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Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature review: Earn points and discounts towards your next voyage

Updated 5 min read

While cruise tourism took a major hit during the pandemic, it’s bounced back recently. According to a recent report by the Cruise Lines International Association, passenger volume is forecasted to increase to 120% of 2019 levels in 2024.

If you’re an avid cruiser, the right credit card could help offset your costs when you set sail. The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature? card is one option worth considering if you’re looking to earn rewards from your voyages. Here’s what to know about this card, its features, perks, and who it’s best for.

  • Annual fee: $0

  • Welcome offer: Earn 25,000 MyCruise bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months

  • Rewards: 2x points on qualifying Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean purchases, 1x points on everything else

  • More details: 10,000 point annual anniversary bonus when you spend at least $10,000 per year, 10% discount on premium beverage packages and private shore excursions, no foreign transaction fees

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature has a variable APR ranging from 18.24% to 28.24%. The APR you get will depend on your credit history and other factors.

This card doesn’t have an annual fee, so you won’t need to worry about offsetting a yearly cost by using its benefits or earning rewards.

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature is issued by Bank of America and offers a solid welcome bonus. New card members can earn 25,000 MyCruise bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months. The bonus is worth $250 in onboard credits, which could help offset expenses on an upcoming trip.

Alternatively, you can use your 25,000 MyCruise bonus points for a companion fare on a 3- or 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise or a room upgrade on a qualifying Royal Caribbean cruise (up to $500 value).

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature doesn’t offer an introductory 0% APR offer. The card’s regular APR kicks in immediately.

  • 2x points on qualifying Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean purchases

  • 1x points on everything else

Perhaps unsurprisingly, you can maximize your rewards by spending on Celebrity Cruise purchases. Those purchases will net you 2x points per $1 spent. But the card also lets you earn 2x points when you spend with its sister brand, Royal Caribbean. This flexibility is useful if you cruise with both lines.

All other purchases will net you 1x points per $1 spent, though you won’t earn rewards for balance transfers or cash advances.

You can redeem your MyCruise rewards for upcoming voyages, cabin upgrades, companion fares, on-shore excursions, or onboard amenities like dining, drinks, and spa visits.

Frequent cruisers can put this card’s other notable perks to good use. Cardholders that spend at least $10,000 annually will earn a 10,000 anniversary bonus each year. You can also receive a 10% discount on premium beverage packages and private shore excursions.

You won’t pay foreign transaction fees as a Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature cardholder, which can help you keep more cash in your pocket if you often travel internationally. Additional card benefits are relatively standard and include $0 fraud liability, account alerts, digital wallet accessibility, and free FICO scores via mobile app.

This card is best for travelers who enjoy cruises and are particularly loyal to Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. If you prefer traveling on land or frequent another cruise line, it’s likely not the best option for your wallet.

But those who love these brands and take cruises fairly frequently could benefit from earning this card’s welcome offer, rewards, and discounts — especially considering the fact that this card doesn’t charge an annual fee.

  • No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

  • Option to earn a welcome bonus

  • Increased rewards for Celebrity Cruise and Royal Caribbean spending

  • Discounts on cruise amenities

  • Regular APR applies immediately

  • Can’t use rewards for general travel expenses

  • Maximum rewards rate is only 2x points

  • Upgrades are subject to availability

As its name indicates, this is a Visa card. Since Visa cards are accepted in over 200 global territories and countries, you can use your card almost anywhere.

You can pay your monthly bill through the following channels:

  • Online by logging into the mobile app or website

  • By phone: 800.236.6497

  • By mail:
    PO Box 15019
    Wilmington, DE 19850-5019

  • In person at a local Bank of America branch

If you have questions or concerns about your card, you can reach the Bank of America customer service team through your Celebrity Cruise Visa Signature online dashboard or via phone at 1.757.677.4701. Representatives are available for phone calls 24/7.

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature may be right for you if you enjoy cruise tourism and are loyal to the Celebrity and Royal Caribbean brands. That said, it’s not the best card for everyone. These alternative travel cards could work if it doesn’t sound like the right option for you.

  • Annual fee
    $0
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Airline
  • Introductory Purchases APR
    0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent, Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 2x miles on United purchases, dining, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting
    • 1x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • $0 annual fee
    • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (21.99% –?28.99% variable APR after that)
    • 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks

Why we like it: If you prefer traveling by air and are a loyal United customer, the United Gateway card is worth considering. This card features a solid welcome bonus and broad spending categories are useful, too. With no annual fee, this card is well-suited for even occasional United flyers.

Read more: United Gateway Card review

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Enjoy a $250 Capital One Travel credit, plus earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Purchase APR
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Good, Excellent
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
    • Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
    • Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another great option if you’re looking for a card that could help you offset more general travel purchases. This card’s reward structure is fairly straightforward compared to some competitors, and you can redeem your rewards for trips through Capital One Travel, travel with over 15 partners, gift cards, merchandise, and more. 

Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (that's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?)
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
    • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x points on all other travel purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel
    • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
    • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is very popular, and with good reason. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase, offering significantly more in potential value.

Besides a generous welcome offer, many cardholders will find it easy to rack up points with its everyday spending categories in common categories.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred review

This article was edited by Alicia Hahn

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the author(s) and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.