cruise line credit cards

Best cruise line credit cards for next vacation in 2023

These credit cards are co-branded credit cards issued by cruise line operators and credit card companies. They offer great rewards to card members for booking their cruises using these credit cards. Though, Travel credit cards offer better rewards in comparison to cruise line credit cards.

These credit cards offer in-house points as rewards. These points can be redeemed for onboard amenities, buying souvenirs, room or cabin upgrades, or booking on-shore excursions. 

Advantages of the Cruise Line credit cards

  1. Cruise line credit cards are great if you are looking to join a cruise for your next holiday. These credit cards offer great deals as well as joining bonuses which can be used to get some off from the next booking.
  2. These credit cards offer perks on travel and offer from the credit card issuer.

Disadvantages of cruise line credit cards

  1. Firstly, cruise line co-branded credit cards do not offer rewards in the same tune as normal rewards cards. These credit cards usually offer rewards worth 1% of the spent on the credit card. On the other hand, Rewards credit cards offer 2 – 3% rewards in form of cashback or a statement credit.
  2. Rewards offered by these credit cards are in points. Furthermore, these points can be redeemed within the network of the same cruise company. 
  3. Cruise line credit cards have a higher APR. Even the promotional APR is tied to spending money with the cruise company.
  4. Finally, these credit cards may not have good credit lines and the overall experience could be frustrating. They may put hard credit inquiries on a member’s credit score.

#1 Card Name: The Carnival World Mastercard

cruise line credit cards
Carnival World Mastercard

Fees: This credit card costs a $0 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee.

APR: This credit card offers a 0% promotional APR for 6 months on Carnival cruise bookings. After that, a variable APR will apply, 19.24%- 29.24%.

Rewards: Card members receive 20,000 FunPoints after their first purchase or balance transfer. Although, these points are redeemable for a $200 statement credit towards the next cruise.

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Pros & Cons of this card: This credit card offers rewards in the form of Funpoints. Though, these are redeemable on Carnival Cruise.

Card members earn 2X FunPoints for every dollar spent on any purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines. Further, they also earn 2x points with the brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Furthermore, they receive a 10% statement credit for booking a Carvinavl Shore excursion along with a Carnival cruise on carnival.com. They can also earn 1 Funpoints on every dollar they spend otherwise.

Finally, this card offers the card members to redeem rewards starting from 5,000 Funpoints for a $50 Carnival onboard experience.

#2 Card Name: Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard

cruise line credit cards
Norwegian Cruise World Mastercard

Fees: This credit card costs a $0 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee.

APR: This card offers a 0% promotional APR for 6 months on the Norweigan cruise bookings. After that, a variable APR of 18.24%- 28.24% will apply.

Rewards: Card members receive 20,000 bonus points which can be redeemed for a $200 onboard credit on a Norwegian cruise. In order to qualify for this offer, they need to make a purchase of $1,000 in the first 90 days of a new card opening.

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Pros & Cons of this card: Card members earn rewards only in the form of WorldPoints. They earn 3 WorldPoints for every $1 spent on Norwegian purchases. Further, earn 2 WorldPoints per $1 spent on eligible air and hotel purchases. Finally, they earn 1 WorldPoints per $1 spent on all other purchases.

WorldPoints can be redeemed starting at 2,500 points. They can redeem points for stateroom upgrades, travel discounts, and exclusive redemption opportunities for last-minute cruises. Alternatively, they can redeem the rewards for onboard credits, car rentals, hotel stays, cash, and gift cards. 

Furthermore, Bank of America Preferred Rewards members also earns 25% – 75% more points on every purchase.

#3 Card Name: Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Signature Card

Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Signature

Fees: This credit card costs a $0 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee.

APR: 0% introductory APR for the 15 months following each balance transfer that posts to the account within 45 days of a new credit card opening. After the Intro period, the applicable variable APR is 19.24%- 29.24%.

Rewards: Card members receive 10,000 bonus points when they open a new credit card. These points can be redeemed for a $100 statement credit for the next cruise purchase. In order to, qualify for this offer, they need to make a purchase of $1,000 in the first 90 days.

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Pros & Cons of this card: Card members earn 2x points on every dollar spent on the princess cruises. For the rest of the purchases, they earn 1 point on every $1 spent. They can redeem points for onboard amenities and credits, along with gift cards and merchandise.

#4 Card Name: Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Credit Card

cruise line credit cards
Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature

Fees: This credit card costs a $0 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee.

APR: 18.24%- 28.24% variable APR

Rewards: Card members receive 10,000 MyCruise points which can be redeemed for a $100 onboard cruise. To qualify for this offer, they need to make a purchase of $1,000 in the first 90 days.

Our Rating: 3 / 5

Pros & Cons of this card: Credit card members earn 2 MyCruise points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises and their sister brand, Royal Caribbean. They also earn 1 MyCruise point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Card members can redeem their points toward cruise upgrades & discounts. Further, they can also redeem them for FREE cruises, and onboard credits to use any way they’d like. For example, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, shops, or at the spa.

#5 Card Name: Disney Premier Visa Card

hotel credit cards
Disney Premier Visa Card

Fees: $49 annual fee

APR: 17.74%‐26.74% variable APR

Rewards: Card members earn a $300 statement credit. In order to, qualify for this offer, they need to spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Our Rating: 3 / 5

Pros and Cons of this card: Card members can earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. This card offers a 0% promotional APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages.

Card members get 2% rewards on gas stations, grocery, restaurants, and most other Disney locations. They can redeem Rewards Dollars toward Disney vacations. 10% discounts on select merchandise and at restaurants at Disneyland and Disney world resorts.

Credit Card members also get offers and deals at Disney cruises. They get 10% Savings on Non-Discounted Disney Cruise Line Digital Photo Packages. Also, they get 10% off on buying Disney merchandise from the cruise. Card members can redeem all sorts of experiences and enhancements on the Disney Cruise Line vacation. For example, souvenirs and excursions to room upgrades and adult-exclusive restaurants.

Disney also offers a Disney Visa Card which is available for a $0 annual fee. But this particular card has lower rewards. 

#6 Card Name: Royal Caribbean Visa signature

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature

Fees: $49 annual fee

APR: 17.74%‐26.74% variable APR

Rewards: Card members earn a 25,000 bonus points statement credit. To qualify for this offer, they need to spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Our Rating: 3 / 5

Pros and Cons of this card: Credit card members earn 2x points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Royal Caribbean Cruises. They also earn 1x point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. 

Card members earn points towards stateroom upgrades, onboard credit, companion fares, and more. Visa Signature Credit card members have access to the 24/7 Visa Signature Concierge. They also have access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection & benefits. They also receive special rates and VIP status at select luxury hotels worldwide.