There’s a lot of discussion in the cruising community about whether or not cruise lines will match status with other loyalty programs. It’s a valid question, especially for those who have worked hard to achieve elite status with one cruise line and are considering switching to another.
So, do cruise lines match status? The short answer is: it depends.
Many of the major cruise lines do offer some form of status matching, but the specifics can vary widely from company to company. In general, if you have elite status with one cruise line and you’re considering switching to another, it’s worth looking into whether or not they offer a matching program.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the major players in the cruising industry and what their status matching policies look like.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is known for having one of the most generous status-matching programs in the industry. They will match your elite status with any other major cruise line (including Carnival, Norwegian, and Princess) up to their own Diamond level.
If you’re already a Diamond member with Royal Caribbean and you’re looking to switch to another line, you may be out of luck – they don’t offer any higher level of matching beyond that.
Carnival
Carnival’s policy on status matching is a bit more limited. They will only match your elite status with one other cruise line – either Royal Caribbean or Norwegian – up to their own Platinum level.
If you’re already a Platinum member with Carnival and looking to switch to another line, they don’t offer any higher level of matching beyond that.
Norwegian
Norwegian also offers some form of status matching, but it’s fairly limited compared to Royal Caribbean. They will only match your elite status with one other major cruise line – either Carnival or Royal Caribbean – up to their own Gold level.
If you’re already a Gold member with Norwegian and looking to switch to another line, they don’t offer any higher level of matching beyond that.
Princess
Princess Cruises offers a status-matching program, but it’s limited to members of their own parent company – the Carnival Corporation. If you have elite status with any of the other Carnival brands (including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, or Seabourn), Princess will match your status up to their own Platinum level.
If you’re already a Platinum member with Princess and looking to switch to another line, they don’t offer any higher level of matching beyond that.
The Bottom Line
So, do cruise lines match status? The answer is yes – but it’s important to keep in mind that not all cruise lines are created equal when it comes to matching programs. Royal Caribbean is generally considered the most generous in this regard, while other lines like Carnival and Norwegian offer more limited options.
If you’re thinking about switching cruise lines and want to maintain your elite status, it’s worth doing some research into each line’s specific policies before making a decision. And if you do end up finding a good match, remember that it can be an excellent way to enjoy perks like priority embarkation, onboard discounts, and more on your next cruise vacation!