The American Express Cruise Privileges Program offers special perks on cruises to eligible American Express cardholders, including onboard credits, special amenities and bonus points. The Amex Cruise Privileges Program is currently available only to American Express Platinum Card® and Centurion® Card from American Express cardholders, for both the personal and business cards. A cardholder must also book a cruise of 5 nights or more through AmexTravel.com or by calling the number on the back of their card 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 American Express Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card from American Express.
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 American Express Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card from American Express (personal or business)
- Be booked through AmexTravel.com or by calling the number on the back of an eligible card
- 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: onboard credits, exclusive amenities and extra points on cruise bookings. Together, they can provide hundreds of dollars in value for each cruise booking.
Onboard credit: American Express Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card from American Express cardholders who book a cruise through AmexTravel.com or by calling the number on the back of their card get an onboard 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. Terms and exclusions apply.
Extra points: American Express Platinum Card® and Centurion® Card from American Express cardholders get 2 points per $1 spent on cruise bookings made through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ 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 terms and conditions before booking.
American Express Cruise Privileges Program Partners
American Express partners with 17 different cruise lines for the Cruise Privileges Program, including many of the largest cruise companies in the world. The onboard 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 | Onboard Credit Amount per Stateroom |
|---|---|
| AmaWaterways™ | $300 |
| Azamara | $300 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $100 - $300 (depending on category booked) |
| Cunard® | $300 (for select categories) |
| Explora Journeys | $300 |
| Holland America Line | $100 - $300 (depending on category booked) |
| Norwegian Cruise Line® | $100 - $300 (depending on category booked) |
| Oceania Cruises® | $300 |
| Princess Cruises® | $100 - $300 (depending on category booked) |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | $300 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | $300 |
| Royal Caribbean® | $25 - $100 |
| Seabourn | $300 |
| Silversea Cruises® | $300 |
| Uniworld River Cruises | $300 |
| Windstar Cruises | $300 |
| Virgin Voyages® | $100 - $300 (depending on category booked) |
Note: Credit amounts are based on information collected in November 2025.
Bottom Line
The Amex Cruise Privileges Program is very limited, as it’s only available to people who have the American Express Platinum Card® or the Centurion® Card from American Express. 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.
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