Royal Caribbean’s highest loyalty program tier affords the perfect onboard perks a cruiser can get.
Pinnacle Membership requires 700 factors to succeed in, and it is 525 factors greater than the subsequent tier down. It could seem to be a lifetime of cruises away to succeed in the extent, however each time I cruise, I am grateful to have made it.
I’ve taken virtually 100 cruises with Royal Caribbean, and amassed over 800 factors throughout the Crown & Anchor Society. My level whole is fairly small in comparison with most different Pinnacles I do know, but it surely nonetheless counts!
Learn extra: earn Crown & Anchor factors faster
I used to be by no means one to cruise only for loyalty standing, however the advantages as you get in the direction of the highest are undeniably good to have. Royal Caribbean’s advantages supply simple methods to save lots of money and time, and it is tough to think about cruising with out them.
Here is a glimpse on the unique perks that include Pinnacle Membership membership.
Precedence all the things
One factor that modified rather a lot after I moved from Diamond Plus to Pinnacle is you actually really feel such as you’re cruising top notch, even if you’re not in a large suite.
Royal Caribbean grants Pinnacle Membership members precedence boarding with suite friends, which implies you might have a particular boarding line and lounge space within the cruise terminal. When it comes time to board the cruise, you are among the many first to board too.
As soon as onboard the ship, Pinnacles are allowed entry to the Suite Lounge in the course of the cruise (assuming there aren’t too many onboard). This can be a much less busy various to the Crown Lounge, and likewise comes with nice views too.
Entry to Coastal Kitchen on the brand new ships is an incredible profit too, because it provides a brand new complimentary restaurant alternative. I’ve began consuming extra typically at Coastal Kitchen than I ever did after I stayed in a collection. Perhaps it is due to the added worth, or perhaps it is as a result of they’ve French onion soup on the dinner menu each evening. You resolve.
Pinnacles have the choice of damage a gold title tag that is given to them when the flip Pinnacle. Personally, I’ve by no means worn it, however many Pinnacles swear by it as a result of they discover enhanced service from crew members.
I feel my gold coloured SeaPass card for being Pinnacle stands out sufficient, however you’ll be able to’t deny it crew members are inclined to do a double take once they see you are Pinnacle.
Similar to embarkation, the suite concierge will escort you off the ship on the ultimate day of the cruise, and you will get baggage tags for the primary group too.
Particular added occasions
As a Pinnacle Membership member, you may get invited to numerous occasions throughout your cruise. Relying in your crusing size, there may be totally different occasions to select from.
On my most up-to-date crusing on Anthem of the Seas in Europe, I used to be invited to a Pinnacle lunch occasion the place we had a gaggle meal with different Pinnacles onboard and the possibility to fulfill the officers.
Often known as “Cheers with an officer”, it is mainly the Chops Grille lunch served within the Important Eating Room, and since everyone seems to be a Pinnacle Membership member, there are numerous “conflict tales” being shared amongst large time cruisers.
Subjects of dialogue included favourite itineraries, upcoming cruises booked, and just about something related occurring in cruising proper now. It is like a brilliant cruiser dialogue thread in actual life.
Pinnacles are additionally invited to different occasions, similar to behind the scenes excursions, High Tier occasions, and extra.
It is non-obligatory to attend any of them, however going provides a dimension of group you will not discover on the different tiers.
So many free drinks
I assumed getting 4 free drinks a day as a Diamond member was good, however having 6 as Pinnacle makes an enormous distinction.
Royal Caribbean provides free drink vouchers to make use of at any bar, restaurant or lounge day-after-day of the cruise. It is an unbelievable profit:
- Diamond: 4 drinks per day, per individual
- Diamond Plus: 5 drinks per day, per individual
- Pinnacle: 6 drinks per day, per individual.
My youngsters get free drinks too, albeit they’re at Diamond Plus stage.
Since shifting as much as Pinnacle Membership, I have never purchased a drink bundle since turning Pinnacle as a result of I get a lot worth from my free drinks (and on line casino advantages).
Even when I exploit up all my drink vouchers for the day and pay out of pocket for 3 or 4 drinks, I am nonetheless saving cash in comparison with a Royal Caribbean drink bundle.
Free cruise incentive
If you happen to assume when you hit Pinnacle that you just max out the rationale to proceed cruising with Royal Caribbean, assume once more.
Moreover eager to make the most of the added perks I already talked about, Royal Caribbean will proceed giving Pinnacles free cruises sooner or later.
If you hit 700 factors, you may get a free seven evening cruise to the Caribbean in a balcony cabin to make use of. If you happen to select a cruise that matches all three of these situations, then the bottom cruise fare is free aside from port charges, taxes and gratuity.
If you need one thing else, then you might have the selection to take a $2400 worth to make use of in the direction of any cruise, which implies you may improve to a collection, or do a 9-night cruise, or just sail elsewhere on this planet.
You may get one other free cruise each 350 factors after that, which implies there is a good cause to maintain going. For instance: 700, 1050, 1400, 1750, 2100, et al.
Unimaginable standing matching with Celeb
Royal Caribbean lately up to date its standing matching with sister line Celeb Cruises, and the result’s unbelievable.
I simply sailed on Celeb Reflection and was granted full Zenith stage membership, which is Celeb’s prime loyalty stage.
I used to be given a complimentary premium drink bundle, premium one-device wifi bundle, entry to The Retreat (suite lounge), precedence embarkation/disembarkation, and extra.
I used to be blown away by how profitable being a Zenith member is, and I bought all of it merely for being a Pinnacle Membership member.
I sailed on Celeb Apex final 12 months earlier than the standing matching change, and the up to date advantages make crusing on Celeb a lot extra tantalizing.
Shifting as much as Pinnacle means you not solely attain the highest stage of Royal Caribbean, but in addition Celeb. That provides a serious bonus to the worth.
Reaching Pinnacle has modified how I cruise
Whereas I do not assume chasing loyalty standing is an efficient cause to cruise, I can not deny I’ve loved the advantages which have include being Pinnacle.
In brief, it is made me really feel extra valued by the cruise line for my loyalty, and assembly different Pinnacles has been an actual spotlight.
I feel the advantages you get at Diamond are lots good on their very own, however in case you discover down the road getting nearer to that 700 level threshold, it would make sense to consider a technique to get there given how good these added perks have been for me.