Destinations

Royal Caribbean Adjusts Loyalty Perk for Legend of the Seas U.S. Voyage

By Marco Ricci • Oct 25, 2026 • 2 min read

Loyalty Perk Modification

High demand for certain amenities forced changes. Royal Caribbean notified Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members. The usual special dining benefit will change for this cruise. Frequent travelers face a shift in expected meal plans.

New Dining Alternative

The standard buy one, get one freeoffer at specialty restaurants is unavailable. This applies to the October 25 itinerary. Royal Caribbean sent an email notification on Thursday, October 22. The notice stated, Due to exceptionally high demand for specialty dining and fully booked restaurant locations, the BOGO loyalty benefit for Diamond Plus members will not be available during this itinerary. Instead, the company offers Island Vibes. This dining concept is at Surfside Eatery. It is exclusive to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members. The menu features coastal and tropical-inspired dishes. The email invited guests to experience this new concept. Dining is by reservation only. It costs $25 per person and runs daily from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Passenger Reaction

This $25 fee drew criticism online. One Facebook traveler asked what the specific menu would be. They questioned paying when breakfast and lunch are included. Another user doubted presenting a paid experience as a replacement for a free benefit. Some suggested alternatives. These included a food and beverage credit. Others proposed extending the BOGO benefit beyond the first two nights. Guests can still use other Crown & Anchor Society perks.

Capacity Challenges

This is not an isolated issue. Members earn Cruise Points for nights sailed. They also get extra points for suite and solo bookings. Higher tiers grant more onboard access. However, ensuring space for all eligible members is a logistical challenge. For example, on Symphony of the Seas in September, Crown Lounge access was restricted to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Oasis of the Seas on January 18, 2026, had a similar limit. Other lines faced issues too. Carnival passengers on September 5 itineraries lost priority boarding and early cabin access due to high Platinum membership numbers.

Innovative Solution

Island Vibes tests an innovative solution for high dining demand. The question remains for long-term status holders.