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Top-tier Credit Cards for Booking Cruises [2025 Edition]

Top-tier credit cards for cruise bookings offer bonus points, cashback, or cruise-specific rewards on all purchases made.

Top Picks for Credit Cards Ideal for Cruise Reservations [Year 2025]
Top Picks for Credit Cards Ideal for Cruise Reservations [Year 2025]

Top-tier Credit Cards for Booking Cruises [2025 Edition]

In the world of travel rewards, finding the perfect credit card that offers significant benefits for cruise purchases can be a game-changer. Here are some top recommendations for credit cards that excel in this area, focusing on versatility and flexibility.

Firstly, the **Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card** and **Premium Rewards Credit Card** stand out due to their travel rewards system, which includes cruises. The Travel Rewards card has no annual fee, while the Premium Rewards card carries an annual fee of $95. Both cards offer no foreign transaction fees and strong travel protections such as insurance for delays, cancellations, and baggage.

The **Wells Fargo Autograph® Card** is another strong contender, recommended alongside the Bank of America Travel Rewards card for travel and everyday purchases that include cruises.

For those seeking a popular and flexible option, the **Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card** is worth considering. This card allows redemptions through the Chase Travel portal, often at increased value. While Chase cards don’t directly transfer points to cruise lines, they facilitate booking cruises via their portal.

The **Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card** is another recommended choice for earning rewards and using points towards cruises, including via travel portals.

While co-branded cruise cards like the **Royal Caribbean Visa Signature®**, **Celebrity Cruises® Visa Signature®**, **Carnival World Mastercard®**, and **Princess Cruises Rewards Visa®** offer 2X points on cruise purchases and some co-branded perks, their redemption structure can be complicated and less flexible. These cards are typically limited to their respective cruise lines and often have tiered redemption valuations.

For those seeking business credit cards, the **Ink Business Preferred Credit Card** offers 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, including cruises. The **American Express Green Card** also offers 3X Membership Rewards points on travel, including cruises, as well as on transit, dining, and eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.

When it comes to welcome offers, the **American Express Gold Card** offers up to 100,000 Membership Rewards Points, while the **Chase Sapphire Reserve** offers a welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel promo credit. The **Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express** offers a welcome offer of a $250 statement credit.

In summary, **general travel rewards credit cards like the Bank of America Premium Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Capital One Venture Rewards provide the best combination of rewards, flexibility, and value for cruise purchases** versus co-branded cruise cards.

[1] https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/bank-of-america-travel-rewards-card [2] https://thepointsguy.com/credit-card-reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/ [3] https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/wells-fargo-autograph-card [4] https://thepointsguy.com/credit-card-reviews/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card/ [5] https://thepointsguy.com/credit-card-reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/

*Note: The information provided is based on publicly available data and may be subject to change. Always verify the terms and conditions of the card with the issuer before applying.*

  1. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card and Premium Rewards Credit Card are notable for their travel rewards system, which includes cruise purchases, and they are known for their versatility and flexibility.
  2. The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is another top recommendation for travel and everyday purchases, including cruises, and is often paired with the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
  3. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular choice, offering redemptions through the Chase Travel portal and the flexibility to book cruises via the portal, although it does not directly transfer points to cruise lines.
  4. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another recommended option for earning rewards and redeeming them towards cruises, including via travel portals.
  5. Co-branded cruise cards, such as the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® and Celebrity Cruises® Visa Signature®, offer 2X points on cruise purchases, but their redemption structure can be complicated and less flexible compared to general travel rewards credit cards.
  6. For those in need of business credit cards, the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers 3 points per $1 on travel, including cruises, and the American Express Green Card offers 3X Membership Rewards points on travel, including cruises, as well as on transit, dining, and eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.

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