Man who has been on 50 cruises by the age of 30 reveals what hidden perks his ‘elite’ status gives him

A man who has been on 50 cruise ship holidays by the age of 30 has revealed the hidden perks he gets to take advantage of due to the 'elite' status he now holds.

Cruise holidays is all Bradley Jones has known, going on his first when he was just five years old.

"We were always limited to the time we could go on holiday due to work," he told LADbible. "When I was five we went on our first cruise, flying from London to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Ever since then it was a case of the family holiday to be on right up until the age of 18 when it was time to start paying."

For Bradley, who recently celebrated his 30th birthday by going on five cruises in 45 days, it was the value for money that first attracted him to this kind of holiday.

Being from a 'little town near Cardiff', he said: "If I wanted to go to Cardiff for the night I've got to get a hotel first, add in breakfast, lunch, dinner. The night out. On cruises you all that plus brunch, snacks, midnight snacks.

"When I was 18 and starting to pay for myself, it was the great value in price of something with everything included on something like a weekend cruise - sometimes classed a 'mini cruise' or a 'booze cruise' - costing £200, £300 max."

Bradley celebrated his 30th birthday on board Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, a state of the art vessel that cost €950 million (£812 million) to build.

Bradley Jones on board one of his 50 cruises. (Bradley Jones)

The Welshman is now part of Princess Cruises' Captain's Circle elite club, which is granted to those holidaying with them more than 15 times.

"There's loyalty programmes on each cruise company where you go on a certain number of cruises which grants you 'elite' status which is what I have with Princess Cruises," Bradley said.

"It was the Sun Princess, a brand new cruise ship which is why I wanted to do it for my 30th; I'd done five cruises within 45 days and this was the last one."

Bradley exclusively revealed to LADbible that his 'elite' status grants him a number of perks that make a cruise ship holiday that little bit more special.

Bradley went on five cruises in 45 days to celebrate his 30th. (Bradley Jones)

Up first is priority embarking, meaning he is on the ship before any other passenger.

Bradley said: "Say I was sailing from Southampton, you get given an allocation time of 2pm or 3pm. You're the first people on board with the our VIP queue.

"You feel appreciated for your loyalty."

On top of that, the priority boarding experience is made even better by what awaits them in their cabin.

"On board you have a welcome pack waiting for you in your cabin," Bradley explained.

"They'll put a mini bar set up; little things like little bottles of vodka, whiskey, wine. You might think it's not a lot but when you walk in to your cabin and see that you feel appreciated."

The Sun Princess cruise ship. (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

One of the other perks you can appreciate and take advantage of on a daily basis in something called the elite lounge

"This is in the evening where you have aperitifs and pre-dinner drinks in your own lounge," Bradley said.

"It's like when you go on a plane and you pay to go in to the priority lounge - except it's included automatically for us. And to have that every day, especially after a long day at port and you just want to grab a few drinks and canapes before going back to your room.

"But it's the details, the service it makes you feel special and that goes a long way."

Bradley's top perk that he swears by is the free laundry service given to all those in the Captain's Circle.

There's a free shoe shining service for formal nights. (Bradley Jones)

"Now that's a big one," he said. "You're probably thinking 'what?' but trust me, for someone who like me is rubbish at their own laundry or ironing it's a lifesaver. When I go on a cruise I pack a few too many things because I'll only wear it once.

"I'll put it right in the laundry bag and the next day it's clean and pressed."

On top of this is a 10 percent discount on port excursions and in the shops on board the cruise ship itself.

And if you plan on going to any of the formal nights and have a tuxedo to hand, there's a free shoe shining service you can take advantage of.

Everyone who travels with Princess Cruises is automatically added to their Captain's Circle loyalty programme. It has four tiers: gold, ruby, platinum and elite, with the benefits increasing as you holiday with them more.