What the Princess Cruise Credit Card offers
The Princess Cruise Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Princess Cruises. It earns points on cruise bookings and everyday purchases, with those points redeemable for onboard credit toward future cruises. The card comes with an annual fee, a one-time bonus for new cardholders, and perks like onboard spending credits and priority boarding.
The card's main appeal is for people who cruise regularly with Princess or plan to book a cruise soon. If you rarely cruise or prefer other cruise lines, the rewards structure and annual fee make it less competitive than a general travel card or cash-back card.
Key Takeaways
- The Princess card earns bonus points on cruise purchases and 1 point per dollar on other spending, with points redeemable as onboard credit.
- You pay an annual fee, which is offset partly by an onboard credit that posts each year you hold the card.
- New cardholders receive a one-time welcome bonus in onboard credit after meeting a spending threshold.
- The card includes perks like priority boarding and cabin upgrades, but these are most valuable if you cruise multiple times per year.
- For occasional cruisers or those loyal to other cruise lines, a flat-rate travel card or cash-back card often delivers better value.
Earning structure and point value
The card earns points at different rates depending on where you spend. You earn the highest rate on Princess Cruises bookings, a lower rate on other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Points are redeemable only as onboard credit on Princess Cruises, not for cash back or transfers to other programs.
The actual value of each point depends on the cruise fare you book. If you book a discounted cruise, your onboard credit stretches further. If you book at full price, the same points represent less value. This makes the card's true return rate harder to pin down than a card with fixed cash-back percentages.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open, so you can accumulate them across multiple years if you do not cruise annually. However, closing the account forfeits any remaining points.
Annual fee and onboard credits
The card charges an annual fee. In exchange, you receive an onboard credit each year the card is active. This credit is meant to offset the fee, though the exact amounts vary and you should verify current terms with Chase before opening the account.
The onboard credit can be used for dining, beverages, shore excursions, spa services, or other onboard purchases — not toward the cruise fare itself. If you do not cruise in a given year, the credit expires and is not refunded. This means the card only makes financial sense if you cruise at least once per year.
Welcome bonus for new cardholders
New cardholders receive a one-time onboard credit after spending a set amount within the first few months. This bonus is paid as onboard credit, not points, and is subject to the same restrictions as the annual onboard credit — it expires if unused and cannot be refunded as cash.
The bonus is designed to offset the first year's annual fee and provide extra spending power on your first cruise. However, you must meet the spending requirement to receive it, and the credit only has value if you actually book and take a cruise with Princess.
Perks beyond points and credits
The card includes benefits like priority boarding, which lets you board before general passengers and choose your cabin location earlier. Some cardholders also receive cabin upgrade offers, though these are not may provide and depend on availability and the specific sailing.
You may also get invitations to cardholders-only events or sales, and some versions of the card waive certain onboard fees. These perks have real value for frequent cruisers but add little if you cruise once every few years.
How the Princess card compares to other travel cards
A general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture X earns points or miles on all travel purchases, including cruises, and lets you redeem those rewards for any travel expense or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. These cards typically have higher annual fees but offer more flexibility and value for people who travel in multiple ways.
A flat-rate cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash or Discover it Cash Back earns a fixed percentage on all purchases with no category bonuses. For someone who cruises infrequently, a 2% cash-back card often delivers better value than a Princess card's variable earning rates and onboard-only redemptions.
The Princess card makes the most sense if you cruise with Princess at least once per year and spend enough on the card to justify the annual fee through the onboard credit alone. If you cruise less often or prefer other cruise lines, a general travel card or cash-back card is likely a better fit.
What to know before opening the account
The card's rewards are locked into the Princess Cruises ecosystem. You cannot transfer points to airlines, hotels, or other programs, and you cannot redeem them for cash. This lack of flexibility is the card's biggest limitation for people whose travel plans change or who want to cruise with a different line.
Onboard credits expire if unused within a set period, typically one year from the date they are issued. If you book a cruise but do not sail within that window, you lose the credit. Similarly, if you close the card, any remaining points are forfeited.
The card's benefits are most valuable on longer cruises and premium sailings, where onboard spending is higher. On a short cruise or a discounted sailing, the annual fee and onboard credit may not offset each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the onboard credit toward the cruise fare itself?
No. The onboard credit is for spending on the ship — dining, beverages, excursions, spa, and retail — not for paying the cruise fare. You must pay the fare with the card or another payment method.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
All remaining points are forfeited when you close the account. You cannot transfer them to another cardholder or convert them to cash. If you plan to close the card, redeem your points for onboard credit before doing so.
Do I have to cruise every year to make the card worth it?
Not necessarily, but the math works best if you cruise at least once per year. The annual onboard credit is designed to offset the annual fee, so if you do not cruise, that credit expires unused and you pay the fee for no benefit.
Can I earn points on someone else's cruise booking if I pay with my card?
Yes, as long as you are the cardholder. The points are earned based on the card used to book, not the person traveling. This can be useful if you book cruises for family members or friends.
Is the Princess card worth it if I only cruise once every two or three years?
Probably not. The annual fee and onboard credit are structured for annual cruisers. If you cruise less frequently, a general travel card or cash-back card will likely deliver better value across all your spending, not just cruise bookings.