If you ask a group of cruisers, “Which cruise line do you like best?” you’ll literally get a friendly competition.
Fans of the Carnival will tell you that no one throws a better sea day. Royal Caribbean fans can be counted on to boast about the newest mega-ship with its attractions.
Disney cruisers will tell you that there’s no better service, while the fans of MS Cruise and Norwegian say that there won’t be a cruise that compares.
Include YouTube cabin tours, Facebook groups, podcasts, and any other aspiring video editor doing a “cabin tour” of the ship before it hits the water, and it’s no wonder that an opinion can form well before you board the ship.
The surprising part, however, is that cruise loyalty isn’t typically defined by the free drink or first-come, first-served boarding. This has nothing to do with anything that isn’t a little close to the vest.
Cruise lines are completely aware of what they are doing when they develop loyalty programs.
After all, they need you to return. However, if you’ve ever found yourself shouting ‘We’re a Royal family’ or ‘We only sail Carnival,’ then you’ve realized these phrases are very similar to those used by sports fans.
After enjoying a wonderful cruise, it’s hard to see how anyone could ever want to vacation any other way.
It all began with the first great cruise.
Remember that first cruise that went above and beyond your expectations? Remember the first cruise that far surpassed your expectations?
Maybe it was watching the sunset from your balcony after dinner. Perhaps some member of the crew had a way of remembering your name each day. Perhaps it was your children not wanting to leave the water slides on Carnival Mardi Gras, or trying the AquaTheater show on board one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels, which you’ve heard about for years.
Those moments stick.
Funny thing is, our brains don’t always perceive the vacation from the cruise line itself. When we think back to that amazing anniversary dinner, that perfectly sunny day in Cozumel or that sea day, we immediately think of the brand at the top of the funnel.
This is why individuals tend to rebook the same line. They don’t have to go the route; they’re going for the feeling.
All cruises are unique, of course. Various crews, different ships, different passengers. But many cruisers still think they will get the same magic if they book the same cruise line again. Sometimes they’re right. Occasionally, it’s simply a nostalgic second chance.
Status Feels Better Than Savings
But let’s face it for now.
You may find you’re not booking a cruise tomorrow if you tally up the real cost of some of the benefits.
Priority boarding is good. And some free drinks, free Wi-Fi, laundry vouchers or a special lounge. These are all great bonuses, but they aren’t worth thousands of dollars on their own.
Then why do they think they’re so useful?
Because humans love progress.
The psychology of a cruise loyalty program is similar to what makes people fill their coffee shop punch card or accumulate airline miles that they’ll never use. It’s a great feeling when your loyalty increases.
No one wants to go through the process of starting over.
Even if you’ve hit the pinnacle for Royal Caribbean or Platinum with Carnival, taking the plunge to another cruise line can feel like you’re giving up years of progress, especially if another cruise is a better fit for your vacation.
That’s not irrational. It’s human nature.
Familiarity Makes Vacation Easier
Vacations should be a time of relaxation.
It’s sad but true, planning them can be a time-consuming activity.
Each cruise company will have its own app, food selection, gourmet restaurants, beverage packages, and ways to get on board and learn about little quirks.
Once you’ve sailed with the same company a few times, those details disappear into the background.
You already know where to grab coffee before breakfast.
You’re familiar with how the mobile app functions.
You know what kinds of reservations are needed for entertainment.
You are familiar with the embarkation pattern.
The comfort level that much familiarity provides is unexpected.
That’s why Carnival-goers can come back to Carnival without limitations, and Norwegian loyalists seldom gripe at the freestyle dining because they know how to do it.
Before even getting near the terminal, MSC folks know what to expect, and Disney cruisers can practically drive the bus without looking.
The level of comfort should not be underestimated. Sometimes, it’s better to take the known than the unknown.
Cruise Communities Make Loyalty Even Stronger
Cruising has become a holiday experience.
It’s a pastime to many.
Take some time to join a Facebook cruise group, Reddit or watch ship tours on YouTube, and you’ll discover something interesting.
People don’t just recommend cruise lines.
They defend them.
All announcements turn into discussion.
Is Icon of the Seas too big?
But has Carnival gotten too crowded?
Is MSC underrated?
Have the Norwegian improved their meals?
There is an opinion, and there is a story behind it.
The longer someone spends in these communities, the more connected they become to their favorite brand.
Over time, a cruise with that brand stops feeling like just another vacation and starts to feel familiar, something they identify with, look forward to, and return to again and again.
It’s not bad at all. Cruising is fun because it’s exciting. But it can also lead to very heated discussions regarding cruise lines.
Sometimes Loyalty Keeps You From Great Experiences
So, this is where it might get spicy.
Loyalty is great—until it becomes automatic.
All cruise lines are great in their own way.
Royal Caribbean continues to push the boundaries of ship design.
There is still some of the liveliest atmosphere that can be found at sea at the Carnival.
Few companies can claim the same reputation for storytelling as Disney.
Celebrity is a master of modern luxury.
Norwegian is flexible and something people really value when traveling.
MSC Cruises will keep you stunned with amazing vessels at a budget-friendly price.
When you only ever use one cruise line, you’re always missing out.
That doesn’t mean you should abandon your favorite brand tomorrow. However, it does raise the question of whether you are opting for the cruise because it’s an ideal fit for you or just one you know.
One of the most joyful cruisers is one who strays from their comfort zone and finds a ship or experience that they would not have thought of otherwise.
After all, what is now the “backup” for the show might be the next “cruise line” enthusiast.
The Best Loyalty Is an Informed One
It’s not a bad thing to be a cruise loyalist. In many cases, it makes perfect sense.
If you enjoy a cruise line, have a clear idea of what you can expect from them, and really like the cruise experience, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with a particular cruise line.
Just don’t let loyalty become autopilot.
Changes in the cruise industry are extremely rapid. All ships get more innovative, dining gets better, entertainment gets better and new itineraries are released annually. The line you missed five years ago could be the vacation line you’re looking for!
Not all cruisers are created equal, and not all cruisers with high loyalty are the smartest. They’re the ones who understand why they’re loyal in the first place.
That can involve making it a point to sail your beloved cruise ship year in and year out. Other times, it’s a risk-taking thing that leads to discovering that you were missing out on something all along.
And when it comes to cruising, one thing it has taught us is that the next big vacation may well be on a ship we’ve never been aboard before, with a different funnel.
