Looking to set sail on a money-making journey?
The cruise industry is rebounding impressively, with an expected market value of $155 billion by 2023. It supports over 1.2 million jobs and generates $50 billion in wages, making it a key player in the global economy.
In 2022, cruise passengers spent about $750 in port cities during a typical week-long cruise, showing the significant economic impact of cruise tourism. The industry is projected to grow annually by 11% from 2022 to 2028, especially in North America.
From luxury liners to budget-friendly options, there's a cruise for every traveler – and a cruise affiliate program to match. The efforts toward sustainability are also increasing, attracting eco-conscious travelers. With the industry thriving, now is an excellent time to explore profitable opportunities in cruise affiliate programs.
This article will highlight the top 9 cruise affiliate programs, including their commission rates, cookie durations, and unique features to help you maximize your earnings in this expanding market.
What to Look for In Cruise Affiliate Programs?
When evaluating cruise affiliate programs, affiliate marketers should consider several key factors to maximize their earnings and ensure a successful partnership.
- Commission Rates and Structures: Look for programs offering competitive commission rates. While some programs offer flat-rate commissions, others provide percentage-based models. For instance, commission rates can range from 2% to 7% per sale, with some programs offering up to $200 per sale.
- Cookie Duration: The length of the cookie duration is crucial as it determines how long after a click your referral will be credited for a sale. Programs with longer cookie durations, such as 30 to 90 days, provide more opportunities for conversions.
- Average Order Value (AOV): Higher AOVs translate to higher commissions. The cruise industry has an average booking value of around $3,700 per person, making it a lucrative niche.
- Support and Resources: Top programs offer comprehensive support, including marketing materials, tracking tools, and dedicated affiliate managers to help optimize your campaigns.
- Market Trends: The cruise industry is booming, with a projected value of $200 billion by 2027. This growth presents a significant opportunity for affiliates to tap into a thriving market.
Top High-Earning Cruise Affiliate Programs
| Cruise Affiliate Programs | Commission Rate | Cookie Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean Cruises | 4% per sale | 45 days |
| Princess Cruises | 3% per sale | 30 days |
| Craft Cruises | 20% per sale | 7 days |
| Orbitz Cruise | $30 per cruise booking | 7 days |
| Cruise Direct | 3% per sale | 45days |
| Fred Olsen Cruise Lines | 4% per sale | 60 days |
| Cruise 118 | $50 per sale | 30 days |
| Cruise Away | $10 per booking quote | 90 days |
| Virgin Holidays | 2% commission | 30 days |
1. Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises Affiliate Program offers an enticing opportunity for travel bloggers and influencers to monetize their content. As one of the world's largest cruise lines, Royal Caribbean showcases an impressive fleet of 22 ships that visit over 240 ports globally. The program provides a 4% commission rate on all cruise bookings, with an average order value exceeding $1,200.
With a 45-day cookie duration and an impressive EPC of £95.67, affiliates have ample time to convert leads into sales. Royal Caribbean's innovative offerings, such as simulated sky-diving and robotic bartenders, coupled with a high guest satisfaction rate (9 out of 10 guests recommend the cruise line), make it an attractive option for affiliates to promote.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, Cruise Enthusiasts, Vacation deal websites.
- Commission Rate: 4% Per Cruise Booking
- Niche: Travel, Luxury cruises
- Market: Global, with cruises to over 240 destinations in 72 countries across 6 continents.
- URL: Royal Caribbean Cruises Affiliate Program
2. Princess Cruises
The Princess Cruises Affiliate Program offers an attractive opportunity for travel enthusiasts and content creators to monetize their platforms. With a competitive 3% commission rate on total booking values, affiliates can capitalize on Princess Cruises' extensive fleet of 17 ships and diverse itineraries covering over 380 destinations worldwide. The program boasts a generous 60-day cookie duration, allowing ample time for conversions.
Affiliates benefit from an impressive average order value of £1,254, translating to substantial earning potential. Princess Cruises provides a comprehensive toolkit of marketing materials, enabling affiliates to effectively promote their offerings. The brand's strong reputation for exceptional service and high customer satisfaction further enhances conversion rates. This program is particularly well-suited for travel bloggers, influencers, and websites focusing on luxury travel, cruising, or destination-specific content.
Princess Cruises Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, influencers, and websites focusing on travel and tourism.
- Niche: Travel and tourism, specifically cruise vacations.
- Market: Global, with a focus on destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Asia.
- URL: Princess Cruises Affiliate Program
3. Craft Cruises
The Craft Cruises Affiliate Program offers a unique opportunity for niche marketers to tap into the intersection of crafting and travel. With a generous 20% commission rate, this program stands out in the cruise industry. Craft Cruises specializes in combining creative workshops with exotic destinations, catering to enthusiasts of knitting, quilting, and other crafts. Affiliates can leverage the passionate community of crafters and travelers to promote these specialized cruises.
The Craft Cruises Affiliate Program provides targeted marketing materials to help affiliates effectively showcase the unique value of these creative journeys at sea. This affiliate opportunity is particularly well-suited for craft bloggers, hobby-focused websites, and travel influencers looking to diversify their offerings. With the growing trend of experiential travel, Craft Cruises' niche focus presents a compelling proposition for both affiliates and potential customers seeking enriching vacation experiences.
Craft Cruises Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Craft enthusiasts looking to combine their love of crafts with travel.
- Niche: Travel and tourism, specifically craft-themed cruises.
- URL: Craft Cruises Affiliate Program
4. Orbitz Cruise
Orbitz Cruises is a leading online platform that offers an extensive selection of cruise options to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. The Orbitz Cruises Affiliate Program offers an attractive opportunity for travel enthusiasts and content creators to monetize their platforms. As part of the Expedia Group, Orbitz provides access to a vast inventory of cruise options from major lines. Affiliates earn a $30 commission per cruise booking, regardless of the total sale value.
The Orbitz Cruises affiliate program's flat-rate structure can be particularly lucrative for promotions of shorter or budget-friendly cruises. The program features a 7-day cookie duration, encouraging quick conversions. Orbitz provides affiliates with a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including deep-linking capabilities, data feeds, and customizable widgets. The brand's strong reputation for deals and price comparisons makes it an appealing option for budget-conscious travelers.
Orbitz Cruises Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, influencers, and websites focusing on travel and vacation planning.
- Niche: Travel, specifically cruise bookings.
- Market: Global, with a focus on users looking for cruise vacations.
- URL: Orbitz Cruise Affiliate Program
5. Cruise Direct
The CruiseDirect Affiliate Program offers an attractive opportunity for travel enthusiasts and content creators to monetize their platforms. With a 3% commission rate on cruise fares, affiliates can capitalize on CruiseDirect's extensive inventory of cruise options from major lines worldwide. The program showcases a generous 45-day cookie duration, allowing ample time for conversions. CruiseDirect provides affiliates with a complete suite of marketing tools, including deep-linking capabilities, data feeds, and fresh promotional materials.
The CruiseDirect affiliate program's parasite-free structure ensures clean and direct earnings for affiliates. CruiseDirect's strong reputation for deals and price comparisons makes it an appealing option for budget-conscious travelers. Weekly newsletters keep affiliates informed about bonus commissions and program updates. This affiliate opportunity is particularly well-suited for travel bloggers, deal sites, and comparison platforms focusing on cruise vacations and travel packages.
CruiseDirect Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, influencers, and content creators in the cruise and travel niche.
- Commission: 3% on cruise fares.
- Niche: Travel, cruise bookings, vacations.
6. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
With a 4% commission rate on cruise bookings, the Fred. Olsen Cruise Affiliate program stands out for its additional £8 payout for each referred call lasting 5 minutes or more. The program boasts a generous 60-day cookie duration, allowing ample time for conversions. Fred. Olsen provides affiliates with a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including deep-linking capabilities and fresh promotional materials.
The brand's focus on smaller ships and more intimate cruising experiences makes it an appealing option for those seeking a different kind of voyage. This program is particularly well-suited for travel bloggers, influencers, and websites serving mature travelers or those interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. With its British charm and dedication to customer service, Fred. Olsen offers a distinctive product for affiliates to promote.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Affiliates targeting UK travelers, especially those interested in smaller, more intimate cruise experiences with a traditional British atmosphere.
- Niche: Cruise travel
- Commission:
- Market: Primarily British travelers, with routes through Northern Europe, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, the United States, and South America.
- URL: Fred Olsen Affiliate Program
7. Cruise118
Cruise118, established in 2009, has quickly become one of the UK's leading cruise travel agents, renowned for its exceptional customer service and exclusive cruise deals. With a team of dedicated cruise experts, Cruise118 has successfully assisted over 65,000 customers in planning their dream cruise holidays.
The Cruise118 Affiliate Program offers a unique opportunity for affiliates to enter the growing cruise industry, which is valued at around $130 billion globally. Affiliates can use Cruise118’s broad network and expertise to promote a wide range of cruise packages, enriching their content with valuable travel options and earning potential.
Cruise118 Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, cruise enthusiasts, and websites focusing on travel and tourism.
- Niche: Cruise travel and vacations.
- Market: Primarily the UK, but also caters to international customers.
- URL: Cruise 118 Affiliate Program
8. Cruise Away
CruiseAway, Australia's premier online cruise retailer, has been a trusted name in the cruise industry for over 25 years. Accredited by CLIA, ATAS, and AFTA, CruiseAway offers an extensive selection of cruise deals to over 29 destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South America.
The CruiseAway Cruise Affiliate Program allows partners to tap into this thriving market by promoting a variety of cruise packages. With over 70% of customers booking their cruises online and the global cruise industry valued at around $130 billion, affiliates have a significant opportunity to drive traffic and conversions, leveraging CruiseAway's reputation and extensive inventory to attract a broad audience.
CruiseAway Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Travel bloggers, cruise enthusiasts, travel deal websites.
- Niche: Travel, cruises
- Market: Primarily Australia and New Zealand, but can cater to international audiences looking for cruises.
- URL: Cruise Away Affiliate Program
9. Virgin Holidays
Virgin Holidays, a prominent name in the travel industry, has been curating unforgettable holiday experiences since 1985. Renowned for its exceptional service and diverse range of destinations, Virgin Holidays offers everything from beach getaways to adventure trips across the globe. Their cruise division, Virgin Holidays Cruises, partners with top cruise lines to provide luxurious and memorable voyages.
The Virgin Holidays Cruise Affiliate Program allows partners to promote these premium cruises, earning commissions on bookings. With the cruise industry generating over $35 billion annually, affiliates can take advantage of a thriving market, promoting voyages on ships like the Scarlet Lady, known for its modern amenities and exceptional service.
Virgin Holidays Affiliate Program Key Highlights
- Best For: Affiliates targeting travelers interested in diverse cruise options, including ocean liners and river cruises, and those seeking relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration.
- Niche: Travel, vacations, holiday packages.
- Market: Primarily UK, with some international reach.
- URL: Virgin Holidays Affiliate Program
How to Use Social Media to Promote Cruise Affiliate Offers?
Taking advantage of social media to promote cruise affiliate offers can significantly raise your earnings. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are ideal for showcasing stunning cruise destinations and engaging with potential travelers. Collaborating with travel influencers can amplify your reach, as they can authentically promote your offers to their engaged audience.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, cruise tourism reached 107% of 2019 levels in 2023, highlighting a growing market. Utilize high-intent travel keywords and SEO strategies to increase visibility. With 4.62 billion social media users worldwide, the potential for reaching new customers is immense. By crafting engaging content and leveraging the power of social media, you can drive significant traffic to your affiliate links and increase conversions.
Cruise Affiliate Programs Vs Other Affiliate Programs
Cruise affiliate programs offer unique opportunities compared to other affiliate niches. While they typically have lower commission rates (usually 3-4%), the high average order value of cruises can result in substantial earnings per sale. Cruise programs often feature longer cookie durations, sometimes up to 60 days, allowing more time for conversions.
However, they may have more seasonal fluctuations and longer sales cycles compared to other programs. Cruise affiliates benefit from promoting luxury experiences and can tap into a passionate travel audience. On the other hand, other affiliate programs, such as those in tech or fashion, might offer higher commission rates but lower average order values. Here's a comparison table:
| Feature | Cruise Affiliate Programs | Other Affiliate Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Rate | Lower (3-4% typically) | Often higher (5-20%+) |
| Average Order Value | High ($1000+) | Varies (often lower) |
| Cookie Duration | Longer (30-60 days) | Often shorter (7-30 days) |
| Seasonality | More affected | Less affected |
| Sales Cycle | Longer | Usually shorter |
| Target Audience | Travel enthusiasts | Varies by niche |
Common Queries Related to Cruise Affiliate Programs
What Factors Should Affiliates Consider When Choosing a Cruise Affiliate Program?
When selecting a cruise affiliate program, consider the commission rate, average booking price, cookie duration, affiliate support, and alignment with your audience's interests.
Do Cruise Affiliate Programs Offer Bonuses or Incentives?
Some programs offer bonuses or incentives for high-performing affiliates, such as higher commission rates or exclusive promotions.
What Types of Cruises Can I Promote as an Affiliate?
What are the Requirements to Join a Cruise Affiliate Program?
Can I Earn Passive Income with Cruise Affiliate Programs?
Yes, once you set up your affiliate links and marketing strategies, you can earn passive income from bookings made through your links
Cruise into High Earnings with Cruise Affiliate Programs
Ready to set sail on your affiliate marketing journey? Cruise affiliate programs offer a fantastic opportunity to monetize your travel content while helping your audience plan unforgettable vacations.
From promoting luxury liners like Royal Caribbean, niche experiences with Craft Cruises, or budget-friendly options through Orbitz, there's a cruise affiliate program out there that'll float your boat. Remember, success in this niche isn't dependent on the commission rates alone – but primarily on matching your audience with the right cruise experience.
Did you know that the average cost of a 10-day cruise is around $3700 per person? With such high-ticket items, the potential for earnings is significant.
So, are you ready to scale up your affiliate income to the next level with these Cruise affiliate programs?
