What the Royal Caribbean credit card actually does
The Royal Caribbean credit card is a co-branded Visa issued by Citi that gives you points on purchases, with bonus points for cruise bookings and onboard spending. You earn one point per dollar on most purchases and three points per dollar when you book a Royal Caribbean cruise or spend money on the ship itself. Those points convert to onboard credit — money you can use for drinks, excursions, cabin upgrades, and other services during your cruise.
The card comes with an annual fee, currently $95. You also get a one-time bonus of onboard credit when you first open the account — the amount varies by promotion, typically between $50 and $100. Unlike some travel cards that give you points you redeem for flights or hotels, this card is built specifically for Royal Caribbean customers. If you never cruise with Royal Caribbean, the card has little value to you.
The card does not waive the cruise line's standard fees or give you priority boarding or cabin upgrades on its own. It is a spending card that rewards you for money you are already planning to spend on Royal Caribbean.
Key Takeaways
- You earn three points per dollar on Royal Caribbean cruise bookings and onboard spending, which converts to onboard credit you use during your trip.
- The card charges a $95 annual fee, so you need to spend enough on Royal Caribbean cruises to earn back more than that in onboard credit value.
- A one-time welcome bonus of $50 to $100 in onboard credit comes with a new account, though the exact amount changes by promotion.
- Points earned on the card do not transfer to airline miles, hotel stays, or other travel programs — they only work with Royal Caribbean.
- You need good credit to be approved; Citi typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score.
When the annual fee actually makes sense
The $95 annual fee is the first number to test against your own cruise habits. If you book one cruise per year and spend $3,000 on the booking plus $1,000 onboard, you earn 12,000 points. At Royal Caribbean's typical conversion rate, that is roughly $120 in onboard credit — enough to cover the fee and leave you $25 ahead. If you cruise less often or spend less onboard, the math does not work.
The card makes more financial sense if you cruise multiple times per year, travel with a group that books together, or regularly spend money onboard on excursions and beverages. A family of four cruising twice yearly could easily earn $300 or more in onboard credit, making the $95 fee a small cost. A single person taking one cruise every two years would likely lose money.
The welcome bonus helps offset the first year's fee. If you get $100 in onboard credit just for opening the account, you only need to earn $0 more to break even on year one. But that bonus does not repeat, so you have to decide whether the ongoing rewards justify keeping the card open in year two and beyond.
How the points conversion actually works
Royal Caribbean does not publish a fixed exchange rate for points to onboard credit. The conversion depends on how you redeem and what you are buying. Generally, one point is worth between 0.8 and 1.2 cents in onboard credit, meaning 1,000 points might be worth $8 to $12. The exact value can shift based on promotions or the specific onboard purchase you are making.
Points are not currency — you cannot withdraw them as cash or transfer them to someone else's account. You can only use them to pay for things Royal Caribbean offers: cabin upgrades, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa services, or beverage packages. If you book a cruise and then cancel, your points may expire or be forfeited depending on the cancellation terms, so they carry some risk if your travel plans change.
You can check your points balance through your Citi online account or the Royal Caribbean website. The card issuer and the cruise line maintain separate records, so if there is a discrepancy, you may need to contact both to resolve it.
What happens to your credit when you open this card
explore for the Royal Caribbean card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal check that Citi runs to decide whether to approve you, and it typically lowers your credit score by a few points for a few months. If you have recently applied for other credit, multiple hard inquiries in a short time can have a larger impact.
Once approved, the card becomes part of your credit mix and adds to your total available credit. If you keep the balance low and pay on time, this can help your credit score over time. If you carry a high balance or miss payments, it will hurt your score. The card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so activity shows up on your full credit history.
If you close the card later, the available credit disappears from your profile, which can raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards and lower your score slightly. Many people keep travel cards open even after the annual fee kicks in, just to preserve the credit history and available credit.
Comparing this card to other travel rewards options
The Royal Caribbean card is narrower than general travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold. Those cards let you earn points on any purchase and redeem them for flights, hotels, or cash. The Royal Caribbean card only rewards Royal Caribbean spending and only lets you use points with Royal Caribbean.
If you cruise with multiple lines — Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, or others — a general travel card might serve you better because the points work everywhere. If you are loyal to Royal Caribbean specifically and cruise regularly, the three-point multiplier on bookings and onboard spending can outpace what a general card offers.
Some cruise lines do not have their own credit cards at all. Royal Caribbean's card is one of the few that ties directly to a single cruise operator. If you are deciding between cruise lines partly on rewards, this card can tip the math in Royal Caribbean's favor — but only if you cruise often enough to justify the annual fee.
The credit score you need and what happens if you are denied
Citi typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. If your score is below 650, denial is likely. If your score is between 650 and 700, approval depends on other factors: your income, existing debt, payment history, and how recently you have applied for credit.
If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line — Citi's number is on the denial letter — and ask a human to review your process. Sometimes they will approve you if you explain your situation or offer to add an authorized user with better credit. If they deny you again, you can reapply after three to six months if your credit has improved.
If you have been denied for credit recently or your score has dropped, explore for this card might not be the right move right now. Each process leaves a hard inquiry on your report, and multiple inquiries in a short time signal to lenders that you are desperate for credit, which makes them less likely to approve you.
The fine print that actually matters
The card's terms include a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which applies if you use it outside the United States. This is standard for most credit cards and means that if you charge $100 onboard while the ship is in a foreign port, you pay an extra $3. If you plan to use the card for onboard purchases in international waters, budget for this fee.
The card does not include travel insurance, trip cancellation protection, or emergency medical coverage — benefits that some premium travel cards offer. If you want those protections, you would need to buy them separately or use a different card for the cruise booking itself.
The welcome bonus is subject to terms: you usually have to spend a minimum amount within a set timeframe to earn it. Read the offer carefully before you explore, because the bonus does not post automatically — you have to meet the spending requirement first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the points if I book a cruise through a travel agent instead of directly with Royal Caribbean?
Points are earned based on the card's activity, not how the cruise is booked. If you charge the cruise to the card, you earn points regardless of whether you booked it yourself or through an agent. However, some travel agents may not accept the card for payment, so confirm before you book.
What happens to my points if I cancel my cruise?
Points you earned from the booking are usually forfeited if you cancel the cruise. Points earned from onboard spending on a previous cruise stay in your account. Check your specific cruise contract and the card's terms, because policies vary by booking type and cancellation reason.
Do I have to use the card to pay for the cruise, or can I earn points another way?
You must charge the cruise booking to the card to earn the three-point multiplier. If you pay with cash or another card, you earn no points. The three-point rate only applies to Royal Caribbean charges specifically.
Can I transfer my points to someone else's Royal Caribbean account?
Points are tied to your card account and cannot be transferred to another person's account. You can use them for your own cruise or add an authorized user to your card, but the points stay with your account.
What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?
Citi sets your initial credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request an increase after six months of on-time payments by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. A higher limit gives you more room to earn points on larger cruise bookings.