Unlock Your Ocean Adventure: A Comprehensive Guide to Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points for a Cruise!
Have you ever dreamt of waking up to the gentle rocking of the ocean, with a new exotic destination awaiting you each day, all while leveraging your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points? Well, get ready to set sail because redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points for a cruise is not just a dream, it's a tangible reality! While it might not be the most widely advertised redemption option, it's absolutely possible and can offer incredible value if you know the ropes. This lengthy guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your journey from points to paradise is as smooth as calm seas.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Dive In? Assessing Your Marriott Bonvoy Point Stash
Before we even begin exploring destinations and cruise lines, let's get personal. How many Marriott Bonvoy points are you currently sitting on? Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account right now and take a peek! The number of points you have will significantly influence the kind of cruise you can book – whether it's a partial redemption, covering just a portion of the cost, or a glorious, 100% free-of-charge voyage.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Value Proposition It's crucial to understand that the value of your Marriott Bonvoy points when redeemed for a cruise is typically around 0.4 cents per point. This is generally lower than the value you might get when redeeming for hotel stays (which can often be around 0.7 cents per point or higher). So, while it's a fantastic option for those with an abundance of points or a strong desire for a cruise, it's important to set your expectations regarding the "return on investment" for your points. However, if a cruise is what you truly desire, then the value is in the experience itself!
Step 2: Navigating the "Cruise with Points" Portal
Marriott Bonvoy partners with "Cruise with Points" to facilitate cruise redemptions. This is your primary gateway to turning those points into a high-seas adventure.
Sub-heading: Finding the Portal While you might expect a prominent "Cruises" button on the main Marriott Bonvoy website, it can sometimes be a bit tucked away. The easiest way to access it is to directly visit cruise-with-points.marriott.com. Alternatively, you can often find a link by navigating on the Marriott Bonvoy website to "About Marriott Bonvoy" -> "How to Use Points/Certificates," and then looking for a section related to "Travel" or "Cruises."
Sub-heading: Exploring Your Options Once on the "Cruise with Points" website, you'll find it functions much like any other online travel agency for cruises. You can search by:
Destination: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Europe, Transatlantic, etc.
Cruise Line: They partner with most major cruise lines, giving you a wide array of choices.
Travel Dates: Specific dates or a broader range.
Cruise Length: From short weekend getaways to longer voyages.
Departure Port: Convenient for those who prefer to drive to their cruise.
Take your time to browse! Compare itineraries, ship amenities, and cabin types. This is where your dream cruise starts to take shape!
Step 3: Understanding the Point Redemption Structure for Cruises
Unlike hotel stays where a fixed number of points might correspond to a specific category, cruise redemptions often work with cruise certificates.
Sub-heading: Cruise Certificate Values Marriott Bonvoy allows you to redeem points for certificates that offer a dollar amount off your cruise booking. Here's a general breakdown of how these certificates typically work:
63,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = $250 Off
125,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = $500 Off
250,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = $1,000 Off
625,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = $2,500 Off
1,250,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points = $5,000 Off
You can redeem for multiple certificates to cover a larger portion of your cruise cost, or even the entire cost if you have enough points!
Sub-heading: Partial vs. Full Redemption You have the flexibility to:
Redeem for a partial discount: Use your points for a certificate, and then pay the remaining balance with cash. An added perk here is that you can often earn Marriott Bonvoy points on the "out-of-pocket" cash portion of your booking!
Redeem for 100% off your cruise: If you have a substantial amount of points, you can redeem enough certificates to cover the entire cruise fare, including taxes and fees. This is the ultimate "free cruise" experience!
Step 4: Making the Call – Booking Your Cruise with Points
This is where the process differs slightly from typical online hotel bookings. While you can browse cruises online, finalizing the booking and point redemption requires a phone call.
Sub-heading: Contacting "Cruise with Points" Reservations Once you've identified your desired cruise, you'll need to call the dedicated "Cruise with Points" reservations line. The number is typically 1-800-596-0452. They are usually available Monday through Friday during standard business hours (e.g., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST).
Be prepared: Have your Marriott Bonvoy membership number ready, along with the details of the cruise you want to book (cruise line, ship name, sailing dates, cabin category, and any other specifics).
Work with the agent: The representative will guide you through the process of applying your Marriott Bonvoy points as cruise certificates. They will confirm the total cost of the cruise and the number of points required for the certificates you wish to use.
Confirm remaining balance: If you're not covering the entire cost with points, they will inform you of the remaining cash balance.
Step 5: Finalizing Your Reservation and What to Expect Post-Booking
Once you've confirmed your redemption and payment, the agent will finalize your booking.
Sub-heading: Confirmation and Documentation You'll receive a confirmation of your cruise reservation, typically via email. This will include all the details of your booking, including your cruise line booking number. Keep this safe!
Sub-heading: Points Posting (for earned points) If you paid a portion of your cruise in cash and are eligible to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on that amount, be patient. It can take 6-8 weeks after your cruise departure date for these points to post to your account. Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy number was provided at the time of booking.
Sub-heading: Managing Your Reservation You'll usually be able to access and manage your cruise reservation directly on the cruise line's website using the booking number provided by "Cruise with Points." This is where you can handle things like online check-in, shore excursion bookings, and specialty dining reservations.
Step 6: Maximizing Your Cruise Experience (and Points!)
Even after booking with points, there are still ways to get more out of your cruise vacation.
Sub-heading: Earning More Points on Your Cruise
Base Points: When you book through "Cruise with Points," you can earn 3 base points per $1 of the total cruise purchase price (excluding The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Silversea sailings).
Credit Card Bonus: If you pay any remaining cash balance with a Chase Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you can earn an additional 2 points per $1 spent, bringing your total earning potential to 5 points per $1 on the cash portion of your cruise!
Sub-heading: Loyalty Program Benefits Some Marriott Bonvoy elite status levels may offer on-board benefits with certain cruise lines, particularly with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Check the specifics of your elite status and the cruise line you've chosen.
Sub-heading: Best Price Guarantee "Cruise with Points" often offers a "110% Best Price Guarantee." If you find a lower price on another website within 48 hours of booking (for the exact same cruise, dates, and cabin), they may match 110% of the price difference. This can be a great way to ensure you're getting a competitive deal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Edition
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, all starting with "How to," with their quick answers, to help you navigate the world of Marriott points and cruises:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. Your point balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find the "Cruise with Points" portal?
The easiest way is to directly visit cruise-with-points.marriott.com. You can also sometimes find it through the Marriott Bonvoy website under "How to Use Points/Certificates" and then "Travel" or "Cruises."
How to know how many points I need for a specific cruise?
The number of points needed depends on the cash value of the cruise and the cruise certificate redemption rates ($250 for 63,000 points, $500 for 125,000 points, etc.). You'll determine the exact amount when you call to book.
How to book a cruise using Marriott Bonvoy points?
Browse cruises on cruise-with-points.marriott.com, select your desired itinerary, and then call the "Cruise with Points" reservations line at 1-800-596-0452 to finalize your booking and apply your points.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on a cruise booking?
You earn 3 base points per $1 spent on the cash portion of your cruise booked through "Cruise with Points." You can earn an additional 2 points per $1 by paying with a Chase Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card.
How to redeem points for partial payment only?
When you call the "Cruise with Points" reservations line, simply inform the agent that you wish to use a certain amount of points for certificates and pay the remaining balance with cash.
How to get the best value when using Marriott points for a cruise?
While the value per point (0.4 cents) is generally fixed for cruise certificates, you can maximize value by combining it with cash payments to earn additional points, and by looking for special promotions on the "Cruise with Points" website.
How to find last-minute cruise deals with Marriott points?
Check the "Cruise with Points" website for a "Last-Minute Cruises" or "Promotions" section, as they often feature special offers or reduced pricing on select sailings.
How to manage my cruise reservation after booking with points?
Once your booking is confirmed, you'll receive a cruise line booking number. Use this number to log in to the specific cruise line's website to manage your reservation, check in, and book excursions.
How to resolve missing Marriott Bonvoy points from a cruise booking?
If it's been more than 8 weeks since your cruise departure and points haven't posted, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service or use their online contact form, providing your booking number and cruise details.
