Cruise Travel Rewards: Points, Miles and Casino Offers
How bank points, hotel and airline balances and casino programs can help pay for a cruise.
Price My Rewards CruiseCruise Travel Rewards You May Already Have
Most cruisers know about their cruise line’s loyalty club. Fewer realise how many other cruise travel rewards can help pay for a voyage: the points sitting in a bank card account, hotel and airline balances, and the offers casino programs send to people who play — on a ship or on land. This site explains how those rewards connect to cruising, in plain language and without hype.
Line loyalty clubs, with their tiers and past-guest perks, are covered on our sister site Frequent Cruiser Program. Here we look at everything else.
Four Routes From Rewards to a Cruise
Bank travel portals
Some banks sell cruises through their own travel sites, where you can pay with points, cash or both.
Card points against the bill
Some programs let you book with your card and use points to cover the travel charge afterwards.
Hotel and airline points
A few have a direct cruise link; many more pay for the flight and the hotel night before you sail.
Casino cruise rewards
Play in a ship’s casino, or at a land casino with a cruise partner, and offers may follow.
What Rewards Can and Cannot Do
| Reward | Often helps with | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Bank and card points | The cruise fare, sometimes taxes and fees | Whether the portal shows every line and cabin; cancellation rules |
| Hotel points | The pre-cruise hotel night; one program links to a yacht line | Availability near the port on embarkation weekends |
| Airline miles | Flights to and from the port | Schedules that get you there the day before |
| Casino program offers | Discounted or complimentary cabins, onboard extras | Taxes, fees and gratuities still due; who is eligible |
| Line loyalty (see our sister site) | Onboard perks and member offers | Tier rules set by each line |
Rewards rarely cover everything. Taxes and port fees, gratuities and onboard spending usually remain, so price the whole trip before deciding that a “free” cruise is the best value.
Using Rewards Wisely
- Compare with a cash quote. Know what the same cruise costs through an advisor before you spend points on it.
- Keep your loyalty number on the booking so you still earn with the cruise line.
- Read the cancellation terms. Points bookings and casino offers can be stricter than standard fares.
- Use points where they stretch furthest. Sometimes that is the flight or the hotel, not the cruise.
- Watch the sales. Promotions during periods such as Wave Season can make a cash fare the better deal.
Not financial advice. We describe how rewards programs work in general. Program rules, eligible cards and redemption values change; always read the current terms from the bank, hotel, airline, casino or cruise line before you rely on them.
Who Gains Most From Cruise Travel Rewards?
Travelers who already earn points in the normal course of life gain the most: people who put household spending on a rewards card, business travelers with hotel and airline balances, and regular casino players. If you would have to change how you spend, or play more than you enjoy, the rewards are rarely worth it. A traveler with a modest balance can still win by aiming it at one part of the trip, such as the flight, and paying cash for a cruise fare bought during a sale.
Talk It Through With an Advisor
Cruise Travel Rewards is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Tell us which rewards you hold and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will show you the cash price to compare and book what makes sense — not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →
For more cruise and travel businesses, browse the Official Cruise Directory and the Official Travel Directory, or get offers by email through the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter.
Cruise Travel Rewards: Quick Answers
What counts as a cruise travel reward?
Anything earned outside the cruise line’s own loyalty club that can reduce what a cruise costs you: bank and card points, hotel and airline points, and offers from casino programs at sea and on land.
Can I really pay for a cruise with credit card points?
Often, yes. Some bank travel portals sell cruises and accept points, and some cards let you use points to cover travel purchases. The rules differ by program.
Do I still earn the cruise line’s loyalty points if I use rewards?
Usually, as long as your loyalty number is on the booking. Check how the portal or offer handles it before you book.
Can Mister Cruise book a cruise I pay for with points?
It depends on the program. Points redeemed inside a bank portal or casino offer usually have to be booked there. Where you can pay with your card and then use points against the charge, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can book it. Ask through the free quote form.
Compare Your Points With a Cash Price
Before you redeem, get a free quote for the same sailing from our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise. Then decide which way of paying gives you more.
Get My Cash Price