Discover how to take advantage of Status Match on a cruise. Obtain status equivalence with MSC, Royal Caribbean or Virgin Voyages and benefit from VIP perks from your very first day on board!
Cruise Status Match:
How to get VIP perks from your very first day on board
Do you dream of stepping on board a new ship and being welcomed as a loyal customer, with priority boarding, a bottle of champagne in your cabin, and exclusive discounts?
No, you don’t need to have spent 150 nights at sea with the same cruise line to make that happen. There is a formidable trick that many travelers are unaware of: the Status Match.
We explain how it works, which companies participate, and how you can take advantage of it for your next vacation.
What exactly is a Status Match?
The concept is simple. When a cruise line wants to woo you into testing out its ships, it doesn’t want you to start from scratch in its loyalty program. They know that if you are accustomed to VIP perks with a competitor, you won’t want to go back to being a "mere beginner."
To attract you, they offer to "match" your current status. If you are at the top tier with a competitor, they will grant you the equivalent level with them, before you have even set foot on deck.
Who offers Status Match and with whom?
Not all cruise lines play this game. Here is a precise summary of the companies that offer status matching and which ones they accept in return.
1. MSC Croisières: The all-around champion
This is the most generous cruise line on the market. The MSC Voyagers Club program accepts status matches from a very large number of brands.
Whose status can you match? Virtually all other cruise lines (Costa, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line...).
The little extra that makes all the difference: MSC also accepts status matches from major hotel chains (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Best Western...) and even certain tour operator programs.
What you gain: Depending on your level, you can get a 5% discount on all your future MSC cruises, gifts in your cabin, spa access, and even a free dinner at a specialty restaurant for the Diamond level.
2. The Royal Caribbean Group: Shared loyalty
The Royal Caribbean group has a very powerful reciprocity system between its three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
How does it work? If you have a high status with Royal Caribbean (Crown & Anchor Society), you automatically get the equivalent level with Celebrity Cruises (Captain’s Club) and with Silversea (Venetian Society), and vice versa.
With whom? Only between these three brands within the same group. You cannot bring an MSC or Costa status here.
What you gain: Immediate recognition from one brand to another, with on-board discounts, private events, and priority boarding.
3. Virgin Voyages: Occasional invitations
The young cruise line Virgin Voyages regularly offers Status Match campaigns to attract frequent travelers to its Sailing Club.
Whose status can you match? Virgin often targets travelers with high status at other major cruise lines, but sometimes also those with status in airline or hotel loyalty programs.
What you gain: Access to their "Blue Extras" starting from your first or second cruise (on-board credit, priority boarding, etc.).
4. Companies that do not offer Status Match (or only for casino players)
Some companies refuse to grant status matches based on your travels with competitors. With them, you have to "earn" your points the old-fashioned way, night after night.
Costa Croisières :
Does not offer equivalence. You start at the base level.
Carnival et Princess Cruises : They do not offer a classic Status Match for regular travelers. However, they sometimes have specific programs to match statuses for high rollers from land-based or maritime casinos.
Our tips for a successful Status Match!
Only do it once : With most companies (such as MSC), the Status Match can only be requested once per person. Choose the highest program you hold carefully before submitting your request.
Plan ahead : Do not wait until you are on the ship!
Requests must be made online, generally at least 7 to 14 days before your departure for the status to be properly applied to your booking.
Check validity : Your competing loyalty card must be valid at the time of the request.
Status Match is an excellent way to travel with more comfort without spending an extra cent.
So, before booking your next cruise, look at your wallet full of loyalty cards: you might just have a VIP status you didn't know about!
Ulrich & Sidara