What comes after 5-star?

[BobbiSox]

I've heard rumors that there is a rather 'secret' category that comes after the 5-star. I have researched it to the best of my ability, and found nothing. Does anyone know if there is actually a category higher than the 5-star? 

[iflyrc5]

Presidents Club.  It is by invitation after you have 1400 days on HAL ships.  We know several people that are president club members.  The top member who we know has over 3500 days on HAL ships.  We are getting there with 904 days but don't think we will live long enough to make 1400.

[CruiserBruce]

Nothing after 5 star. President's Club is, as highlighted repeatedly on our recent Zaandam cruise award ceremony (4 President's Club members present, all over 2000 days), based on "actual days on board", not spending or cabin levels booked. President's Club is in the 100, 300, 500, 700 day ranking system, not the Star Mariner system.

[Toad]

So what does being in the Presidents club get you?

[Ferry_Watcher]

Some special recognition on board during the Captain's Meet, with maybe a bottle of champagne or flowers. In Seattle (at least a few years ago when it got started), a special escort thru check-in from someone from Seattle's HAL headquarters, but I doubt that happens now.  

[Sea42]

43 minutes ago, Toad said:

So what does being in the Presidents club get you?

If you look at the thread by user WCB, who are on the world cruise right now, you will get some insights. Many of their posts contain some mention of the Presidents Club.

 

Edited April 17 by Sea42

[Nodakboiler]

We have seen PC members getting a personal escort onto the ship early just last year. They made sure to let everyone know how "special" they were!

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, Nodakboiler said:

We have seen PC members getting a personal escort onto the ship early just last year. They made sure to let everyone know how "special" they were!

I have met both kinds - those who know it all and those are live a moderate life and don’t tell others how to think. I have always sought out experienced travelers for their insights 

[Cruising-along]

3 hours ago, Toad said:

So what does being in the Presidents club get you?

On our recent Grand Australia/NZ cruise they closed down the Pinnacle Grill one day (lunch and dinner) because the President's Club wanted the waiters for a special occasion.  All reservations were canceled that day. 

 

 

[albingirl]

Once, someone from the President's club asked us to join them for an event.  The wine was flowing.  Not much more needs to be said, lol!

[senorjim]

I met 2 Gentlemen onboard at a Mariner medal presentation a few years ago. They were recognized for over 3500 days on board.(That's almost 10 years!). We had a really nice visit. They both seemed kind and humble to me. I asked what kind of perks Presidents Club provided them and I was only told with a big smile that they were very well looked after.  I forget what ship we were on but when I asked which was their favourite ship they said Maasdam. They had a corner table reserved for them in the Lido on our sailing and that's where they preferred to dine. 

With that kind of loyalty I believe they deserve special treatment although to me they didn't seem like they were special. Just 2 nice guys.

[RuthC]

Those of us who have been around HAL a while have met, or heard of, at least one passenger who is in the President's Club. 
I wonder how many people have the required number of nights aboard to qualify for this exclusive club, but never were invited to join? 

Anyone ever hear of that circumstance? I did once know one person who declined an invitation to join, but never heard of one who wasn't even asked. 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

25 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Those of us who have been around HAL a while have met, or heard of, at least one passenger who is in the President's Club. 
I wonder how many people have the required number of nights aboard to qualify for this exclusive club, but never were invited to join? 

Anyone ever hear of that circumstance? I did once know one person who declined an invitation to join, but never heard of one who wasn't even asked. 

The invitation requirement weeds out people with many sea days but not as full-fare guests, e.g., lecturers, travel hosts, agents, etc.

 

Unlike the Mariner Star Level Program, the Medallion Program only recognizes and rewards actual cruising days – there isn’t any bonus credit for suites or spending as there is in the Mariner Star Program.

 

Here are the Medallion Award levels

100 days – Bronze
300 days – Silver
500 days – Gold
700 days – Platinum
1400 days – Presidents Club

 

While achieving greater Star status offers definite perks, achieving a higher Medallion Station offers nothing more than the commemorative medal itself and local recognition, including invitations to special parties.

 

The perks for Presidents Club Membership, include, but are not limited to:

• Annual Holiday Gift e.g. Waterford Crystal Vases
• Invitations to special onboard parties
• “Head of the line” tender service equal to Neptune Suite Guests
• Your choice of flowers/beverages/wine, etc. every 2 weeks
• Recognition at onboard events

Plus more – there isn’t a specific list publicly available, but these are the highlights I have discovered based on my research. Any updated information is appreciated.

 

 

Edited April 17 by The-Inside-Cabin

[Alberta Quilter]

I was told by one PC couple that they also receive 10 free Pinnacle Grill dinners each per cruise.  If they book multiple cruises B2B, they get 10 dinners for each booking number.  That might explain why others get bounced from their reservations, although I think that is wrong.  

 

The PC couple invited us for dinner because they were never going to use up all their free dinners.  They had three separate cruises booked so received a lot of dinners within about six or eight weeks.

[cccole]

I love the posts by PC members who never flaunt their status or privileges.  I always sort of laugh at PC members who feel the necessity to remind everyone that they can leave the ship anytime they want, just like a Neptune suite passenger.   I live and grew up in an area where the person who flaunts their assumed wealth is probably the least prominent person in the room.  Often status and success come with humility.  I really enjoy the reviews of PC events by members who really appreciate the staff and what is being done for them, they certainly earned it with their loyalty.  I did not know that this was not connected with the Star Mariner system. JMO. Cherie  

[TiogaCruiser]

3 hours ago, RuthC said:

Those of us who have been around HAL a while have met, or heard of, at least one passenger who is in the President's Club. 
I wonder how many people have the required number of nights aboard to qualify for this exclusive club, but never were invited to join? 

Anyone ever hear of that circumstance? I did once know one person who declined an invitation to join, but never heard of one who wasn't even asked. 

While I can’t say for sure, there was one very prominent member here with many, many cruises under his/her belt that made several comments (some 10+ years ago) that made it sound like they had “earned” it yet were not invited. This was before the PC was as widely known and before the star system.

[RuthC]

3 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

While I can’t say for sure, there was one very prominent member here with many, many cruises under his/her belt that made several comments (some 10+ years ago) that made it sound like they had “earned” it yet were not invited. This was before the PC was as widely known and before the star system.

I don't remember that, but I believe it happened. I did know one person who turned down the offer to join the group. Also, quite a few years ago. 

[REOVA]

4 star is the best level change. 5 star have a few extra items but (IMO) doesn't rise to another level reward (especially if you don't drink or care for the "alternative" dining). The rise in number of 4 and 5 star mariners now has diminished the exclusive rewards (as has Club Orange), especially on longer voyages (which HAL is known for). Unfortunately they have not been able to come up with a next level category, although talks about it in the past decade continue.  

[WriterOnDeck]

4 hours ago, REOVA said:

The rise in number of 4 and 5 star mariners now has diminished the exclusive rewards (as has Club Orange), especially on longer voyages (which HAL is known for).

It's not unusual to have 60+ Presidents Club members on the world cruise, although this year I heard that about half went on the Grand Australia/NZ instead. And benefits like priority tender boarding for 4* and 5* are suspended, as there are so many aboard.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I suspect that people who get complimentary casino cruises aren't eligible to use those days for PC 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Just now, The-Inside-Cabin said:

I suspect that people who get complimentary casino cruises aren't eligible to use those days for PC 

Correct  Only full fares count. Your TA might give you something, but the Base fair must be paid in full.

[Wehwalt]

We have been informed from President's Club members that there are a number of people with 1400 days who have not been invited because some portion of those nights were as travel agent representatives, lecturers, or similar. However, those people are still well taken care of.

Edited April 18 by Wehwalt