Cruise vacations are a popular choice for travelers looking to explore new destinations and relax on the high seas. With an increasing number of people looking to book a cruise, there has never been a better time to become a cruise affiliate marketer.
As a cruise affiliate, you can earn commissions by promoting various cruise companies and their offerings, including luxury cruises, family-friendly cruises, and adventure cruises. These affiliate programs offer a range of commission rates, cookie windows, and marketing tools, enabling affiliates to choose the programs that best fit their audience and goals.
In this article, we will be looking at the 10 best cruise affiliate programs of 2023. Whether you are an experienced affiliate marketer or just starting, this guide will help you find the right cruise affiliate programs to promote and earn commissions. From large cruise companies to small, niche operators, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s set sail and explore the best cruise affiliate programs available in 2023.
Cruise Affiliate Programs
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is a leading luxury cruise company that has been providing extraordinary experiences to millions of passengers around the world for several decades. The company operates 25 different ships that sail to over 250 exotic and unique destinations, and its recent innovations like robotic bartenders have only added to its reputation for excellence.
As a well-established brand in the cruise industry, affiliates won’t have to spend much time explaining who Royal Caribbean is to their audience. The company’s cruises can be expensive, so the potential earnings for affiliates can be significant.
While the commission rates for the Royal Caribbean affiliate program are in British pounds, the program is available internationally. Customers typically spend an average of £1,254 for a basic cruise, which means affiliates can earn a 4% commission, equating to £50.16 per sale. However, many Royal Caribbean cruises cost far more than the average, presenting excellent opportunities for affiliates to earn even more through this program.
URL: Royal Caribbean International affiliate program
Commission rate: 4% per sale
EPC: £95.67
Cookie duration: 45 days
Polynesian Cultural Centre
The Polynesian Cultural Centre, located in Laie, has a rich history dating back to 1865, with a goal of celebrating and preserving Polynesian culture and arts. Students from local colleges began working there in 1963 to support their education while immersing themselves in their native culture. Today, it is the most popular paid tourist attraction on Oahu, with over a million visitors each year.
For anyone on a Pacific or Hawaiian cruise, a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Centre is a must-do activity. As an affiliate, you can make your audience aware of this attraction, and earn a commission for sales made through your referral.
The Polynesian Cultural Centre affiliate program offers a 5% commission on sales made on Polynesia.com and 7% on sales from shop.polynesia.com. What’s even more interesting about this program is the average order size of $385, meaning commissions can range between $20 to $27 per sale.
If you have a website with a travel, retirement, or vacation audience, this program could make for an exciting add-on.
URL: Polynesian Cultural Center affiliate program
Commission rate: 5% – 7% per sale
EPC: $184.69
Cookie duration: 60 days
Orbitz
In the world of online travel bookings, Orbitz is a name that needs no introduction. Since its inception, Orbitz has been synonymous with providing affordable travel options to holiday-goers looking for a bargain. While the site is most well-known for its low-cost flights and hotels, it also provides access to some of the best cruise deals on the market. Orbitz offers cruise packages for all the popular routes and destinations, including world cruises.
For affiliates, the Orbitz affiliate program is a solid option with a 5/5 ‘Network Earnings’ score on Commission Junction. While the cookie duration is relatively short, affiliates can expect an EPC of over $100. One downside is that commission payouts vary depending on what your visitors buy. However, for cruise affiliate marketers, the program offers a commission of $40 for every sale referred.
It’s worth noting that Orbitz and Expedia are now essentially the same company. So, if you’re looking to partner with a trusted name in the travel industry that offers the best of both worlds when it comes to cruises and other travel options, the Orbitz affiliate program could be an excellent choice for you.
Commission rate: 2% – 7%, $3 – $40
EPC: $106.17
Cookie duration: 7 days
ROAM Luggage
ROAM Luggage is a unique luggage brand that allows customers to design their own travel luggage, down to personalized monograms. Unlike traditional black luggage, ROAM Luggage enables cruise-goers to easily spot their bags among a sea of identical luggage on any baggage carousel.
While bespoke luggage can be expensive, ROAM customers spend an average of $414, which means affiliates earn a $33 commission for each sale. This average sale does not account for shoppers who may spend thousands in a single transaction.
ROAM Luggage’s affiliate program provides a unique opportunity for affiliates in the travel niche. Not only does it offer a quality product, but it also allows for a personalized touch that is sure to appeal to travelers. And with the added bonus of a commission on each sale, promoting ROAM Luggage is a win-win for affiliates and their audiences.
URL: ROAM Luggage affiliate program
Commission rate: 8% per sale
EPC: $24.63
Cookie duration: 30 days
Virgin Holidays
Virgin Holidays, one of the businesses owned by philanthropist and billionaire Richard Branson, has a reputation for treating its customers particularly well. The company offers a range of cruises for various destinations, including world cruises, which can cost up to £45,000 per package.
Although the 1% commission rate offered by Virgin Holidays for its affiliate program may seem low, it is important to consider that the average cost of a Virgin cruise is about £2,500, and the commission rate can go up to 2%. This means that affiliates can earn as little as £25 or as much as £225 per sale, depending on the package sold.
As an affiliate, promoting Virgin Cruises may be a good option for those targeting high-end customers who are willing to spend more on luxury vacations. With the company’s reputation for customer service, affiliates can also be confident that their referrals will be well taken care of.
URL: Virgin Cruises affiliate program
Commission rate: Up to 2%
EPC: £79.16
Cookie duration: 30 days
RoamRight
RoamRight is a travel insurance underwriter that launched its own brand in 2012. While travel insurance might not be on the top of anyone’s list, it can be extremely valuable in case of an emergency overseas. RoamRight offers insurance plans for cruise ships and other travel destinations. With millions of tourists vacationing abroad each year without any insurance, affiliates can tap into a large market by promoting RoamRight’s program. Affiliates can earn roughly $41 per sale with a 15% commission rate, which varies based on the plan customers sign up for. RoamRight’s program also offers a 365-day cookie duration, but they don’t accept coupon or discount sites or any affiliate not using their own domain name.
Fugu Luggage
Rollux Travel offers expandable luggage to solve the age-old problem of how much luggage to bring on vacation. With Rollux luggage, tourists can purchase a carry-on case that expands to hold all the amazing gifts they find in different ports around the world. The company was created by Isaac Atlas and David Lifshitz, and the brand is known as Fugu.
Promoting Rollux luggage to your audience should be easy because it offers a practical solution to a common problem. The average order size for Rollux luggage is $444, and affiliates can earn a 10% commission rate. This program is definitely worth considering to add to your site’s portfolio.
URL: Rollux Travel affiliate program
Commission rate: 10% per sale
EPC: $45.31
Cookie duration: 90 days
Dock & Bay
Dock & Bay is a unique affiliate program that offers quick-drying beach towels, hair wraps, swim shorts, and ponchos. The company founders, Andy and Ben, reinvented the towel and introduced this compact and fast-drying towel, which is perfect for use on a cruise ship.
Dock & Bay has a successful appearance on the UK version of Shark Tank, Dragon’s Den. This program has an EPC of $75 and an average order size of $50, which is quite impressive for a program that primarily sells towels. Although it is a relatively new brand, this is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on their success.
One downside of the Dock & Bay affiliate program is the 7-day cookie duration. However, with the brand’s popularity, affiliates may still benefit from the program.
URL: Dock & Bay affiliate program
Commission rate: 5% per sale
EPC: $75.72
Cookie duration: 7 days
Allianz Worldwide Care
Allianz Insurance, established in 1890, has become the leading supplier of assistance insurance in the world, including travel insurance. They acquired Elvia Travel Insurance in 2000 and now offer international health insurance coverage for people who spend several months overseas, such as those going on a cruise. This coverage ensures that the individual receives the best medical care possible, no matter where they are in the world.
With an EPC of €370, the Allianz Insurance affiliate program can be a profitable one for those with the right audience. Financial, banking, or insurance affiliate programs typically have higher-than-average EPCs. Affiliates can make €10 – €50 per sale or a flat €10 per lead generated. Although this is a niche program best suited to those going on world cruises, there are tens of thousands of new vacationers in that market every year.
URL: Allianz affiliate program
Commission rate: €10 – €50 per sale, or €10 per lead
EPC: €370.86
Cookie duration: 15 days
Way.Com
Way.com is a successful search engine that helps users find deals on various activities, including airport parking. Although it’s not a revolutionary concept, the company’s ShareASale ranking indicates that many people are using this service. Affiliates can earn a 10% commission on all sales, which typically translates to a payout of $6.78 per customer. While this may seem like a small amount, the high transaction volume means that affiliates can still make a decent amount of money with Way.com. As a result, this program may be more suitable for affiliates who can generate a high volume of traffic rather than those with a smaller but more targeted audience.
URL: Way.com affiliate program
Commission rate: 10% per sale
EPC: $111.44
Cookie duration: Never expires
Conclusion: Cruise Affiliate Programs
There are a variety of cruise affiliate programs available for marketers to promote in 2023. From well-known cruise companies like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line to travel insurance providers like RoamRight and Allianz, there are opportunities for affiliates to earn commissions by referring customers to these services.
Some programs offer higher commission rates than others, but with the high average order sizes for cruises, even a lower commission rate can still result in significant earnings.
Additionally, programs like Way.com and Dock & Bay offer unique products that can appeal to cruise travelers and provide additional earning opportunities for affiliates.
Ultimately, choosing the best cruise affiliate program to promote will depend on the marketer’s audience and the types of services and products that would appeal to them.
