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How to earn Princess Captain's Circle cruise credits
Princess Captain's Circle is the loyalty program of Princess Cruises, and it moves members through four tiers — Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite — based on completed cruises or cruise days, whichever comes first. [1] [2] Membership begins after your first Princess cruise, and a higher tier becomes available on the sailing after the qualifying cruises or cruise days are completed. [1] [2]
Facts checked: 21 October 2026
Published with cited facts · How this page was checked
Key takeaways
- Captain's Circle keeps two totals — completed cruises and cruise days — and you reach each tier on whichever measure you hit first. [1] [2]
- Membership starts by itself once you finish your first Princess cruise; residents of the EEA must enroll through a My Princess account. [1] [2]
- A full suite, or the exclusive occupancy fare paid by a solo guest, earns two cruise credits instead of one, and only the cruise count is doubled — not the days. [1]
- Only Princess sailings and a closed list of P&O Australia sailings count, and reduced-rate fares such as travel agent, journalist and Friends and Family fares are excluded. [1] [3]
How do you earn Captain's Circle cruise credits?
Captain's Circle tracks two running totals for every member: the number of cruises completed and the number of days sailed. [1] [2] Every voyage moves a member closer to the next loyalty level, and because the days are counted as well, a longer sailing can give an extra lift that a short one does not. [1]
There is normally nothing to sign up for. You become a Circle member once you complete your first cruise, and Princess sends a welcome email after that sailing; the membership number then appears in the emails that help you prepare for later cruises. [1] [2] Keep the number handy and give it to your travel advisor or to Princess when booking the next cruise, because that number is what connects a booking to your history. [2]
Residents of the EEA are the exception: they have to enroll as Captain's Circle members, and receive their loyalty benefits, by registering on princess.com and creating a My Princess account. [1] [2]
Timing matters when a threshold is crossed. Princess makes a member eligible for the higher tier on the next cruise following completion of the necessary cruises or cruise days. [1]
What counts as a qualifying cruise?
Only cruises taken on Princess and sailings operated by P&O Australia count toward the Captain's Circle program. [1] The eligible P&O Australia sailings run up to and including Pacific Explorer on 7 February 2025, Pacific Adventure on 10 March 2025 and Pacific Encounter on 8 March 2025, and P&O UK cruises are no longer eligible. [1]
Cruisetours are counted only for the time at sea: the land portion of a cruisetour does not apply toward Captain's Circle. [1]
Princess also excludes cruises booked on reduced-rate fares, naming Friends and Family, affiliate, travel agent and journalist fares, other promotional fares or sailings that Princess designates, and cruises booked through the Special Bookings Desk. [3] Separate from those exclusions, Captain's Circle promotional fares are issued from time to time and are described as one of a number of discounts that may be available at any particular time. [3]
How do suites and solo travel double your cruise credits?
Book and sail in a full suite, or pay the exclusive occupancy fare when traveling solo, and Princess awards two cruise credits instead of one. [1] The exclusive occupancy fare means a solo guest occupying a stateroom alone who paid the single traveler supplement. [1]
Only the cruise count is doubled; cruise days are not. [1] The double credit applies to sailings beginning on or after 7 December 2008. [1]
Mini-suites do not qualify for the full-suite credit. [1] The membership FAQ states the exclusion more broadly, naming mini-suites, Reserve Collection suites and paid upgrades to a full suite. [2] P&O Australia sailings taken in suites or at exclusive occupancy are not eligible for double credits. [1]
What are the tier thresholds?
Princess publishes four tiers, each reached either by a number of cruises or by a number of cruise days. [1]
| Tier | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gold | After your first cruise |
| Ruby | After completing 3 cruises or 30 cruise days |
| Platinum | After completing 5 cruises or 50 cruise days |
| Elite | After completing 15 cruises or 150 cruise days |
The thresholds are alternatives rather than requirements to meet both: Ruby, for example, arrives after three cruises or 30 cruise days, whichever comes first. [1] [2] The benefits attached to each level, from the onboard internet discount for Platinum and Elite members to the Elite mini-bar setup, are listed on the Captain's Circle program page. [1] [2]
Exceptions and limits
- To receive credit for booked cruises toward membership status, you must give your correct member number at the time of booking, and Princess states it has no liability if you do not. [3]
- Each member is responsible for advising Princess of address or name changes, and Princess is not liable for misdirected mail or email. [3]
- Unused benefits are not refundable or transferable and do not roll over from one voyage to another. [3]
- Membership is at Princess's sole discretion; the line reserves the right to refuse or rescind membership, privileges and status at any time, and to change or terminate the program or its benefits in whole or in part without notice. [3]
- If the program is canceled or a membership is rescinded, all accrued benefits, points and privileges become void and have no cash value. [3]
- Failure to abide by the program terms, conduct detrimental to Princess, or misrepresentation and fraudulent activity connected with the program may result in termination of status and of other benefits earned through it. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to enroll in Captain's Circle?
Usually not: you become a member when you complete your first Princess cruise. [2] Residents of the EEA must register on princess.com and create a My Princess account in order to enroll and receive loyalty benefits. [1] [2]
Do cruisetour land days count toward Captain's Circle?
No. The land portion of a cruisetour does not apply toward the program. [1]
What is the fastest way to move up a tier?
Levels are based on completed cruises or days sailed, whichever comes first. [2] Booking and sailing in a full suite, or paying the exclusive occupancy fare as a solo guest, adds a second cruise credit for that voyage. [1]
Do travel agent or promotional fares earn cruise credits?
Eligible cruises exclude reduced-rate fares such as Friends and Family, affiliate, travel agent and journalist fares, other promotional fares or sailings Princess designates, and cruises booked through the Special Bookings Desk. [3]
When does my new tier start?
You are eligible for the higher tier on the next cruise after completing the necessary cruises or cruise days. [1]
Verification: Published with cited facts
- Source status
- 3 sources listed; page reports checked 21 October 2026
- Source citations
- 51 in-text citations provided
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- Review record available
- Public status
- Published with cited facts
Sources
Sources checked on 21 October 2026. This page reports no account test. This page covers Princess Captain's Circle only; loyalty programs from other cruise lines, and airline or hotel programs, are not covered here.
- Princess Captain's Circle membership benefits and loyalty tiers, checked 21 October 2026
- Princess Captain's Circle membership FAQ, checked 21 October 2026
- Princess Captain's Circle terms and conditions, checked 21 October 2026