The Royal Caribbean Credit Card is a co-branded Visa designed for cruise passengers, offering onboard spending credits and perks tied to sailings
Royal Caribbean offers a Visa card through Chase that gives you a statement credit toward onboard spending when you open the account. The card also provides benefits like free cabin upgrades (when available), onboard credits on future cruises, and priority boarding. Like any credit card, it charges an annual fee and interest on balances you don't pay in full each month.
The card makes sense if you cruise regularly with Royal Caribbean and plan to carry a balance or use it for everyday spending. If you cruise once every few years or only book through travel agents, the annual fee and interest rates may outweigh the onboard credits. The key is understanding what you actually get versus what the marketing emphasizes.
Key Takeaways
- The Royal Caribbean Visa includes a statement credit toward onboard spending when you open the account, typically ranging from $50 to $100 depending on the card tier.
- The card charges an annual fee that varies by tier; you need to compare this fee against the onboard credits and other perks to determine if it saves you money.
- Interest rates on purchases and cash advances are standard credit card rates, so carrying a balance will cost you significantly more than the onboard credits are worth.
- Onboard credits from the card stack with other promotions Royal Caribbean runs, but they do not reduce your cruise fare itself — they are spending money once you board.
- The card's value depends on your cruise frequency; occasional cruisers rarely recoup the annual fee, while frequent passengers may see a net benefit.
What the Card Includes at Each Tier
Royal Caribbean offers the card in two versions: the standard Royal Caribbean Visa and a premium tier. The standard card typically includes an onboard credit of $50 to $100 when you open the account, depending on current promotions. The premium tier includes a higher opening credit and additional perks like free cabin upgrades (subject to availability) and higher onboard credits on future cruises.
Both versions include benefits like priority boarding, free onboard WiFi (on some sailings), and the ability to earn onboard credits with each purchase you make on the card. The exact benefits and credit amounts change periodically, so you should check the current offer on Chase's website or Royal Caribbean's site before opening the account.
Annual fees range from $95 to $150 depending on the tier. This fee is charged every year, regardless of whether you use the card or cruise that year. If you do not cruise or use the card for other spending, you will pay the fee with no offset.
How Onboard Credits Work
Onboard credits are account balances you can spend on the ship — drinks, dining packages, spa services, shore excursions, and retail. They are not a discount on your cruise fare. The opening credit from the card goes into your account when you board, and you can use it when ready.
Additional onboard credits come from using the card for everyday purchases before your cruise. Most versions of the card earn a certain amount of onboard credit per dollar spent, typically 1% to 3% depending on the tier and the type of purchase. This earning rate is lower than many travel cards offer, so the card is most valuable if you are already planning to cruise and want to redirect existing spending rather than charge more to earn credits.
Onboard credits do not combine with your cruise fare — they sit separately in your shipboard account. If you book a cruise for $2,000 and receive a $100 onboard credit, you still owe $2,000 for the cruise and have $100 to spend on extras. The credit does not reduce what you pay Royal Caribbean for the sailing itself.
Annual Fee Versus Onboard Value
The annual fee ranges from $95 to $150, and you need to earn enough in onboard credits and opening bonuses to justify paying it. The opening credit alone — typically $50 to $100 — does not cover the annual fee in most cases. You need to cruise and use the card for onboard spending or everyday purchases to make up the difference.
If you cruise once per year and spend $3,000 on the card before your trip, earning 1% onboard credit, you would earn $30 in credits plus the opening bonus of $75, totaling $105. That covers a $95 annual fee but leaves little margin. If the annual fee is $150, you fall short. The math only works if you cruise multiple times per year, spend heavily on the card, or the current promotion includes a particularly high opening credit.
Compare this to not having the card: you pay no annual fee, but you also receive no opening credit or onboard earnings. For occasional cruisers, the no-card option is cheaper. For frequent cruisers who already spend on credit cards, redirecting that spending to this card may generate enough onboard credits to cover the fee and add value.
Interest Rates and Carrying a Balance
The Royal Caribbean Visa charges standard credit card interest rates on purchases and cash advances. These rates vary based on your credit score and current market conditions, but typically range from 18% to 27% APR. If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest charges will quickly exceed any onboard credits you earn.
For example, if you charge $5,000 to the card and pay only the minimum, you could pay $750 to $1,350 per year in interest alone, depending on the rate and payment schedule. Even if you earn $50 in onboard credits from that spending, you are losing money overall. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full balance each month and treat it like a debit card.
If you already carry balances on other cards, adding this card will not help your finances. The onboard credits are not worth the interest cost. Open the card only if you can pay it off in full each statement cycle.
How the Card Compares to Other Travel Cards
General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold earn points or miles on all travel and dining, typically at 2x to 3x per dollar. Those points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or statement credits at rates that often exceed 1 cent per point. The Royal Caribbean card earns onboard credits at a lower rate and only on Royal Caribbean sailings, making it narrower in scope.
The Royal Caribbean card makes sense if you cruise frequently with that specific line and want to concentrate your spending there. If you travel broadly — mixing airlines, hotels, and cruise lines — a general travel card will likely earn more value. If you cruise with multiple lines, a general travel card is almost certainly better because you can use the points or miles with any cruise line.
The card's real advantage is the opening credit and the stacking of onboard credits with other promotions Royal Caribbean runs. If you are already planning to cruise and want to maximize onboard spending money, the card can add value. But it is not a replacement for a general travel card if you travel in multiple ways.
When to Open and Close the Card
The best time to open the card is two to three months before you plan to cruise. This gives you time to meet any minimum spending requirements (if the current promotion includes one) and to charge regular expenses to the card before your trip. The opening credit will post to your account when you board the ship.
If you do not plan to cruise within the next year, there is no reason to hold the card and pay the annual fee. You can close it after your cruise or after the first year if you do not plan another sailing. Some people open the card for the opening credit, use it for a cruise, and close it before the second annual fee hits. This strategy works if the opening credit and onboard earnings exceed the annual fee for that one year.
If you cruise multiple times per year, keeping the card open makes more sense because you will use the benefits repeatedly. Just make sure you pay the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that wipe out any gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use onboard credits to pay my cruise fare?
No. Onboard credits are separate from your cruise fare and can only be spent on extras like drinks, dining, spa, and shore excursions. Your cruise fare must be paid in full before you board, either through your credit card, bank account, or another payment method.
Do onboard credits expire if I don't use them?
Onboard credits from the card typically expire at the end of your cruise. Any balance you do not spend on the ship is forfeited. Check the terms when you open the account, as policies can vary by promotion.
What happens if I close the card before the annual fee is charged?
If you close the card before the annual fee posts, you will not be charged. Most issuers charge the annual fee on the anniversary of the account opening, so you have a window to close the card if you decide it is not worth keeping. Call Chase to confirm the exact date your fee will post.
Can I earn onboard credits on purchases made after I book my cruise?
Yes. Any purchases you make on the card before you board will earn onboard credits at the card's earning rate. The credits post to your shipboard account when you check in. This is why opening the card a few months before your cruise can be valuable — you have time to redirect everyday spending to the card.
Does the card work if I book through a travel agent?
Yes, the card works regardless of how you book your cruise. The opening credit and onboard earnings are tied to the card itself, not to how you purchased the sailing. However, if you use a travel agent, you may miss out on promotions Royal Caribbean runs directly, so compare the total value before deciding how to book.