Onboard spending with Cruises.com Rewards is one of the smartest ways to stretch your vacation budget and enjoy more of the experiences you love at sea. Every time you book a cruise through Cruises.com Rewards, you earn points based on what you spend. Those points then convert into onboard spending, which works like a personal allowance you can use during your sailing without stressing about the extra costs that pile up onboard.
Here is how the earning works. You collect 10 points for every $1 you spend on most cruises. When you splurge on a luxury cruise over $10,000, you unlock a generous luxury bonus that bumps you up to a total of 20 points per $1 spent. The more you sail, the faster those points add up, and the more freedom you have to treat yourself once you step aboard.
In this guide, we will break down exactly how many points your cruise earns, what those points are worth in real dollars, and the best ways to redeem onboard spending. By the end, you will know precisely how to turn your next booking into a deck chair full of perks.
How your cruise fare becomes points and onboard spending with Cruises.com Rewards
Let us start with the numbers, because seeing exactly what your points are worth makes the whole program click. The redemption tiers below show you how many points you need to unlock each level of onboard spending, so you can plan ahead and know what to expect before you ever step aboard.
Here is how the redemption tiers shake out for onboard spending:
- $25 = 8,325 points
- $50 = 16,650 points
- $75 = 24,975 points
- $100 = 33,300 points
- $200 = 66,600 points
- $350 = 116,550 points
- $500 = 166,500 points
- $800 = 266,400 points
- $1,500 = 499,500 points
Now let us put it into real cruise scenarios so you can see your potential rewards.
Example 1: A $2,500 cruise on Royal Caribbean. At 10 points per $1, you earn 25,000 points. That is enough to redeem for $75 in onboard spending, with additional points left over toward your next reward.
Example 2: A $2,500 cruise on Carnival. Carnival sailings earn 5 points per $1. So a $2,500 Carnival cruise earns 12,500 points, which puts you past the $25 onboard spending tier with points to spare.
Example 3: A Norwegian Cruise Line cruise in The Haven for $12,000. Here is where things get exciting. With the luxury bonus, you earn 20 points per $1. A $12,000 voyage (whether on a luxury line or not) earns a massive 240,000 points. That is enough to redeem for $500 in onboard spending and still have a large balance building toward your next getaway.
The takeaway is simple. The bigger or more frequent your sailings, the more onboard spending you can unlock. And every dollar you redeem is a dollar you do not have to pull from your own wallet once you are at sea.
What is onboard spending with Cruises.com Rewards, and why does it feel like free money?
Think of onboard spending with Cruises.com Rewards as a prepaid allowance loaded onto your cruise account at the time of sailing. Instead of racking up your tab, you simply enjoy the experiences and let your redeemed points cover the cost. It is the guilt-free way to indulge.
When you redeem onboard spending, you can use it across a wide range of purchases and experiences during your cruise. That opens the door to some truly memorable upgrades. Let us walk through the best ways to spend it.
Specialty dining you will actually remember
While main dining rooms and buffets are wonderful, specialty restaurants are where the culinary magic happens. Imagine a perfectly seared steak at Royal Caribbean’s Chops Grille, fresh sushi at Izumi, rustic Italian pasta at Jamie’s Italian, or a whimsical, multi-course tasting menu at Wonderland.
These venues typically have a cover charge or à la carte pricing, which is the perfect opportunity to use your onboard credit. Redeeming just $75 to $100 in onboard spending can cover a standout dinner for two. It’s the easiest way to elevate your trip from great to unforgettable without watching the bill.
Drinks and drink packages for sun-soaked days
Few things say vacation like a frosty cocktail by the pool or a glass of bubbly at sunset. Beverages can add up quickly onboard, so this is one of the smartest categories to put your rewards toward.
You can use onboard spending on individual drinks or apply it toward a full beverage package that bundles cocktails, wine, beer, soda, coffee, and bottled water. A drink package on a longer sailing can run a few hundred dollars, so redeeming $200 to $350 in onboard spending makes a real dent. Sip freely, knowing your points are doing the heavy lifting.
Onboard shopping for keepsakes and treats
Cruise ship boutiques are packed with temptations, from designer fragrances and watches to duty-free liquor, jewelry, and logo souvenirs to remember your trip. Onboard shopping is the perfect place to redeem onboard spending when you want a tangible reminder of your adventure.
Whether you are eyeing a luxury handbag in the duty-free shop or simply want a fun T-shirt for the kids, your rewards make browsing a lot more enjoyable. Set aside $50 or $100 in onboard spending and treat yourself to something special you would not normally splurge on.
Wi-Fi to stay connected (or share the fun)
Even on vacation, many travelers want to stay reachable, post a few envy-inducing photos, or keep up with work in small doses. Onboard Wi-Fi packages make that possible, though they often come at a premium.
This is a fantastic, practical use for your onboard spending. Redeem a portion of your rewards toward a connectivity package and you can stream, scroll, and share without flinching at the cost. A $50 to $75 redemption can keep you online for much of a shorter sailing.
Spa treatments for total relaxation
The spa is one of the most luxurious spaces on any modern ship. On Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, you can indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a rejuvenating facial, a hot stone treatment, or a soak in the Thermal Suite, with ocean views stretching to the horizon.
Spa services are a treat-yourself category that pairs beautifully with rewards. Redeem $100 to $200 in onboard spending and you can book a massage or a full afternoon of pampering. It is the kind of indulgence that feels even better knowing your points covered it.
Shore excursions that turn ports into adventures
Your time in port is precious, and a well-chosen shore excursion can be the highlight of your entire cruise. Think snorkeling over vibrant reefs, ziplining through a rainforest canopy, exploring ancient ruins, or relaxing at Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club in Nassau.
Excursions can range from modest to splurge-worthy, so onboard spending is a smart way to fund them. Redeem $200 to $350 in onboard spending and you could cover a memorable adventure for the whole family. You get the experience of a lifetime, and your points pick up the tab.
Photography services to capture every moment
Professional onboard photographers are always ready to snap your family at dinner, your formal-night portraits, and those golden-hour moments on deck. The prints and digital packages can be pricey, but they preserve memories you will cherish for years.
Redeem onboard spending toward a photo package and you can take home a complete gallery of your voyage. A $75 to $100 redemption often covers a solid bundle of prints or digital images, ensuring no moment goes uncaptured.
Related: Free cruise extras: How to spend your rewards at sea
A quick recap of onboard spending with Cruises.com Rewards before you book
Here is what to remember as you plan your next sailing:
- You earn 10 points per $1 on most cruises, and a 20 points per $1 luxury bonus on cruises over $10,000.
- You can redeem onboard spending on specialty dining, drinks and drink packages, onboard shopping, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, shore excursions, and photography services.
- Onboard spending works like a prepaid allowance, so you can enjoy extras guilt-free.
- If you have not signed up for Cruises.com Rewards yet, you can earn an extra 5,000 points just for creating an account. Additional bonuses are also available for milestones like your birthday, so if you time it right, you could redeem for even more onboard spending before you ever set sail.
Booking your next cruise with Cruises.com is the easiest way to make your vacation budget go further. With Cruises.com Rewards, every dollar you spend on your booking helps you unlock free dining, relaxing spa days, exciting excursions, and so much more.