Royal Caribbean Club Royale Updates: New Tier Benefits Rules Explained
Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale members are seeing a major change to one of the program’s biggest casino perks: the annual complimentary cruise benefit.
Each year, casino players who earn enough Club Royale points can qualify for tier status and unlock benefits like complimentary drinks in Casino Royale, waived casino convenience fees, and an annual cruise benefit. Prime status begins at 2,500 points and includes a complimentary interior stateroom on one cruise each year, while higher tiers like Signature and Masters come with upgraded annual cruise benefits.
For 2026, however, the way members can use that annual cruise benefit appears to be changing.
What Changed With the Annual Cruise Benefit?
In past years, Club Royale members generally worked from an exclusion list, meaning eligible members could choose from a wide range of Royal Caribbean sailings, as long as the cruise was not specifically excluded. Those exclusions often included holiday sailings, newer ships, special event cruises, or other high-demand dates.
However, in recent reports some members are saying that the annual cruise benefit has shifted toward an inclusion list. Instead of choosing from nearly any qualifying sailing and avoiding a smaller list of excluded cruises, members may now need to choose from a curated list of eligible sailings.
For some, the new setup may feel more restrictive. If the sailings they hoped to book are not on the list, the benefit may feel like it lost flexibility. At the same time, the update may create more value for higher-tier players. Some reports suggest that select annual cruise options now include longer itineraries and higher-category cabins, including balconies and suites for Signature and Masters members. Royal Caribbean’s official Club Royale page lists annual cruise benefits by tier, including an interior stateroom for Prime, balcony stateroom for Signature, and Grand Suite for Masters.
