The Carnival Credit Card gives you onboard spending credits and cabin upgrades on Carnival cruise lines
The Carnival Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line. The main benefit is onboard credit — money you can spend on the ship for drinks, dining, excursions, and other services. You also earn points on every purchase that convert to future cruise discounts, and the card waives your first-year annual fee.
The card works like any other rewards card outside of cruising, but the rewards structure is built around cruise spending. If you take Carnival cruises regularly or plan to, the onboard credit and points earn faster than cash back would on a standard card. If you do not cruise with Carnival, the card's rewards are less competitive than general-purpose alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- New cardholders receive onboard credit on their first cruise, typically $50 to $100 depending on the card tier, which you can use when ready for any shipboard purchase.
- You earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases, with bonus points on Carnival cruise bookings and onboard spending, and points convert to future cruise discounts at a fixed rate.
- The card carries an annual fee after the first year, so the rewards must outweigh that cost if you cruise fewer than once per year.
- Onboard credit is non-transferable and expires if unused before your cruise departure, so you must plan to use it on a booked voyage.
Onboard Credit and How It Works
Onboard credit is a dollar amount loaded to your shipboard account that you can spend on anything the ship sells — beverages at bars, specialty dining, casino chips, shore excursions booked through the ship, spa services, and retail shops. You do not receive cash back; the credit must be spent on the ship or it is forfeited.
The amount of onboard credit you receive depends on which version of the card you hold. The standard Carnival Credit Card typically offers $50 in first-year onboard credit, while premium versions may offer $100 or more. This credit is added to your account when you board the ship, and you access it using your cabin key card at any point-of-sale terminal onboard.
Onboard credit does not roll over to future cruises. If you book a cruise, receive the onboard credit, and then cancel the voyage, the credit is usually forfeited. You must use it during the specific cruise for which it was issued. Plan your onboard spending before you sail so you do not leave money unused.
Earning and Redeeming Rewards Points
The Carnival Credit Card earns one point per dollar on all purchases, everywhere you use the card. When you book a Carnival cruise with the card, you earn bonus points — typically 5 points per dollar or more, depending on the card version. You also earn bonus points on onboard spending during your cruise.
Points accumulate in your Carnival Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can view your balance online through Carnival's website or mobile app. Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but your account may close if you do not use your card for an extended period.
To redeem points, you convert them to onboard credit or cruise discounts through Carnival's rewards portal. The conversion rate is fixed — typically 100 points equals $1 in onboard credit or a discount on a future cruise. You can redeem points before you book a cruise or explore them to an existing reservation. Unlike onboard credit from the card itself, points-based credit may carry different expiration rules, so check Carnival's current terms when you redeem.
Annual Fee and When It Makes Sense
The Carnival Credit Card waives the annual fee in your first year. After that, the annual fee ranges from $95 to $150 depending on the card tier. Premium versions with higher onboard credit offers and bonus point rates carry higher annual fees.
The card makes financial sense if you cruise with Carnival at least once per year and spend the onboard credit fully. A $50 first-year onboard credit plus bonus points on a cruise booking can easily cover a $95 annual fee in year two. If you cruise less frequently or do not use the onboard credit, a general-purpose rewards card with cash back may save you money.
You can cancel the card anytime, but do so before your annual fee posts if you decide not to keep it. Most issuers charge the fee on your card anniversary date, so check your statement for the exact date. If the fee posts and you call to cancel, Barclays may reverse one annual fee if you ask, but this is not may provide.
Using the Card for Non-Cruise Purchases
Outside of cruising, the Carnival Credit Card functions as a standard rewards card. You earn one point per dollar on groceries, gas, restaurants, and all other everyday purchases. The points accumulate toward cruise discounts, so even if you do not cruise frequently, the card can build value over time.
The card's cash back rate is lower than many competing cards — you cannot redeem points for cash, only for cruise-related rewards. If you want flexibility to use rewards for anything, a card with cash back options is more useful. The Carnival card is best for people who know they will cruise eventually and want to build toward that goal.
The card also offers standard benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel accident insurance. These are common on mid-tier rewards cards and do not differ significantly from competitors. Check the full terms and conditions on Barclays' website for details on coverage limits and exclusions.
Cabin Upgrades and Other Onboard Perks
Cardholders receive priority consideration for cabin upgrades at check-in, though upgrades are not may provide. Carnival prioritizes upgrades based on ship occupancy and availability, so you may not receive one on a fully booked sailing. The upgrade offer is a benefit of holding the card, not a promise of a specific cabin type.
Some card versions include onboard spending credits beyond the initial welcome offer — for example, a $25 credit on your birthday or anniversary if those dates fall during your cruise. Check your card's specific benefits guide to see what perks explore to your version.
The card also typically includes concierge services for cruise planning and booking questions, though this is a phone line to Carnival's customer service rather than a dedicated concierge team. You can call to ask about itineraries, cabin selection, or onboard amenities, but the service does not provide personalized travel planning.
How to set up Your Card and Access Onboard Credit
After you receive your Carnival Credit Card in the mail, set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or through Barclays' online portal. You will need to verify your identity and set a PIN for in-person transactions.
Link your card to your Carnival Rewards account so that points post correctly and onboard credit is loaded when you sail. You can do this through Carnival's website by logging into your account and adding your card details. If you do not link the card before your cruise, contact Carnival customer service at the port before boarding to may support your onboard credit is applied.
When you board the ship, your cabin key card will have your onboard credit balance loaded automatically if you linked your card in advance. You can check your balance at any point-of-sale terminal or ask the front desk. Spend the credit throughout your cruise on any shipboard purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my onboard credit on someone else's cabin account?
No. Onboard credit is tied to your cabin and can only be spent by you or your cabin mates during the cruise. You cannot transfer it to another guest or another cabin. If you want to give a gift to someone on the ship, you would need to pay for their purchase directly at the point of sale.
What happens to my points if I cancel my cruise?
Your points remain in your Carnival Rewards account and do not expire. The onboard credit from the card itself (the welcome offer) is forfeited if you cancel the cruise. Points you earned from purchases stay with you and can be redeemed toward a future cruise or converted to onboard credit on a different sailing.
Do I earn points on the onboard credit I receive as a cardholder benefit?
No. The onboard credit from your card welcome offer does not earn additional points when you spend it on the ship. However, you do earn bonus points on onboard purchases made with your physical card, so if you charge items to your cabin account using your card, those charges earn points.
Can I get the annual fee waived after the first year?
Barclays may waive the annual fee if you call to request it, but this is not automatic and depends on your account history and relationship with the bank. If the fee posts and you want to cancel, ask if they will reverse it before you close the account. There is no harm in asking, but do not assume it will be removed.
What if I want to cruise with a different cruise line?
The Carnival Credit Card rewards are specific to Carnival cruises. If you cruise with Royal Caribbean, Disney, or another line, those points do not transfer and the card's benefits do not explore. You would need a co-branded card from that cruise line to earn onboard credit and bonus points on their sailings.