Have you ever wondered why your loyalty points don’t transfer between cruise ships from the same parent company? Well, Royal Caribbean Group is finally addressing this long-standing frustration with a major change. Starting this January, the company is introducing Points Choice, a new system that allows guests to earn cruise points on one brand and apply them to the loyalty program of another, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
This might seem like a minor technical adjustment, but for seasoned cruisers, it’s a game-changer. Previously, loyalty programs for different brands within the Royal Caribbean Group operated separately. A sailing with Royal Caribbean would only build status in Crown & Anchor Society, while a Celebrity cruise would count towards Captain’s Club. This meant that loyal guests switching between brands would have to start over each time.
With Points Choice, guests can continue earning points the same way as before, based on nights sailed and stateroom category. The difference now comes after the cruise, where guests can choose where to allocate those points based on their future travel plans.
This flexibility reflects modern cruising habits, where travelers often mix and match brands depending on the type of trip. Whether it’s a family vacation on a Royal Caribbean ship, a couples’ getaway with Celebrity Cruises, or a milestone trip with Silversea, Points Choice allows loyalty to follow the guest, rather than being tied to a single brand.
This new system builds upon the Status Match initiative introduced in 2024, where guests could receive equivalent tier recognition when sailing with a different Royal Caribbean Group line. Points Choice takes it a step further by redefining how loyalty points themselves function, offering guests more control over their rewards.
The existing loyalty programs like Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Silversea’s Venetian Society remain in place, each with its own set of benefits and perks. What’s different now is the ability to direct points to the program that aligns best with the guest’s priorities, whether that’s maintaining current status or working towards a new tier.
Points Choice applies to sailings departing on or after January 30, giving guests up to 14 days after a cruise to decide on their point allocation. This change aims to create a more cohesive loyalty experience without restricting travelers to a single brand indefinitely.
For cruisers who have struggled with managing multiple loyalty accounts or felt constrained by loyalty program restrictions, this update is a welcomed solution. Royal Caribbean Group’s revised approach to loyalty programs reflects a shift towards greater flexibility and responsiveness to travelers’ evolving expectations in the modern cruise industry.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.