Historical Timeline of Royals Loyalty Program

[gcelkk]

Due to all the recent discussion about Crown & Anchor changes (or predicted changes), perhaps someone could share the history of this program for those of us who have not been sailing since the beginning. 

 

What year the program started, changes to lounge access by C&A tier, amenity gifts, onboard perks, complimentary tours (bridge, galley, entertainment), discounts, differences by ship class, etc. What changes have you seen over the years?

 

 

[RFerrington]

This might be a job for @cublet.  They seems to have an excellent recall on some of the C&A history.  Don’t mean to put you on the spot, @cublet.  Forgive me if I have.

[fenton04]

On or about 2010 Royal change the way points accumulated .  Old way one cruise, one point.  This mostly favored the four day cruise.  Then points accumulated one point for one night which rewarded the longer cruises.  

[PompeySailor]

2023 It went to rat $*#%

[nelblu]

7 minutes ago, fenton04 said:

On or about 2010 Royal change the way points accumulated .  Old way one cruise, one point.  This mostly favored the four day cruise.  Then points accumulated one point for one night which rewarded the longer cruises.  

If I recall, under the old system. suites did not earn any extra points and longer cruises (9-10+?) earned an extra point.

[WyKnott]

14 minutes ago, fenton04 said:

On or about 2010 Royal change the way points accumulated .  Old way one cruise, one point.  This mostly favored the four day cruise.  Then points accumulated one point for one night which rewarded the longer cruises.  

This is how I quickly reached Diamond way before the double points promo during Covid. I did a lot of weekend Mexico cruises back in the late 80s, early 90s. When they changed the point system to the current one, all those 3 day cruises were counted as 7 day. 😎

[PompeySailor]

5 minutes ago, WyKnott said:

This is how I quickly reached Diamond way before the double points promo during Covid. I did a lot of weekend Mexico cruises back in the late 80s, early 90s. When they changed the point system to the current one, all those 3 day cruises were counted as 7 day. 😎

So you are really an amethyst 💎 

🤣😂🤣

[gcelkk]

What about the history of the lounge access.  That seems to be the current hot topic.

[fenton04]

35 minutes ago, nelblu said:

If I recall, under the old system. suites did not earn any extra points and longer cruises (9-10+?) earned an extra point.

That works for me.

[fenton04]

29 minutes ago, WyKnott said:

This is how I quickly reached Diamond way before the double points promo during Covid. I did a lot of weekend Mexico cruises back in the late 80s, early 90s. When they changed the point system to the current one, all those 3 day cruises were counted as 7 day. 😎

Not only double points for the regular staterooms. Junior Suite and above got points 2 times 2!  Gadzooks!

[Starry Eyes]

Fall 2013: Extra point for solo

 

(I’m not certain if the official starting date, perhaps near start of October, 2013)

[fenton04]

46 minutes ago, gcelkk said:

What about the history of the lounge access.  That seems to be the current hot topic.

Since we were not diamond at the time I can relate our recollections of passing the diamond club portal.  First there was the sound of angelic music emanating from inside.  If portal would happen to open diamond and above would be vetted by an attentive staff.  Everyone had a smile and happiness seemed to be omnipresent.  By the time we became diamonds things had changed.  But again it was a long time ago and our memories are not what the used to be.  I offer equal time for opposing viewpoints.

[smokeybandit]

Found this from 2003

 

Gold (2-5 Cruises)
A coupon book worth a couple of free drinks, discounts on photos, and casino match play
A quarterly newsletter/brochure that has had a few good dollars off coupons for selected future cruises.

Platinum (6-10 Cruises)
Special priority check in line
A "better than gold" coupon book (more good coupons)
Robe in the room
Open bar reception (we were invited to a 1 hour open bar reception at the Viking Crown lounge on our last Sovereign of the Seas cruise)
Priority disembarkation
Same newsletter, with higher value dollars off coupons

Diamond (11+ Cruises)
Special priority check in line
A "better than Platinum" coupon book
Robe in the room
Open bar reception (Plats/Diamonds were invited to a 1 hour open bar reception at the Viking Crown lounge on our last Sovereign of the Seas cruise)
Priority disembarkation
Same newsletter, with higher value dollars off coupons
Cabin Upgrades (friends on their last Voyager of the Seas cruise booked a cheap oceanview GTY category and received a suite.)
 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

2 hours ago, WyKnott said:

This is how I quickly reached Diamond way before the double points promo during Covid. I did a lot of weekend Mexico cruises back in the late 80s, early 90s. When they changed the point system to the current one, all those 3 day cruises were counted as 7 day. 😎

And we did longer cruises and they also counted as 1 point. Some gained and some lost during the conversion. 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Crown and Anchor History

 

Edited October 1, 2023 by suzyluvs2cruise

[little britain]

3 hours ago, gcelkk said:

Due to all the recent discussion about Crown & Anchor changes (or predicted changes), perhaps someone could share the history of this program for those of us who have not been sailing since the beginning. 

 

What year the program started, changes to lounge access by C&A tier, amenity gifts, onboard perks, complimentary tours (bridge, galley, entertainment), discounts, differences by ship class, etc. What changes have you seen over the years?

 

 

Until Jan 1, 2003 it was 1 credit per cruise no matter the stateroom category or length of cruise.

 

After Jan 1, 2003, an extra credit was given for cruises of 12 days or longer.

 

After Jan 1, 2004, an extra credit was given for cruises in a JS or better.

 

Conversion 21.01.11

 

Conversion from old cruise credits to cruise points:

If credits were 1-4, points = credits * 7 + 1

If credits were 5-7, points = credits * 7 + 3

If credits were > 7, points = credits * 7 + 13

 

Launching on Liberty of the Seas’ maiden voyage on May 19, 2007, the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program

 

Double points for solo started Oct 2013