Traveling the world and making money on the side. That combination sounds hard to resist, especially when you hear success stories from friends or see posts on social media.
I’ve always been skeptical of offers that promise more freedom and travel for just a small monthly fee, though.
My background is in pharmacy, so I’m naturally analytical with numbers and contracts.
Just to be clear, I don’t have any stake in whether someone joins InCruises or not. If you’re looking for the inside scoop from someone who’s done some digging around, you’re in the right spot.
Here’s the truth: InCruises is not a scam.
But after checking out all the details, I found a lot of small print that paints a kind of different picture than what most presentations show.
What Is InCruises?
InCruises is a travel membership business that started back in 2015 and runs under the bigger company INGROUP International.
Today, they say they have over 1.8 million members in 190 countries, which is honestly a wild reach for a still-young travel business. It has definitely spread fast and gained attention for its unique approach to travel savings and side income potential.
The core of InCruises works around its monthly membership, which they frame as a smart way to lock in travel savings for future cruise bookings.
Your payments are converted to Cruise Dollars at a “doubled” rate, meaning every dollar you put in is matched by the company for booking power down the road.
On top of that, InCruises has a partner program with a typical MLM (multilevel marketing) payout structure.
This bit is where you see the opportunity for commissions and extra earning, but there’s a lot more going on than just “get paid to travel.”
How Does InCruises Work?
The Membership Side
InCruises pushes three main membership tiers:
- Starter: $50 a month, building travel value slowly.
- Classic: $100 a month, which sits in the sweet spot for most folks.
- Premium: $250 a month, for the regular big spenders.
There’s a twist: for every dollar you pay, you get two Cruise Dollars to use on trips. Sounds like a deal that’d be hard to beat, right?
Until you realize that only60% of your Cruise Dollars are actually available in your first year. That means a lot of your money is locked up, with the rest only becoming available after five years of sticking around.
You’re signing up not just for future cruises but for a long-term commitment that most folks overlook in the excitement of “doubling” their money.
For people hoping to plan big family cruises or milestone trips, this system can look tempting.
However, you’ll have to be patient, as you can’t use all your credits upfront. The “forced savings” approach may help some people budget but can be frustrating for anyone who values flexibility.
The Partner/Income Side
If you want to move past just booking discounted cruises and actually make money, you’ll need to join the InCruises Partner program.
This costs $95 to start, plus another $95 every 6 months.
That’s not a small amount, given that you pay this on top of your regular membership fees, and it’s worth considering whether the extra income potential justifies the extra outlay.
Income comes mostly from signing up new paying members under you, not from selling cruise packages like a regular travel agent or tour operator.
Even to have your own $100 monthly fee waived, you’re expected to have referred members bringing in $500 or more every month in sales. This is the classic “recruit to save, recruit to earn” model familiar from other MLMs.
There are some people who do well with this recruiting-focused model, especially if they have a big network or lots of influence.
But most people find out pretty quickly that constant recruiting is tiring, especially if you’re not passionate about selling to friends or family.
How Much Does InCruises Really Cost?
A lot of people get pulled in by the $100/month Classic membership, thinking that’s their all-in price.
But if you want to earn income, you’re looking at $100 per month for membership plus $190 a year to be a Partner. So in your first year, you’re laying out $1,390 just to participate fully.
Here’s the kicker: because of the 60% Cruise Dollar lock, that $1,200 yearly spend actually gives you only $720 in usable booking value in the first 12 months.
If life changes and you can’t or don’t want to cruise, you can’t withdraw your money or get a refund. Everything stays in the InCruises system, waiting for you to unlock more of it later or possibly lose it, if something goes wrong with your account.
I’ve seen quite a few travel memberships, but the nonrefundable aspect and gradual point release feel risky, especially with exchange rate swings if you earn in a different currency than dollars.
You’re not just budgeting for travel; you’re tying money up for literally half a decade. That can make it hard for people whose financial situations change or who like to keep options open for how they use their money.
People outside the US or Europe, particularly in countries with unstable currencies, need to be extra cautious.
A swing in your local currency versus the dollar could make those monthly payments much more expensive and you still can’t get your money back.
InCruises Pros
- 100% legitimate registered business with real trips. You actually can book cruises and hotel stays.
- Points double your monthly contribution, so long-term members get real travel credit for what they put in.
- As long as you stay active, your points won’t expire. That removes some pressure to travel constantly if your plans switch up.
- Their group buying reach lets you lock in exclusive discounts, which can add up if you’re a frequent cruiser or booking with friends and family.
- Coverage in 190+ countries means expats and international travelers aren’t left out, unlike some programs based only in the US.
- The booking platform is relatively easy to use and the available selection for cruise lines is broad, which is great news for people with specific preferences or loyalty to particular cruise brands.
InCruises Cons
- Your Cruise Dollars are mostly locked (only 60% usable in your first year; full amount after five years of membership).
- No refunds, ever, on money you pay in, even if your travel plans or finances change.
- Booking rules require you to plan travel three months or more ahead, so last-minute adventures are off the table.
- Cruise Dollars can only be spent inside the InCruises booking platform. You’re boxed into their selection and pricing.
- The income opportunity is heavily weighted toward recruiting. Official numbers suggest that well over 95% of Partners earn little to nothing after costs are counted.
- There are some pretty harsh reports online about accounts being shut down suddenly, Cruise Dollars disappearing, or customer service giving the cold shoulder. So it’s smart to give the reviews and the fine print a close look before putting in any real money.
- Having to pay additional fees for booking certain trips or for accessing higher-value cabins can surprise some users, as these extra costs are not always clearly spelled out during presentations.
Who Is InCruises Good For?
The best fit for InCruises, in my opinion, is someone who loves cruises, budgets for at least one or two big trips a year, and wouldn’t mind setting up a longterm travel fund.
If you already plan to cruise every year and are happy with a five-year plan (especially if you’re in a stable currency like USD or EUR), this could work as a discount club that also builds in some delayed gratification.
People who love social selling and are comfortable recruiting for a side income might also enjoy the Partner program, as long as they understand it’s not likely to become their main job or a reliable steady income source.
If you truly have a big network and enjoy building teams, the structure might suit you more than average.
Frequent cruisers who always book through the same or similar cruise lines and stick to a predictable travel schedule will get the most out of InCruises. If you’re the type who saves up for annual cruises anyway, the program could boost your overall savings if you stick with it long enough.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
If your main goal is making extra money on your schedule without recruiting, InCruises probably isn’t the answer.
Almost nobody (statistically) makes serious money just selling travel bookings through their platform. Nearly all the energy is spent on recruiting more Partners.
If you like variety in your travel and want to mix in some variety with destinations, go on spontaneous trips, or book things other than cruises (like tours or Airbnb stays), you’ll feel boxed in by the platform.
Also, if you’re based outside the US or Europe—for instance, in South Africa—the fact that you’re paying in dollars while earning or risking local currency is a real headache. Sudden changes in the exchange rate could make this very expensive, with no way to get your money back.
I nearly signed up with a travel MLM a few years ago when I was looking to pivot from pharmacy.
It felt exciting until I realized nearly all the income and opportunity pictures were based on recruiting others, not helping people with travel. That was my moment to step aside and look for something with more flexibility and less risk, especially since most of us weren’t interested in recruiting friends or family for a slice of a travel fund.
My Honest Verdict
InCruises isn’t a scam.
It sells a real product, gets members on real cruises, and is a registered global business.
But the fine print is tough for the average person: the MLM side depends entirely on finding new recruits, and most people miss just how long their Cruise Dollars are locked up.
It’s basically a mix of forced savings and social selling that might work for some, but is a big leap for anyone with less stable finances or currency risk (the rand/dollar factor absolutely matters for South Africans).
I personally value flexibility, control, and the ability to change direction if I need to, and the idea of my $100 per month being permanently locked with no recourse didn’t sit well.
I started searching for something that wouldn’t tie up my funds, force me to recruit, or put my travel budget at risk. That path eventually led me to affiliate marketing, which was a much better fit for my lifestyle and risk tolerance.
The risk for loss is real. If you stumble upon reports about InCruises closing accounts for policy violations or other reasons, you’ll see stories where even long-time members lose access to all their Cruise Dollars.
So while the system works for some, you need to go in with open eyes and be sure you’re OK accepting those terms in the long run.
What I Personally Do Instead
Instead of joining InCruises or a similar travel MLM, I focus on affiliate marketing. It’s the type of business where I can build up passive income without recruiting or holding stock, and there’s no monthly fee or locked funds.
The program that really clicked for me is Aaron Chen’s Invincible Marketer. What sold me?
Free traffic methods, a transparent strategy, and a realistic side income that can build up if you put in one to two hours a day. I don’t have to pressure family or friends to sign up.
I just create resources for people who are already searching for solutions, and earn a commission when they buy. That feels cleaner and much lower stress to me.
Affiliate marketing also lets me change my focus whenever I want—switching up niches, promoting new brands, or setting my own schedule.
There’s no need to lock in money or push people to join just to keep up with a quota. For anyone who likes working online and wants to dig into digital business, I truly think this path is way more flexible.
If you want to get started in online income without recruiting or locked funds, check out Aaron’s free masterclass.
He’s been my mentor since I made the switch, and I genuinely don’t think I’d be building any long-term business now if I’d stuck to the travel MLM path. Watch Aaron’s Free Masterclass Here →
FAQ
Is InCruises a scam?
InCruises is a real company and not a scam, but most income opportunities are based on recruiting others and your travel funds are mostly locked up.
How much does InCruises cost?
You’re looking at $50, $100, or $250 per month for membership. If you want to earn, there’s a Partner fee of $95 twice a year. Most people pay $100 per month plus $190 per year minimum.
Can I get a refund?
No. All funds paid into InCruises are nonrefundable, even if you cancel or can’t travel.
What’s a good alternative?
If you want online income without locked funds or recruiting, Invincible Marketer is really worth checking out.
Closing Thoughts
For the right person—someone who already loves cruising and wants a forced savings travel club—InCruises creates real value. But for most people, especially anyone outside of stable dollar economies, the risks of locked nonrefundable funds and the focus on recruiting are pretty hard to ignore.
If you’ve tried a travel MLM, I’d love to hear what your experience was. Did the savings and travel match the hype, or were there more hoops than you expected?
If you’re ready for an income stream that doesn’t depend on recruiting friends or locking up your savings, give Aaron Chen’s free masterclass a look and see what it could do for you.