Hi ramonortiz55,
The earning preference in your profile applies to qualifying Choice Hotels stays and can be changed as often as you'd like. You will earn based on your preference at time of check-in.
You can also have the front desk help you change what you will earn for a specific stay when you check in (this will only apply to that specific stay and earning for future stays will still be based on the preference in your profile).
Earning Choice Privileges points for cruises is separate from earning points for stays, so your profile earning preference will not impact your ability to earn Choice Privileges points when booking cruises. If you book your cruise through the link on this page (
https://www.choicehotels.com/choice-...-points/travel), you can earn Choice Privileges points, regardless of what your earning preference in your profile is set to.
Regarding your other question about earning Southwest Rapid Rewards points for Choice Hotels stays, you will receive 600 points for your qualifying stay, plus any additional points through your Southwest credit card per your credit card benefits, since these are separate programs.
Hope this helps and let us know if you have any additional questions!