The Best Cruise Rewards Program for You
Five questions that pick the program worth building.
Get Quotes That Keep Your RewardsPeople ask us which is the best cruise rewards program as if there were a league table. There isn’t, because each program rewards a different kind of cruiser. The best cruise rewards program for you is the one that matches the line you prefer and the way you book. Five questions get you there.
1. Which Line Will You Sail Most?
Start with honesty about your next five years of cruising. If most trips will be with one line or one family of lines, that program is your best cruise rewards program almost by default. If you rotate between unrelated lines, you will climb slowly everywhere, and it makes more sense to choose ships and fares first and treat loyalty as a bonus.
2. Long Trips or Short Ones?
Night- and day-based programs (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America) reward long voyages. Cruise-count programs (Princess counts cruises or days, whichever first; Virgin and Disney count sailings) are kinder to people who take several short trips a year. A weekend cruiser on a night-based program can wait a long time for the good levels.
3. Standard Cabin or Suite?
If you book suites, several programs accelerate you sharply: Royal Caribbean doubles points, Norwegian adds a point a night for full-fare suites and The Haven, Holland America doubles credits on published-fare suites, Princess gives two cruise credits for a full suite, and Celebrity awards 8 to 24 points a night for its suite categories against 2 for an inside cabin. On Carnival Rewards, higher fares simply earn more Stars. If you always book inside or ocean-view cabins, night- or cruise-count programs treat you more evenly.
4. Do You Sail Solo?
Solo cruisers can climb faster on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, which double points for solo guests, and on Princess, where a solo exclusive-occupancy fare earns two cruise credits. Our sister network’s solo cruising guide at Sailing Single covers cabins and single supplements.
5. Do You Like Variety?
If you want to try different ships without starting over, pick a family: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea share status, and Norwegian’s status is honored on Oceania and Regent. That gives you mainstream, premium and luxury options on one loyalty track.
Quick Matches
| If you… | Programs worth a close look |
|---|---|
| Sail long voyages in standard cabins | Crown & Anchor, Latitudes Rewards, Mariner Society |
| Book suites | Captain’s Club (cabin-weighted), Crown & Anchor, Latitudes Rewards, Carnival Rewards |
| Take several short cruises a year | Captain’s Circle, Sailing Club, Castaway Club |
| Travel solo | Crown & Anchor, Captain’s Club, Captain’s Circle |
| Want mainstream-to-luxury variety | Royal Caribbean / Celebrity / Silversea or Norwegian / Oceania / Regent |
Travelers over 50 who sail several times a year often land on Holland America or Princess; our sister site Baby Boomer Cruises looks at those lines from that angle.
Choosing a Program
What is the best cruise rewards program for solo travelers?
Look at the programs that give solo guests extra credit: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity double points for solo guests (Celebrity on full-fare solo bookings), and Princess gives two cruise credits for a solo exclusive-occupancy fare.
What is the best cruise rewards program for short cruises?
Programs that count cruises rather than nights treat a three-night trip the same as a ten-night one. Princess counts cruises or days, whichever comes first, and Virgin Voyages and Disney count completed sailings.
Should I chase status on a line I do not love?
No. A perk is never worth a holiday on the wrong ship. Choose the line first, then make the most of its program.
Find Your Best Program
Tell us how you like to cruise. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest the program worth building and send free quotes for sailings that fit it.
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