Luxury Cruise Line Rolls Out Updated Loyalty Programme (With Status Match)

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Explora Journeys has just rolled out a very tempting updated loyalty programme, which could tempt other cruisers to consider switching allegiances.

Explora II Pool Deck

The luxury cruise line has launched phase two of its Explora Club loyalty programme, giving members new perks, the ability to track their points and tier levels online, and a broader Status Match offer that now includes Oceania Cruises.

The update comes at a time when Carnival Cruise Line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club is under heavy fire.

In June 2025, the cruise giant announced that it would scrap lifetime loyalty status starting in 2026 and replace it with a two-year rolling window based on cruise nights and onboard spend.

Carnival loyalists quickly voiced their frustration, with many claiming they feel abandoned by a programme they spent years working toward. Some are now considering alternatives – and Explora is ready to welcome them.

However, Carnival is not one of the cruise lines where status match applies for Explora Journeys – although there is a way around that.

Perks Without the Pressure

Unlike Carnival’s new system, which will force guests to maintain activity to keep their status, Explora Club allows guests to retain their tier indefinitely once achieved. This alone may be enough to sway disillusioned cruisers looking for long-term recognition.

The Explora Club has five membership levels: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Members earn points based on cruise nights, onboard purchases, and select excursion bookings – and those points never expire.

Guests can now track their status in real time via the updated “My Explora Account” portal, a highly requested feature that makes it easier to manage and understand rewards at each level.

At the base Classic tier, travellers gain access to exclusive offers, priority booking windows, and a personalised member dashboard.

Silver members (1–5,000 points) unlock extras like birthday gifts and savings on future bookings.

Gold status (5,001–20,000 points) adds perks such as turndown surprises, while Platinum (20,001–50,000) includes bridge tours, laundry service, and Journey Experience Credits.

At the top, Diamond status (50,001+ points) offers serious incentives: complimentary week-long sailings for two, private suite upgrades, VIP transfers, and invitations to exclusive events like the President’s Journey and Chef’s Kitchen.

Points, Perks, and Status Matching

Explora’s loyalty programme awards 100 points per night at sea, with bonus multipliers depending on the suite booked – Ocean Suites earn 1x, Penthouses 2x, Residences 3x, and Owner’s Residences an impressive 10x multiplier.

The cruise line has also expanded its Status Match programme, allowing cruisers with loyalty levels from 11 participating cruise lines to match their status when joining Explora Club.

Brands included are:

  • MSC Cruises
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Ponant
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
  • Scenic Luxury Cruises
  • Seabourn
  • Silversea Cruises
  • SeaDream Yacht Club
  • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
  • Now also: Oceania Cruises

Matched tiers apply immediately on a guest’s first sailing with Explora Journeys, making it easier than ever to enjoy elevated benefits without starting from scratch.

Carnival guests will note that they are unable to match directly with Explora Journeys, but if they are Platinum or Diamond level, they can join an MSC cruise first to take advantage of their own status match programme, and then they can match their new MSC status to Explora Journeys.

With so many passengers reconsidering their cruise line loyalty, Explora Journeys has timed this loyalty refresh perfectly. For guests unimpressed by Carnival’s upcoming changes, the journey to better perks may now be just one booking away.

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