Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Launch Points Choice to Reward Loyalty
Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Royal Caribbean Group brands Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, has quietly been making some of the smartest loyalty moves in the cruise industry.
First, they allowed loyalty status to transfer across brands, which was a huge win for guests who sail more than one Royal Caribbean Group line. Then, in October, the company announced “Points Choice,” a new feature that lets guests decide which loyalty program receives the points from an eligible cruise. Now, Royal Caribbean Group has finally shared the details on how Points Choice actually works.
How Does Points Choice Work?
The concept is simple.
You book a cruise on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea. By default, the points earned from that sailing are credited to the loyalty program associated with the brand you are sailing. Nothing changes there.
Starting January 30, 2026, guests can override that default using Points Choice. Instead of earning points in the brand you sailed, you can choose to apply those points to a different Royal Caribbean Group loyalty program.
Points Choice requests can be submitted any time before your sailing begins or up to 14 days after the cruise ends. That gives guests plenty of flexibility, especially if plans change or you forget to submit the request before boarding.
Requests can be made through the Royal Caribbean app, the Celebrity Cruises app, or via a Points Choice form on the brands’ websites.
One important thing to remember is that Points Choice works on a per-cruise basis. There is no global setting. If you want all your cruises to credit to one specific loyalty program, you will need to submit a Points Choice request every single time you sail.
Points Choice Exchange Rates
Points are not transferred evenly across the brands.
When you sail, you’ll still receive a status match across all the brands. So if you’re a higher tier on Royal Caribbean, but sailing on Celebrity, you will be bumped up when you sail.
Points Choice Rules to Know
The Points Choice program is fairly straightforward, but there are a few rules worth calling out.
First, Points Choice is not retroactive. Only sailings departing on or after January 30, 2026 are eligible. You cannot move points from past cruises.
Second, Royal Caribbean Group says the exchange rates will be reviewed annually. That means conversion values could change over time, especially if one program becomes more or less generous than the others.
Third, Points Choice only applies to cruise loyalty programs like Crown and Anchor Society and Captain’s Club. It does not apply to casino programs such as Casino Royale or Blue Chip.
Solo travelers should also pay close attention. The rules that apply are based on the loyalty program you choose, not the brand you sail. Celebrity Cruises offers double points for solo travelers, while Royal Caribbean awards an extra point per night. Depending on your situation, that difference could matter.
Doubling Down on Loyalty
Points Choice is another sign that Royal Caribbean Group is leaning into loyalty rather than cutting it back.
In its press release, the company said, “At a time when many loyalty programs are reducing benefits, Royal Caribbean Group is charting a different course, enhancing the experience for its most devoted guests with benefits that make loyalty more rewarding and connected across brands.”
That line feels very intentional, especially given the recent changes to Carnival’s loyalty program, which pushed many longtime cruisers to start looking elsewhere.
“Points Choice is designed with our guests at the center,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Our guests are exploring more of our brands than ever before, and we believe our loyalty experience should grow with them. Points Choice gives every guest the power to direct their loyalty points within our family of brands where they will have the biggest impact for them.”
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