7 Ways a Credit Card Can Help You Save on a Cruise

Cruise bookings are experiencing increased demand after a tough three-year struggle to stay afloat due to pandemic restrictions and consumer fears. In fact, a recent AAA survey found that 52% of US adults say they are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation than they were before the pandemic.

If you’ve been thinking about setting sail on your next getaway, researching different cruise lines and destinations are essential steps toward finding the best ship experience as well as getting the best deal. But that’s not the only way to save — even your credit card could help to offset some of your cruise costs.

Here are seven ways your credit card can help you save on a cruise.

Before booking your cruise, consider opening a new credit card to pay for the trip. Doing so could help you qualify for a nice signup bonus in the form of cash back, points, or miles rewards. You can then apply those bonus rewards toward your travel expenses to offset some of your cruising costs.

Signup bonuses typically require you to spend a certain amount of money within the first few months from account opening, but if you use the new card to pay for the cruise, you can easily meet the minimum and qualify for the bonus. 

While general-use credit cards usually offer bigger rewards and more redemption options, using a cruise-line-specific card while onboard means earning more rewards during your trip which can offset your overall travel spend.

For example, the Carnival World Mastercard offers a 10% statement credit for shore excursions booked with the card and 2X “FunPoints” for every $1 spent on any purchases with Carnival Cruise Line or its sister brands. Your points can be redeemed for statement credits toward any Carnival purchase and onboard experiences, among other things.

In addition to earning robust rewards through your credit card, you can earn even more back on your cruise by booking it through a cash back site like Coupon Cabin that offers special discounts on cruise bookings.

Cruise-line-specific credit cards may have limited redemption options compared with general-use credit cards, but they do offer one thing those other cards don’t — exclusive discounts on purchases and access to entertainment aboard the ship.

If you’re planning to take a Disney cruise, the Disney Premier Visa card will get you exclusive discounts, including 10% off non-discounted photo packages, 20% off spa treatments, 10% off $50 worth of merchandise, and 10% off the Castaway Cay getaway packages in the Bahamas.

Planning ahead and saving up for your cruise vacation is the best way to prepare and pay for your trip, but last-minute travelers or those who haven’t had as much wiggle room in their budget in recent months may not have had the luxury to stash away any extra cash. This doesn’t mean you have to be stuck paying interest to finance your voyage. Instead, look for a card that waives interest for the first year.

Best 0% APR Offers:

Chase Slate Edge℠

at Chase’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0

Our Review »

• Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
• Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
• Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
• All for no annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge℠ card
• Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
• Member FDIC

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 18 months	0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 18 months	20.49% – 29.24% Variable	$0	Good/Excellent

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice – now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• Newly expanded categories based on Bank of America customer feedback! 3% cash back on Gas (to now include Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Stations) and Online Shopping (to now include Cable, Streaming, Internet and Phone Services).
• If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases	0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days	18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	$0	Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

These cards will give you more time to pay off the cruise without fees piling up. Just make sure to read the fine print and pay off the trip before the promo is up.

Although your initial cruise expenses may be low, the added cost of getting to and from your departing port can quickly escalate, especially if you have to fly. With airfare prices soaring, booking ahead is key to saving on airfare. 

While you’re at it, think about using a co-branded airline credit card for daily purchases and monthly utilities to rack up miles that can be redeemed for roundtrip flights or cover at least one leg of the trip.

Credit cards offer many layers of protection, including travel insurance coverage so you don’t have to buy separate policies. And, since travel hiccups are unpredictable, taking advantage of these added benefits can give you peace of mind during your trip.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for instance, says cardholders qualify for trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost and delayed luggage insurance, among other travel protections.

If you’re eyeing a cruise overseas, you have to think twice about the card you will bring with you on board the ship. Foreign transaction fees average about 3% of each transaction and can quickly add up. Using a card that waives this fee can help you save big on an international cruise.

For example, neither the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card nor the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card charges foreign transaction fees, making these a top pick for any trip abroad.

While several credit card perks can help travelers reduce cruise costs, don’t overlook the importance of doing your research first. Always compare credit card programs and how they stack up to your spending habits before applying. Comparing the best credit cards for cruises can help you pinpoint the most beneficial option for your travel needs.