Cruise Line Credit Cards and Travel Points: Worth It?
For most Canadian cruisers, the best card is not a cruise line card at all. It is a travel rewards card with no foreign transaction fee. The cruise line cards you read about online are mainly US products, and on a US-dollar onboard bill, avoiding the conversion fee usually saves more than any reward earns.
Can Canadians get a cruise line credit card?
Mostly no. The well-known cruise line cards, from lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian, are issued by US banks for US residents. Reviews praising their onboard credit or bonus points rarely mention that Canadian addresses are generally not eligible.
If a Canadian version does appear for your favourite line, judge it like any other card: annual fee, earn rate, how the rewards are redeemed, and whether it charges foreign transaction fees.
The three kinds of card worth comparing
| Card type | What it does well | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| No foreign transaction fee card | Saves about 2.5% on USD fares, onboard bills and port spending | Rewards may be modest; some carry an annual fee |
| Flexible travel points card | Points usable on cruises, flights and hotels | Usually charges 2.5% on foreign currency |
| Airline card (Aeroplan, WestJet) | Strong value on flights to Vancouver or Florida | Weaker value when used for the cruise itself |
Many regular cruisers end up with two: a no-FX-fee card for anything in US dollars and a points card for Canadian-dollar spending, including the fare if it is booked in CAD.
Why the foreign transaction fee matters most
Most Canadian credit cards add about 2.5% to purchases in foreign currency. On a cruise, that hits the fare if you book in US dollars, every drink and spa treatment on your onboard account, prepaid excursions and port shopping.
The same logic applies to the fare. A US$5,000 fare charged in USD on a standard card costs about US$125 extra, roughly C$170. Booking in Canadian dollars, where offered, avoids that entirely. Paying in CAD vs USD covers the options.
Points: earning vs redeeming
Earning on cruise spending
Cruise fares usually count as travel purchases, which some Canadian cards reward at a higher rate than everyday spending. Check whether your card's travel category includes cruise lines and travel agencies.
Redeeming for a cruise
Flexible programs often let you apply points against a travel charge at a fixed value, or book through the card's own travel service. Airline points generally give their best value on flights. The detail is in booking a cruise with points vs cash, and the common winner is points for the flights, cash for the cruise.
How to choose your setup
- Check whether you already have a no-FX-fee card. If not, that is your first priority if you cruise regularly.
- Decide what currency you will book in. CAD bookings can go on your best points card; USD bookings belong on the no-FX-fee card.
- Link the no-FX-fee card to your onboard account at check-in. How cruise cards work on board explains the setup.
- Check your card's travel insurance against your age, trip length and trip cost.
- Keep cruise loyalty separate. Cruise line loyalty tiers come from nights sailed, not the card you use. See cruise loyalty programs worth chasing.
Who might still want a cruise line card
- Canadians with a US address and US credit history who sail one line several times a year.
- Travellers who would use the specific perks, such as onboard credit or upgrades, every year.
For everyone else, the flexible approach wins: one fee-free card for US dollars, one strong points card for Canadian spending.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →The short version
Before chasing points, stop paying 2.5% on every US-dollar charge. Once that is sorted, earn flexible points on your Canadian-dollar spending and spend airline points on getting to the ship. For a broader look at how the exchange rate shapes your total, see exchange rates and cruise pricing for Canadians.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Are cruise line credit cards worth getting?
For Canadians they are often not an option, because the best-known cruise line cards are issued in the US for US residents. If you do have access to one, it only pays off if you sail the same line often and use its perks.
Can you use general travel points to pay for a cruise?
Yes. Many Canadian card programs let you apply points against travel purchases, including cruises, or book through the card's travel service. Value varies, so compare it with using the same points on flights to the port.
Which card should I use for onboard spending?
A card with no foreign transaction fee. Onboard accounts are almost always billed in US dollars, so a standard Canadian card adds about 2.5% to everything, which usually outweighs the rewards it earns.
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Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)