How can I get a low-cost cruise with my credit card points?
Let’s explore the possibilities ofusing our credit card points to cover or reduce the cost of this superb sea trip.
How and where to start?
Promotions
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day, and Labour Day are days when you can find the best deals and discounts from cruise lines.
For example, free fare for the 2nd occupant or for children travelling with you, 50% discount on a cruise, $0 deposit on reservation, free internet or open bar on board, etc. Sign up for their newsletter and we’ll keep you informed of promotions as soon as they become available.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | |||
| $120 |
The research
Cruise passengers
It is possible to book directly with cruise lines and then apply your reward points to the expense. If you plan on flying the same company a few times in the future, you should know thatthey all have their own loyalty program that gives benefits for each new booking.
From the second or third booking, an agent is assigned to your file and will work for you, just like at Holland America Line. Interestingly, unlike hotel statuses, cruise line statuses earned per day at sea are for life.
Canadian travel agencies and advisors
The expertise of accredited advisors for Disney cruises, for example, can save us unnecessary expense. We would also be surprised by the bonuses agents have access to, such as onboard spending credits or cabin upgrades.
Online sites
Different websites can help you to book your cruise:
- Cruises.com: This site offers a wide range of cruises available worldwide, with options for various budgets and preferences. It is known for its detailed offers and the possibility of booking directly online.
- CheapCruises.com: As the name suggests, this site specializes in discount cruise offers. It aims to provide the best deals and promotions for cruises, focusing on value for money for popular destinations.
- CruisesOnly.com: This site is a cruise specialist, offering a wide range of options from luxury cruises to more affordable cruises. It offers expert advice and detailed information to help users choose the perfect cruise for their needs.
- Costco Travel sometimes offers discounts, often issued upon your return as Costco gift cards.
- CroisiEurope – River cruises : Special offers and promotions
Loyalty programs
AIR MILES
The AIR MILES loyalty program in collaboration with redtag.ca offers the possibility of using our DREAM miles to book cruises. Just go to the member page and under the travel tab, choose Cruises.
The exchange ratio is 909 miles per $100. Plus, you’ll earn miles on the cash portion.
So if you dream of 9,090 miles, you can apply $1,000 to the base price of your cruise. Port fees, taxes, and other charges must be paid in cash.
In general, the AIR MILES cruise interface offers filters that highlight opportunities:
- Destinations and number of nights ;
- Depending on price ;
- Special offers, etc.
Of course, in most cases, you will first need to travel farther south to board your ship. Florida’s three ports—Cape Canaveral, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale—have hundreds of departures each week.
Be sure to arrive the day before and take advantage of a nearby Marriott hotel because if the plane is delayed, the ship will not wait for you.
Flights with Aeroplan, Aventura, or Points-privilèges points? There are several ways to take a cheap flight to Florida, to join your cruise.
Two people in a couple who would like to collect several thousand AIR MILES miles could opt for the following cards:
- BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard
- BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®*
- BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 |
Air Canada Vacations and Aeroplan: flight + cruise
You can redeem Aeroplan points for a Flight and Cruise package. The ratio is 1,000 points for a $10 credit.
What’s more, when you book a cruise with a flight, the first piece of luggage is free per person.
To redeem your Aeroplan points when booking a cruise, you must call the Air Canada Vacations reservations department at 1-866-529-2079. The points in your account will then be deducted by the agent once the purchase has been completed.
Aeroplan: credit cards
Here is a selection of Aeroplan credit cards to earn points to use for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $120 |
Marriott Bonvoy : Cruise with points
If we are used to using our points in the various Marriott Bonvoy hotels and by the same token calculating their value according to a certain scale, Cruise with points Marriott takes us elsewhere.
The redemption rate is as follows:
- 63,000 points = US$250
- 125,000 points = US$500
- 250,000 points = $1000 USD
- 625,000 points = US$2,500
- 1,250,000 points = US$5,000
- As many as required = one free cruise.
This conversion of points is converted into a certificate. If needed, you can pay the remaining amount in USD with your credit card, with no foreign transaction fees, or take advantage of promotions with our Canadian Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card*.
The only drawback is that some cruises are reserved for U.S. Marriott Bonvoy residents/members only. You therefore need to read the terms and conditions carefully and contact Cruise with Points Customer Service at 1-800-596-0452.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuation
- $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 110,000 points
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Ends Sep 22, 2026
on American Express's website
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to use a credit card that doesn’t charge a conversion fee and apply your Marriott points to your cruise.
Other benefits with Cruise with Points Marriott:
- A wide choice of cruisers and products;
- 110% guaranteed price policy;
- 75% discount on certain cruises compared to the prices advertised in brochures;
- One-time bonuses such as cabin upgrades (please note that our hotel statutes are not recognized on ships);
- More than 4,500 personalized excursions during stopovers.
Marriott Bonvoy: credit cards
Here is a selection of credit cards to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $191.88 |
The travel points of our financial institutions
National Bank reward points
The National Bank À la carte Rewards program lets you book a cruise with travel points by applying your points as a statement credit, no matter where you want to book your cruise. The redemption ratio is 12,000 points per $100 redeemed on your card or 55,000 points per $500.
Check out this article that explains how to apply your National Bank points to travel.
NBC Credit cards
Here is a selection of NBC credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $115 |
TD Rewards Points
TD’s travel platform is called Expedia for TD. You will find various products there, including cruises. The most cost-effective way to use TD Rewards points is by booking travel directly on this site. 200 points are worth $1 in statement credit on your credit card.
TD Rewards points can also be applied as a statement credit if you book your cruise elsewhere. The point value will be 250 points for a $1 cash back.
TD: Credit Cards
Here is a selection of TD credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
BMO Rewards points
BMO Rewards points can be used for different types of travel, including cruises. The value of your BMO Rewards points when redeemed against travel will be:
15,000 points = $100 (or 0.67¢/point) back on your credit card.
Of course, you can supplement your travel purchases with points and cash.
BMO: Credit cards
Here is a selection of BMO credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $599 |
CIBC Aventura
You can use your Aventura points to buy the cruise or the airfare ticket that will take you to the cruise.
It’s all about paying the way you want with a CIBC Aventura Card. Then, when the transaction is pending, you can use your points to pay it off right away!
CIBC: Credit cards
Here is a selection of CIBC credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
MBNA Rewards
The best way touse MBNA Rewards points is to apply them to carded travel purchases such as cruises:
10,000 points = $100.
There is a valuable credit card in the MBNA Rewards program: the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®.
MBNA: Credit Cards
Here is a selection of MBNA credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $120 |
Scene+
The most lucrative way to use Scene+ points remains applying points to travel purchases previously charged to the card (hotel, flights, Airbnb, VRBO, cruises, etc.).
If the cruise costs $1,500, you pay the agency or travel website with your credit card that earns Scene+ points (for example, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card).
Then use your points to pay yourself back!
10,000 points = $100 less to pay on your credit card.
Scotia: Credit cards
Here is a selection of Scotia credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $0 |
American Express Membership Rewards
These points are accumulated with American Express credit cards.
Everyone agrees: the American Express Cobalt® Card is one of the best credit cards in Canada for quickly earning points.
Indeed, this card’s main appeal is that it earns 5X points on everything categorized as restaurants, food delivery, and groceries. These Membership Rewards points are equivalent to a 5% return.
Then, once redeemed, the reward points appear as a statement credit on your credit card statement:
10,000 Membership Rewards points = $100.
It is therefore possible to use these rewards points to cover the costs of the cruise.
American Express: Credit cards
Here is a selection of American Express Membership Rewards credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $250 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $799 |
Cash back credit cards
All cash-back credit cards are excellent for saving money on a cruise.
Cash rebates are ideal for people who don’t want to book on bank booking platforms. The strategy is to set these savings aside in a separate account to pay for the cruise.
Cash Back: Credit Cards
Here is a selection of cash back credit cards for your cruise:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $119.88 |
Other benefits of credit cards for cruise vacations
Lounge access before departure
Many credit cards offer paid or free access to airport lounges so you can start your cruise more comfortably.
Travel insurance
Many credit cards offer comprehensive travel insurance. Check whether it makes sense to get another one as a duplicate and end up paying for nothing. Your information booklet that came with the credit card contains all the information on the subject.
Discount cruise package thanks to points
A cruise trip requires research, comparison and preparation.
When you equip yourself with the best credit cards based on your spending habits and the programs that suit you, it’s possible to accumulate points to pay for a cruise.
Define your goal and the type of cruise you want, then move on to your game plan with your credit card points. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for promotions from both cruise lines and credit card issuers.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuation
- $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 35,000 points
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Ends Nov 1, 2026
on Scotiabank's website
How to buy a cruise for less?
Plan ahead (6 to 12 months) or wait until the last minute!
Keep an eye on cruise line promotions and subscribe to their newsletter to be the first to know about discounts.
Major cruise lines include Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. Research the ones that best suit your style, as well as the destinations. When a discount is launched, you’ll be ready.
When is the best time to go on a cruise?
For an Alaska cruise, the weather is much more pleasant between June and August.
In the Caribbean, April and May are the best months before the heat and humidity become too oppressive. September and October should be avoided in the area due to the high likelihood of hurricanes or tropical storms.
The summer months are ideal for exploring the Mediterranean and Northern Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Baltic Sea, etc.).
Our featured card
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuation
- $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 110,000 points
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Ends Sep 22, 2026
on American Express's website
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
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