Best credit cards for cruises with rewards and perks

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Booking a cruise is exciting, but the card you use to pay for it can make the difference between a simple trip and a rewarding vacation. The best credit cards for cruises help you earn points, unlock perks, and protect your travel investment. From flexible rewards to luxury extras, these cards deliver value throughout the entire travel experience, from booking to boarding.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card combines premium perks with strong cruise value.

• Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day — from onboard dining to souvenirs at your favorite ports.
• Earn 5X miles when you book hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through Capital One Travel, perfect for your pre- and post-cruise stays.
• Your miles never expire for the life of the account, and there’s no cap on how many you can collect.
• Enjoy up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, so you breeze through airport lines and get to your ship faster.
• Use miles to reimburse any travel purchase, including cruise fares, excursions, and onboard packages, or redeem by booking directly through Capital One Travel.
• Unlock a $50 experience credit and other premium perks when booking from the Lifestyle Collection — ideal for land-based getaways before or after your cruise.
• Transfer miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs, giving you flexibility to pair with cruise line flights or hotel partners.
• Top rated mobile app
• Annual fee: $95

Best for: Cruisers who want a simple, affordable card with flexible rewards

View details here

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card offers premium travel perks at exceptional value.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Set sail with a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, unlocking the best prices on thousands of trips, including pre- and post-cruise stays.
• Celebrate each voyage with an annual 10,000-mile bonus (equal to $100 in travel) starting on your first anniversary — like a little gift for your future journeys.
• Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals — ideal for every leg of your cruise adventure.
• Earn 2X miles on all other purchases, whether it’s booking excursions, dining on board, or picking up souvenirs in port.
• Relax before you board with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass™ after enrollment.
• Use Venture X miles to cover any travel expense –  cruises, flights, hotels, or rental cars — or transfer them to 15+ travel loyalty programs for even more flexibility.
• Unlock a $100 experience credit and premium perks with every hotel and vacation rental from the Premier Collection — perfect for extending your cruise vacation.
• Breeze through the airport with up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, so you can spend less time in line and more time at sea.
• Annual fee: $395

Best for: Frequent cruisers who want premium perks and strong protections

View details here

American Express Platinum Card®

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• Cruise Privileges Program: Receive $100 to $300 in onboard credit plus exclusive amenities when booking your voyage through the program — from specialty dining to spa treatments at sea.
• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market* – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we’re here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• See rates and fees.

Best for: Luxury cruisers booking through Amex Travel

View details here

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

• Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 and earn 130,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26. 
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
• Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is active and in good standing.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. 
• Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.
• See rates and fees.

Best for: Cruisers pairing voyages with Hilton hotel stays

View details here 

Best credit cards for cruises – at a glance

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at how these cards stack up. It makes it easy to see which one best fits your cruise style, whether you want simple rewards, luxury perks, or hotel tie-ins for before and after your trip.

Which credit card is best for your next cruise?

• Best all-around card for cruising: Capital One Venture Rewards for its simple, flexible 2x miles and no foreign fees.
• Best premium card: Capital One Venture X for its travel credits, lounge access, and strong protections.
• Best luxury card: Amex Platinum for cruise-specific onboard credits and elite perks.
• Best for hotel pairings: Hilton Surpass and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless if you want to maximize pre or post cruise stays.

Related links:

• How to protect your online privacy and security on your next cruise vacation
• How to stay connected no matter where you travel in the world
• Best prepaid SIM & eSIM cards for travelers

Kurt’s key takeaways

Choosing the right card for your cruise can put real money back in your pocket and make your trip smoother. Whether you value flexible rewards, luxury perks, or hotel tie-ins, these cards ensure your cruise works harder for you. Think of it as a way to earn points while you relax at sea. Each of these cards is featured in our CyberGuy picks, where you can dive deeper into the benefits and see which one matches your travel style. Check out our full guides on airline credit cards, lounge access cards, cash-back cards, and hotel cards to find your perfect match.

If your next cruise could earn you free nights, onboard credits, or VIP perks, which card would you bring on board? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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