Travelling the world while bringing in some cash from home sounds like a dream for a lot of people. But choosing the right way to do it really matters, especially with opportunities that require regular payments and some big promises. I’m a pharmacist by training, super analytical, and for the record, I have zero ties with InCruises, so all of this comes from a place of curiosity and careful digging.
InCruises is absolutely a real company, and you can book legit cruises. But if you’re eyeing that $100 a month commitment, I’ll just say: the pitch sounds way better than the actual fine print.
There’s a lot hiding in the details that most folks don’t hear about upfront. Here’s what you’ll want to know before spending a cent.
What Is InCruises?
InCruises kicked off in 2015 as part of INGROUP International, and by now, there are over 1.8 million members across 190+ countries.
The idea behind the company is pretty simple: pay a monthly fee and get ‘Cruise Dollars’ you can use for discounts on cruise travel.
There’s also a partner program if you want to try earning some extra bucks by bringing in others.
Your membership converts cash into Cruise Dollars, supposedly doubling your money on paper.
But there’s a twist with how you can use these points, which I’ll go over in a bit. If you’re interested in earning, InCruises lets you become a Partner and make commissions by recruiting new members.
So the system really has two tracks: using the membership for travel, or promoting it to others for money.
How Does InCruises Work?
The Membership Side
InCruises offers three main options:
- Starter: $50/month
- Classic: $100/month (the most popular)
- Premium: $250/month
The marketing hook is this: every dollar you pay turns into two Cruise Dollars. So on the Classic plan, you pay $100 and get $200 worth of booking credit each month.
Sounds pretty handy, right?
Here’s where the catch comes in: you can only use 60% of those points on any cruise in your first year.
That unlock creeps upward with time, but you don’t get full access to all your Cruise Dollars until you’ve been a paying member for five years.
If you stop paying before then, you only get to use the “unlocked” portion, so a big chunk stays unusable if you cancel early.
The Partner/Income Side
If you want to earn money with InCruises, you’ll need to sign up as a Partner.
That costs $95 upfront and another $95 every six months to stay in the program.
Your main way to earn is by recruiting others—either as paying Members or as new Partners.
Commissions come from people you sign up; there’s no way to earn from cruise sales alone.
To get out of paying your monthly membership, you need people you’ve signed up to generate at least $500 in sales every single month.
That’s a pretty high bar unless you’re all in with recruiting. The Partner side demands a real hustle, so it’s worth thinking twice before jumping onboard.
How Much Does InCruises Really Cost?
The advertised $100 a month gets you into the Classic tier, but if you want to also earn, you’re tacking on the $190 Partner fee each year.
Here’s where it gets tricky: even though you’re paying $1,200 a year, you can only use $720 worth of booking credit in the first year, thanks to that 60% lock on your Cruise Dollars.
So you’re telling yourself you’re banking for big travel, but the actual value is much lower in the first few years.
On top of that, there are no refunds.
Even if life throws you a curveball and you can’t travel, or you decide the Partner side isn’t for you, there’s no way to get your money back or even transfer your points to someone else.
Everything you’ve paid is locked in. You’re effectively making a long-term commitment for uncertain benefits, which is a serious thing to consider.
InCruises Pros
- ✅ Real company, operating since 2015 with genuine cruise options.
- ✅ The points system doubles your buying power each month in the long run, if you stick around.
- ✅ Cruise Dollars don’t expire as long as your membership stays active.
- ✅ There are exclusive deals and insider pricing for both cruises and hotel stays.
- ✅ InCruises is global and present in over 190 countries, making it accessible for many international folks.
InCruises Cons
- ❌ Only 60% of your points are usable in year one. You need five years for full access.
- ❌ Absolutely no refunds, ever, even if you never travel.
- ❌ You have to book at least three months ahead; spontaneous vacations are out.
- ❌ Cruise Dollars can only be used through the InCruises platform, with a specific selection of sailings.
- ❌ More than 95% of Partners earn very little or nothing at all.
- ❌ There are legit complaints about accounts being closed without warning and Cruise Dollars disappearing without a clear explanation.
Who Is InCruises Good For?
People who already plan at least one or two cruises every year, and who are happy with locking in their travel budget for several years, might see some real value.
If you’re budgeting $100 or more per month for cruise vacations and know you’ll stick with it, you’ll eventually use your Cruise Dollars and maybe save a bit.
It helps if you don’t mind booking well in advance and want access to some of those insider deals. High commitment is key here—the rewards are backloaded for the long-term players.
This type of model actually works best for experienced cruise lovers who are comfortable sticking to a routine and planning vacations early.
If you have family or friends also committed to cruising, you might also find a way to team up and make the most out of group rates or promotional bonuses offered via the InCruises platform.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
If you’re signing up for the income or business side, it’s really important to know that the vast majority of Partners don’t earn a meaningful amount.
Making real money means recruiting hard and often. It’s not for folks who want hands off income or hate the idea of constantly promoting to friends and family.
Anyone who wants flexible travel or likes picking from a huge range of hotel, airline, or destination options probably won’t vibe with the limitations of Cruise Dollars.
Also, if you’re in a country with a tough currency exchange rate, dropping $100 USD per month into a nonrefundable program is a pretty risky move.
For these types of travelers, other programs or DIY deals might offer more freedom and control over where and how you spend your money.
Personal Experience: Where I’m Coming From
I’m not a career marketer and definitely not one to buy into hype easily. I actually looked into InCruises because I have friends who love cruises and kept asking about “travel hacks” for big trips, especially from South Africa where everything’s pricier with the exchange rate.
It was the Partner program that caught my eye—a low upfront cost, recurring income, and travel freebies. But when I crunched the numbers and really read through the payout structures, I realized how tough it was to come out ahead without heavy recruiting.
The part about Cruise Dollars being locked up for five years if you want to get full value was honestly a dealbreaker, especially given zero refunds. If everything goes smoothly, great. But there’s a lot that can go wrong, and most people aren’t told that upfront.
As somebody who lives on planning and analyzing, the numbers didn’t add up for me. I figured out that even if you manage to recruit several new members, you’re still putting hours into maintaining your network and selling the dream.
Factor in currency fluctuations and the fact that you can’t easily cash out, and the risks quickly start to outweigh the benefits.
I wanted a side income that wouldn’t force me into constant hustle mode or put my hard-earned cash on the line for years at a stretch.
My Honest Verdict
InCruises isn’t a scam.
The company’s legit, the product (cruises) is real, and some members love using the system for their yearly sea adventures. Where things start to get iffy is on the income side—it’s driven by recruiting, and unless you’re a master recruiter, it’s super tough to make more than a few dollars back.
That 5-year Cruise Dollar lock is a real surprise for most members too, especially if you ever need to quit early.
For those in places like South Africa, $100/month isn’t pocket change.
Dropping that money with no way to get it back and with points that unlock so slowly is a huge risk, and it can become a stressful commitment.
And wasting time on recruiting rather than on something that grows steadily just didn’t feel worth it to me.
This led me to check out ways to earn extra money at home without having to constantly recruit or put funds at risk.
After a ton of research, I wanted a side hustle that’s beginner-friendly, doesn’t need big upfront payments, and gives me true flexibility.
I wanted the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, and affiliate marketing was the solution I stumbled upon that meets all those needs.
What I Personally Do Instead
My favorite alternative to the MLM grind: affiliate marketing.
It’s totally possible to earn commissions from products already on the market, with no need to recruit, no locked funds, and no platform you’re chained to.
You can get started for next to nothing, and you don’t have to bug your friends or join endless group calls.
If you want a step-by-step way to do this, Aaron Chen’s Invincible Marketer is the route I went. The methods use free traffic and can be worked on an hour or two a day, from anywhere.
Aaron’s stuff is clear and beginner-friendly, and he’s super transparent about what works and what doesn’t.
His free masterclass is worth checking out (and yup, he’s my mentor and the reason I’m actually seeing results online now). Watch Aaron’s Free Masterclass Here →
Affiliate marketing lets you set your own pace, choose products based on your interests, and never get locked into longterm financial commitments.
It’s a flexible, modern approach to earning online that suits just about anyone, whether you’re a full-time traveler, a stay-at-home parent, or someone just looking to supplement your day job.
FAQs
Is InCruises a scam?
No, InCruises isn’t a scam. The cruises are real and the company operates legally. The big thing to know is that the business model mostly rewards those who recruit, not travelers or casual users.
How much does InCruises cost?
Membership is $50–$250 per month depending on your tier. If you want to earn commissions, add $95 to join the Partner side and $95 every six months to stay active.
Can I get a refund?
No. All money put into InCruises is nonrefundable, even if you’ve never booked a cruise, change your mind, or your circumstances change.
What’s a good alternative?
I recommend affiliate marketing, especially with training like Aaron Chen’s Invincible Marketer. It gives flexibility, doesn’t require recruiting, and doesn’t lock up your money.