Our guide to in-the-know programs that reward loyalty on the high seas

While many travellers know the ins and outs of frequent-flyer benefits and incentives, it's not so clear cut for cruisers. We're here to help.

Loyalty is a thing and I am totally into it. I diligently get my coffee card stamped at my favourite cafes and receive a free flat white as a reward. I have stayed in hotels for free thanks to booking stays through Hotels.com, and I thank the upgrade fairies on those occasions when I receive an upgrade to business class using points accrued through being loyal to Qantas. I get discounted cat food, shoes, books ... you name it, and I have a loyalty card for it. Cruisers who are in the know can make big savings by staying loyal to their favoured cruise line, with discounts, special offerings and extras. Here are some of our picks for cruise lines with the best loyalty programs.

Royal Caribbean's megaships are popular in Australia. This summer Anthem of the Seas will make its debut in Australia and Voyager of the Seas will return to our waters - based in Brisbane. The cruise line's rewards program, the Crown and Anchor Society, has six tiers from Gold (after your first cruise) to Pinnacle Club (700 cruise points). You accrue one cruise point for every night you sail with Royal Caribbean and double the points if you book a suite. More points equals higher status and more benefits, with everything from discounted drinks, spa treatments and laundry to access to special events. In May, Royal Caribbean launched its status match program - the first cruise line to do so. It means if you have status with Crown and Anchor Society, you enjoy reciprocal-tier status with Celebrity Cruises' Captains Club and Silversea's Venetian Society. royalcaribbean.com

Grab your Mickey ears and set sail with Disney Cruise Lines, with five ships and a sixth - Disney Treasure - launching in December. Disney will launch another seven ships between 2025 and 2031, including Disney Adventure, which will be based in Singapore from 2025. Last summer, the first Disney ship came Down Under. Disney Wonder was a huge hit and is returning for the next two summers. You don't have to be a kid or even a Disney fan to love these ships. Do your first cruise and you'll automatically become a member of the Castaway Club which has four tiers, from Silver (after one sailing) up to Pearl (completing 25 sailings). Benefits include early-booking access for new itineraries and onboard cruise activities, exclusive cruise terminal check-in where available and more. disneycruise.disney.go.com

This glamour cruise line has 12 SuperShips offering luxury cruises on the rivers of Europe, on the Nile in Egypt, the Douro in Portugal, and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. You can also cruise with Uniworld on the Ganges and on the Amazon. After your first cruise with Uniworld, you'll automatically become a member of the River Heritage Club and receive a welcome gift to commemorate the occasion. Members will be able to take advantage of savings on all Uniworld cruises thereafter, join other members for a cocktail party with the captain, receive priority notification about new cruises and programs, and receive one complimentary laundry service per cruise. As a bonus, River Heritage Club members receive exclusive savings of up to 5 per cent with Uniworld's sister companies through the Travel Corp. uniworld.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known as the all-inclusive luxury cruise line, with fares that include unlimited shore excursions. Its seven ships, carrying fewer than 750 passengers, offer the perfect balance between small ship and big offerings, with the level of grandeur onboard breathtaking. Cruise with Regent and you'll become a member of the Seven Seas Society, which has seven levels of membership, ranging from Bronze (7 to 20 nights) to the elite Commodore (2000 nights). If you manage to reach Commodore level, you'll receive an invite to a ship launch, a commemorative plaque on board every ship and unlimited laundry valet service, along with all the benefits enjoyed by the other tiers. rssc.com

This enchanting small-ship cruise line has a fleet of six boutique all-suite and sailing yachts carrying 148 to 342 guests. The vessels cruise in the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific, with one ship - Star Breeze - based in French Polynesia year round (see page 29). Once people sail on Windstar, they tend to keep going back and with Windstar's Yacht Club program, loyalty is rewarded. You'll earn between one and two points per cruise day depending on which suite you are in, with four levels ranging from one to four star. One-star members (1-15 points) can save 5 per cent on fares with an additional 5 per cent for onboard bookings or bookings made within 60 days of disembarkation. Four-star members can dine with a senior officer, and enjoy many savings. All Yacht Club Members receive a 20 per cent discount on special Yacht Club Member sailings. windstarcruises.com

Holland America Line (HAL) has been cruising the world for 150 years and has a rich maritime heritage. Its 11 vessels visit nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and when it comes to Alaska, HAL has been cruising this stunning US destination longer than any other cruise line. This season, Westerdam will be cruising our waters as will Noordam. HAL's loyalty program is the Mariner Society, with guests earning cruise day credits for each day they have cruised with the cruise line. Book a suite or penthouse to earn bonus credits, and gain even more with each $300 spent on eligible onboard purchases. There are five levels ranging from Star Mariner (one cruise completed) up to Five-Star Mariner (500 cruise day credits), with each level receiving more rewards. Loyal HAL cruisers can receive discounts on everything from cocktails, dinners, spa treatments and laundry to cruise fares, and a new exclusive early-booking benefit has been launched, an onboard credit of up to $400 per stateroom when you book within 90 days of a new season launch. hollandamerica.com

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