What the Carnival Cruise Card actually does
The Carnival Cruise Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays in partnership with Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line. It's designed to reward spending on Carnival cruises and cruise-related purchases, but it also works as a regular Visa card for everyday spending.
The card earns points on Carnival bookings and onboard spending, which you can redeem toward future cruise fares. Outside of Carnival, you earn a lower rate of points on other purchases. Like most travel cards, it charges an annual fee — currently $95 — which Carnival offsets by crediting you onboard spending money when you book a cruise through the card.
This card makes sense only if you cruise regularly with Carnival or plan to book a cruise within the next year. If you cruise once every five years or never, the annual fee costs more than the rewards will ever cover.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 5 points per dollar on Carnival cruise bookings and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, with points redeemable toward cruise fares.
- The $95 annual fee is offset by an onboard credit (typically $50 to $100) when you book a cruise using the card, but only if you actually cruise.
- You need decent credit to be approved — Barclays typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score.
- The card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%, so using it abroad outside of a cruise adds cost rather than saving money.
- Rewards expire if your account is closed, so canceling the card means losing any unspent points.
How the rewards and onboard credit work
When you book a Carnival cruise using this card, you earn 5 points per dollar spent on the cruise fare itself. Onboard — at restaurants, bars, shops, and the casino — you earn 1 point per dollar. On all other purchases (groceries, gas, restaurants outside of a cruise), you earn 1 point per dollar.
Points convert to onboard credit at a rate of roughly 1 cent per point, though the exact conversion varies by redemption method. A $1,000 cruise booking earns 5,000 points, which translates to about $50 in onboard credit. That credit appears as a balance you can spend during your cruise on anything the ship sells.
The onboard credit from booking a cruise typically ranges from $50 to $100 depending on the cruise length and fare. Barclays also offers a sign-up bonus — usually 10,000 to 15,000 points after you spend a set amount in the first few months — which equals roughly $100 to $150 in onboard credit if you redeem it that way.
What the annual fee really costs you
The $95 annual fee hits your account every year on your card anniversary. Barclays does not waive it after a trial period, so you pay it whether you cruise or not.
The onboard credit you receive when you book a cruise typically covers $50 to $100 of that fee. If you book one cruise per year, the net cost is roughly $0 to $45 annually. If you book two cruises per year, you may receive two onboard credits, which could exceed the fee. If you do not book any cruise in a year, you lose the full $95.
This math only works if cruising is already part of your budget. The card does not make cruising cheaper — it makes regular cruising slightly less expensive by converting spending you were already doing into onboard credit.
Credit score and approval requirements
Barclays requires a credit score of approximately 670 or higher to be approved for this card, though the exact threshold varies. A score of 700 or above significantly improves your odds. You will also need a Social Security number, a U.S. address, and an active checking account.
Barclays pulls a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line to discuss your process, though Barclays rarely overrides a decline based on score alone.
If your credit is below 670, focus on raising your score before explore. Pay down existing credit card balances to lower your credit utilization ratio, make all payments on time for several months, and check your credit report for errors at annualcreditreport.com (the only free, federally authorized source).
Foreign transaction fees and travel outside cruises
The Carnival Cruise Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on any purchase made outside the United States, even if the merchant is a U.S. company. This applies to online purchases from foreign websites and to in-person spending abroad.
If you use this card during a cruise that stops at foreign ports, you will pay the 3% fee on any onboard purchases made in foreign currency or charged to your account while the ship is docked internationally. This is a significant drawback if you plan to use the card for general travel outside of Carnival cruises.
For non-cruise travel abroad, a card without a foreign transaction fee — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture X — costs you less money. Use the Carnival card only for Carnival bookings and onboard spending.
How points expire and what happens if you cancel
Carnival points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. However, "active" means you must use the card or make a payment on it at least once every 12 months. If your account sits unused for a year, Barclays may close it, and your points disappear.
If you close the card yourself, your points are forfeited when ready. You cannot transfer them to another account or convert them to cash. This means if you decide the annual fee is no longer worth it, you should redeem all remaining points before canceling.
Before closing the account, log into your Carnival account online or call Carnival Cruise Line to check your point balance and redeem any remaining rewards. Once the card is closed, recovery is not possible.
Comparing this card to other cruise and travel options
If you cruise with multiple lines, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns points on any cruise booking, not just Carnival. The Sapphire charges a $95 annual fee as well, but it earns 2 points per dollar on travel (including cruises) and 1 point per dollar on dining and other purchases. Points are more flexible — you can redeem them for cash, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or use them for any travel purchase.
If you cruise only with Carnival and book at least one cruise per year, the Carnival card's 5-point earning rate on cruise fares and the onboard credit offset the annual fee. If you cruise less frequently or split your cruises between Carnival and other lines, a general travel card is likely a better choice.
If you do not cruise at all, neither card makes sense. A standard cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Capital One QuickSilver charges no annual fee and returns 1.5% to 2% cash on all purchases, which is simpler and costs nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card to pay for someone else's cruise?
Yes. You earn the 5-point rate on any Carnival cruise booking made with the card, regardless of whose name is on the cruise reservation. The onboard credit also posts to that cruise, so you can gift it to the person traveling or use it yourself if you are also on the booking.
What happens to my points if Carnival changes the rewards program?
Barclays and Carnival can change the rewards structure, earning rates, or redemption value at any time with notice. Points you have already earned are usually protected, but future earning rates may change. Check your cardholder agreement or Carnival's website for updates.
Does the onboard credit cover gratuities?
Onboard credit typically covers most onboard purchases — restaurants, bars, shops, excursions booked on the ship — but not mandatory gratuities. Gratuities are usually charged separately to your account and must be paid in cash, card, or a separate credit. Check your cruise documents or call Carnival to confirm what the onboard credit covers on your specific sailing.
Can I earn points on a cruise I book through a travel agent?
No. You earn the 5-point rate only when you book directly through Carnival's website or by phone using the card. Travel agent bookings do not trigger the higher earning rate, even if you provide your card number. If you use a travel agent, a general travel card is a better choice.
What is the sign-up bonus, and how do I get it?
Barclays typically offers 10,000 to 15,000 bonus points after you spend a set amount (usually $1,000 to $3,000) within the first three months. The bonus converts to roughly $100 to $150 in onboard credit. The exact offer changes, so check Barclays' website for the current promotion before you explore.