4 Credit Cards for Cruise Lovers

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You can have a whirlwind vacation without having to move from hotel to hotel. In fact, on a cruise your hotel room moves along with you.

But besides having a more hassle-free vibe, there are many rewards credit cards that offer cruisers ways to save money on their voyages and earn extra rewards on the money they do spend. Here are five of the best credit cards to help cruise fanatics earn special rewards and make the most of the money they spend.

1. Celebrity Visa Signature Card From Bank of America

This card offers new applicants two MyCruise Points for each dollar spent on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Azamara Club cruises, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Points are worth one cent each toward onboard purchases, and new cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus points when they make a transaction within the first 65 days after opening their account. In addition, cardholders receive another 7,500 bonus points after spending $3,000 within 90 days of opening the account. This card is offered in a no-fee version, as well as one with an annual fee of $69 that offers discounts on cruise purchases and no foreign transaction fees.

2. Norwegian Cruise Line World MasterCard From Bank of America

Cardholders earn 10,000 WorldPoints, worth $100 off their next cruise, when they make their first transaction within 90 days. One point is earned per dollar spent on most purchases, and double points on all Norwegian purchases. Cardholders can redeem points for stateroom upgrades, travel discounts, onboard credits, car rentals, hotel stays or gift cards, and they also receive exclusive redemption opportunities for last-minute cruises and other special offers. There is no annual fee for this card, but there is a 3% foreign transaction fee imposed on all charges processed outside of the U.S.

3. The Carnival Mastercard From Barclaycard

This card offers double FunPoints for all spending on Carnival cruises, including onboard purchases, and one point per Dollar spent on all other purchases. Points are worth one cent each toward cruises on Carnival and the other World Leading Cruise Lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn. New applicants receive 5,000 bonus FunPoints when they use their card for the first time, as well as 15 months of 0% APR promotional financing on balance transfers completed within 45 days of account opening. After that, there’s a variable APR of 15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49% depending on your creditworthiness (as of 12/19/2019). There is no annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

4. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

Although this card is not offered by a cruise line, it earns miles that can be redeemed for any travel-related expense, including cruises. Cardholders earn double miles on all transactions, and each mile is worth one cent each as statement credits toward travel expenses — including not just cruises but airfare, car rentals, hotels and tours. New cardholders receive 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of opening their account. In addition, cardholders receive a 5% rebate on the miles they redeem. There is an annual fee of for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

Keep in mind that the optimal way to use a rewards card is to charge no more than you can pay in full each month, and not carry a balance, as the interest charges can negate the rewards you would earn. Also, before you apply for any card, it’s helpful to know your credit score so that you search for a card in your credit range that you’re more likely to get approved for. You can see your credit scores for free on Credit.com, with updates every 14 days.

At publishing time, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus and Capital One Venture Rewards are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.