3 ways to maximize the new Royal Caribbean double points offer
In:Royal Caribbean has revived one of its most rewarding loyalty promotions: double Crown & Anchor points. For a limited time, cruisers can move up the loyalty ladder twice as fast, making this a rare opportunity to reach the next loyalty tier sooner.

With the new Double Points offer, Crown and Anchor members can earn 2 points per night in a standard cabin, 4 points per night when cruising solo or staying in a suite, and 6 points per night when cruising solo in a suite.
For cruisers within reach of the next loyalty tier, a little planning could make this promotion even more lucrative. For instance, choosing the right cabin, adjusting who stays in each room, or taking a quick weekend cruise could help you reach the next Crown and Anchor tier even faster.

The promotion applies to new bookings made between July 21 and July 31, 2026, for eligible cruises departing from September 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Each member can use the promotion on up to two cruises, while Transatlantic and Transpacific sailings are excluded.
The Double Points promotion might seem straightforward, but the details of your reservation can significantly change how many points you earn. If you’re trying to make the most of this latest promotion, here are three booking strategies to consider.
How Royal Caribbean cruise points normally work

With Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, you’ll earn points based on the number of nights you cruise. As you earn more points, you’ll receive more lucrative benefits and perks when cruising with Royal Caribbean.
Under the standard earning structure, members receive one Cruise Point for every night sailed. Staying in an eligible suite or cruising alone in a double-occupancy cabin increases that to 2 points per night. A solo traveler staying in a suite receives 3 points per night.
Under Royal Caribbean’s Double Points promotion, members earn the following totals:
- A standard cabin earns 2 points per night.
- A solo traveler earns 4 points per night.
- A suite guest earns 4 points per night.
- A solo traveler in a suite earns 6 points per night.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society benefits become substantially more valuable at the higher tiers. Depending on their status, top-tier members can receive perks such as daily drink vouchers, complimentary internet access, priority services, reserved entertainment seating, complimentary photos, and access to exclusive onboard venues.
In addition, your Royal Caribbean loyalty status does not expire, so the points earned during this promotion can provide benefits for years to come. That is why cruisers who are close to Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle status might be interested in maximizing the offer.
Crown and Anchor has six published membership levels:
- Gold: 3 Cruise Points
- Platinum: 30 Cruise Points
- Emerald: 55 Cruise Points
- Diamond: 80 Cruise Points
- Diamond Plus: 175 Cruise Points
- Pinnacle Club: 700 Cruise Points
Let’s dig into the three different strategies for optimizing your earned points during this promotion.
1. Book a suite as a solo traveler

If you’re looking to maximize the number of points you can earn with this offer, you should consider booking a suite as a solo traveler.
Under the usual Crown and Anchor earning structure, a solo traveler in a suite receives 3 points per night: one base point, one for staying in a suite, and one for cruising solo. With the new Double Points promotion, your earnings will double to 6 points per night.
This means a 7-night solo suite cruise would earn 42 points! By comparison, the same sailing in a standard cabin, when shared with another guest, would normally earn just 7 points.

Earning 42 points could make a major difference in your Crown & Anchor status. For instance, a Gold member with 3 points would finish with 45 points and earn Platinum status. Similarly, a Platinum cruiser with 38 points would finish with 80 points and become Diamond.
Of course, this strategy will not make sense for every budget. Suites are already very expensive, and booking one alone can increase the cost even more. Also, paying thousands of dollars extra just to earn more points won’t be worth it for most cruisers.
However, if you were already thinking about booking a solo suite, this promotion makes the decision more rewarding. It could also help justify upgrading when the price difference between a balcony cabin and a Junior Suite is reasonable.
2. Book the household’s points leader in a cabin alone

Families traveling together can also use the promotion to help one person reach the next loyalty tier faster. One strategy is to book the household member with the most Cruise Points in a cabin alone, allowing that person to earn the solo bonus.
Here’s how it works. Let’s say your family of four is cruising together, and one spouse has more cruise points than the other. Instead of booking everyone in a single cabin, the family could reserve two rooms. The person with the most Cruise Points would be booked alone in one cabin, while the other adult and children would be booked in the second.
Under the promotion, the cruiser with more points would earn 4 points per night in the solo cabin. On a 7-night cruise, that person would receive 28 points instead of the 14 they would earn while sharing a standard cabin.
Because Royal Caribbean allows eligible family members in the same household to receive equivalent Crown & Anchor status, earning a higher tier can benefit the whole family. Although the points remain with the person who earned them, a linked spouse or significant other, along with verified children under 18 who share the same address, can usually receive the same tier status.

Once the accounts are properly linked, qualifying household members can take advantage of the higher status and its benefits, even though their individual point totals may be different.
There are a few exceptions to consider. For instance, Royal Caribbean has separate rules for Pinnacle Club, and children do not inherit Pinnacle status from a parent. Before booking, you’ll also want to make sure all eligible household members are correctly linked through the Crown and Anchor Society.
Moreover, the cost of booking two cabins needs to make sense financially. This strategy may be difficult to justify if the second room adds thousands of dollars to the vacation. However, it could work well for a family that already wants more space or was planning to reserve two cabins anyway.
For example, if you are considering one balcony cabin for your family, compare its price with the cost of booking two interior cabins. The total price might be similar, allowing you to gain extra space and privacy while taking advantage of the Double Points offer.
3. Sneak in a weekend cruise

If a solo suite or two-cabin family arrangement is too expensive, the easiest strategy might be adding a short weekend cruise to your vacation plans.
Royal Caribbean says members can take advantage of the Double Points offer on up to two eligible cruises. Someone who already plans to book a longer vacation could use the second opportunity for an inexpensive 3-night or 4-night getaway cruise.
Even a short sailing can provide a useful boost to your loyalty points balance. For instance, a 3-night cruise would earn 6 points in a standard cabin. A solo cruiser or suite guest could receive 12 points, while a solo traveler in a suite could collect 18 points over one weekend.

On a 4-night cruise, those totals increase to 8, 16 and 24 points, respectively. While it may not seem like much, that extra boost could put the next loyalty tier within reach.
Consider a cruiser with 68 points who needs only 12 more to reach Diamond status. By booking one qualifying 3-night solo cruise during the Double Points promotion, they could earn exactly the 12 points needed to reach that next tier.
Diamond members receive four complimentary drink vouchers each day on Royal Caribbean cruises. For some cruisers, this benefit could eliminate the need to purchase a drink package on future sailings and save hundreds of dollars per cruise.
Short cruises can also require fewer vacation days and may have lower starting fares than weeklong itineraries. Cruisers who live within driving distance of a Royal Caribbean home port are in the best position to capitalize, as airfare and pre-cruise hotel expenses can quickly add up.
Check the terms before booking

You’ll want to review the terms and conditions of this new promotion before trying any of these strategies.
Royal Caribbean’s Double Points offer applies only to new reservations, so existing reservations do not qualify. Members must include a valid, verified Crown & Anchor number on the reservation. Once the reservation is paid in full, qualifying points should post within 30 days after the sailing ends.
Also, the bonus points cannot be transferred through Royal Caribbean’s Points Choice program. Submitting a transfer request would forfeit the promotional points. Complimentary cruises, casino offers, employee cruises, seminar rates, and certain reduced travel-agent rates are also excluded from the offer. The promotion is not applicable to the Best Price Guarantee, either.
Fortunately, the Double Points promotion can be combined with several other offers, including BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, Free Third and Fourth Guests, eligible onboard credit, NextCruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (such as Senior, Military, or Resident), Crown and Anchor discounts, and shareholder benefits.
Ultimately, the right strategy will depend on your budget, current Crown & Anchor status, and your travel plans. Booking a solo suite will maximize the number of points you can earn on a single cruise, while reserving two cabins can help the person closest to the next tier get there faster. If neither option makes sense, a short weekend cruise can still provide a boost toward your next status tier.
Since the offer is limited to two qualifying cruises, it is worth choosing those bookings carefully. A little planning now could help you unlock valuable Crown & Anchor benefits much sooner, allowing you to continue enjoying them for years to come.



























































































