Does Princess Cruise Line Honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus Status Find Out Here

Princess Cruise Line does not officially recognize Royal Caribbean’s Diamond Plus status, meaning members won’t receive automatic elite benefits when sailing with Princess. However, occasional onboard perks or reciprocal offers may be extended at the discretion of individual ships or during special promotions, so it’s worth inquiring directly before your cruise.

Key Takeaways

• No direct status match: Princess does not officially honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status.
• Elite benefits vary: Loyalty perks are not transferable between Carnival Corp. brands.
• Contact customer service: Inquire about discretionary onboard upgrades or exceptions pre-cruise.
• Join Captain’s Circle: Start earning Princess status for exclusive onboard rewards.
• Check promotions: Special offers may provide limited reciprocal benefits occasionally.
• Book through travel agents: Some can negotiate status-based perks on your behalf.

Does Princess Cruise Line Honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus Status? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You’ve spent years cruising with Royal Caribbean, racking up points, enjoying perks, and proudly reaching Diamond Plus status in their Crown & Anchor Society. The late-night happy hours, priority boarding, and complimentary laundry have become part of your vacation rhythm. Now, you’re eyeing a new adventure with Princess Cruises—maybe a scenic Alaska voyage or a romantic Mediterranean escape. But there’s one nagging question: Will Princess Cruises honor my hard-earned Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status?

If you’re in this boat (pun intended), you’re not alone. Loyalty status is a big deal in the cruising world. It’s not just about bragging rights—it’s about real benefits that can save you money, time, and stress. But here’s the truth: Cruise lines are competitors, and while they sometimes play nice, they don’t always share the love when it comes to loyalty perks. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into whether Princess Cruises recognizes Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status, what you can expect if you switch, and how to make the most of your loyalty—no matter which brand you sail with. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or just exploring options, this is the real talk you need.

Understanding Loyalty Programs: Royal Caribbean vs. Princess Cruises

How Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Works

Let’s start with the basics. Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is a tiered loyalty program based on points earned from past sailings. The higher your tier, the more perks you unlock. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Gold: 3–54 points (basic perks like member rates)
• Platinum: 55–89 points (priority check-in, welcome gift)
• Emerald: 90–249 points (free drinks during happy hours, priority dining)
• Diamond: 250–749 points (complimentary laundry, priority disembarkation)
• Diamond Plus: 750–2,499 points (double happy hour drinks, concierge lounge access)
• Pinnacle Club: 2,500+ points (exclusive events, private shore excursions)

Diamond Plus is a sweet spot for frequent cruisers. You get meaningful benefits like two free drinks per day during happy hour, access to a concierge lounge, and even a free night’s stay in a suite if you hit Pinnacle. But here’s the catch: These perks are only valid on Royal Caribbean ships.

Princess Cruises’ Captain’s Circle: The Basics

Princess Cruises has its own loyalty program: Captain’s Circle. It’s also tiered, but with a different structure. Instead of points, it’s based on the number of cruise days you’ve sailed. Here’s how it works:

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• Classic: 0–24 cruise days (member rates, birthday perks)

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• Elite: 25–54 cruise days (priority boarding, free internet minutes)
• Elite Plus: 55–99 cruise days (complimentary laundry, private cocktail party)
• Elite Platinum: 100+ cruise days (free gratuities, exclusive shore excursions)

Like Royal Caribbean, Princess rewards loyalty with tangible benefits. But here’s the kicker: Captain’s Circle perks only apply to Princess ships. So, if you’ve never sailed with Princess before, you’re starting at the bottom—regardless of your Royal Caribbean status.

Why Loyalty Programs Are Siloed (And What It Means for You)

You might wonder: Why don’t cruise lines honor each other’s status? The answer is simple: Competition. Cruise lines want you to stay loyal to them, not their rivals. They invest in these programs to keep you booking with their brand, not to reward you for spending money elsewhere. Think of it like airline alliances—some carriers partner (e.g., Delta and Virgin Atlantic), but most don’t. Royal Caribbean and Princess are owned by different parent companies (Royal Caribbean Group vs. Carnival Corporation), so there’s no incentive to share loyalty benefits.

Here’s a real-world example: A friend of mine, Sarah, hit Diamond Plus with Royal Caribbean after five back-to-back cruises. She wanted to try Princess for an Alaska trip but was shocked to find out her status didn’t transfer. “I felt like I was starting from scratch,” she told me. “No priority boarding, no free drinks—just regular pricing.”

Does Princess Cruises Honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus Status? The Straight Answer

Official Policy: No Direct Recognition

Let’s cut to the chase: Princess Cruises does not officially honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status. There’s no formal reciprocity program, no point transfers, and no automatic upgrades to Captain’s Circle tiers. If you book a Princess cruise, you’ll start at the Classic level (0–24 days) unless you’ve already sailed with Princess before.

This might sound harsh, but it’s the reality. Cruise lines guard their loyalty programs closely. Princess’s website clearly states: “Captain’s Circle benefits are exclusive to Princess Cruises and do not apply to other cruise lines.” Royal Caribbean echoes this: “Crown & Anchor Society perks are valid only on Royal Caribbean International ships.”

Exceptions and Gray Areas (Rare but Possible)

That said, there are a few limited scenarios where you might get a nod of recognition:

• Corporate or Group Bookings: If you’re traveling with a large group or through a corporate travel agent, they may negotiate special perks (e.g., onboard credit or room upgrades) based on your Royal Caribbean status. But this isn’t guaranteed.
• Concierge-Level Service: If you’re booking a suite or high-end cabin, a Princess concierge might acknowledge your loyalty history and offer discretionary upgrades. One cruiser reported getting a free balcony upgrade after showing their Diamond Plus card—but this was a one-off, not a policy.
• Promotional Offers: Occasionally, Princess runs “status match” promotions for new customers. For example, in 2022, they offered a temporary Elite status boost to first-time cruisers who booked a specific itinerary. These are rare and time-limited.

Bottom line: Don’t count on exceptions. Treat them as a nice surprise, not a plan.

What You’re Missing (And What You’re Not)

If you’re used to Diamond Plus perks, here’s what you’ll lose on a Princess cruise:

• Happy Hour Drinks: No free drinks during Princess’s “Happy Hour” (though they do offer drink packages).
• Concierge Lounge: No access to a private lounge with snacks, drinks, and personalized service.
• Complimentary Laundry: You’ll pay for laundry unless you hit Elite Plus with Princess.
• Priority Boarding/Disembarkation: You’ll queue up with everyone else.

But here’s the flip side: Princess has its own perks you might love, like:

• MedallionClass Experience: A wearable smart device for keyless room entry, drink ordering, and navigation.
• Free Internet Minutes: Even Classic members get some free Wi-Fi (unlike Royal Caribbean).
• Private Cocktail Parties: For Elite members and above.

How to Maximize Your Cruise Experience (Even Without Status)

1. Leverage Your Travel Agent (Or Book Directly)

If you’re using a travel agent, tell them about your Royal Caribbean status. A good agent might:

• Request a complimentary room upgrade (e.g., oceanview to balcony).
• Negotiate onboard credit ($50–$100 per cabin).
• Secure priority boarding or dining reservations.

Pro tip: Choose an agent who specializes in cruises and has relationships with Princess. They’re more likely to pull strings. If you book directly with Princess, call their customer service line and mention your loyalty history—sometimes, agents can add notes to your reservation.

2. Buy a Drink Package (Or Skip It)

Princess’s Premier Beverage Package includes cocktails, wine, beer, and soda for $84.99/day (plus 18% gratuity). If you’re a heavy drinker, this can save money compared to paying per drink. But if you’re used to Diamond Plus happy hours, it might feel pricey.

Alternatives:

• Buy drinks à la carte: Princess has daily drink specials (e.g., $6 margaritas on Tuesdays).
• Stick to non-alcoholic perks: Classic members get free soda and tea.
• Use onboard credit: If you have OBC from a promotion, apply it to drinks.

3. Earn Captain’s Circle Status Fast

Princess’s tiers are based on cruise days, not points. So, you can climb quickly if you:

• Book longer cruises: A 10-day cruise = 10 days toward status. Two 7-day cruises = 14 days.
• Combine back-to-back sailings: Princess offers discounts for consecutive cruises.
• Take advantage of promotions: In 2023, Princess ran a “Double Days” promo where every cruise day counted twice.

Example: If you book a 14-day Alaska cruise, you’ll hit Elite status (25 days) and unlock priority boarding and free internet.

4. Use Princess’s MedallionClass to Your Advantage

Princess’s OceanMedallion is a game-changer. It’s a wearable device that:

• Unlocks your cabin door (no keycard needed).
• Orders drinks to your location (pool, theater, etc.).
• Tracks your kids or travel companions.
• Provides personalized recommendations (e.g., “You loved the steakhouse—try the seafood tonight!”).

Even Classic members get full MedallionClass access. It’s like having a personal concierge—without the Diamond Plus price tag.

Real-Life Experiences: What Diamond Plus Members Say About Switching

Case Study 1: “I Felt Like a Nobody”

Mark, a Diamond Plus member, switched to Princess for a Caribbean cruise. “I was used to priority boarding, but on Princess, I waited in line with everyone else,” he said. “No free drinks, no lounge access—it was jarring.” But he loved the MedallionClass experience: “Ordering drinks to the pool was so convenient. I’d trade happy hour for that any day.”

Case Study 2: “The Upgrade Saved Me”

Lisa booked a Princess cruise through a luxury travel agent who knew her Royal Caribbean history. “I got a free balcony upgrade and $100 onboard credit,” she said. “The agent called it a ‘courtesy for loyal cruisers.’ It made the transition smoother.”

Case Study 3: “I’m Staying for the Perks”

After one Princess cruise, David decided to switch permanently. “I earned Elite status after a 28-day world cruise,” he explained. “Now I get free internet, priority dining, and a private cocktail party. It’s not as flashy as Diamond Plus, but it’s reliable.”

Data Table: Royal Caribbean vs. Princess Cruises Loyalty Benefits

Perk	Royal Caribbean (Diamond Plus)	Princess Cruises (Equivalent Tier)	Does Princess Honor It?
Happy Hour Drinks	2 free drinks per day	None (drink packages available)	No
Priority Boarding	Yes	Elite tier and above	No (unless negotiated)
Complimentary Laundry	Yes	Elite Plus tier	No
Concierge Lounge	Yes	None (MedallionClass offers similar convenience)	No
Free Internet	No (unless booking suite)	Elite tier: 100 minutes/day	N/A
Private Events	Exclusive member events	Elite: Cocktail party	No

The Bottom Line: Should You Switch?

So, does Princess Cruises honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status? No—not officially. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid Princess altogether. Here’s the honest take:

• If you value Royal Caribbean perks above all: Stick with Royal Caribbean. The Diamond Plus benefits are hard to replace.
• If you want to try something new: Princess has unique perks (like MedallionClass) that might outweigh the loss of status. Use travel agents, drink packages, and promotions to bridge the gap.
• If you’re open to splitting loyalty: Sail with both! Use Royal Caribbean for short trips (to maintain status) and Princess for longer, scenic voyages.

At the end of the day, loyalty programs are tools—not handcuffs. Don’t let your status trap you in a brand that no longer excites you. As my friend Sarah put it: “I was loyal to Royal Caribbean for the perks, but now I’m loyal to great vacations.” Whether it’s Diamond Plus or Captain’s Circle, the goal is the same: unforgettable experiences. And sometimes, that means trying something new—even if you have to start over.

Happy cruising!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Princess Cruise Line honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status?

No, Princess Cruise Line does not officially recognize Royal Caribbean’s Diamond Plus status for reciprocal benefits. Each cruise line operates its own loyalty program independently.

Can I use my Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus benefits on a Princess cruise?

Unfortunately, benefits like priority boarding, complimentary drinks, or lounge access are exclusive to Royal Caribbean and not transferable to Princess Cruise Line. You’ll need to enroll in Princess’s Captain’s Circle program for similar perks.

Is there any way to get status match from Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus to Princess?

Princess Cruise Line does not currently offer a formal status match program for Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus members. However, you can contact Princess directly to inquire about potential courtesy benefits on a case-by-case basis.

Do Princess and Royal Caribbean share loyalty program benefits?

No, Princess Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are separate brands with independent loyalty programs. Earning status in one does not guarantee recognition or benefits in the other.

Will Princess Cruise Line honor Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus for onboard perks?

Onboard perks like drink packages or discounts are tied to Princess’s Captain’s Circle program. Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus status won’t grant these, but you can still enjoy base-level amenities as a guest.

How do I get elite status on Princess if I have Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus?

You’ll need to earn status through Princess’s Captain’s Circle program by completing qualifying cruises. While there’s no automatic transfer, reaching Platinum or Elite tier offers comparable benefits to Royal Caribbean’s Diamond Plus.