There's a new superstar in the world of super-elite cruisers — and she has four legs
There's a new top dog in the world of hard-core cruisers that reach the pinnacle of elite status. And when we say top dog, we mean that literally.
Holland America on Wednesday said that, for the first time, a service dog had cruised so much with the line that it was deserving of the ultimate award in the brand's Mariners Society loyalty program, a Platinum Medallion.
In a ceremony on board Holland America's 2,668-passenger Rotterdam, Holland America president Gus Antorcha presented the black Labrador retriever, Joska, with the medallion.
To receive the award, a cruiser must spend at least 700 days on a Holland America ship — the equivalent of nearly two years at sea. Only a very small portion of Mariners Society members ever reach the milestone.
Joska has spent that many days on Holland America ships over the last eight years in the company of her owners, Cornelia (known as "Connie") and Cornelis Marinussen, who are both on board Rotterdam this week, too.
The vessel is in the midst of a commemorative transatlantic crossing that is marking the 150th anniversary of Holland America's first voyage.
Related: New Holland America booking offer will help you save
Both of the Marinussens have received the Platinum Medallion.
Holland America said that Joska, who is 10 years old, and her owners spend most of their days cruising with the line.
During the onboard ceremony, Antorcha and the captain of Rotterdam, Werner Timmers, also presented Joska with 5-Star Mariner Society status — the highest level of elite status in the Mariner Society program.
As a 5-Star Mariner Society member, Joska will — like her owners — be eligible for a long list of valuable elite perks such as priority check-in and priority access to ship-to-shore tenders.
That said, we suspect that the appeal of quite a few of the 5-Star perks may be lost on Joska. She may not find a need for the $30 credit toward an internet package that comes with 5-Star status, for instance, or the complimentary laundry and pressing service (which is available to both 4-Star and 5-Star members).
The top Mariner Society tier also brings a complimentary day pass to the shipboard spa. We're not sure how that would play out for a dog.
Related: After 900 cruises, a Royal Caribbean fan hits a milestone that may never be equaled
Reaching 5-Star status in the Mariner Society program normally requires accumulating 500 "cruise day credits." Customers receive the credits both for the number of days they travel (with bonuses for staying in suites) and for hitting certain milestones in onboard spending.
The Platinum Medallion is awarded strictly on the absolute number of days one spends on Holland America ships.
In addition to presenting Joska with a Platinum Medallion and 5-Star status this week, Antorcha and Timmers gave her something that most top-tier Mariner Society members don't receive: A selection of dog-friendly, Holland America-branded gifts.
"Joska is the first service animal to achieve this lofty status, and we wanted to honor her with an event that shows her how special she is to everyone in our company," Antorcha said during the ceremony.
Passengers normally aren't allowed to bring animals onto Holland America ships, but — as is typically the case for cruise ships — there is an exception for registered service animals.
Related: The 4 types of Holland America ships, explained
Joska has been a familiar sight on Holland America ships over the past few years. Her owners, who began sailing regularly with the line in 2013, have racked up nearly 60 cruises with the brand to all sorts of destinations, from Alaska and Hawaii to the Caribbean and Europe.
Joska hasn't sailed on quite as many cruises as her owners. However, she now has more than 50 cruises under her belt, according to line. She joined the Marinussen family in 2014 to assist Connie Marinussen, who is legally blind.
Holland America called Joska "among the most traveled dogs in the world."
"Joska has become a member of our family," Antorcha said. "She not only brightens the spirits of everyone on board, but she also allows Connie to do what she loves most, which is to cruise and explore the world."
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.