulate more points through sailings. The program features six distinct tiers, each with its own set of complimentary offerings ranging from discounts on onboard purchases to free drinks, exclusive lounge access, and even complimentary cruises for the most loyal customers. This comprehensive guide details the freebies and benefits available at each tier level, helping frequent cruisers understand what rewards they can expect based on their loyalty status.

Crown & Anchor Society Program Structure

The Crown & Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean's frequent cruiser program designed to reward passengers for their loyalty. Points are accumulated based on the number of nights spent cruising, with additional points awarded for suite accommodations. Specifically, members receive one point for every night spent on a ship and one additional point for every night spent in a suite booked when the reservation is originally made (upgrades to suites do not earn extra points).

The program consists of six tiers that cruisers progress through as they accumulate points:

• Gold (3-29 points)
• Platinum (30-54 points)
• Emerald (55-79 points)
• Diamond (80-174 points)
• Diamond Plus (175-699 points)
• Pinnacle Club (700 or more points)

Each tier offers increasingly valuable benefits, with the top tier providing one of the most spectacular rewards in the cruise industry: a free cruise for two.

The benefits of the Crown & Anchor Society are loaded directly onto each member's SeaPass card, making them easily accessible throughout the cruise experience. This seamless integration ensures that loyalty members can utilize their benefits without needing to carry physical vouchers or documentation.

Freebies and Benefits by Tier

Gold Tier (3-29 points)

The entry-level tier of the Crown & Anchor Society, Gold status offers cruisers their first taste of loyalty benefits. While the specific freebies at this tier are not detailed in the source material, it is noted that even at this basic level, members receive discounts on all sorts of onboard purchases. These discounts can apply to various amenities and services throughout the ship, providing immediate value to those beginning their loyalty journey with Royal Caribbean.

Gold members also gain access to the basic framework of benefits that will expand as they progress through higher tiers. This initial status serves as the foundation for building toward more substantial rewards with each subsequent sailing.

Platinum Tier (30-54 points)

Upon reaching Platinum status, cruisers unlock several notable benefits beyond the discounts available at lower tiers:

• Special access to exclusive, top-tier events onboard
• Complimentary delivery of robes to your cabin for use during the sailing
• Matching status in Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises' loyalty program

These benefits enhance the cruise experience by providing exclusive access to special events and added comfort with the convenience of robe delivery. The status match with Celebrity Cruises also opens additional benefits when sailing on that line, effectively doubling the value of Platinum status across multiple cruise brands.

The exclusive events available to Platinum members typically include special gatherings, parties, or experiences not available to the general passenger population. These events provide opportunities for socializing with other loyalty program members and enjoying unique entertainment or activities.

The complimentary robe delivery adds a touch of luxury to the cabin experience, allowing Platinum members to enjoy the comfort of bathrobes during their cruise without having to pack their own or purchase them onboard.

Emerald Tier (55-79 points)

Emerald tier builds upon the Platinum benefits with the addition of:

• Two complimentary bottles of water delivered to your cabin at the start of each voyage

While this may seem like a minor perk, it provides immediate convenience and value, especially for passengers who prefer to have water readily available in their cabin without having to purchase it or bring it onboard themselves. This benefit becomes particularly valuable on longer cruises or in warm climates where staying hydrated is important.

The Emerald tier represents a relatively small jump in points from Platinum (just 25 additional points) but provides a tangible, everyday benefit that enhances the cruise experience. This water delivery service ensures that Emerald members can start their cruise with essential supplies without needing to visit a bar or store immediately upon boarding.

Diamond Tier (80-174 points)

Diamond status represents a significant jump in benefits and is where many of the most valuable freebies begin:

• Complimentary drinks every day of the cruise, including alcoholic beverages
• Access to the Crown Lounge (formerly known as the Diamond Lounge)
• Laundry service
• Free non-alcoholic drinks for children traveling with Diamond or higher status members

The drink benefit is particularly valuable, as Diamond members receive a set amount of complimentary beverages each day. To redeem this benefit, members simply need to inform the bartender that they would like to use their Diamond drink voucher, and no payment is required for the drink. This perk extends to alcoholic beverages, making it one of the most valuable benefits in the entire loyalty program and something not commonly offered by other cruise lines.

According to the source material, "I'm not aware of any other cruise line that offers its loyal customers free alcoholic drinks in this manner." This unique benefit provides substantial value to Diamond members, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars over the course of a single cruise, especially if they enjoy having multiple drinks each day.

The Crown Lounge serves as a private enclave for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members. This exclusive space offers both social and functional benefits, including a 24-hour coffee and espresso machine, evening finger foods, and a breakfast spread. The lounge provides a quiet retreat from the busier areas of the ship and an opportunity to meet other guests with similar status.

The Crown Lounge functions as both a social hub and a practical benefit. In the evening, many guests enjoy the social aspect of the lounge, using it as a place to meet other passengers with similar status. Throughout the day, the complimentary coffee, espresso, and food offerings provide real value that can offset the cost of purchasing these items elsewhere onboard.

The laundry service benefit allows Diamond members to send out one bag of laundry for free during their cruise. This can be used mid-cruise to replenish clean clothing or at the end of the sailing to reduce the amount of laundry waiting when returning home. The service is particularly valuable on longer cruises where packing light is desirable, or for families traveling with children who may go through multiple outfits per day.

Additionally, children traveling with Diamond or higher status members can receive free non-alcoholic drinks, adding further value to families cruising at this tier.

Diamond Plus Tier (175-699 points)

Diamond Plus status builds upon Diamond benefits with the addition of:

• Personalized gifts per household on each sailing
• Ability to select from a list of gift options including logo items, drinks, or snacks
• Assistance from the Loyalty Ambassador in selecting or changing gift preferences

The personalized gifts offer tangible value and allow Diamond Plus members to choose rewards that best suit their preferences. The Loyalty Ambassador provides personalized service to help with gift selection and other loyalty-related needs.

The gift selection process is designed to be flexible and member-focused. Diamond Plus members can choose from various options including logo merchandise (such as apparel, drinkware, or other branded items), beverage packages, or snack assortments. This customization ensures that members receive gifts they will actually use and value.

The Loyalty Ambassador serves as a dedicated resource for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members, assisting with gift selection and changes, answering questions about loyalty benefits, and providing personalized service throughout the cruise. This human element adds significant value beyond the tangible gifts themselves, creating a sense of recognition and special treatment.

Pinnacle Club (700+ points)

The highest tier in the Crown & Anchor Society, Pinnacle Club offers the most exclusive benefits:

• All Diamond and Diamond Plus benefits
• One free cruise for two (one of the most spectacular rewards in the cruise loyalty program universe)
• Personalized gifts per household on each sailing
• All the same gift selection options as Diamond Plus

The free cruise for two represents the pinnacle achievement in the program, offering extraordinary value to the most loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers. This benefit alone can provide tens of thousands of dollars in value over time, making Pinnacle Club status highly sought after among frequent cruisers.

To achieve Pinnacle Club status, members must accumulate 700 or more points, which typically requires extensive cruising over many years. However, the value of the benefits, particularly the free cruise for two, makes this achievement worthwhile for the most dedicated Royal Caribbean passengers.

Onboard Freebies and Giveaways Available to All Guests

In addition to the tier-specific loyalty benefits, Royal Caribbean offers various freebies and giveaways available to all guests onboard:

• Novelty gifts for winning teams in onboard activities, typically including highlighters, pens, or luggage pull straps
• Free charm bracelets from the jewelry store, intended to entice guests to browse other items
• Giveaways and free champagne served at art auctions to encourage attendance
• Various other promotional giveaways tied to ways to spend money onboard

These onboard promotions are designed to enhance the guest experience and encourage participation in various activities and venues throughout the ship.

The novelty gifts offered during onboard activities serve as both prizes and marketing tools, providing winners with useful items while promoting the cruise line's brand. These items are typically practical souvenirs that cruisers can use long after their vacation ends.

The jewelry store's free charm bracelets represent a common marketing tactic in the cruise industry, offering a small incentive to encourage guests to visit retail spaces onboard. While the bracelets themselves may have minimal value, they often serve as an entry point for further engagement with the retail offerings.

Art auctions employ a similar strategy, using complimentary champagne and other giveaways to attract attendees. This approach not only increases participation in the auctions but also creates a festive atmosphere that may encourage bidding on artwork.

Maximizing Value from Your Loyalty Status

To fully benefit from Crown & Anchor Society status, members should:

• Understand which benefits align with their cruising habits and preferences
• Actively seek out and utilize applicable benefits during each sailing
• Take advantage of exclusive venues like the Crown Lounge for both socializing and cost savings
• Plan activities around special member events and promotions

Many cruisers, even those with higher status, may not be fully leveraging all available benefits. According to one source, "I've spent years earning perks I wasn't properly leveraging." This suggests that understanding the full range of benefits and incorporating them into the cruise experience can significantly enhance value.

For Diamond members and above, actively using the drink vouchers can provide substantial savings. Rather than purchasing drinks throughout the cruise, members should make a habit of using their vouchers when ordering beverages from bars and lounges.

Similarly, taking advantage of the Crown Lounge's amenities can provide both cost savings and a more relaxing cruise experience. The complimentary coffee, espresso, and food offerings can offset the need to purchase these items elsewhere onboard, while the exclusive environment provides a quiet retreat from busier areas of the ship.

The laundry service benefit, while seemingly small, can provide significant convenience and value, especially on longer cruises. By utilizing this service mid-cruise, members can reduce the amount of clothing they need to pack and ensure they have fresh attire available throughout their sailing.

For those at the Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club levels, working with the Loyalty Ambassador to select the most valuable personalized gifts can ensure maximum benefit from this perk. The ambassador can provide guidance on which options offer the most value based on individual preferences and needs.

Planning for Higher Status Benefits

For cruisers looking to progress through the Crown & Anchor Society tiers, understanding the point requirements and strategically planning cruises can help accelerate status advancement. The tier structure requires:

• Gold: 3-29 points (approximately 3-29 cruise nights)
• Platinum: 30-54 points (approximately 30-54 cruise nights)
• Emerald: 55-79 points (approximately 55-79 cruise nights)
• Diamond: 80-174 points (approximately 80-174 cruise nights)
• Diamond Plus: 175-699 points (approximately 175-699 cruise nights)
• Pinnacle Club: 700+ points (700+ cruise nights)

For those sailing in suites, each night counts as two points toward status advancement, effectively halving the number of cruises needed to reach higher tiers. This makes suite accommodations an efficient way to accelerate progress through the loyalty program.

Additionally, booking cruises more than six months in advance can provide access to better rates, potentially freeing up budget that can be allocated to other cruise experiences or savings