I’m special, as are all repeat cruise guests.  A lot of businesses have loyalty programs, from your grocery store, restaurants, airlines, department stores, credit card companies, almost every type of business.  The cruise industry is no different.

Once you have sailed the first time with a specific cruise line you are assigned a membership in their loyalty programs.  The more you cruise with a line, the higher the ranking in their programs.  With each level you received additional perks while on their cruise.  A couple of cruise lines actually gives you a discount on select future cruises with them, others give past passengers additional onboard amenities.

Each cruise line has their own name for their programs.  Names like Crown & Anchor Society, Latitudes Club, Captain’s Circle, Castaway Club, Mariners Society and so forth.  Celebrity Cruises loyalty program is called Captains Club.

At a time when many cruise lines are reducing the additional amenites for their loyalty program guest, Celebrity Cruise is actually increasing theirs.  They truly appreciate and thank the loyal Celebrity cruisers as they know that past guests are a big portion of their future business.

Some of the amenities that “Select” members of the Captains Club received on the recent Alaska cruise included the following:

A Captain’s Club Celebration which was a unique and exciting social, entertainment, and gourmet tasting luncheon with complimentary cocktails.  I had the opportunity to mingle and talk with other past Celebrity guests while enjoying sushi, carving stations, and deserts.  Entertainment was provided by the Celebrity orchestra, a singing duo, the acappella quartet, and a violin trio.

The following evening there was the Senior Officers’ Cocktail Party.  No need for description here.  I had the opportunity to talk with the officers of the ship and the various department heads.

Captains Club members were also invited to a complimentary wine tasting hosted by the head sommelier of the Infinity.  He gave the most informative and thorough presentation on how to taste and describe the wine as well as how to determine the age and wine region of the world that it was from that I have ever attended.

Later in the week past passengers had the opportunity to take a Backstage Tour of the theatre, meet some of the performers and learn more about the operation of the entertainment department onboard the ship.

I and a select few, were also invited to take a tour of the bridge.  What a great view of the ocean before us and looking back along the decks of the ship to the stern.  The instrumentation and the operation of the ship was explained to us.  This was verey quite interesting.  And yes, it is true that the ship is steered with a joystick, like video games.

You too can be special just by taking a second cruise on your favorite line.  Go enjoy the benefits of being a loyal cruiser.

Until next time,
Bon voyage

If you want more information or have any questions, email me at www.cruisewithole.com.  You can also visit my website, http://www.cruisewithole.com for an almost endless amount of general cruise information.