Royal Caribbean’s New Points Choice Program Launches in Two Weeks
Royal Caribbean Group is about to launch a major upgrade to its loyalty ecosystem — and frequent cruisers stand to benefit. Beginning with sailings departing on or after January 30, 2026, the company will roll out Points Choice, a new program that merges loyalty earning potential across all three cruise brands under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
The idea is simple: earn points wherever you cruise, apply them wherever they matter most.
A Cross-Brand Loyalty System
For the first time, cruisers will be able to earn points on one Royal Caribbean Group brand and apply them to the loyalty program of another. That means guests sailing with Celebrity Cruises or Silversea can now choose to funnel their loyalty credit toward building status in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society.
Royal Caribbean Group says the change reflects how guests are increasingly exploring multiple brands and want loyalty to travel with them.
“Our guests are exploring more of our brands than ever before,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Points Choice gives every guest the power to direct their loyalty points within our family of brands where they will have the biggest impact.”
How Points Choice Works
Under the new system, points will continue to be earned based on familiar criteria, including number of nights, stateroom category, and cruise line. The difference is what happens after the sailing ends:
- Guests will have 14 days to request a transfer of points to a different loyalty program.
- If no request is made, points automatically stay with the brand sailed.
- A separate request must be submitted for each sailing.
- Points can only be transferred once and cannot be moved between accounts.
Transfers will use brand-specific exchange rates published annually. For guests who prefer simplicity, Royal Caribbean Group plans to introduce a “preference center” later this year to apply their default choice automatically on future cruises.
Solo Cruisers Stand to Benefit — Depending on the Brand
Solo travelers will continue to earn bonuses — but the perks vary by cruise line. For example:
- Celebrity Cruises awards double points to solo guests.
- Royal Caribbean awards one extra point per night.
- Silversea does not offer solo bonuses.
Because exchange rates differ, a solo balcony cruiser on a 7-night Royal Caribbean sailing could earn 14 Crown & Anchor points, or 42 Captain’s Club points if transferred to Celebrity — a significant boost for those chasing higher-tier perks.
Royal Caribbean
Silversea
Celebrity Cruises
Status Matching Set the Stage
Points Choice builds on a trend Royal Caribbean Group started last year when it introduced full status matching across all three brands. A guest earning status with one line now enjoys equivalent status elsewhere — making it easier to sample higher-end brands like Silversea or try a new ship without sacrificing perks.
No Changes to Current Earning Rules
While the transfer option is new, Royal Caribbean confirmed that nothing is changing about how points are earned on its own ships, and no existing loyalty rewards or benefits are being altered.
Instead, Points Choice is designed to make cruising more flexible — especially for guests who enjoy multiple brands but want a streamlined loyalty experience.
A Push Toward a Lifetime of Cruising
Royal Caribbean says the update aligns with its ethos of helping guests “turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations,” encouraging travelers to explore the broader portfolio without starting loyalty status from scratch.
For cruisers who prioritize perks like priority boarding, complimentary laundry, suite benefits, or exclusive lounges, Points Choice may make chasing those next tiers faster — and more strategic.
