About Cruises
If you've been dreaming about waking up to a new port every morning with someone else handling the cooking, the logistics and the luggage, a cruise might be exactly what you're looking for. The cruises category covers a wide range of vacation options, from short Caribbean getaways and Alaskan glacier expeditions to transatlantic crossings and Mediterranean itineraries that hop between multiple countries in a single trip. You can book directly through major cruise lines or through travel booking platforms that let you compare itineraries, cabin types and sailings all in one place. Whether you're planning a multigenerational family trip, a couples' escape or a solo adventure at sea, there's a sailing style to match. Cruises are one of those purchases where the price tag is real, but so is the value: Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, so members can maximize savings by stacking Cash Back on top of store sales and coupons and never have to choose just one way to save.
Why Shop Through Rakuten for Cruises?
Cruises are big-ticket purchases, which means every dollar you can get back matters more than it would on a smaller buy. Shopping through Rakuten means earning Cash Back on eligible cruise bookings from participating stores, including cruise lines and travel booking platforms you're probably already considering.
That Cash Back is stackable, too. You can layer it on top of cruise line promotions, travel sales, loyalty rewards and any eligible coupons or promo codes that are already available. Rakuten also surfaces verified coupon codes in one place, so you're not digging through a dozen browser tabs the night before you book.
Cruise shoppers tend to be planners. Most people already know what kind of trip they want; they're just waiting to find the right deal before they pull the trigger. Rakuten is a trusted platform with over 17 million members that makes it easy to get rewarded for the booking you were already going to make.
How to Maximize Savings on Cruises
- Start your shopping trip at Rakuten. Search for your cruise line or travel booking platform before heading to their site, and activate Cash Back so your eligible purchase gets tracked.
- Stack Cash Back with cruise line sales and promotions. Rakuten Cash Back can often be combined with a cruise line's existing deals, like onboard credit offers or discounted cabin upgrades, giving you more than one way to save at the same time.
- Check for verified promo codes before you book. Rakuten surfaces eligible coupon codes from participating stores, so you can apply a discount without hunting for one yourself.
- Book during wave season. The January through March window is traditionally one of the best times to find cruise deals, as cruise lines roll out some of their strongest promotions of the year.
- Sign up for cruise line loyalty programs. Many cruise lines have their own rewards programs that offer member-only pricing, priority boarding, onboard credits or points you can redeem on future sailings. These can be used alongside Rakuten Cash Back.
- Compare itineraries across booking platforms. Travel booking sites that specialize in cruises sometimes have exclusive rates or package deals that you won't find booking directly through a cruise line.
- Use the Rakuten browser extension. It can notify you when Cash Back is available and remind you to activate it before you complete your booking.
Top Picks in Cruises
- Caribbean cruises: Sun, sand and turquoise water with multiple island stops on a single trip, Caribbean sailings are consistently among the most popular cruise itineraries and a great entry point for first-time cruisers.
- Mediterranean cruises: These itineraries typically cover multiple countries in one voyage, with port stops that might include historic cities, coastal towns and archaeological sites across Southern Europe and North Africa.
- Alaska cruises: Alaska sailings pass through dramatic scenery, including glaciers, fjords and wildlife-heavy coastlines, making them a favorite for nature lovers and travelers who want something beyond a beach vacation.
- River cruises: Smaller ships navigate inland waterways through Europe, Asia and beyond, stopping directly in the hearts of cities and towns that ocean ships can't reach.
- All-inclusive cruise packages: Some cruise bookings include meals, beverages, gratuities and onboard activities in a single upfront price, making it easier to budget for the full trip without surprise add-ons at checkout.
Best Cruises by Travel Style
Travel Style | Best Cruise Types | What They Offer |
First-time cruisers | Short Caribbean or Bahamas sailings | Easy itineraries, warm weather and beginner-friendly onboard experiences |
Families with kids | Family-focused ocean cruises with kids' programming | Supervised activities, family cabins and entertainment for all ages |
Couples | Luxury or adults-only sailings | Upscale dining, spa access and quieter onboard atmospheres |
Adventure seekers | Alaska, Norway or expedition cruises | Dramatic scenery, wildlife viewing and active shore excursions |
Culture lovers | Mediterranean or river cruises | Multiple country stops, historic sites and immersive local experiences |
Budget-conscious travelers | Repositioning cruises or last-minute deals | Lower base fares in exchange for longer or less predictable itineraries |
Cruise Providers to Love
Cruises.com
Cruises.com is a cruise-focused travel booking platform where you can search and compare sailings from a wide range of cruise lines, with options spanning destinations, ship sizes and price points.
CruiseDirect
CruiseDirect is a booking site dedicated entirely to cruises, with sailings available across popular destinations including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and beyond.
CruisesOnly
CruisesOnly specializes in cruise bookings and lets shoppers browse itineraries from major cruise lines, with options for different cabin types, departure ports and trip lengths.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line known for its upscale dining, modern ships and itineraries that cover destinations across the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and Asia.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is a well-known cruise line with a broad range of itineraries, from Caribbean and Mexican Riviera sailings to longer voyages through Alaska, Europe and the South Pacific.
Holland America
Holland America is a cruise line with a reputation for longer itineraries and destination-focused voyages, covering routes through Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.
Avoya Travel
Avoya Travel is a full-service travel agency that specializes in cruise bookings and vacation packages, with access to sailings from a wide range of major cruise lines.
How Does Rakuten Work?
Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, helping you earn Cash Back every time you buy your favorite products at thousands of stores, including some of the most popular cruise providers. It's a simple way to get value back for shopping you're already doing. Here's how to start earning Cash Back:
- Join Rakuten for free. Create a free Rakuten account online, in the app or through the browser extension.
- Find a participating store. Search Rakuten for the store where you want to shop.
- Activate Cash Back. Click through Rakuten before making your purchase.
- Shop as usual. Complete your order on the store's website.
- Get paid. Eligible Cash Back is added to your Rakuten account and paid out every three months via check, PayPal, Amex Membership Rewards Points or Bilt Points.
How is it free? Stores pay Rakuten to send them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with you as Cash Back. It's as simple as that!
Why Rakuten Is a Dependable Way to Shop for Cruises
Trustworthiness and reliability are the foundation of a rewarding customer experience. Here's how you know you can always count on Rakuten:
- It has been around for decades. Rakuten has been helping shape the way people shop online since its founding in 1999.
- It has a huge member base and has paid out billions of dollars. Rakuten has more than 17 million members and has paid out over $4.6 billion in Cash Back in the U.S.
- It has strong user reviews. Rakuten has a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot with over 36,000 reviews, including more than 27,000 five-star reviews.
- It has thousands of partners. Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores in a huge range of shopping categories, including clothing, shoes, beauty, travel, electronics, pets, experiences and more.
- It has a straightforward model. Rakuten's structure may seem confusing at first, but it's really quite simple: Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with its members as Cash Back. That's it!
- It has a clear payment schedule and multiple payout options. Rakuten pays its members their Cash Back every three months through one of four payment options: check, PayPal, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Points.
- It publishes its privacy policy and terms. Rakuten provides a formal privacy policy that explains how its tracking works when you click through to a store. The company also publishes terms and conditions for its browser extension that describe how extension-collected data is handled in accordance with its privacy policy.
