The American Express Cruise Privileges Program offers special perks on cruises to eligible Amex cardholders, including shipboard credits, special amenities and bonus points. The Amex Cruise Privileges Program is currently available only to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders, for both the personal and business cards. A cardholder must also book a cruise of 5 nights or more through Amex Travel to be eligible.
There are two ways to book a cruise through the Amex Cruise Privileges Program: online, via the Amex Travel website, or over the phone (1-866-669-4423). Either way, you will have to cover 100% of the cost with your Amex Platinum Card or Centurion Card.
Below, you can learn more about the Amex Cruise Privileges Program, including the requirements for eligibility, the benefits it offers and its cruise line partners.
American Express Cruise Privileges Program Eligibility
The American Express Cruise Privileges Program has a lot of fine print. Only specific cruises are eligible for the benefits.
To be eligible for the Amex Cruise Privileges Program, a cruise must:
- Be paid for entirely using an Amex Platinum or Centurion Card (personal or business)
- Be booked through Amex Travel
- Have a double-occupancy booking
- Be at least 5 nights long
- Include the cardholder on the itinerary
Assuming your cruise booking meets all of these qualifications, you have a few valuable benefits to look forward to on your trip.
Amex Cruise Privileges Program Benefits
The Amex Cruise Privileges Program offers three main benefits to cardholders: shipboard credits, exclusive amenities and extra points on cruise bookings. Together, they can provide hundreds of dollars in value for each cruise booking.
Shipboard credit: Amex Platinum or Centurion cardholders who book a cruise through Amex Travel get a shipboard credit for each stateroom, the amount of which is different for each cruise line. The credit can only be spent on the cruise ship, for things like dining, spa services and more. The benefit is limited to three staterooms per booking.
Exclusive amenities: Each cruise line offers unique amenities through the Amex Cruise Privileges Program. Some examples are complimentary wine, private tours, or vouchers for experiences like spa treatments and shore excursions.
Extra points: Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders get 2 points per $1 spent on cruise bookings made through Amex Travel that are eligible for the Cruise Privileges Program. Normally, they would earn 1 point per $1 spent on cruise bookings.
Each cruise line has its own fine print when it comes to Amex Cruise benefits, so make sure to read up on all the details before booking.
American Express Cruise Privileges Program Partners
American Express partners with 15 different cruise lines for the Cruise Privileges Program, including many of the largest cruise companies in the world. The shipboard credit amount from the Cruise Privileges Program varies from cruise line to cruise line, and most cruises have a range of credit amounts based on when you sail and what type of room you book.
| Cruise Line | Shipboard Credit Amount per Stateroom |
|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | $200 |
| Azamara | $100 - $200 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $25 - $75 |
| Crystal Cruises | $125 - $250 |
| Cunard | $50 - $150 |
| Holland America Line | $25 - $100 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $100 - $300 |
| Oceania Cruises | Prepaid gratuities |
| Princess Cruises | $100 - $300 |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | $400 |
| Royal Caribbean International | $25 - $100 |
| Seabourn | $100 - $300 |
| Silversea | Up to $600 |
| Windstar Cruises | Up to $200 |
Note: Credit amounts are based on information collected in January 2021.
Bottom Line
The Amex Cruise Privileges Program is very limited, as it’s only available to people who have Amex Platinum or Centurion cards. For frequent travelers with an eligible card, however, this is yet another benefit that can help defray the cost of the card’s expensive annual fee. If you’re planning to go on a cruise, it’s absolutely worth booking with your card for the extra perks.
