A cruise vacation is an incredible way to explore new destinations, relax, and enjoy world-class amenities, all while only unpacking once! If you're a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member, you might be wondering how you can leverage your hard-earned points to set sail on the open seas. Well, you're in luck! Marriott Bonvoy, through its "Cruise with Points" program, offers members in the U.S. the opportunity to redeem points for cruise certificates and even earn points on cruise bookings.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how Marriott cruise with points works, step-by-step, to help you plan your next unforgettable maritime adventure.
Embarking on Your Marriott Bonvoy Cruise Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you ready to trade in your hotel stays for ocean views and exciting port calls? Let's dive into how you can make your cruise dreams a reality using your Marriott Bonvoy points!
Step 1: Confirm Your Marriott Bonvoy Membership & Eligibility
First things first, let's make sure you're all set to embark on this points-powered journey!
Sub-heading: Are you a Marriott Bonvoy Member? If you're not already a Marriott Bonvoy member, don't fret! Joining the Marriott Bonvoy program is completely free and straightforward. You'll simply need to provide some basic information like your name, email address, and create a password. This loyalty program is your gateway to earning and redeeming points for incredible travel experiences, including cruises.
Sub-heading: Residency Requirements It's important to note that the "Marriott Cruise with Points" program is currently available to U.S. residents with a U.S. billing address. If you meet these criteria, you're good to go!
Step 2: Understand How Points Work for Cruises
This is where it gets interesting! Unlike direct hotel bookings where points often cover the entire stay, using Marriott Bonvoy points for cruises typically involves cruise certificates.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points for Cruise Certificates You can redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points for cruise certificates, which act as a discount towards your cruise fare. These certificates come in various denominations, allowing you to apply them as partial payment or, if you have enough points, even cover the entire cost of your cruise.
Here's a general idea of the redemption rates (these can vary, so always check the latest on the Marriott Cruise with Points website):
63,000 points = $250 off
125,000 points = $500 off
250,000 points = $1,000 off
625,000 points = $2,500 off
1,250,000 points = $5,000 off
It's crucial to understand that the value per point when redeeming for cruises is generally lower than what you might get for hotel stays. While Marriott Bonvoy points are often valued around $0.009 per point for hotel redemptions, for cruises, this value can be closer to $0.004 per point. This means you'll typically get less value from your points when using them for a cruise compared to a hotel night.
Sub-heading: Earning Points on Cruise Bookings Even if you decide to pay for your cruise mostly with cash, you can still earn Marriott Bonvoy points! When you book a cruise through the Marriott Cruise with Points program, you can generally earn:
3 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 spent on the total cruise purchase price.
If you pay with a Chase Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you can earn an additional 2 points per $1 spent, bringing your total to 5 points per $1 spent on your cruise booking.
Points are typically granted to one member per booking and are fulfilled 6-8 weeks after your cruise sails.
Step 3: Explore Cruise Options with Marriott Cruise with Points
Now for the fun part: finding your perfect cruise!
Sub-heading: The Dedicated Cruise with Points Portal Marriott Bonvoy partners with a dedicated travel agency, World Travel Holdings, Inc., to manage its "Cruise with Points" program. You'll primarily interact with their platform.
You can start by visiting the Marriott Cruise with Points website (cruise-with-points.marriott.com). This portal allows you to browse a vast selection of cruises from many popular cruise lines.
Sub-heading: Wide Selection of Cruise Lines and Destinations The Marriott Cruise with Points program offers access to a wide array of cruise lines and destinations, including:
Major Cruise Lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Cunard, Virgin Voyages, and more.
Premium and Luxury Lines: Azamara Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea (though certain high-end lines like The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection might have different earning/redemption rules).
River Cruises: AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, etc.
You can search by:
Destination: Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Mexico, Bahamas, etc.
Cruise Length: From short weekend getaways to extended voyages.
Departure Date and Port: Find cruises sailing from a port convenient for you.
Cruise Line and Ship: If you have a favorite, you can narrow down your search.
Take your time to explore the various itineraries and find the cruise that best suits your travel style and preferences!
Step 4: Booking Your Cruise with Points (or a Combination)
This step involves the actual booking process.
Sub-heading: The Booking Process – A Phone Call is Key While you can browse available cruises online, to redeem your points for a cruise certificate and apply it to your booking, you will generally need to call the Loyalty Program cruise reservations number. This is a crucial distinction from booking Marriott hotel stays online with points.
The customer service agents are equipped to assist you with finding the right cruise, applying your points, and handling any remaining balance.
Be sure to identify yourself as a Marriott Bonvoy, Cruise with Points Preferred Guest member and provide your membership number.
Sub-heading: Combining Points and Cash You don't have to cover the entire cruise fare with points. If you don't have enough points for a full redemption, you can use your cruise certificates for a partial discount and pay the remaining balance with cash. This offers flexibility, especially for more expensive cruises.
Sub-heading: Understanding Additional Costs Remember that your points primarily cover the cruise fare. You'll still need to be prepared for other expenses, which are often not covered by point redemptions:
Port fees and taxes: These can be significant and vary by itinerary.
Gratuities: Often automatically charged to your onboard account.
Shore excursions: While you can book these through Marriott Cruise with Points or directly with the cruise line, they are separate costs.
Onboard spending: Drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, internet, etc.
Flights to/from the port: Unless you book a cruise package that includes airfare.
Pre/post-cruise hotel stays: Although you can use Marriott Bonvoy points for these separately at Marriott hotels!
Sub-heading: Best Price Guarantee Marriott 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 type, they will match the fare price and give you an additional 10% of the price difference. This applies to the cruise cost only and not to promotional extras.
Step 5: Confirming Your Booking and Enjoying Your Cruise!
Once your booking is complete, you're all set to prepare for your maritime adventure.
Sub-heading: Receiving Your Confirmation After booking, you'll receive a confirmation for your cruise. Ensure all details, including passenger names, cabin type, and itinerary, are correct.
Sub-heading: Managing Your Reservation You can usually access your cruise reservation 24 hours a day through the "My Cruise Reservation" section on the Marriott Cruise with Points website. This allows you to review details, make payments (if applicable), and sometimes even book shore excursions.
Sub-heading: Relax and Sail Away! With all the planning done, all that's left is to pack your bags and enjoy your well-deserved cruise vacation!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Marriott Cruise with Points
Here are 10 common questions related to using Marriott Bonvoy points for cruises, with quick answers:
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for cruises?
You use Marriott Bonvoy points to redeem for cruise certificates, which are then applied as a discount towards the cost of your cruise booking made through the "Marriott Cruise with Points" program.
How to book a cruise with Marriott Bonvoy points?
To book, you must call the Loyalty Program cruise reservations at 1-800-596-0452. You can browse cruises online at cruise-with-points.marriott.com, but the actual redemption and booking with points requires a phone call.
How to know the value of Marriott Bonvoy points for cruises?
The value of Marriott Bonvoy points when redeemed for cruises is generally fixed at around $0.004 per point (e.g., 63,000 points for a $250 certificate). This is typically lower than the value you get for hotel redemptions.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on a cruise?
You can earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 spent on the total cruise purchase price when booking through Marriott Cruise with Points. If you use a Chase Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you can earn an additional 2 points per $1.
How to find available cruises with Marriott Bonvoy points?
Visit the Marriott Cruise with Points website (cruise-with-points.marriott.com) to search for available cruises by destination, dates, cruise line, and more.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy points and cash for a cruise?
Yes, you can use cruise certificates for a partial discount on your cruise and pay the remaining balance with cash. This offers flexibility if you don't have enough points to cover the entire cost.
How to avoid a booking fee with Marriott Cruise with Points?
Unfortunately, the Marriott Cruise with Points program typically charges a non-refundable $24.99 processing fee regardless of how you pay for your cruise (points or cash).
How to get the best value when using Marriott Bonvoy points for a cruise?
While the per-point value for cruises is generally lower, you can maximize value by considering it if you have a large surplus of points you don't plan to use for hotels, or if a particular cruise deal aligns perfectly with your travel goals. Always compare the cash price of the cruise against the points required.
How to tell if a specific cruise line partners with Marriott Bonvoy for points redemption?
Marriott Cruise with Points offers a wide selection of major, premium, and river cruise lines. You can view the full list and search for specific lines on their dedicated website: cruise-with-points.marriott.com.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance before booking a cruise?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy app.
