The best credit cards for cruises are travel rewards cards. But that doesn't narrow the field by much. There are many excellent travel cards, making finding the right one for you a matter of some research. Here are a few things to consider in comparing credit card options before you set sail.
Learn more: How to choose a credit card
Rewards
The key variable for many people is a card's rewards program. To maximize credit card rewards, you want a card that has a high rewards rate for travel purchases, including cruises.
However, the rewards rate for travel purchases isn't the only factor. You should also consider the type of rewards – a few travel cards offer cash back instead of points, for instance.
Learn more: Travel for free with credit card points
Even if you know you want a points card, the rewards points program you choose determines the value you get from those points. There are four main travel rewards programs to explore while looking at your card options:
Sign-up bonus
The best credit card sign-up bonuses often require you to spend $3,000 or more in just a few months. Cruises can be pricey purchases, so could go a long way towards your spending requirement.
Avoid charging more than you can pay off quickly just to earn the sign-up bonus. Interest fees can add up quickly, and can outpace a sign-up bonus if you let them collect too long.
Annual fee
When it comes to travel rewards cards, chances are good you'll be looking at an annual fee. But the big rewards and other travel perks can make that annual fee well worth paying.
Learn more: Is your annual fee worth it?
With annual fees for travel cards hitting $400 or more, it's important to make sure you get your money's worth. Consider the purchase rewards, sign-up bonus, and cardholder benefits to determine how much value you'll get from a card each year.
Foreign transaction fees
Foreign transaction fees are charged by many credit cards for any purchase that:
- Is in a foreign currency
- Routes through a foreign bank
When you take a cruise from the U.S. with a U.S.-based cruise line, your on-board purchases don't typically incur foreign transactions fees. However, as soon as you step off a ship at a non-U.S. destination, anything you buy will likely be in a foreign currency. Even if it's in U.S. dollars, it will likely route through a foreign bank.
The only reliable way to avoid these fees on in-port purchases is to use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Happily, this includes most travel rewards cards, including our top picks for cruises.
Intro APR offers
It's a good idea to save for your cruise ahead of time so you can pay it off right away. But if you think you'll need a few months to pay off a cruise or related expenses, a card with an intro APR offer could be useful. The best 0% intro APR cards give you a year or more to pay off your purchases without incurring any interest fees.
Learn more: How credit card interest works
Don't forget that you still need to make at least your minimum payment every month. Your APR will revert to the card's standard rate after the intro period ends.
Travel insurance
A lot of travel rewards cards come with some sort of travel insurance. This can include a range of coverage perks like:
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
The extra peace of mind these benefits can provide is part of what makes a premium travel rewards card worth its annual fee.