Cruise Credit Cards: Everything You Need to Know

Cruise credit cards can be a game-changer for frequent cruisers, offering rewards, perks, and benefits that make your sailing experience even more enjoyable.

Many cruise credit cards come with a sign-up bonus, which can be redeemed for a free cruise or onboard credit. For example, the Carnival World Mastercard offers a $100 statement credit after making a single purchase within the first 90 days.

Some cruise credit cards also offer a rewards program that earns points or miles for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for future cruises or other travel expenses. The Holland America Credit Card, for instance, earns 3 points per dollar spent on Holland America cruises.

If you're not a frequent cruiser, you might be wondering if a cruise credit card is worth it. The answer depends on your individual circumstances, but if you take a cruise at least once a year, a cruise credit card can be a great way to earn rewards and perks that make your sailing experience more enjoyable.

If you're considering a cruise credit card, one option worth exploring is the Chase credit card that offers a 60,000 bonus points reward after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

This card also offers impressive rewards on travel purchases, including 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining and select streaming services, and 2x points on all other travel purchases. The 60,000 points can be redeemed for $750 towards travel.

One of the standout benefits of this card is the 25% more value you get when redeeming points for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠. This means you can get more bang for your buck on your travel expenses.

Here are some of the key benefits of this credit card:

With its impressive rewards and travel benefits, this credit card is definitely worth considering for your next cruise.

If you're looking for something other than a traditional credit card, you might want to consider alternative options.

The Discover it Balance Transfer card offers 18 months of 0% APR, which can be a huge help if you're trying to pay off debt.

For those who want cash back rewards, the Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, but it's not ideal for those with bad credit.

Some people prefer the simplicity of a credit card with no annual fee, like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card.

No-Annual-Fee credit cards are a great option for those who want to avoid paying an annual fee. They often have lower rewards rates or fewer benefits.

Some No-Annual-Fee credit cards have rotating categories for earning cash back, such as Discover it Cash Back.

Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

No-Annual-Fee credit cards can be a good choice for people who don't want to pay an annual fee, but they may have fewer benefits than cards with fees.

Branded credit cards are designed to appeal to specific interests or lifestyles, often offering rewards and benefits tailored to those interests. These cards can be a great option for consumers who want to earn rewards that align with their spending habits.

Some popular branded credit cards include those affiliated with airlines, hotels, and credit card companies, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. This card offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, making it a great choice for frequent travelers.

Branded credit cards often come with annual fees, which can range from $50 to $500 or more. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, has a $95 annual fee, but it can be worth it for the rewards and benefits it offers.

Many branded credit cards also offer sign-up bonuses, which can be a great way to earn a large number of points or miles quickly. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for instance, offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Overall, branded credit cards can be a great option for consumers who want to earn rewards and benefits that align with their interests and spending habits.

Cruise credit cards offer a range of benefits, including rewards programs that can help you earn points or miles towards your next cruise.

You can earn up to 5x points per dollar spent on cruise-related purchases, such as booking a cabin or purchasing shore excursions.

These cards often come with no foreign transaction fees, making them a great option for international travel.

Some cruise credit cards also offer a welcome bonus of up to 75,000 points, which can be redeemed for a free cruise or other travel perks.

You might be wondering whether to get a credit card specifically designed for cruise bookings. The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.

Surprisingly, the best credit cards for booking cruises are often not the ones co-branded with the cruise line. These cards usually offer more valuable rewards and better protections than the cruise line's credit card.

Before applying for a cruise line's credit card, compare its benefits to those offered by top travel credit cards. You might find that the travel credit cards offer more valuable rewards and better protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and flight delay coverage.

Owning a cruise line's credit card won't necessarily help you earn elite status in their loyalty program. The points-earning programs are separate, and you'll need to earn status through sailing days or cruises, not through credit card spending.

If you're considering a cruise, you'll want to think carefully about your credit card options.

A cruise credit card can be a great way to earn rewards on your booking and protect yourself against mishaps, but it's not the only option.

Using the right credit card can help you rack up serious rewards on your booking and protect yourself against a wide range of mishaps.

For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is great for ease of booking cruises, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a good choice for a low annual fee.

If you're loyal to a particular cruise line, you may want to consider its credit card, but be aware that it may not offer as many benefits as a more general travel card.

In fact, most people will be better served by a general travel card, which can earn you rewards on a wider range of purchases.

Here are some of the best credit cards for cruising, grouped by category:

We recommend using a credit card to book your cruise to earn rewards on your purchases. This way, you'll get some serious benefits.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for frequent travelers, offering bonus miles and miles back programs that will work for nearly anyone.

Accruing miles is relatively pointless if you rarely travel, so consider the Citi Double Cash credit card for everyday purchases with occasional trips.

The Citi Double Cash credit card is a more practical choice for those who will be using their card for everyday purchases.

If you're an avid traveler, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice, earning bonus miles and miles back on nearly all purchases.

This card is ideal for frequent travelers, but if you're only taking a cruise every few years, it might not be the best fit.

For those who rarely travel, accruing miles can be pointless, making the Citi Double Cash credit card a more practical choice for everyday purchases with the occasional trip.

The Citi Double Cash card is a great option for those who don't travel often, but still want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.

If you're planning a cruise, consider the non-cruise line credit cards for travel-related purchases, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.