Royal Caribbean’s New Points Choice Loyalty Plan: The Ultimate Guide for Savvy Cruisers

Royal Caribbean Group is shaking up cruise loyalty in a big way. Launching in early 2026, the brand-new Points Choice loyalty plan gives travelers something they’ve never truly had before: control. For cruisers who bounce between Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, this is a game-changer—and potentially one of the most traveler-friendly loyalty updates the cruise industry has seen in years.

If you love cruising across multiple brands but hate splitting your loyalty progress, this is the update you’ve been waiting for.

What Is Points Choice?

Points Choice is Royal Caribbean Group’s new cross-brand loyalty feature that allows guests to choose which loyalty program receives the points earned from a cruise, regardless of which brand they sail.

Instead of automatically earning points only in the program tied to the ship you’re sailing, Points Choice lets you direct those points into one loyalty account of your choosing, across:

• Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International)

• Captain’s Club (Celebrity Cruises)

• Venetian Society (Silversea Cruises)

This means you could sail Celebrity for a refined, adults-forward vacation—but still earn points toward Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor perks if that’s your preferred program.

When Does Points Choice Start?

Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed the rollout for early 2026, with Points Choice applying to sailings departing on or after late January 2026.

Only cruises departing after the launch will qualify. Past sailings will not be eligible for retroactive point transfers—so timing your bookings will matter.

How Points Choice Works (Step by Step)

1. Sail as You Normally Would

You’ll earn loyalty points the same way you always have:

• Based on number of nights sailed

• Influenced by stateroom category (standard cabins, suites, etc.)

Nothing changes about how points are earned onboard.

2. Choose Where Your Points Go

After your cruise, you’ll have a short window—expected to be around two weeks after disembarkation—to submit a Points Choice request through Royal Caribbean Group’s app or website.

This is where the magic happens.

You’ll select which loyalty program you want those earned points to apply to.

3. Points Are Converted (If Needed)

If you move points from one brand’s sailing to another brand’s loyalty program, they’ll be converted using published exchange tables. These tables will outline how points earned in different cabin categories translate between programs.

The goal isn’t to inflate points—but to fairly align progress across brands.

How Points Choice Works with Status Match

This is where things get especially powerful.

Royal Caribbean Group already offers status matching across its three brands. If you’re Diamond on Royal Caribbean, you can enjoy equivalent perks on Celebrity and Silversea once enrolled.

Points Choice builds on that foundation.

• Status Match = Your tier is recognized across brands

• Points Choice = You decide where your new points accumulate

Together, they allow you to enjoy consistent onboard perks and strategically earn toward the status you value most.

What Points Choice Does

Not

Do

To keep expectations realistic, here’s what Points Choice doesn’t change:

• ❌ No retroactive transfers for past cruises

• ❌ No automatic point splitting across programs

• ❌ No changes to the benefits offered at each loyalty tier

• ❌ No impact on casino or gambling loyalty programs

Each cruise earns points once—and you simply decide where they land.

Why This Matters for Travelers

For Multi-Brand Cruisers

If you enjoy variety—family adventures on Royal Caribbean, premium escapes on Celebrity, or bucket-list voyages with Silversea—Points Choice lets you stop fragmenting your loyalty progress.

For Status Chasers

Want to reach Diamond, Elite, or Pinnacle faster? Points Choice allows you to consolidate progress, even if your cruises span different brands.

For Strategic Travelers

This plan rewards travelers who think ahead. Choosing where your points go can now be part of your cruise planning strategy—right alongside ship selection, itinerary, and cabin type.

Smart Tips to Prepare for Points Choice

• Enroll in all three loyalty programs now (it’s free and takes minutes)

• Decide which program you want to prioritize before your cruise

• Watch your post-cruise window carefully—miss it, and your points default to the sailing brand

• Time early-2026 bookings thoughtfully so your cruise departs after launch

The Bottom Line

Royal Caribbean Group’s Points Choice loyalty plan represents a bold shift toward traveler flexibility and personalization. It rewards loyalty across brands, not just within them—and gives cruisers something rare in loyalty programs: choice.

For frequent cruisers and adventurous travelers alike, this isn’t just a perk—it’s a strategic advantage.

Points Choice doesn’t just change how you earn.

It changes how you cruise.