The Cruise Credit Card Guide
Which cruise line cards exist, how they work, and how to pay for a cruise safely.
Get Free Cruise QuotesThe Cruise Credit Card, Explained
A cruise credit card is a co-branded card: a bank issues it, a cruise line puts its name on it, and the rewards are designed to send you back to that line. For loyal cruisers the points can add up to onboard credit or money off a future sailing. For everyone else, a general travel or cash-back card may do more.
This site explains which cruise cards exist now, how their points work in general, how to think about a cruise card versus another card, and — just as important — the consumer protections you get when you pay for a cruise by credit card. We name no rates or bonuses and link to no applications. Our job is to help you ask the right questions; the issuer’s own page has the current terms.
General information, not financial advice. Card names and features were checked on the issuers’ and cruise lines’ own pages in October 2026 and can change at any time. We do not list rates, fees or bonus offers, we do not take applications, and we are not paid by any card issuer. Always compare the current terms on the issuer’s own website before you apply.
Cruise Line Credit Cards Available Now
| Cruise line(s) | Card | Issuer | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea | Royal ONE Visa Signature and Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature | Bank of America | Royal Caribbean credit card |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Rewards Mastercard | Barclays | Carnival credit card |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard | Bank of America | Other cruise cards |
| Princess Cruises | Princess Rewards Visa | Barclays | Other cruise cards |
Two of these changed in 2026. Royal Caribbean Group launched the Royal ONE cards with Bank of America in the spring, combining three brands on one card, and Carnival replaced its long-running Carnival World Mastercard with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard when its new loyalty program began on September 1, 2026.
Four Questions Before Any Cruise Card
How often do you sail this line?
Points tied to one cruise family are worth most to people who sail it regularly.
How will you redeem?
Onboard credit, money off a cruise, or other travel. Check the redemption options and minimums on the issuer’s page.
What does it cost to hold?
Some versions carry an annual fee, some do not. Weigh it against what you will really earn.
Does it beat your current card?
A good general travel or cash-back card can be the better choice if you sail several lines.
Our guide to the best credit card for cruises walks through the trade-offs, and how cruise card points work explains the earning and redeeming in general.
Paying for Your Cruise by Card
Whatever card you choose, paying for a cruise with a credit card gives you federal billing-dispute rights that cash, checks and wire transfers do not. The Federal Trade Commission’s guidance explains how those rights work. Our page on paying for a cruise with a credit card explains what those rights cover, how deposits and final payments are charged, and what to do if something goes wrong.
The booking steps themselves — deposits, fare types and final payment — are covered on Web Cruise Reservations.
Get the Cruise Right First
The card is the small decision; the cruise is the big one. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the right ship and sailing, apply the promotions you qualify for and tell you exactly what will be charged and when. You pay with the card of your choice.
Cruise Credit Card is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Ask for a quote and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
For current cruise promotions see Wave Season and Cruising for Less, or join the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter. Loyalty program tiers are explained on Frequent Cruiser Program.
Cruise Credit Cards: Quick Answers
What is a cruise credit card?
A credit card issued by a bank in partnership with a cruise line. You earn points on everyday spending and extra on the line’s own purchases, then redeem them for that line’s cruises, onboard credit or other rewards set by the program.
Which cruise lines have their own credit card right now?
As of October 2026: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea share the Royal ONE cards from Bank of America; Carnival has the Carnival Rewards Mastercard from Barclays; Norwegian Cruise Line has a World Mastercard from Bank of America; and Princess has the Princess Rewards Visa from Barclays.
Do I need a cruise credit card to book a cruise?
No. Any major credit card works. A cruise card only makes sense if you sail one line, or one family of lines, often enough to use the points.
Book the Cruise, Pay Your Way
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will quote your sailing and show the deposit and final payment dates up front. Free.
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