Check with your favorite cruise line to see if it offers a cruise club. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney are a few major cruise lines offering cruise clubs. Members receive points for every cruise they take, which can then be used for future cruises. Additionally, cruise club members receive benefits such as discounted rates, advance notice of specials, room upgrades, lenient cancellation fees and lowest rate guarantees.
Clubs run by cruise lines are usually free, since the incentive for the company is to encourage repeat passengers. Some lines, like Royal Caribbean offer discounts to those who favor specialty cruises; its "Club Royale" offers discounts on gambling cruises.
Search for local cruise clubs based in your city, county, region or state. Check with local community centers, travel agents and business listings. Club sizes range from just large enough to qualify for a group rate on most cruise lines to national clubs with thousands of members, so choose the right type for you based on availability and comfort level.
Use one of the large, web-based cruise clubs like My Cruise Club, Cruise Club of America or Club Cruise, all of which offer discounted rates and special deals, cruise notifications and information. These types of clubs operate as a travel agent, but at a lower percentage of the fee that travel agents usually charge. Some may promise to waive cancellation fees and others charge membership fees.
Sign up for the free clubs run by your favorite cruise lines, and also take advantage of any other free club offers. Sign up for fee-based services with caution.
