In short
There are three plans: STARTER, CLASSIC and PREMIUM. They differ in the monthly fee, the number of member-price bookings a year (2, 5 or unlimited) and how many points you get. The points rules for cruises are the same on every plan. STARTER is the gentlest way to try the club, CLASSIC suits regular trips, PREMIUM frequent ones.
Side-by-side comparison
| Plan | First payment | Monthly fee | INsider Pricing bookings per 12 months | Points for each month | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STARTER | $50 | $50 | 2 | 50 for every $50 paid on time | Trying the club |
| CLASSIC | $200 (activation $100 + first month $100) | $100 | 5 | 200 if paid within 5 days of the invoice date, 100 if paid on days 6–30 | Regular travellers |
| PREMIUM | $500 (activation $250 + first month $250) | $250 | Unlimited | 500 if paid within 5 days, 250 if paid later | Frequent travellers |
Share of a cruise points can cover: Up to 50% with the Reward Points + payment method (booking 30+ days before departure); up to 100% with the All Reward Points method (booking 270+ days before departure, with enough points saved). Same on every plan.
The "first payment" isn't a hidden charge: for CLASSIC and PREMIUM it is the activation fee plus your first month, billed together. After that you pay the monthly fee alone.
At a glance
Three plans, side by side
What you pay to join, what you pay each month, and how many points you get back.
STARTER
To try the club
Every month
$50
When you join
- One-time joining fee
- none
- First month’s fee
- $50
- Total on day one
- $50
- Bookings at the member price (INsider Pricing)
- 2 a year
Points you get
You get every month, if you pay within 5 days50
After one year you have600
Enough to pay half of a cruise costing up to $1,200
CLASSIC
For regular trips
Every month
$100
When you join
- One-time joining fee
- $100
- First month’s fee
- $100
- Total on day one
- $200
- Bookings at the member price (INsider Pricing)
- 5 a year
Points you get
You get every month, if you pay within 5 days200
After one year you have2,400
Enough to pay half of a cruise costing up to $4,800
PREMIUM
For frequent trips
Every month
$250
When you join
- One-time joining fee
- $250
- First month’s fee
- $250
- Total on day one
- $500
- Bookings at the member price (INsider Pricing)
- Unlimited
Points you get
You get every month, if you pay within 5 days500
After one year you have6,000
Enough to pay half of a cruise costing up to $12,000
How points work: 1 point = $1. Points can pay up to half of a cruise’s price, and you pay the rest in money. For example, 2,400 points cover half of a $4,800 cruise. If you book 270 days or more before departure, points can pay up to 100% of the cruise price. But then the second half is counted at 2 points per $1: a $4,800 cruise fully in points takes 7,200 points.
What is the same on every plan
- Member prices (INsider Pricing): an instant price, typically about 17% below the listed price, on cruises, hotels and resorts. You can use it from 15 days after activation; the plans differ only in how many such bookings you can make per 12 months.
- Points rules for cruises: the same two ways to pay with points, and you can hold two cruise bookings with points at the same time (one with All Reward Points and one with Reward Points + payment).
- One method per booking: INsider Pricing and points don't add up on the same booking.
- The price match guarantee on cruises booked with Reward Points + payment. See how it works.
- A 14-day refund window after joining, covering the activation fee and membership payments.
What points can't pay for
On every plan, points go towards the cruise or stay itself. They can't be used for flights, insurance, booking, cancellation or name-change fees, gratuities, excursions, specialty dining and drinks, or personal spending on board. Only points from the account that makes the booking can be used. More in how Reward Points work.
Which plan for which traveller
| You… | Usually a good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| want to try the club first | STARTER | The lowest monthly fee and no activation fee; two member-price bookings a year |
| take one or two trips a year and plan ahead | CLASSIC | More points each month when you pay on time, enough member-price bookings for regular travel |
| travel several times a year, or with family | PREMIUM | Unlimited member-price bookings and the most points per month |
A rule of thumb: count the trips you realistically take a year, not the ones you'd like to take.
A few things about STARTER
- Only available to new members — you can't downgrade into it.
- One STARTER membership per account.
- After four on-time payments in a row, you get $100 off an upgrade to CLASSIC or PREMIUM.
- If it lapses, reactivating means moving up to CLASSIC or PREMIUM.
Can you change plans later?
- STARTER → CLASSIC or PREMIUM: possible at any time; after four on-time payments in a row you get $100 off the upgrade.
- CLASSIC → PREMIUM: you pay the PREMIUM activation ($250) and first monthly fee ($250), then the PREMIUM monthly fee.
- PREMIUM → CLASSIC: possible only once, ever.
- Back to STARTER: not possible.
Why paying on time matters
On CLASSIC and PREMIUM, paying within 5 days of the invoice date doubles your monthly points. If a payment is late by more than 30 days, your points turn into Base Points and member prices are no longer available. See what happens if you miss a payment and how to stop or cancel.
Common questions
What is the difference between STARTER, CLASSIC and PREMIUM?
The monthly fee ($50, $100 or $250), the number of member-price bookings per 12 months (2, 5 or unlimited) and the points you get each month. The rules for paying a cruise with points are the same on every plan.
Can points cover a whole cruise on STARTER?
The rules are the same on every plan: up to 50% when you book 30 days or more before departure, and up to 100% when you book 270 days or more before departure and have saved up enough points.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. From STARTER you can move to CLASSIC or PREMIUM, with $100 off after four on-time payments in a row. From CLASSIC to PREMIUM you pay the PREMIUM activation and first monthly fee.
Can I downgrade?
From PREMIUM to CLASSIC once in your membership. A downgrade to STARTER is not possible.
Is there a refund if I change my mind?
Yes, within 14 days of joining you can get back the activation fee and membership payments. After that, the activation fee is not refunded.
Reflects membership terms as of March 2026 (Membership 3.X). All fees in USD. Always confirm current terms in your account before joining. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.