There may be one frequent query we get from TPG readers who’re cruise lovers: What are the very best bank cards for reserving cruises?
It might sound logical that the easiest way to earn rewards on cruise bookings is to get a cruise line cobranded bank card. Nonetheless, these playing cards typically do not provide as sturdy a worth as the very best journey bank cards.
For instance, the Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature® Credit score Card at the moment affords a welcome bonus of 30,000 factors (value $300 in onboard credit score or cabin upgrades) after spending $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening. Whereas which will sound interesting, you’ll be able to sometimes get a lot better worth from the welcome bonus on most common journey bank cards.
If you wish to get probably the most worth out of your cruise purchases, this is our information to the very best bank cards for reserving cruises and why you at all times need to pay to your trip at sea with a bank card.
The knowledge for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Why use a bank card to e book your cruise?
At TPG, we suggest utilizing a bank card each time and wherever attainable so that you at all times earn rewards in your purchases. In relation to cruises, you will get some critical advantages by reserving with a bank card.
Earn factors and miles
A cruise is a major expense, which suggests it is a chance to earn vital rewards.
You should utilize a cruise reserving that will help you hit a spending requirement and earn a beneficial welcome bonus on a brand new card, or earn rewards to place towards future journey by utilizing a card that earns bonus factors or miles on journey purchases.
Enhance your money circulate
We have all skilled billing errors and the complications that include them. For those who use money or a debit card to your cruise, a billing mistake can imply cash is already gone out of your account earlier than you notice there’s a difficulty. Through the use of a bank card, your cash stays protected when you work to get the problem resolved.
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Shield your spending
Many journey rewards playing cards embody journey delay and cancellation insurance coverage, so you will be protected in case your journey plans go awry. For those who plan on doing vital purchasing whereas in your ship, you should use a card with buy safety to make sure your gadgets arrive safely.
Associated: Cruise journey insurance coverage: What it covers and why you want it
One of the best bank cards for reserving cruises
When deciding which bank card to make use of for reserving cruises, you will need to think about the rewards a card earns on cruises and advantages like journey and purchasing protections. You may also make the most of a card’s extra particular perks, like assertion credit for journey and airport lounge entry to get you to and from the port.
With this in thoughts, we suggest these bank cards for reserving a cruise:
The knowledge for the American Specific Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
American Specific Inexperienced
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 factors after spending $3,000 in your first six months of card membership, value $800 in line with TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
Annual payment: $150
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: The Amex Inexperienced earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases, together with cruises. This implies you will earn bonus factors on the cruise reserving in addition to any flight or lodge purchases you make to get to and out of your cruise. You may additionally get journey delay insurance coverage* that covers as much as $300 per journey (most of two claims per 12-month interval) and buy safety** for as much as 90 days after you make a purchase order.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.
**Eligibility and profit ranges fluctuate by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by Amex Assurance Firm.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Amex Inexperienced.
Associated: Who ought to (and should not) get the Amex Inexperienced card?
Financial institution of America Premium Rewards
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days of account opening, value $600.
Annual payment: $95
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: The Financial institution of America Premium Rewards bank card earns 2 factors per greenback spent on all journey purchases, together with cruise line purchases in addition to lodge and airline purchases. You may additionally get journey protections equivalent to journey cancellation/delay/interruption insurance coverage.
And in case you’re a Financial institution of America Most popular Rewards member, you will earn an extra 25%-75% rewards bonus on each buy, supplying you with a good larger return in your cruise spending.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Financial institution of America Premium Rewards bank card.
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Premium Rewards bank card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. In response to TPG’s August 2025 valuations, this provide is valued at as much as $1,388.
Annual payment: $95
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: The Capital One Enterprise Rewards earns 2 miles per greenback spent on most purchases, together with cruise bookings. You’ll be able to redeem the rewards you earn for an announcement credit score to cowl journey bills, together with cruise line purchases.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards.
Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One Enterprise X
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening, value $1,388 in line with TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
Annual payment: $395
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: Just like the Enterprise Rewards, the Enterprise X earns 2 miles per greenback spent on most purchases, together with cruises, and comes with a number of journey protections. What makes the Enterprise X stand out is that it might make your journey run extra easily with further perks like complimentary airport lounge entry, an announcement credit score for TSA PreCheck or International Entry and a $300 annual credit score for journey booked by way of Capital One Journey.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Sapphire Most popular
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Chase Final Rewards bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, value $1,538 in line with TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
Annual payment: $95
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: The Chase Sapphire Most popular earns a beneficial 2 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases, together with cruise bookings. What makes this card stand out is its spectacular journey protections. Once you use it to e book journey, you will get safety towards misplaced or delayed baggage, in addition to journey delays and cancellations.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Chase Sapphire Most popular.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus factors and a $500 Chase Journey promo credit score* after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, value as much as $2,550 (together with the Chase Journey credit score) in line with TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
*The promotional credit score is legitimate for a one-time use solely; in case you apply the promotional credit score to a transaction lower than $500, you’ll forfeit the remaining steadiness.
Annual payment: $795
Why it is nice for reserving cruises: The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 8 factors per greenback on all bookings by way of Chase Journey, together with cruises booked within the portal. You may additionally get a barely higher suite of journey protections than with the Sapphire Most popular, plus airport lounge entry.
Maybe the very best perk on this card, nevertheless, is a $300 annual journey assertion credit score mechanically utilized to journey purchases, which means you’ll be able to rise up to $300 again in your cruise reserving whenever you use this card to pay.
To study extra, see our full evaluate of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Backside line
Utilizing the correct bank card to e book your cruise lets you earn some critical rewards in your reserving and shield your self towards a variety of mishaps.
Whether or not you are centered on receiving a beneficial welcome bonus to assist fund your subsequent journey or incomes bonus factors in your onboard cocktails, you’ll be able to really feel nice understanding your card is working exhausting when you’re kicking again at sea.
Associated: How one can e book a cruise utilizing factors and miles
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
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