Royal Caribbean Group Unveils Points Choice — A Game-Changer in Cruise Loyalty
Royal Caribbean Group is redefining loyalty at sea with the launch of Points Choice, a major upgrade to how cruise points and status work across its family of brands. This first-of-its-kind enhancement gives loyal cruisers more control, flexibility, and value than ever before — especially for those who enjoy sailing across different cruise experiences.
What Points Choice Means for Cruisers
Beginning with sailings departing January 30, 2026, Points Choice allows guests to earn loyalty points on any Royal Caribbean Group cruise brand and apply those points to the loyalty program of their choice. That’s true whether you’re sailing with:
Royal Caribbean International (Crown & Anchor Society)
Celebrity Cruises (Captain’s Club)
Silversea Cruises (Venetian Society)
Previously, points could only be applied to the loyalty program of the brand you sailed with — but with Points Choice, you determine where your points count most.
Why This Matters
For frequent cruisers and travel advisors alike, Points Choice introduces a more dynamic loyalty experience:
Travelers gain flexibility. If you love Royal Caribbean’s ships but want to build Celebrity status — or vice versa — you can now apply points where they benefit you most.
Exploration across brands is rewarded. Many loyal guests enjoy exploring different styles of cruising — from Royal Caribbean’s adventure-oriented ships to Celebrity’s premium experiences and Silversea’s ultra-luxury voyages. Now, loyalty recognition no longer ties them down to one line.
It complements existing benefits. Points Choice builds on the Group’s earlier Status Match initiative, which grants equivalent tier status across all three loyalty programs once accounts are linked. Together, they create a unified loyalty ecosystem that rewards long-term engagement and cross-brand cruising.
How Points Choice Works
Here’s a breakdown of the key mechanics:
Earning and Applying Points
Points are earned as they always have been — based on stateroom category and number of nights sailed.
After your cruise completes, you have up to 14 days to submit a Points Choice request online or through the app to designate which loyalty program you want the points applied to.
If no choice is made, points will automatically remain with the brand sailed.
Enrollment Requirement
To apply points to a program, you must already be enrolled in that loyalty program. For example, if you want Royal Caribbean points to count toward Captain’s Club, you must be a Captain’s Club member.
Exchange Rates and Conversions
Points are converted using brand-specific exchange rates that will be published and reviewed annually. This means that your cruise experience can yield different point totals depending on which program you choose.
2026 Loyalty Points Exchange
Why Having a Travel Advisor Makes a Difference
Points Choice is a powerful benefit — but it’s not automatic. After your cruise, you’ll need to actively choose which loyalty program receives your points. Making the wrong choice could slow your progress toward elite perks like priority boarding, complimentary services, exclusive events, and onboard savings.
This is where I come in.
As your travel advisor, I help you:
Decide which brand’s loyalty program benefits you most
Align your cruise choices with your long-term travel goals
Maximize points, perks, and onboard value — not just for one cruise, but for future sailings too
My ABSOLUTE favorite spot on an Oasis Class RCCL ship - Central Park!
Final Thoughts
Royal Caribbean Group’s Points Choice marks a meaningful shift toward flexible, guest-centric loyalty that reflects how travelers actually book and sail across different cruise brands. By giving guests the power to choose where points count, the Group is setting a new benchmark in cruise loyalty — one that rewards exploration without penalizing loyalty.
