InsideFlyer’s series on cruise line loyalty has offered an overview of the onboard benefits of the loyalty programs of the big cruise lines. In 2016, we’ll explore the benefits of the programs at smaller ship and river cruise lines too. But did you know that some of the cruise line loyalty programs offer benefits on shore too? Let’s close out 2015 with a look at a few of those benefits that can help improve your travels. (Feature image credit: Shutterstock)

Cruise Line Loyalty Benefits On Shore

Some of the on shore benefits are pretty basic. For instance, top tier elite members of Holland America’s Mariner Society receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to Travel & Leisure or Food & Wine magazines, which can be a good aid in planning all your travels, at sea or on land. However, some programs offer decidedly more compelling benefits while on shore.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society members receive complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status by virtue of their cruise line elite status. Gold Plus Rewards offers your name in lights when you arrive on the airport bus, but there are special discounts for Royal Caribbean elite members. These include some unique one-way discounts into port cities that might be especially beneficial for frequent cruisers. Royal Caribbean’s sister lines Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises also participate in the program.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society also offers a status recognition partnership with MGM’s M Life program. Elite members of Crown & Anchor are eligible for a host of benefits that closely track M-Life’s own status levels.

Benefits for Crown & Anchor members include pre-sale access to tickets for concerts and other events, priority reservations, priority hotel check-in (worth it for this alone!), room upgrades, and more! Benefits vary based on your Crown & Anchor elite status level. See this list for complete details.

Notably, the loyalty programs of Celebrity Cruises (Captain’s Club) and Azamara Club Cruises (Le Club Voyage) do not offer M Life benefits. However, do remember to review the InsideFlyer article on elite status reciprocity among the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. cruise lines. If you are a higher tier elite member of these two programs, simply call and have your status recognized at Royal Caribbean. Then, use your new Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor status to capitalize on the M Life benefits available to Royal Caribbean elite members. Enjoy the lesser known benefits of cruise line loyalty, and enjoy Vegas too!

Happy sailing, and happy New Year!