Since the introduction of "frequent [fill in the blank] points" about three decades ago, the evolution has made it possible to "earn" points for just about anything. As you know, that also means cruising, and every line has its own format.
Like the rest of the points world, the programs are ever-changing. Usually, for the worse. The latest change for loyal customers in the cruise industry comes from Celebrity (effective with yesterday's cruises) and — on the surface — it appears NOT to be for the worse.
That means, for the better.
Celebrity calls it Captain's Club and it might surprise you to know that there are two million members. Then again, it might not surprise you, given that Celebrity has 11 ships with a total capacity of around 250,000. At that rate, it wouldn't 
take long to get to two million loyal customers, would it?
What Celebrity is doing with Captain's Club members is: (a) making it easier to earn perks and (b) adding two more levels at the top, up where only people who live in suites or on ships can qualify. Current members points are transferred and nobody gets bumped down, and stateroom pricing for members can now be found online, through the Captain's Club portal.
Previously, points were earned by "number of cruises" and could be enhanced by staying on the ship longer than 11 nights or in a Concierge Suite. The new format is based on cabin category and multiplied by the number of nights. In an interior cabin you would be credited with two points per night. A week's cruise is worth 14 points. A penthouse on the same cruise would net 126 points.
There are six tiers (Preview to Zenith) instead of four (Preview to Elite). The two new categories are Elite Plus and Zenith. It takes 300 points to be classified as Elite, previously the highest level and one that's probably within reach of frequent cruisers who don't stay in suites.
Details are a bit sketchy and, as we said, this appears to be an enhanced program…on the surface. However, it's worth noting that Celebrity did have a page on its website devoted to details of the new Captain's Club format and it "has been eliminated."
Wonder why?
Norwegian Spirit
9 nights
December 1, 2013
Barcelona (return): Casablanca, Funchal, Arrecife, Malaga
Oceanview: $269
Cost per day: $29
www.ncl.com