How does Princess status work? Ruby, Elite, etc.

[SeaMystique]

Hi all,

We're taking our first cruise ever on the Island for a 2-day Panama Canal experience in February, so I know we will have the "blue", i.e. nowhere, status.

On these forums I hear about Ruby, Elite and Platinum.

I know Princess ups your status after the first voyage, but to what? How many levels are there, and what are the qualifications for moving up? I know you need about gazillion cruises to be Elite, much less, Platinum, but is there anything between the blue ("Sapphire"?) and Ruby, and between Ruby and Elite?

Just curious at this point,

Sylvia

[chrysalis]

https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/jsp/memberShipBenefitsForProspect.jsp

[SeaMystique]

Thanks. I thought Platinum came after Elite. I stand corrected.

[beg3yrs]

but is there anything between the blue ("Sapphire"?) and Ruby,

 

Sylvia

 

Gold is between blue and Ruby. You will be Gold at the end of your first cruise.

[skynight]

Look here: https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/jsp/memberShipBenefitsForProspect.jsp

 

By the way, all passengers have equal status, they are all important to Princess. It is just that some passengers receive some material perks, and some passengers feel that they are more important.

Edited November 29, 2014 by sknight

[daydreamer16]

Hi all,

We're taking our first cruise ever on the Island for a 2-day Panama Canal experience in February, so I know we will have the "blue", i.e. nowhere, status.

On these forums I hear about Ruby, Elite and Platinum.

I know Princess ups your status after the first voyage, but to what? How many levels are there, and what are the qualifications for moving up? I know you need about gazillion cruises to be Elite, much less, Platinum, but is there anything between the blue ("Sapphire"?) and Ruby, and between Ruby and Elite?

Just curious at this point,

Sylvia

 

Hi Sylvia

We are on the same cruise with you, on the Island in February. In my experience there isn't much difference in lower categories (blue , gold , ruby). Once you're in gold you get invited to a party with free drinks for one hour. Other than that, we haven't noticed anything that was meaningful for us. For this cruise, we will be Platinum so there is 250 minutes of free internet which is great for us, since the cruise is 15 days and we'd like to keep in touch with home. Let me know if you have any other questions, we've been on 5 Princess cruises on 5 different ships---first time on the Island!

 

Denise

[shepp]

Another perk is past-passenger pricing. On my upcoming cruise, when I signed in with my CC number, I saved 40% on the generally available sale fare. Doesn't happen every time, but I'll take it!

[SeaMystique]

Thanks all! Denise -- I think you're in the roll call? Looking forward to meeting you. As for asking questions .. You can count on it. [emoji6]

It's true, though, that some on these boards flaunt their status as if that made them super people, but others quickly burst their balloon. If someone waves his/her black card in my face, I'll just say, "Oh, gee, I'm sorry your card is so ugly. Mine is such a pretty blue."[emoji1]

[Tony1878]

Please someone, put my mind at ease.

I booked my first Princess cruise recently and obviously I came on this forum to get information etc, but all I keep seeing is "my status entitles me to this or that", now whilst I agree on some perks being available for past customers, I don't want someone stepping in front of me when I have queued waving a black card and cutting in line.

I've paid the same amount for my cruise as everyone else (probably) and expect to be treated in the same manner, please assure me this is the case :)

[paul929207]

Please someone, put my mind at ease.

I booked my first Princess cruise recently and obviously I came on this forum to get information etc, but all I keep seeing is "my status entitles me to this or that", now whilst I agree on some perks being available for past customers, I don't want someone stepping in front of me when I have queued waving a black card and cutting in line.

I've paid the same amount for my cruise as everyone else (probably) and expect to be treated in the same manner, please assure me this is the case :)

Relax. The main perks that affect your concern are priority tender embarkation and a separate line at the Passenger service desk. Both are for Elite passengers. In neither case does it allow someone to wave the card and cut to the front.

 

In the case of the tendering, it allows the Elite passenger to get on the tender line rather than getting a number and waiting for it to be called. In reality, we have found that being Elite, allows us to be at the front of the line if we are in a hurry to get off. We get to the line before there is a line.

 

At the front desk there will be two lines, one for Elite and one for others. Depending on how busy they are there will be several employees helping people. Usually, the Elite line does move faster, but not always.

[SadieN]

Only a few places where they can 'pull rank' on you.

There is a special line at guest services for suite and elite passengers. Also the Elites have priority during tendering. I've seen them flash their cards at the gatekeeper and off they go.

[bhopal21]

Only a few places where they can 'pull rank' on you.

There is a special line at guest services for suite and elite passengers. Also the Elites have priority during tendering. I've seen them flash their cards at the gatekeeper and off they go.

 

Suite passengers have the same priority at the tenders as well.

 

Mike:)

[paul929207]

Suite passengers have the same priority at the tenders as well.

 

Mike:)

Both suite and Elite passengers have priority for the tender, but it is only supposed to allow them to go straight to the tender loading line. They should get on the end of the line when they get there. As I said above, we are Elite and when we are in a hurry, we are often the first on line and get on the first tender. I have seen others trying to push their way to the from of the line while waving their card

[Tatka]

The most valuable perk for us on our next cruise will be free 100 mins of internet. :)

[skynight]

Also the Elites have priority during tendering. I've seen them flash their cards at the gatekeeper and off they go.

 

Not correct. As stated by others the only special material perk is being able to by-pass the tender ticket process, proceed directly to the tender pontoon, and join the line. As I stated before on this thread "... all passengers have equal status, they are all important to Princess. It is just that some passengers receive some material perks, and some passengers feel that they are more important." You can never regulate the behavior of those who feel they have some sort of special status over others, and crew find it easier to just allow some things to happen.

[SadieN]

Not correct. As stated by others the only special material perk is being able to by-pass the tender ticket process, proceed directly to the tender pontoon, and join the line. As I stated before on this thread "... all passengers have equal status, they are all important to Princess. It is just that some passengers receive some material perks, and some passengers feel that they are more important." You can never regulate the behavior of those who feel they have some sort of special status over others, and crew find it easier to just allow some things to happen.

 

 

I think we're agreeing?????

[crochetcruise]

Thanks all! Denise -- I think you're in the roll call? Looking forward to meeting you. As for asking questions .. You can count on it. [emoji6]

It's true, though, that some on these boards flaunt their status as if that made them super people, but others quickly burst their balloon. If someone waves his/her black card in my face, I'll just say, "Oh, gee, I'm sorry your card is so ugly. Mine is such a pretty blue."[emoji1]

 

Oh I MUST remember that comment! IMHO, some people do tend to forget everyone had to start with their 1st cruise!

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[pablo222]

How does status work?

 

1) Get Elite status

 

2) Complain that everyone else has it too easy with short

cruises, reduced requirements, living near a port, etc.

 

 

Step 2 can be repeated, as needed.

[paul929207]

How does status work?

 

1) Get Elite status

 

2) Complain that everyone else has it too easy with short

cruises, reduced requirements, living near a port, etc.

 

 

Step 2 can be repeated, as needed.

Unfortunately we have some people who only seem to be happy when they have something to complain about.

[shredie]

How does status work?

 

1) Get Elite status

 

2) Complain that everyone else has it too easy with short

cruises, reduced requirements, living near a port, etc.

 

 

Step 2 can be repeated, as needed.

 

That is priceless! :D

[Cruisin' Chick]

Please someone, put my mind at ease.

I booked my first Princess cruise recently and obviously I came on this forum to get information etc, but all I keep seeing is "my status entitles me to this or that", now whilst I agree on some perks being available for past customers, I don't want someone stepping in front of me when I have queued waving a black card and cutting in line.

I've paid the same amount for my cruise as everyone else (probably) and expect to be treated in the same manner, please assure me this is the case :)

 

As others have said, there are some lines that are for those with elite status (may also be for suite passengers). There are other benefits that for those in the Elite status, won't affect you.

 

As for tendering, as stated you can bypass getting a ticket (usually given out in one dining room that morning) by being elite or booking a full suite. If you book an excursion through Princess for a tender port, you will get info on your ticket as to when and where to gather (on one, we were told 7:15am in the Princess theater, and all members of your party need to be with you at that time). In that case, a crew member will escort you to the front of the tender line -- maybe even ahead of elite passengers.

 

I did get a honorary elite status on my last cruise (I was doing someone a favor and apparently Princess HQs knew about it). I didn't really have a clue -- just figured the toiletries were now upgraded for every cabin and even asked the crew member delivering strawberries and other goodies to us if this was a mistake, and he said it was for our cabin definitely. We did find a letter that said we could bypass getting tender tickets. But we decided to have a leisurely breakfast and then finally made our way to the gangway and stood in back of the line.

 

We got the invite to the gold Captain Circle's party and didn't get any credits on the Internet package we had purchased nor free laundry which was fine as we can't utilize the ship's laundry due to allergies to laundry detergent -- so no extra benefits there, but no biggie. We did take advantage of the letter inviting us to the Platinum/Elite disembarkation lounge (next cruise we're Platinum anyway -- cruise wise and day wise, and not a cruise under 7 days, either).

[Cruisin' Chick]

But really, I don't feel less than just because I book insides (and maybe an occasional OV). There's no special dining room just for those with high status or the owner's suite. And some of the things you can get for higher status levels may not be all that important for all passengers.

[geocruiser]

Being this is your first Princess cruise I just want to let you know (if you don't all ready know) thta there is a military OBC is you ever served in the military. You don't have to be career military to get it.