Royal Caribbean Group Launches "Points Choice": A Revolution in Cruise Loyalty
Royal Caribbean Group has officially disrupted the travel industry by launching "Points Choice," a first-of-its-kind loyalty evolution. For the first time in history, members of the group’s loyalty programs can earn and direct their points across all three award-winning brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
This move follows the successful 2024 status match initiative, effectively turning loyalty points into a "universal currency" within the group’s ecosystem.
How "Points Choice" Works
The system is designed to offer unprecedented flexibility for frequent cruisers. Members of the Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Venetian Society will continue to earn points based on nights sailed and stateroom category, but they now have the power to decide where those points are credited.
- Ultimate Choice: Guests can choose to credit their points to the brand they are currently sailing with or transfer them to one of the other two sister brands. - Flexible Window: The selection can be made through the brand’s app or website before the cruise begins or up to 14 days after the disembarkation date. - Default Setting: If no choice is made, points will automatically be credited to the brand sailed, as per traditional policy.
Read about Royal Beach Club Paradise Island here in my article.
A Historic Milestone for Travelers
"Our guests are exploring our brands more than ever, and we believe their loyalty experience should grow with them,"said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. "Points Choice gives every guest the power to direct their points where they will have the greatest impact on their future travels."
This solving a long-standing dilemma for cruisers: point fragmentation. Now, a family vacation on Icon of the Seas can directly contribute to reaching a higher tier on Silversea for a future ultra-luxury expedition or a romantic getaway on Celebrity Beyond.
📊 Points Choice: Program Quick Facts
Feature Points Choice Details Launch Date Available for sailings starting Jan 30, 2026 Participating Brands Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Earning Method Nights Sailed + Cabin Category Selection Period Up to 14 days post-cruise Minimum Requirement Must be enrolled in the target loyalty program Why Points Choice is a Game-Changer
Historically, loyalty programs were designed to "lock" customers into a single brand. With Points Choice, Royal Caribbean Group acknowledges that the modern cruiser is eclectic. By unifying the "value" of a night spent at sea, the group encourages guests to experience their entire portfolio—from the high-energy mega-ships of Royal Caribbean to the modern luxury of Celebrity and the intimate, all-inclusive excellence of Silversea.
Maximize Your Loyalty: Top Itineraries to Earn Points Choice Rewards
To take full advantage of the Points Choice revolution, travelers can now strategically plan their year across the three brands to maximize status benefits. For those seeking high-energy thrills and family fun, Royal Caribbean Internationalcontinues to dominate the Caribbean and Europe. The 2026/27 season features the record-breaking Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes from Miami and Port Canaveral, perfect for racking up points in high-occupancy suites. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Oasis Class ships will offer intensive Mediterranean itineraries, visiting iconic ports like Barcelona, Rome, and Naples.
If you prefer a more refined, "modern luxury" atmosphere, Celebrity Cruises offers exceptional itineraries that earn points toward your Captain's Club or Crown & Anchor status. The Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent will spend their summers cruising the stunning Greek Isles and the Italian Riviera, while their winter seasons are dedicated to the "Beyond the Ordinary" Caribbean escapes. For those aiming for the pinnacle of loyalty tiers, Silversea provides the fastest route to elite benefits through its ultra-luxury expeditions. Sailing to the most remote corners of the globe, Silversea’s Silver Endeavour and Silver Origin offer deep-dive explorations of Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands. Because these voyages often carry a higher point-per-night value due to suite configurations, a single expedition can catapult a cruiser through multiple loyalty tiers, proving that with Points Choice, the world is truly your oyster.
Can I combine my existing points from different brands into one single account?No, "Points Choice" does not merge your past historical balances into one single pot. Instead, it allows you to choose where to credit new points earned from future sailings (starting January 30, 2026). However, thanks to the Status Matchprogram introduced earlier, your highest tier reached on one brand will still be recognized across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea.Is there a cost to participate in the Points Choice program?Absolutely not. Points Choice is a free evolution of the existing loyalty programs (Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Venetian Society). The only requirement is that you must be a registered member of the loyalty program you wish to credit your points to before the selection window closes.What happens if I forget to choose a brand within 14 days after my cruise?If no selection is made through the app or website within the 14-day post-cruise window, the system will apply the default setting. This means your points will be automatically credited to the brand you actually sailed with. For example, if you sailed with Celebrity Cruises and made no choice, the points will stay in your Captain’s Club account.