Are the New Royal Caribbean Royal ONE Credit Cards Worth It? Why Most Cruise Travelers May Be Better Off with a General Travel Card
Compare the new Bank of America Royal ONE credit cards with flexible travel rewards cards to see which offers better value for cruise travelers.
Photo: big4credit.com
Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America recently introduced two new co-branded credit cards: the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® Credit Card and the Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® Card. Designed for loyal cruisers, these cards offer rewards on cruise purchases and everyday spending, no foreign transaction fees, and exclusive benefits across the Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
At first glance, they seem like an obvious choice for cruise enthusiasts. After all, if you cruise with Royal Caribbean regularly, why not carry a Royal Caribbean credit card?
The answer is more nuanced than you might expect.
While both Royal ONE cards offer benefits that loyal cruisers may appreciate, they’re also examples of a broader category of products known as co-branded credit cards — cards that reward loyalty to a specific brand rather than providing the greatest overall value. For many travelers, a flexible travel or cash back credit card can earn comparable rewards on cruises while offering much stronger value for everyday spending and far greater redemption flexibility.
Understanding Co-Branded Credit Cards
Co-branded credit cards aren’t unique to the cruise industry.
Airlines offer airline credit cards.
Hotels offer hotel credit cards.
Retailers have store credit cards.
The goal is the same: reward loyal customers for continuing to spend within one brand’s ecosystem.
That doesn’t necessarily make these cards bad products. In fact, they can be excellent for people who consistently choose the same airline, hotel chain, or cruise line.
The question is whether that loyalty is worth giving up the flexibility that comes with a general travel card.
What the Royal ONE Cards Do Well
The Royal ONE cards include several benefits that frequent Royal Caribbean cruisers may find valuable.
On Bank of America's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 3X points on Royal Caribbean®, Celebrity Cruises® and Silversea® purchases, 2X points on grocery, gas and EV charging stations, and 1X point on all other purchases.
1x - 3x Points
Welcome Offer Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months.
30,000 Points
Welcome Offer: 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months.
Rewards:
- 3X Points on Royal Caribbean®, Celebrity Cruises® and Silversea® purchases.
- 2X Points:
- Grocery
- Gas and EV charging stations
- 1X Points on all other purchases.
Cruise & Travel Benefits:
- $100 cruise discount aſter spending $10,000 on purchases every year.
- Priority boarding for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
On Bank of America's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 4X points on Royal Caribbean®, Celebrity Cruises® and Silversea® purchases, 2X points on airline, hotel, dining, grocery, gas and EV charging stations, and 1X point on all other purchases.
1x - 4x Points
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,500 in the first three months.
60,000 Points
Welcome Offer: 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,500 in the first three months.
Rewards:
- 4X Points on Royal Caribbean®, Celebrity Cruises® and Silversea® purchases.
- 2X Points:
- Airline
- Hotel
- Dining
- Grocery
- Gas and EV charging stations
- 1X Points on all other purchases.
Cruise & Travel Benefits:
- $200 cruise discount aſter spending $20,000 on purchases every year.
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit every four years.
- Priority suite boarding for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea vacations.
- Priority luggage handling with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Rewards earned with either card can be redeemed across Royal Caribbean Group brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.
Both cards also have no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable companions for international cruises and overseas travel.
The Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® Credit Card has no annual fee, making it a low-cost option for occasional Royal Caribbean cruisers.
The Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® Card carries a $99 annual fee, but adds premium benefits such as a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit, priority suite boarding, and priority luggage handling.
Unlike general travel credit cards, the Royal ONE cards are designed to reward loyalty to the Royal Caribbean Group. Their biggest advantage isn’t necessarily higher rewards rates – it’s access to cruise-specific benefits such as priority boarding, annual cruise discounts, priority suite boarding, and priority luggage handling that flexible travel cards typically don’t offer.
For travelers who sail with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea several times a year, these cruise-specific perks may be valuable enough to justify carrying one of the Royal ONE cards.
The Biggest Drawback: Limited Flexibility
The biggest weakness of the Royal ONE cards isn’t necessarily their rewards rates.
It’s that the rewards are primarily designed to be redeemed within the Royal Caribbean ecosystem.
If you decide to take an Alaska cruise next year, book an all-inclusive resort, fly overseas, or simply spend more on everyday purchases than cruises, your rewards become far less valuable than those earned with a flexible travel card.
General travel cards don’t have that limitation.
Whether you’re booking a cruise, a flight, a hotel, a vacation rental, or a road trip, they continue earning rewards that can typically be redeemed across a broad range of travel purchases.
You Don’t Need a Cruise Credit Card to Earn Rewards on Cruises
One of the biggest misconceptions about cruise credit cards is that they’re the best way to earn rewards on cruise vacations.
In many cases, that’s simply not true.
Cruise purchases generally code as travel, meaning many general travel credit cards earn elevated rewards on cruise bookings just as they do on flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses.
The difference is that those rewards remain useful no matter where you travel next.
Better Alternatives for Most Cruise Travelers
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
If you’re looking for one of the strongest no-annual-fee travel credit card available, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a compelling alternative. The card earns 4X points on eligible travel purchases, including cruise line companies, allowing you to earn elevated rewards without being tied to a single cruise brand.
Unlike the Royal ONE cards, which focus on rewards within the Royal Caribbean ecosystem, Altitude Connect offers much greater redemption flexibility. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back deposited into an eligible U.S. Bank account, gift cards, and other redemption options, giving cardholders more freedom in how they use their rewards.
Benefit highlights:
- Four complimentary Priority Pass™ Select lounge visits each year.
- SmartDelay lounge access.
- Up to a $100 TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee credit every four years.
- Complimentary GigSky Global Mobile Data.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
- Trip Delay Reimbursement
For travelers who take an occasional cruise but also book flights, hotels, rental cars, or other travel throughout the year, Altitude Connect offers greater long-term flexibility than a cruise-specific credit card.
On U.S. Bank's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the travel portal. Additionally, earn 4x points on other travel, 4x points at gas/EV charging stations on up to $1,000 each quarter, 2x points on dining, select streaming, and groceries, plus 1x on all other eligible purchases.
1x - 5x Points
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
20,000 Points
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has long been one of the most popular travel rewards cards, thanks to its combination of flexible rewards, valuable travel benefits, and a modest $95 annual fee that many frequent travelers can easily justify.
Unlike the Royal ONE cards, Sapphire Preferred rewards aren’t tied to a single cruise line, giving cardholders the flexibility to earn and redeem points whether they’re booking a Royal Caribbean sailing, another cruise line, flights, hotels, or other travel. Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, products, and other options, or transferred to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs for potentially even greater value.
Cruise travelers can also earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, including eligible cruises, making the card a strong alternative for those who want rewards that aren’t tied to a single cruise line.
Cruise bookings earn 5X points through Chase Travel℠
(Chase mobile app screenshot)
Benefit highlights:
- Annual $100 Chase Travel℠ Hotel Credit.
- Up to a $120 TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee credit every four years.
- Comprehensive travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption, baggage coverage, and travel accident insurance.
- Valuable airline and hotel transfer partners.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Purchase protection.
- Extended Warranty protection.
- Lifestyle benefits through partner programs.
For travelers who cruise occasionally but also book flights, hotels, and other types of travel throughout the year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers significantly greater redemption flexibility than a cruise-specific credit card.
On Chase's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.24% - 27.49% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel and 2x points on other travel purchases. Earn 3x points on dining, gas/EV charging stations, eligible online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, plus 1x point on all other purchases.
1x - 5x Points
Welcome Offer For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
100,000 Points
Wells Fargo Autograph®
For travelers who want a no-annual-fee and no-foreign-transaction-fee option, the Wells Fargo Autograph® is another compelling choice.
The card earns 3X points on several popular spending categories, including:
- Travel
- Restaurants
- Gas stations and EV charging
- Transit
- Select streaming services
- Phone plans
One of the Autograph’s biggest advantages is its broad travel category. In addition to cruise line purchases, eligible travel spending includes:
- Airlines
- Hotels and motels
- Timeshares
- Car rentals
- Cruise lines
- Travel agencies
- Discount travel sites
- Campgrounds
That means you can earn elevated rewards on virtually every part of your vacation – not just the cruise itself.
Unlike the Royal ONE cards, which focus on a single cruise ecosystem, the Wells Fargo Autograph rewards travel across a wide range of providers while also earning bonus points on many everyday purchases.
On Wells Fargo's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 3x points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans, plus 1x on all other purchases.
1x - 3x Points
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. That's worth $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 Points
Chase Freedom Flex®
Although often viewed as an everyday cash back card, the Chase Freedom Flex® is becoming an increasingly attractive option for travelers. Beginning September 20, 2026, the card will no longer charge foreign transaction fees, making it much more practical for international travel.
The card earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, including eligible cruise bookings, in addition to its popular 5% rotating quarterly bonus categories and ongoing rewards on dining and drugstore purchases.
Freedom Flex®: earn 5% cash back on all travel, including eligible cruises
(Chase mobile app screenshot)
Cruise enthusiasts may also benefit from Voyages by Chase Travel℠, Chase’s luxury cruise program. When booking eligible sailings through Chase Travel℠ with participating cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, cardholders may receive exclusive perks such as:
- Up to $100 onboard credit per stateroom
- Complimentary specialty dining for two on eligible Royal Caribbean sailings (ocean-view accommodations or higher on voyages of five nights or longer).
These benefits are currently available for eligible bookings made through December 31, 2027.
Interestingly, Royal Caribbean travelers can receive onboard credits through Chase Travel℠ without carrying a Royal ONE credit card, showing that general travel cards can also unlock valuable cruise-specific perks.
Voyages by Chase Travel℠: cruise rewards and perks
(Chase mobile app screenshot)
Unlike the Royal ONE cards, Freedom Flex rewards aren’t limited to a single cruise line. Combined with flexible cash back, rotating 5% bonus categories, exclusive cruise benefits through Chase Travel℠, and the upcoming elimination of foreign transaction fees, Freedom Flex offers value that extends well beyond cruise vacations.
On Chase's Secure Website
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.74% Variable APR
Credit Score
670-850 (Good/Excellent)
Rewards Earn 5% cashback each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories. Activation is required each quarter by the stated deadline. Plus, earn 5% cashback on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 5% Cashback
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
$200
Which Card Is Right for You?
The Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® Credit Card or Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® Card may be a good fit if you:
- Cruise with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea several times each year.
- Value onboard credits, priority boarding, and other cruise-specific perks.
- Plan to redeem most of your rewards toward future cruises within the Royal Caribbean Group.
- Prefer benefits tailored specifically to the Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
A general travel credit card may be the better choice if you:
- Want rewards that can be used across multiple cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and other travel providers.
- Prefer stronger rewards on everyday spending in addition to travel.
- Value premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, or TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry credits.
- Want rewards that remain useful even if your travel plans or favorite cruise line change.
The Bottom Line
TThe Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® Credit Card or Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® Card are solid choices for travelers who are loyal to Royal Caribbean and expect to cruise with the company’s brands regularly. Their cruise-specific rewards and onboard benefits can provide meaningful value for the right customer.
However, most travelers don’t limit their vacations to a single cruise line. They also book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel throughout the year. For those travelers, a flexible travel credit card is often the more practical long-term choice.
Cards like the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect, Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Wells Fargo Autograph®, and Chase Freedom Flex® can earn competitive rewards on cruise purchases while also providing greater flexibility, stronger everyday earning potential, and rewards that can be redeemed across a much wider range of travel.
You don’t need a cruise-branded credit card to maximize rewards on your next cruise, you just need the right travel card.
» MORE: Best travel credit cards
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The information about the credit cards has been collected independently by big4credit.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.