On every ship, there's a flyer at the casino host desk and at the cashier that shows the points required to earn discounts and free cruises. On a typical cruise recently, 800 points might earn you a free cruise on a very limited selection of cruises while 1,500 will get you access to a much longer list.

The number of points required for a "free" cruise varies significantly by cruise line and credit card partner, but generally starts around 50,000 to 100,000 points. For example, with the Royal Caribbean "Crown & Anchor" society, a complimentary cruise is typically a milestone reward for high-tier members (such as reaching 700 points, where 1 point is earned per night sailed). On the credit card side, using a co-branded card like the Carnival World MasterCard, you can often redeem 50,000 points for a statement credit of approximately $500 toward a cruise, which might cover a short 3-day sailing. In 2026, many travelers also use "flexible" points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards; in these systems, a $1,000 cruise might cost roughly 80,000 to 100,000 points when booked through their travel portals. It is important to note that a "free" cruise almost never includes port fees, taxes, or gratuities, which can still amount to several hundred dollars out-of-pocket, making the term "free" somewhat relative in the cruising industry.