Costco Travel has quietly become one of the most powerful ways for value-focused travelers to book cruises. By combining the buying power of a wholesale club with the expertise of a traditional travel agency, Costco Cruises often deliver extra perks like digital Costco Shop Cards, added onboard credit and access to promotional rates on mainstream, premium and even luxury lines.

For travelers willing to do a bit of homework, the program can unlock meaningful savings on sailings in Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe and far beyond, without sacrificing flexibility or support.

How Costco Cruises Work

Costco Cruises are sold through Costco Travel, the in-house travel agency operated by Costco for members. Booking a cruise through Costco Travel works much like booking through an online travel agency: you search sailings by destination, date, cruise line or departure port, then compare itineraries, cabin categories and pricing.

The key difference is that Costco layers its own member-only incentives on top of the cruise line’s fare, often in the form of onboard credit, bonus amenities or digital Costco Shop Cards issued after travel.

Travelers can complete a booking entirely online or call Costco Travel advisors for assistance. Agents handle the same core functions as a traditional cruise specialist, including choosing a ship and itinerary, arranging airfare, adding hotel nights before or after the sailing, and coordinating insurance or airport transfers.

Costco Travel does not charge a separate agency fee for cruise bookings, so the price you see is generally the cruise line’s public rate or better, plus whatever Costco-exclusive extras apply to that departure.

The program is available to Costco members in several countries, but the specific offers and terms can vary by region. For U.S. travelers, Costco Travel promotes cruise deals for 2025 and 2026 across Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, river cruising and world-cruise segments, typically emphasizing a digital Costco Shop Card with every sailing and periodic limited-time sale events. While prices change frequently, the general pattern is consistent: Costco aims to match or beat standard rates while turning part of its commission into member rewards.

Membership, Money & Rewards

To book a Costco Cruise you must hold an active Costco membership, either the basic (Gold Star) level or the higher-tier Executive membership. The standard membership allows full access to Costco Travel deals, but Executive members receive an additional annual 2 percent reward on qualified Costco Travel purchases up to an annual cap. That reward is sent as a certificate near membership renewal and can be redeemed for merchandise or cash at U.S. Costco warehouses.

Costco also promotes stacking rewards for travelers who pay with the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. Cardholders earn 3 percent cash back on Costco Travel purchases and can combine that with the Executive membership’s 2 percent reward for an effective 5 percent return on eligible cruise purchases, not counting any digital Costco Shop Card that may be tied to a specific offer.

The card also waives foreign transaction fees, which can be useful when tipping in foreign currencies, paying for excursions abroad or settling incidental charges at overseas hotels before or after the cruise.

Beyond these ongoing rewards, many Costco Cruise offers include a one-time digital Costco Shop Card per stateroom. The value of this card varies by cruise line, cabin category and length of sailing and is calculated during the booking process.

The card typically arrives by email around 10 days after the start of the cruise and can be used like a gift card at Costco warehouses or online. Because it is issued after travel, the shop card functions as a rebate rather than an upfront discount, but for frequent Costco shoppers it effectively reduces the net cost of the cruise.

To understand how digital Costco Shop Cards and onboard credit really work, including when they are issued and how to value them, see our guide to Costco cruise shop cards and onboard credit explained.

Lines, Destinations and Types of Cruises

Costco Travel works with a broad roster of cruise lines, ranging from budget-friendly mainstream brands to ultra-luxury small-ship operators. While the exact list evolves, travelers can typically find offers from major names in ocean cruising, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival, along with boutique and luxury lines and several river cruise companies. Disney Cruise Line frequently appears in Costco promotions as well, often with a digital Costco Shop Card added on select family-focused itineraries.

The destination range is equally wide. For North American travelers, Costco heavily features Alaska, highlighting itineraries such as southbound Glacier Bay voyages, Denali cruise tours and Kirkland Signature packages that bundle rail or lodge stays with an Inside Passage cruise.

Europe is another major focus area, with Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries, Greek Isles sailings, and river cruises through regions like the Danube and Rhine. The portfolio also covers the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Asia, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, transatlantic crossings and world-cruise segments.

Within this network, Costco sometimes labels certain sailings as Kirkland Signature. These departures typically include extra amenities such as added shipboard credit, exclusive shore excursions or enhanced onboard packages negotiated specifically for Costco members. They can be particularly strong values for travelers who enjoy bundled perks and do not need fully customized itineraries.

For a closer look at how Costco Cruise deals differ by destination, including Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe, and where the strongest values tend to appear, see our guide to Costco cruises by destination.

Pricing, Perks and Value Compared to Booking Direct

For most travelers the central question is whether it is cheaper or more advantageous to book a cruise through Costco Travel versus booking directly with the cruise line or another travel agency. In practice, the base cruise fare offered by Costco is usually similar to the cruise line’s publicly advertised rate for the same sailing and cabin category.

Restrictions imposed by cruise lines often prevent agencies from undercutting the published price in a straightforward way. Where Costco stands out is in how it uses its commission to provide extra value.

For a direct comparison of Costco Cruises versus booking straight with cruise lines, including loyalty points and flexibility, see our breakdown of Costco cruises versus booking direct.

That value most often appears as a digital Costco Shop Card or onboard spending credit. On select sailings, Costco advertises both a shipboard credit and a shop card, which together can amount to several hundred dollars on longer itineraries or higher cabin categories.

Executive members then layer the 2 percent travel reward on top of that, and travelers paying with the Costco Anywhere Visa earn an additional 3 percent cash back. If you shop regularly at Costco, those combined benefits can make the effective cost significantly lower than booking direct, even if the initial fare looks identical.

However, Costco’s approach is not always the absolute cheapest in every scenario. Some cruise lines run targeted promotions, resident rates or casino offers that are only visible in their own systems or via select agents. In a few cases, travelers booking directly with a cruise line may access flexible deposit programs or future cruise credit options that are harder to replicate when booking through a third party.

The best strategy is to compare the all-in value: base fare, taxes and port fees, onboard credit, loyalty points, Costco rewards and any free add-ons like drink packages or Wi-Fi before making a decision.

For a direct comparison of Costco Cruises versus booking straight with cruise lines, including loyalty points and flexibility, see our breakdown of Costco cruises versus booking direct.

Booking Process, Terms and Cancellations

Booking a Costco Cruise typically begins on the Costco Travel website. Travelers search by destination, month or cruise line, then drill down to specific departure dates. For each sailing, Costco displays cabin options, sample pricing per person based on double occupancy, and a list of included extras such as digital Costco Shop Cards or Executive member benefits.

From there, you can select staterooms, add flights or pre- and post-cruise hotels, and choose ground transfers or other add-ons. Once booked, you receive confirmation from both Costco Travel and the cruise line, and you usually manage check-in directly through the cruise line’s website or app.

It is crucial to understand that cancellations and revisions are governed largely by the cruise line’s policies, not Costco’s. Costco Travel’s general terms explain that any changes to a cruise booking after the initial reservation can result in supplier fees, and that cruise lines do not typically allow rate reductions once penalty periods begin or once the cruise is paid in full. If a cruise line does decide to permit a later price adjustment, it is at the line’s discretion rather than Costco’s, and may still involve administrative conditions.

Cancelling a Costco Cruise can result in a loss of deposit or even the full fare, depending on how close you are to sailing and what the specific cruise line’s schedule of penalties looks like. Airfare purchased through Costco Travel as part of a cruise package is often nonrefundable, though the value of unused tickets can sometimes be applied to future flights with change fees and fare differences.

Because these rules vary widely, travelers should review the cruise line’s own terms at the time of booking and consider adding trip protection that covers cancellations for covered reasons.

We explain penalty periods, deposits and what flexibility you really have in our guide to Costco cruise cancellation and change policies.

Executive Membership, Shop Cards and When They Pay Off

For frequent cruisers and loyal Costco shoppers, the Executive membership tier can significantly enhance the value of booking cruises through Costco Travel. Executive members earn a 2 percent annual reward on qualified Costco Travel spending, up to a set maximum per 12-month period.

That reward is calculated after travel is completed, so it applies to the total cruise purchase price before taxes and certain excluded fees but after any applicable discounts. Because cruises can be high-ticket purchases, a single family sailing can generate a substantial portion of that annual reward.

To see whether upgrading to Executive membership makes sense, travelers should estimate how much they will spend at Costco and on Costco Travel in a year. Analysts and consumer writers often point out that a household spending a few thousand dollars annually at Costco can cover the incremental cost of the Executive tier through the 2 percent reward alone.

When a cruise purchase is added to the equation, the break-even threshold is much easier to reach, particularly if you also leverage the 3 percent credit card reward on travel bookings.

Digital Costco Shop Cards tied to specific cruise promotions operate alongside the Executive reward rather than instead of it. A typical arrangement might see a couple book a week-long Alaska cruise through Costco and receive a digital shop card per stateroom delivered by email after the cruise begins, plus the 2 percent Executive reward and 3 percent credit card rebate posted later.

For families that routinely stock up on groceries, household goods and gasoline at Costco, those layered rewards can feel almost like an additional fare discount paid out over time.

We walk through the math for cruise bookings specifically in our analysis of whether Costco Executive Membership is worth it for cruises.

Pros, Cons and Who Costco Cruises Are Best For

Costco Cruises are particularly well suited to travelers whose top priorities are value, transparency and mainstream itineraries. If you are comfortable selecting your own itinerary and cabin category, willing to forgo deeply customized onboard arrangements, and already shop at Costco, the combination of competitive fares and post-trip rewards can be compelling.

Families booking Disney or Caribbean cruises, couples planning Alaska cruise tours, and retirees exploring Europe often find Costco’s mix of price and perks hard to beat.

On the other hand, Costco Cruises may not be ideal for every traveler. Those seeking highly specialized voyages, such as expedition cruises with niche operators that focus on polar regions or small-ship itineraries in remote archipelagos, might find better access and more tailored advice through a dedicated cruise specialist agency.

Travelers who rely heavily on re-faring strategies watch cruise prices daily to capture every small reduction may also prefer agencies that aggressively manage price drops throughout the penalty-free period, something Costco does not promote as a primary service.

Customer service preferences also matter. While Costco Travel advisors can handle most routine questions by phone, travelers who want a single, long-term advisor who knows their preferences intimately may feel more at home with a local boutique travel agency.

And because any changes or issues must be routed through Costco as the booking agent, some passengers feel they have slightly less direct control than they would when booking directly with the cruise line, particularly close to sailing when call volumes peak.

We break this down by traveler type in our guide to who Costco cruises are best for and who should avoid them.

The Takeaway

Costco Cruises occupy a valuable middle ground in the cruise marketplace, blending the scale and purchasing power of a wholesale club with the guidance of an in-house travel agency.

For many travelers, the combination of competitive cruise fares, digital Costco Shop Cards, Executive membership rewards and credit card cash back transforms a standard sailing into a notably better value, especially on higher-priced itineraries or when booking multiple cabins for families and groups.

The program is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Travelers who demand ultra-customized experiences, prefer boutique travel advisors or chase every possible fare adjustment may find better fits elsewhere. Yet for cost-conscious cruisers already invested in the Costco ecosystem, the math often tilts in favor of booking through Costco Travel.

By comparing base fares, understanding cancellation policies and fully accounting for all rewards and shop cards, travelers can make clear-eyed decisions about when Costco Cruises provide the strongest return on their vacation dollars.

FAQ

Q1. Do I need a Costco membership to book a Costco Cruise?
Yes. You must have an active Costco membership, either standard or Executive, to use Costco Travel and book cruises. Without membership, you cannot access the Costco Travel booking portal or member-only offers.

Q2. Are Costco Cruise prices always cheaper than booking directly with the cruise line?
Not always. The base fare is often similar to the cruise line’s public rate, but Costco frequently adds value through digital Costco Shop Cards, onboard credit and membership rewards. The overall package can be better than booking direct, but it is wise to compare specific sailings.

Q3. What is a digital Costco Shop Card and when do I receive it?
A digital Costco Shop Card is an electronic gift card issued by Costco as part of many cruise offers. It is usually sent by email about 10 days after your cruise begins and can be used for purchases at Costco warehouses or online, subject to the terms of the promotion.

Q4. Do I still earn cruise line loyalty points if I book through Costco Travel?
Yes. In most cases, cruises booked through Costco Travel earn the same loyalty points and status credit with the cruise line as bookings made directly. You will typically add your loyalty number during booking or online check-in with the cruise line.

Q5. Can I transfer an existing cruise booking to Costco Travel to get the perks?
Sometimes. Some cruise lines allow a booking made directly with them to be transferred to a travel agency within a limited window after creation. Policies vary, and not all bookings are eligible, so you need to call Costco Travel promptly to see whether a transfer is possible.

Q6. How do cancellations work on Costco Cruises?
Cancellations follow the cruise line’s penalty schedule, which usually becomes more restrictive as you approach sailing. Costco Travel’s terms explain that cancelling can lead to a loss of deposit or full payment, and that airfare booked through Costco is often nonrefundable, though future credit may be available in some cases.

Q7. Is upgrading to Executive membership worth it just for a cruise?
It depends on your spending. Executive members earn a 2 percent annual reward on qualified Costco Travel purchases. For a costly cruise or multiple cabins, that reward can cover the additional cost of upgrading membership, especially if you also shop regularly at Costco during the year.

Q8. Can I book flights and hotels with my Costco Cruise?
Yes. Costco Travel can package airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and ground transportation with your cruise. This can simplify logistics and sometimes unlock extra perks, though you should still compare airfares and hotel offers from other sources when planning.

Q9. Are Costco Cruises good for first-time cruisers?
They can be an excellent option. Costco highlights popular, well-supported itineraries and mainstream cruise lines, and its advisors can help first-timers choose cabin types, dining options and trip insurance. The added shop cards and rewards can also soften the financial impact of a first cruise vacation.

Q10. What happens if the price of my cruise drops after I book through Costco?
Whether you can benefit from a price drop depends on the cruise line’s rules, the timing and the fare type you booked. Costco Travel can request a price adjustment, but cruise lines generally do not allow reductions once penalty periods begin or the cruise is paid in full, so adjustments are not guaranteed.