4 Best Rewards Programs for Cruises

Travel brands love rewards programs. Everyone has them, from hotels and airlines to casinos and cruise ships. What's more, most of these programs also have associated travel rewards credit cards that can enhance your experience even more.

Of course, the actual quality of both programs and cards can vary a lot. For example, the best credit cards for cruises tend to actually be the more general travel rewards cards rather than the cobranded cruise cards.

That being said, the cruise loyalty programs themselves can be worth checking out, especially if you take multiple cruises a year. If you can earn your way up the tiers, you can enjoy a ton of money-saving perks. Here are a few of the most popular programs.

1. Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club

You can join the Captain's Club before you even set sail, starting at the basic Preview tier (though it doesn't really offer any useful perks). Each night you spend earns you more Club Points so you can move up through the six tiers.

You'll need to earn at least 300 points to make it to the upper-mid-level Elite tier, which is where the truly valuable perks start showing up. This includes complimentary laundry services and access to the Captain's Club cocktail hour.

The very dedicated Celebrity Cruises fans might want to also look into the Celebrity Cruises Credit Card. The no-annual-fee card doesn't have a lot of perks, but it lets you earn MyCruise points toward free cruises and onboard credits. If you don't have a better no annual fee travel card, this could be useful for folks who spend a lot of time onboard Celebrity cruises.

2. Disney Castaway Club & Disney Rewards

Given the sheer immensity of Disney's offerings, it makes sense that there are multiple rewards programs. For cruises, you're looking at the Disney Castaway Club. You can join the four-tiered program after your first cruise, unlocking advanced booking and enhanced check-in at certain ports.

You move up the tiers by completing cruises. It takes 25 completed sailings to reach the top Pearl tier, which comes with a host of discounts, early access, and even a complimentary photo package.

Another way -- or an additional way -- to get special cruise discounts is through Disney Rewards, its cobranded credit card rewards programs. Cardholders can save on merchandise, photo packages, and select onboard spa treatments. Disney Rewards dollars can also be redeemed toward onboard purchases.

3. Carnival VIFP Club

Are you a Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) who likes to cruise? Then the Carnival VIFP Club may be for you. This five-tiered rewards program kicks off after your first sailing. Earn your way up the tiers by getting one point for each day you cruise.

Base-tier benefits aren't very good -- they consist of members-only offers and an e-newsletter -- but if you can make it to Gold (the third tier) you'll start to see a few perks. The next tier up is where you'll start to get the useful freebies, including complimentary laundry service, and the top-tier members get priority reservations and invitations to exclusive events.

The Carnival World Mastercard seems to be one of the better cruise credit cards, offering a respectable sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and a 10% statement credit on Carnival shore excursions. You'll also earn points on card spend that can be redeemed for statement credit toward eligible Carnival purchases.

4. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society

This popular cruise rewards program requires you to set sail at least once before you can join; the first of six tiers has a three-point minimum. You'll get points for every night you spend onboard, so the more you cruise with Royal Caribbean, the faster you'll ascend the ranks.

Base-tier members get a few exclusive discounts and offers, but not many other notable perks. If you can make it up to the fourth tier -- Diamond -- you'll unlock some free drinks and priority seating, as well as a few other freebies.

If you're looking for more perks, the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card isn't going to provide them. While you can earn MyCruise points redeemable for statement credit toward onboard purchases, you won't get any tier boosts or other benefits.

Set sail with savings

It can take quite a bit of time at sea to start to really see much return from some of these programs. But if you're one of the dedicated cruise-lovers who think cruising is the best way to travel, then you probably don't mind putting in the time. Similarly, the cobranded credit cards associated with each program aren't for the casual sailor. Instead, check out a more general rewards credit card that can help you with all of your travels, not just cruises.