What the Royal Caribbean Credit Card Does

The Royal Caribbean credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises. It earns points on cruise bookings and onboard spending, which you can redeem for future cruise fares or onboard credit. The card also waives the annual fee for the first year, then charges a yearly fee after that — the exact amount depends on which version of the card you hold.

Unlike a general travel card, this card is built specifically for people who cruise with Royal Caribbean regularly or plan to. If you book one cruise every few years, the rewards may not offset the annual fee. If you cruise multiple times yearly or spend heavily onboard, the points accumulate faster and the fee becomes easier to justify.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns bonus points on Royal Caribbean bookings and onboard purchases, but earns lower rates on other spending.
  • You pay an annual fee after the first year, which ranges depending on the card tier you choose.
  • Points can be redeemed for cruise fares or onboard credit, but the redemption value varies by how you use them.
  • The card requires a credit check and approval, so your credit score and payment history matter for getting the best terms.
  • Comparing this card to a general travel rewards card makes sense if you cruise less than once per year.

How Points and Rewards Work

When you use the Royal Caribbean card to book a cruise directly with Royal Caribbean, you earn a higher rate of points per dollar spent — typically 2 points per dollar or more, depending on the card version. When you use the card for onboard purchases (dining, drinks, shore excursions, spa services), you earn points at a similar elevated rate. On all other purchases, the card earns a lower rate, usually 1 point per dollar.

Points accumulate in your account and do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You redeem them by logging into your Royal Caribbean account and selecting a cruise or onboard credit. The value you get per point depends on which redemption option you choose and when you book — redeeming during a sale period may give you more cruise value than redeeming during peak season.

The card also typically includes a onetime bonus of points when you open the account, usually after you make your first purchase. This bonus is meant to give new cardholders a head start toward their first redemption.

Annual Fees and Other Costs

The first year is free. After that, you pay an annual fee each year you keep the card open. The amount varies: a standard version may charge $95 per year, while a premium version may charge $150 or more. Some versions waive the fee in years when you book a cruise with the card, but you should confirm this with Barclays before opening the account, since terms change.

Beyond the annual fee, the card carries a standard interest rate (APR) that applies if you carry a balance. This rate depends on your credit score and credit history — the better your score, the lower your APR. If you pay your full balance each month, you pay no interest. The card also charges late fees if you miss a payment and foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States.

Who Should Consider This Card

This card makes the most sense if you cruise with Royal Caribbean at least once per year and spend money onboard during those cruises. The points you earn on those two categories — booking and onboard spending — accumulate quickly enough to offset the annual fee and give you real value toward your next trip.

If you cruise less frequently, a general travel rewards card (such as a card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases) may save you money. You would earn rewards on all your spending, not just Royal Caribbean purchases, and you would avoid the annual fee entirely. Run the math: if you spend $5,000 per year on a Royal Caribbean cruise and $15,000 on everything else, a 2% cash-back card earns you $400 per year with no fee, while the Royal Caribbean card earns you points worth perhaps $150 to $200 after the annual fee.

How to Open an Account and What You Need

You open a Royal Caribbean credit card account through Barclays' website or by calling their phone number. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Barclays will pull your credit report to check your credit score and payment history — this is called a hard inquiry and may lower your score slightly for a few months.

Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few hours. If you are approved, Barclays mails the physical card to your address, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once you receive it, you set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your online account. You can then use it to book a cruise or make other purchases.

If you are denied, Barclays will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include a low credit score, recent missed payments, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can reapply after improving your credit, usually by waiting several months and paying down existing balances.

Comparing This Card to Other Travel Cards

A general travel rewards card (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold) earns points on a wider range of purchases and often has no annual fee or a lower one. These cards also let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners, giving you more redemption options than the Royal Caribbean card alone.

A different cruise line's card (such as Carnival or Disney) works the same way as the Royal Caribbean card but earns rewards only on that cruise line's bookings. If you cruise with multiple lines, holding multiple cards spreads your spending and may not accumulate points fast enough on any single card to justify the fees.

The trade-off is specificity: the Royal Caribbean card rewards you heavily for the exact thing you do (cruise with Royal Caribbean), while a general card rewards you moderately for everything. Choose based on where you actually spend your money.

What Happens If You Close the Card

If you close the card, your points remain in your Royal Caribbean account and do not disappear. You can still redeem them for cruises or onboard credit as long as your Royal Caribbean account is active. However, you lose any future benefits the card provided, such as onboard credit bonuses or discounts on shore excursions.

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards. If you are thinking about closing the card to avoid the annual fee, consider whether the points you have accumulated are worth more than the fee itself. If you have 50,000 points and the annual fee is $95, and those points are worth $500 in cruise value, keeping the card open for one more year may make financial sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this card if I have fair or poor credit?

Barclays typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a card with a higher interest rate. You can check your credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com before explore.

Do the points expire if I do not use them?

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if your Royal Caribbean account becomes inactive for an extended period (typically three years or more), Royal Caribbean may close it and you could lose access to your points. Keep your account active by logging in occasionally or making a small purchase.

What if I book a cruise but do not use the card?

You earn points only on purchases made with the card itself. If you book a cruise using a different payment method, you earn no points on that booking. You can add the card as a payment method to your Royal Caribbean account and use it for onboard purchases during the cruise to earn points on those expenses.

Can I transfer points to someone else?

Points are tied to your Royal Caribbean account and cannot be transferred to another person's account. However, you can redeem points for onboard credit and then give that credit to a family member traveling with you, or you can book a cruise for someone else and use your points to pay for it.

What is the difference between the standard and premium versions of this card?

The premium version typically charges a higher annual fee but offers additional benefits such as higher onboard credit bonuses, waived annual fees in years you cruise, or higher earning rates on certain purchases. Compare the benefits to the fee difference to decide which version fits your spending habits.