After more than 40 cruises with Royal Caribbean, I’ve come to appreciate one constant: loyalty has its perks. Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is more than a frequent cruiser program—it’s a smart way to maximize your cruise experience, especially if you sail with them regularly. The benefits stack up quickly, and some of the higher-tier perks can seriously upgrade your vacation.
If you’re new to Royal or just curious whether it’s worth chasing status, here’s an honest breakdown of what the Crown & Anchor Society offers, tier by tier, and how to get the most out of it.
What Is the Crown & Anchor Society?
It’s Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, free to join after your first sailing. You earn points based on the number of nights you cruise. One cruise night equals one point, but if you book a suite, you get double points. So, a seven-night cruise in a suite? That’s 14 points right there.
The more points you rack up, the higher your tier—and the better your perks.
The Tiers
There are six main tiers:
- Gold (3–29 points)
- Platinum (30–54 points)
- Emerald (55–79 points)
- Diamond (80–174 points)
- Diamond Plus (175–699 points)
- Pinnacle Club (700+ points)
Let’s walk through the real benefits that come with each level.
Gold: Where It All Starts
Once you’ve cruised just once or twice, you hit Gold. It’s a modest start—think priority check-in, exclusive offers, and onboard discounts (10% off drinks and internet). Not life-changing, but still nice, especially on crowded embarkation days.
Platinum & Emerald: Small Wins
At Platinum and Emerald, the perks get slightly better. You’ll get more substantial onboard discounts, early access to sales, and a welcome gift in your cabin. Nothing over-the-top, but every bit helps, especially the internet and laundry discounts.
Platinum is where you first get access to special onboard events for loyalty members, like wine tastings or meet-and-greets. They’re not flashy, but it’s a chance to score free drinks and chat with fellow cruisers.
Diamond: The Sweet Spot
Diamond is where things get interesting. This is the tier I tell most cruisers to aim for—it’s where the benefits start to feel like real value. You’ll get:
- Four free drinks per day (yes, per day)
- Access to the Diamond Lounge (hello, free coffee and snacks)
- Priority waitlisting for excursions and dining
- VVO (Very Valuable Offers)—deep discounts on select sailings
Those daily drink vouchers are golden if you don’t want to spring for the full beverage package. They can be used at any bar, and they reset every 24 hours. For many cruisers, this alone is a big money-saver.
The Diamond Lounge is another solid perk—quieter than the main spaces, often with concierge help and happy hour snacks.
Diamond Plus: Status You’ll Feel
Diamond Plus adds more of what Diamond offers, plus some exclusives like:
- Behind-the-scenes tours
- Priority for cabin upgrades
- Better internet discounts
- Access to reserved seating at shows
You also get more drink vouchers (five per day), and depending on your point level within Diamond Plus, you may start getting actual perks like free laundry or priority tender tickets.
If you sail often, this is where Royal Caribbean really starts treating you like a VIP.
Pinnacle Club: The Elite League
Once you hit 700 points, you’re in Pinnacle Club territory. This is the ultimate status and it’s no joke—suite upgrades, free cruises (yep), and private events with senior officers.
But let’s be real: it takes serious commitment (or a lot of suite bookings) to get here. If you’re at this level, you likely know the crew by name and have your favorite bartenders across the fleet.
Tips to Maximize Your Status
Here’s how to make your Crown & Anchor membership work harder for you:
1. Book Suites When You Can
Double points add up fast. A couple of suite cruises can push you into Diamond status faster than years of inside cabins.
2. Take Advantage of Drink Vouchers
Even if you don’t drink alcohol, those vouchers work for specialty coffees, smoothies, and mocktails.
3. Use the Loyalty Discounts
Royal offers frequent member-only deals on cruises. Keep an eye on your email or the Crown & Anchor section of the website.
4. Hit Loyalty Events Early
The onboard events can fill up fast. Show up early, especially if free drinks are involved.
5. Link Accounts if Cruising with a Partner
You and your spouse or travel buddy can share loyalty status—meaning one person’s Diamond status is everyone’s win.
Is It Worth It?
Short answer: absolutely, if you cruise Royal Caribbean at least once a year. The mid-tier perks (especially from Diamond and up) are where you start saving real money and getting smoother cruise experiences.
Even if you’re a casual cruiser, joining the program is a no-brainer. It’s free, and the rewards kick in faster than you might think. And for regulars like me? It’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to Royal.
From priority perks to free drinks, Crown & Anchor isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a smart loyalty program that grows with you—and actually rewards you for your time at sea. And that’s something every cruiser can appreciate.