If you’re a frequent traveler and like to cruise, you might be wondering how many Marriott points it takes to book a cruise. The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on multiple factors such as the cruise line, itinerary, and time of year. However, with a little research and planning, you can redeem your Marriott points for a memorable vacation at sea.
Marriott Bonvoy and Cruise Partners
Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program of Marriott International that offers members various benefits such as free nights, room upgrades, and exclusive experiences. In addition to hotels and resorts, Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with several cruise lines to provide its members with more travel options.
As of 2021, the following 5 cruise lines participate in Marriott’s loyalty program:
1. Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is one of the world’s largest cruise lines that operates 28 ships across different regions such as the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Alaska. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying cruises and redeem their points for onboard credit or stateroom discounts.
2. Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is another popular cruise line that sails to over 300 destinations worldwide, including Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and South America. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible cruises and use their points for onboard credit or stateroom discounts.
3. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line that offers modern luxury experiences in various destinations such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Pacific, and Asia.
4. MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a global cruise line that operates in over 200 ports worldwide, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South America, and Asia. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 5 points per dollar spent on eligible cruises and use their points for onboard credit or stateroom discounts.
5. Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises is an Italian cruise line that offers a unique blend of European style and hospitality in various destinations such as the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, and Middle East.
How Many Marriott Points Does It Take for a Cruise?
Now that you know which cruise lines participate in Marriott Bonvoy and how you can earn and redeem points with them, let’s answer the big question: how many Marriott points does it take to book a cruise?
The short answer is that it varies based on the cruise line, itinerary, and season. Generally speaking, the redemption rate for Marriott points on cruises is not as favorable as for hotels since the value per point is lower. However, if you have a lot of Marriott points and want to use them for a cruise, it could still be worth it.
To get an idea of how many Marriott points you need for a cruise, let’s take an example. Suppose you want to book a 7-night Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean International departing from Miami in December 2021. The total cost of the cruise (including taxes and fees) is $1,500 per person or $3,000 for two people in a balcony stateroom.
If you want to pay with Marriott points instead of cash, you would need approximately 300,000 Marriott points based on the redemption rate of 0.5 cents per point. This is because the cruise costs 300,000 points on Marriott’s redemption chart for Royal Caribbean International cruises.
However, keep in mind that the actual points required may vary based on availability and other factors. Also, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to combine cash and points for bookings, which can lower the amount of points needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Marriott Bonvoy offers its members the opportunity to earn and redeem points on cruises with five major cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Costa Cruises. The exact number of Marriott points required for a cruise depends on many factors such as the cruise line, itinerary, and date of departure. While Marriott’s redemption rate for cruises may not be as attractive as hotels, it’s still an option worth considering if you have a lot of points and want to try something new.