carnival cruise stock onboard credit

How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Carnival Stock (2023)

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 2, 2021  - Last updated: June 13, 2023

If you cruise on Carnival, Princess, or any other Carnival-owned cruise line, you can get free onboard credit on every cruise, just for being a Carnival stockholder! Here’s how to get your free OBC.

One of my favorite perks of cruising is getting free onboard credit—often abbreviated to OBC— when I book during certain sales. Since I always use a cruise travel agent , I’ll often get extra onboard credit just for booking through the agency.

OBC is awesome! You can use it for just about anything on the ship—buying souvenirs in the shops, paying for specialty dining, booking shore excursions, and more.

But did you know that you can get even more free onboard credit every time you book a cruise on Carnival, Princess, Holland America, or any other cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation?

It’s true! If you’re a Carnival stockholder , you’re eligible for free onboard credit each time you cruise. As long as you own enough shares and can show proof before each sailing, you’ll get free money to make every cruise even more fun.

What cruise lines offer free onboard credit to Carnival shareholders?

Carnival Corporation offers free OBC to shareholders on all of their cruise lines. Carnival, Princess, and Holland America are the most popular Carnival-owned lines for North American cruisers. But several other cruise lines around the world are also under the Carnival Corporation umbrella.

Shareholders cruising with Cunard, Costa Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA, or P&O can also apply for free onboard credit.

Applying for free onboard credit as a Carnival shareholder

If you own Carnival stock (or you’re planning on buying some), it’s super-easy to get your free shareholder OBC. Read on to find out how many shares you need to own, how much credit you’ll get for each sailing, and how to let your cruise line know you’re eligible.

How much Carnival stock do you have to own to get OBC?

You’ll need to own at least 100 shares of stock in Carnival Corporation at the time of sailing to earn their free onboard credit benefit. The shares need to be held in the name of a booked passenger to earn OBC.

How much onboard credit will I get for my cruise?

The amount of free onboard credit you’ll get per cruise depends on how long your sailing is, and which cruise line you’ll be on. See the table below to find out how much OBC you’ll be awarded on your next cruise.

The amount of onboard credit you’ll receive (and what currency it will be in) depends on the specific cruise brand and where it’s based.

So, if you’re from the UK and sailing on a cruise on an Australian brand, you’ll get your onboard credit in AUD. An Australian sailing on a North American brand on a European itinerary will get OBC in US dollars.

North American brands:

• Carnival Cruise Line*
• Princess Cruises*
• Holland America Line
• Costa Cruises*

Continental European brands:

• AIDA Cruises
• P&O Cruises UK

Australian brands:

• P&O Cruises Aus

*The currency and amount of onboard credit for some cruise lines is determined by the operational currency used on any specific sailing.

You may also like: How to Save Money on Cruises

How do you let the cruise line know you’re a Carnival shareholder?

Although so many things are automated these days, you’ll need to let the cruise line know that you’re a shareholder before each and every cruise, so you can have your OBC credited to your account.

Annoying, I know, especially if you take a lot of cruises! But trust me, it only takes five minutes, and you’ll earn between $50 and $250 (or a similar amount in other currencies) to spend on your next cruise. Now that’s a nice rate of return!

Five steps to apply for onboard credit as a Carnival stockholder

Applying for Carnival shareholder stock is simple if you follow these steps:

• Own at least 100 shares of Carnival stock
• Print, copy or scan your proof of shares
• Black out your address and account number
• Send proof to your cruise line before your cruise
• Check your online cruise planner for the OBC a few weeks before your cruise departs

You’ll need to mail, email, or fax proof of your shares to your specific cruise line at least three weeks before your sail date.

( Click here for a list of mailing addresses, emails, and fax numbers for each cruise line.)

Proof of shareholder status could include a copy of your shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher, or a nominee statement with both your mailing address and brokerage account number blacked out.

Be sure to also include your full name, reservation or booking number, ship name, and sailing date to ensure you’re credited correctly.

What if multiple members of my family are Carnival shareholders? Do we all get free onboard credit?

Carnival’s free onboard credit program for shareholders only allows one shareholder per stateroom to use the benefit. So if you have multiple shareholders in the same cabin, only one can get the free OBC.

But if you want to get creative, you can sometimes work around this policy.

Let’s say you’re traveling as a family unit—two parents and your kids who are old enough to stay in a nearby room. Each parent owns at least 100 shares of Carnival stock, but you’d like to actually sleep in the same room as your spouse or partner.

Despite the strict rules around one free OBC benefit per cabin, the cruise lines aren’t the bed police! If you book one parent into each of the two rooms, both adults can get the free credit.

Of course, each stateroom key card is assigned to a specific passenger and also acts as ID and your way of making purchases on board. So the logistics can get tricky with this workaround, but many cruisers use this method to double up on OBC.

You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips

Can you gift your Carnival shareholder onboard credit to friends or family sailing with you?

Just like any other cruise onboard credit you might receive in a special sale or via your travel agent, Carnival shareholder onboard credit isn’t transferable. The cruise line will apply the OBC only to the account that matches the name of the legal shareholder.

But if you want to share your credit with friends or family, you can always use it to buy a gift on board for a friend or loved one. Just remember you need to make the purchase yourself—you can’t give your cruise card to another passenger to use your OBC.

Can you save your Carnival shareholder onboard credit for another cruise?

Although it would be nice to be able to save your unused onboard credit to use on a future cruise, your OBC expires at the end of each sailing. So use it before you lose it!

Can you get more than one free OBC benefit if you hold more than 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock?

If you have several hundred (or more!) shares of Carnival Corporation stock, you’re probably wondering if you can get more free onboard credit for each block of 100 shares you own.

Unfortunately, free onboard credit for Carnival shareholders is limited to one credit benefit per person per sailing.

Is anyone excluded from receiving free onboard credit for being a Carnival shareholder?

Carnival Corporation employees likely already know that they’re not eligible for onboard credit for owning Carnival stock. But some non-employees also aren’t able to take advantage of this program.

If any of these situations apply to you, you also won’t be able to get free OBC as a Carnival shareholder:

• A travel agent cruising at travel agent rates
• Tour conductors or group leaders cruising at a reduced rate
• Anyone sailing on a complimentary basis

***UPDATE November 2021***

Carnival has very recently begun denying shareholder OBC to guests cruising at discounted rates. According to many longtime Carnival cruisers who have applied for the free onboard credit, the company has been denying the benefit for reasons including:

• VIFP offers
• Casino rates
• Military discount rates
• Resident discount rates
• Senior citizen discount rates

It’s unclear whether this is a permanent policy change by Carnival Corporation, or just a temporary hold while ships are sailing at reduced capacity. I’ll continue to update the post as more information emerges on this new development.

What can you use your Carnival shareholder onboard credit for?

Unlike some cruise lines that allow you to use OBC before your cruise to pay for packages and services on board, Carnival and its subsidiaries only allow you to use onboard credit once you’re physically on the ship.

But, you can use your onboard credit for almost anything you’d normally pay for once you’re on the ship. Here are some examples of how you can use your free shareholder OBC:

• Specialty dining that you book on board
• Shore excursions that you book on board
• Beverages that aren’t covered by a drink package
• Purchases in the onboard shops
• Spa and salon visits
• Experiences like wine tastings, cooking classes, or behind-the-scenes tours

Just remember that some cruise lines will give you a discount if you prebook and prepay for some of these extras before you sail. Take that into consideration when deciding how you’ll use your OBC.

You may also like: Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It?

What can you NOT use your Carnival shareholder onboard credit for?

There are tons of ways you can use your free onboard credit for owning Carnival stock on a cruise. However, Carnival has a few rules about what you can’t use it for. Make sure you know these exclusions before you assume you’re covered (and stuck with an unexpected bill).

• Using shareholder OBC for casino play
• Paying for crew gratuities with shareholder OBC
• Using shareholder OBC for anything that you need to use cash for (like for extra tips, or vending or self-service laundry on some ships)

What’s your favorite way to get free onboard credit on a cruise? Have you received OBC for being a Carnival shareholder? Let me know in the comments below!

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Beverly Jacobs

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

I am trying to redeem my on board credit as a stock holder

Carrie Ann Karstunen

Friday 1st of March 2024

Hi Beverly, I'm assuming you're asking how to obtain your shareholder OBC for an upcoming cruise, not how to redeem it on the ship (if I'm wrong, redeeming it is easy - your OBC can be used toward any purchases you make on board with your cruise card). I have detailed instructions in the post about how to obtain your OBC pre-cruise. Do you have a specific question I can answer?

Monday 4th of December 2023

I have been trying to get the form for my onboard credit for holland America and can not find it anywhere on the internet where I can just print it out. Can you helpW

Hi Sandy, currently there isn’t a specific form you need to send, you just email the information I’ve detailed above to Holland America. The link to the email address to send your information can also be found in the post above, in the section “Five steps to apply for onboard credit as a Carnival stockholder”. I’ll add it here as well: Carnival Corp Shareholder Benefits. Hope this helps and happy cruising!

Sunday 8th of October 2023

looking for a phone number as I have not received the credit on my; Nov. cruise

Monday 9th of October 2023

Hi Penny, if it's been longer than three weeks since you sent in your proof of shares (and your cruise isn't until next month), I'd try emailing one more time. If you don't hear back soon, here's the contacts page for Carnival Corp.'s Investor Relations. Hope this helps, and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday 14th of September 2023

Hello Carrie Ann, Thank you so much for the great article with clear explanations and the link to the instructions from Carnival Corporation. I bought my 100 shares of CCL on 9/12/23, emailed in a scan of the proof of stock ownership (confirming statement from my broker, Charles Schwab) this morning ,on 9/14/23 and TA-DAH !!- 15 minutes later the online booking summary for my 22 day Princess cruise is already showing the $250.00 onboard credit!!! Wow ! That was lightning fast ! My cruise is leaving on 10/18/23 so I was worried about doing this just 5 weeks out but , per the instructions on the Carnival Corporation sheet, it just needs to be done 4 weeks prior to the sail date. I wish I had known about this benefit before. I have been cruising on Princess for years. Thank you again for this valuable information presented in such an easy to understand way. Sincerely, Carol

Sunday 17th of September 2023

Hi Carol, so glad I could help. That's super fast!! Hope you have an amazing cruise :D

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

My husband and myself have 2,000 shares of Carnival stock. Will that amount only give us $100.00?

Hi JudyAnn! If you're sailing on a cruise between 7-13 days and you and your husband are sharing one stateroom, you'll just receive the $100 OBC. Carnival Corp. gives the OBC as a shareholder benefit to anyone who owns at least 100 shares - if you own significantly more you still get the same shareholder benefit. You can use this benefit on every Carnival cruise as well as on any of their sister brands, and if you have a longer sailing (14+ days) the OBC jumps to $250. Hope this answers your question and happy cruising!

Do you own cruise line stocks? You could get onboard perks

Many cruise fans choose to invest in cruise line stocks, either because they want to support their favorite brand or because they view it as a financially savvy investment. But did you know that owning shares in a cruise company could give you onboard perks each time you cruise?

The major U.S. publicly traded cruise companies, Carnival Corporation (which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CCL), Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) all offer onboard credits ranging from $50 to $250 for those who own 100 shares or more of their stock.

Stock prices and any money you may or may not make from the investment are unpredictable. What is predictable are the perks. A small investment in a cruise company may pay off in more ways than you think, especially if you are a frequent cruiser.

This is not advice about making a financial investment. Before buying any cruise stocks, you should talk to your own adviser or broker, and do your own research. Any financial investment is at your own risk.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Each cruise company has its own rules and nuances regarding the benefits of owning cruise line stocks. Here's how shareholder perks play out at the top three publicly traded cruise companies.

Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of cruise brands including Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , Holland America , Cunard and luxury line Seabourn . If you hold a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, you'll receive an onboard credit of $250 per cabin for cruises of 14 days or longer, $100 for cruises of seven to 13 days and $50 for cruises of six days or fewer. (Note that by "days," Carnival means nights on board.)

The current benefit is available on sailings through July 31, 2023; reservations must be made by Feb. 28, 2023.

You can use the credit for drinks, gift shop purchases, spa treatments or other onboard expenditures. You can't use the credit in the casino, for gratuities or to get cash. The credit applies only to the shareholder-occupied stateroom; you won't get additional credits if you book multiple cabins.

Related: Cruise onboard credit: What it is, where to get it and how best to use it

To receive the credit, first book your cruise vacation, then send the specific cruise line an email, fax or mailed letter with your legal name, reservation/booking number, ship and sailing date. You'll also need to provide proof — such as a copy of your proxy card or a dividend tax voucher — that you own 100 or more shares of stock.

The request needs to be made no later than four weeks before your sail date.

You'll find emails and addresses for each Carnival Corporation brand and specific rules on the company's website . For Carnival Cruise Line, the email is [email protected] , the fax number is 305-406-6102, and the address is Guest Administration, 3655 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178.

Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean's shareholder perk applies to cruises on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises , with the exclusion of any charter cruises (such as full-ship theme cruises) and Celebrity's Galapagos sailings.

Any shareholder with a minimum of 100 shares at the time of sailing is eligible for an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom for sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 on sailings of six to 13 nights and $50 on sailings of five or fewer nights.

You may request the nontransferable credit each time you cruise. The credit applies only to the stateroom where the shareholder is staying and is based on double occupancy. If shares are held jointly and you are booking more than one stateroom, 100 shares are required for each stateroom (based on one credit per shareholder per sailing and double occupancy). Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer.

The credit can't be used for gratuities (service charges). It also doesn't apply to any activities you pay for prior to setting sail (such as prebooked shore excursions or spa treatments). It's credited to your shipboard account at the time of sailing.

Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that aren't)

Royal Caribbean suggests you request onboard credit two to three weeks prior to your sail date. The response from the cruise company should come within seven days.

You may make the request using the company's online form . For FAQs about the program, visit Royal Caribbean's investor website .

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Norwegian offers holders of 100 or more shares of its stock an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom on sailings of 15 days or more, $100 on sailings of seven to 14 days and $50 on sailings of six days or less. (Note that by "days," Norwegian means nights on board.) As with the other cruise companies, you may request the onboard credit each time you cruise.

The offer applies to cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line , Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Charter sailings are excluded.

To redeem the credit offer you may fill out a shareholder benefit request form online or you can mail or email the company with your name, address, email address, telephone number, ship and sailing date, plus proof you hold the shares.

The onboard credit request must be submitted at least 15 days prior to your sailing date.

The benefit is only available for the stateroom in which the shareholder is staying and is based on your paying for two people in the cabin. Solo travelers must pay the full double occupancy fare to receive the credit. If shares are held jointly and you are requesting two or more cabins, a minimum holding of 100 shares per room is required.

Norwegian does not allow the benefit to be combined with any other offer; shareholders have the option to choose between the shareholder benefit and another offer. The credit appears on your onboard account at the time of sailing and is nontransferable. It can't be used for any activities purchased prior to sailing, nor for service charges/gratuities on board.

The email for Norwegian Cruise Line requests is [email protected] . The address to mail in a request is Norwegian Cruise Line Shareholder Benefit Department, 7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, FL 33126. Find addresses for the other brands and facts about the program on the company's investor website .

Bottom line

You can receive onboard credit each time you cruise by purchasing 100 or more shares of stock from a major publicly traded cruise company. This is a perk for shareholders, not a reason to invest. Before agreeing to buy cruise line stock, you should read the rules carefully and weigh the price of the stock versus any savings you will receive, as well as understand the potential risks of your investment. Your financial adviser or broker may offer further advice.

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EARLY SAVER RATES + BONUS ONBOARD CREDIT (OTO)

Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and is provided as a non-refundable credit to your Sail & Sign account of $15 per person up to a maximum of $30 per stateroom on 2 to 5 day sailings, and $25 per person up to a maximum of $50 per stateroom on 6 day and greater sailings. Onboard credit may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Cruise rates are in US dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Offer is capacity controlled and category restrictions and exclusions apply. Carnival reserves the right to withdraw and/or change offer at any time without prior notice. Cruise Fare does not include Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses range from $40.44 to $222.82, and are assessed on a per guest basis and according to the itinerary. Full payment of per person deposit is required at the time of booking. All cancellations that occur prior to final payment due date will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit less a $50 pp service fee. The future cruise credit can only be redeemed on bookings made in USD currency, will be applied to your cruise fare, is non-refundable, non-transferable, any unused portion will be forfeited, and must be used on a sailing within 24 months from the date of cancellation. Full names are required for each guest. No name changes are allowed. Early Saver is backed by a unique price protection policy that allows you to adjust your cruise fare to the best available fare advertised by Carnival and available to the general public. Carnival will honor your request for price protection if the reduction on the total amount paid for your booking results only from a lower cruise fare and not from the booked ancillary services, such as air, transfers, pre-paid gratuities, or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Early Saver price protection does not apply to Super Saver fare, group rates, membership programs, charters, select promotional fares, travel agent rebates, or other travel agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public. Early Saver price protection policy applies only to the category booked; no downgrades allowed. Price protection will be subject to the prevailing fees. A $50 change fee per guest will be assessed for ship and/or sail date changes made prior to final payment due date. The guest is responsible for increases to ancillary services such as air, resulting from changes to ship and/or sail date, or adjustments to cruise fare. Cancellation penalties apply. Guest may select the stateroom, but a minimum purchase of category 4A is required. Offer bookings made as part of a group will include amenities. Offer is applicable on sailings that depart between 12/1/15 and 12/1/16. Offer does not apply to Carnival Australia. Exclusions may apply. Offer is applicable on new bookings made between 6/30/15 and 7/30/15. Offer is valid for Past Guests with a valid and qualifying VIFP Club Member number. Please request rate code OTO. Ships' Registry: The Bahamas, Panama & Malta. To submit a Price Protection claim, visit carnival.com/earlysaver. When requesting a cruise fare adjustment, you must provide the lower rate amount and where the rate can be found. Requests will be accepted up to two business days prior to sailing. Lower rate must be: (i) for the same ship, sail date, stateroom category and number of guests; (ii) a qualifying Carnival advertised rate (iii) available for booking at the time the request is reviewed by Carnival's reservation agents. Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited.

This Cruise Life

Carnival shareholder benefit.

Earn benefits for owning your favorite cruise line’s stock!

Many cruisers I speak to have no clue that the major cruise lines often offer some sort of benefit for being a shareholder of the cruise line’s stock. Carnival Corporation & PLC offers up to $250 of Onboard Credit just for being a shareholder!

“How much will this cost me?” is always the first question I receive when I tell cruisers about the benefit. For Carnival, you only need to hold 100 shares of the company’s stock in order to qualify. At the time of this writing, the current price of $21.02/share ( $CCL Live Ticker ), would cost new investors just over $2,100.

Of course, the cost of shares fluctuate based on how the stock performs. I bought in at $45/share ($4,500). So, if you purchase 100 shares today, you do so at a significant savings to what I spent, but you get the same benefits!

What do I get for my investment?

In addition to the possible gains (or losses*) you receive as a shareholder, Carnival provides the following benefits to shareholders:

As you can see from the table above, the longer your cruise, the more you stand to gain from your Shareholder Benefit! For my Panama Canal sailing in 2019, I received the full OBC of $250, however, the majority of my sailings are 7 days which earns me the $100 OBC. This is enough to cover gratuities onboard at the current rate of $13.99/day ($97.93)**.

Prior to the pandemic, Carnival also had a healthy dividend payout of $.50/share. That meant that each quarter, investors who held 100 shares received another $50 – or $200/year! The dividend has been suspended indefinitely.

How do I get the credit?

For years, the only option cruisers had to request the credit was to FAX a request, with proof of share ownership, to Carnival corporation. Thankfully, Carnival added an option to email Shareholder Services/Guest Admin. This makes the process so much easier.

To request your shareholder credit, you simply email [email protected] a minimum of 3 weeks prior to your sail date with the following information:

• Booking Number (6-digit booking ID used to access your sailing)
• Embarkation date (first day of your cruise)
• Port of Embarkation (where you’re sailing from)
• Shareholder name

Additionally, you are required to attach a “recent investor statement” that proves share ownership. How recent that is depends on the human processing your request. I’ve used the same statement for cruises as far out as 5 months. At other times, I’ve been asked to resubmit a statement that’s 60 days prior to the sail date.

Tips for Shareholder Credit Submission

• When requesting your credit, save a copy of your most current statement and include that with your request
• The investor statement must include your full name and that name must match the name on the reservation
• Redact any personal information (account numbers, information about other shares you hold, etc.) before sending your statement to Carnival

And if you’re just dying to find a use for that old fax machine that’s collecting dust, you can fax all of this information to Carnival at: 305-406-6102. I recommend including a cover letter that contains the information above and then a copy of your redacted statement that includes proof of ownership.

Is it worth the cost?

I’ve used the Shareholder credit on all of my cruises since 2015 and I’ve earned $2,900 in OBC. Additionally, when Carnival was paying out a healthy dividend, I earned over $1,000 in that same time period. So my $4,500 investment has paid for itself over the years! Of course, as I always say, your mileage may vary.

Fine Print and Disclaimers:

There are some Carnival fine print and some disclaimers:

• Only one OBC is allowed per stateroom. So if you’re sailing with another person who has 100 shares of $CCL stock, only one onboard credit will be applied
• Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer (sorry Casino Rate Offers!)
• Benefit cannot be exchanged for cash, nor can it be used for casino credits or charges
• Reservations must be made by February 28, 2022 to qualify for the current Shareholder Benefit program
• **Carnival states that the benefit cannot be used toward gratuities, however, we’ve used our OBC this way for nearly 30 sailings
• *As with any stock purchase or investment, there is market risk. You could lose money with the investment. Additionally, as you buy/sell stock, there could be tax implications. Nothing on this page should be used to make an investment or tax decision and I retain zero liability for any decisions you may make

Carnival gets strict.

In late 2021, Carnival started to become much more strict with their Shareholder Credit program. In fact, my credit was denied for a sailing because I booked it using my VIFP number! I sent multiple emails to which I continued to be denied. I eventually called Carnival, waited on hold for an hour, and was told the same thing. I pushed back and said to the agent: “So what you’re saying is that no one who has ever sailed on a Carnival cruise can be a stockholder? You’re actually penalizing brand-loyal customers?” It was at this point the agent made the connection to what I was explaining and the rule. She called Shareholder Services/Guest Admin and the OBC was added to my account within minutes.

Carnival’s Shareholder Benefit program is included as part of Carnival Corp’s Annual Report if you’d like to learn more. You can also access the benefit information from Carnival’s Shareholder Information page.

Head over to the updated article posted on May 5, 2023.

51 thoughts on “Carnival Shareholder Benefit”

This one really hit home. I’ve been trying to get my Shareholders benefit for the last month. The first attempt was a fax, it was illegible please try again. Second attempt was an email, “they don’t give OBC to reduced-rate”, thanks to you I know it was because I booked with my VIFP. The third attempt was by mail, they can’t find my name on the brokerage statement. When I have an extra hour or two I will call them. FYI – I request the CCL shareholder benefit for two cruises on Princess and had the OBC within a week. I used the same brokerage statement for Princess as I did for Carnival.

Sorry to hear about your experience; frustrating is an understatement! I’m just so thankful that we’re finally able to send statements via email instead of the required fax. But even that requires you get the right person who will apply the OBC. I’m really curious how Shareholder Credit will change in July when the annual report is published. Will it continue? Will it require more shares based on the significantly lowered share cost? Keeping an eye out!

Am trying to get shareholder benefits for my clients who are sailing on Princess. Steve, how did you work to get the OBC with Princess?

Carnival Corp now exclude the use of shareholder benefit for paying gratuities.

I’ve been fortunate so far this year and haven’t had any issue with gratuities being covered on my seven sailings. Between OBC and Shareholder, I usually have leftover funds that I have to burn through on the last night of the cruise. I’ve picked up a lot of 50th anniversary stuff as a result! Haha

I have 4 cruises currently booked through Carnival: 2 weeks In Oct ’22, 1 week Feb ’23, and a 8 and 6 day back-to-back cruise for Oct ’23. You said something about reservations must be before Feb 28 ’22, which only the first cruise was booked prior. If I purchased 100 shares now, would I get the OBC for Oct ’22? I’m assuming the latter cruises would qualify for next year.

The Shareholder Information page on Carnival’s website has now been updated to reflect “Reservations must be made by February 28, 2023 to qualify.” If you purchase shares now (at one of the lowest prices I’ve ever seen), you would be able to request the credit for upcoming sailings. With that said, there have been some reports of challenges getting Carnival to accept the request based on rate code and way of booking. Knock on wood, I’ve received the credit on all 10 cruises so far this year. That means, in 2023 alone, I’ll more than pay for the shares I purchased with onboard credit. That is mind blowing to me!

I have just booked a 10 day cruise today and wondering if I buy the required minimum shares today, will I get the OBC?

As long as you have enough lead time prior to your cruise you should be able to receive the OBC! The reason I say depending on how far away your cruise is… you need to provide a financial statement proving stock ownership and the statement has to include a name matching on your cruise reservation. Additionally, it can take Carnival up to two weeks to process your request once you submit it. So, if your cruise is far enough away to get a statement and have enough time for Carnival to process your request, you should be good to go! One caveat, depending on the rate code you booked, you may or may not be eligible per the article. Enjoy your cruise; 10-days sounds absolutely wonderful!

So do you have to call Shareholder Services/Guest Admin every time you book a cruise? The always ask for the VIFP # so I’m confused on why they don’t want to give you the credit. I just recently got a cruise for October and also 100 shares of stock and was wondering if I’m going to have to call them every time?

You can either fax your request with the required information or send an email with the required information to [email protected] . You need to do this at least 3 weeks prior to your sailing. And, yes, you will need to do this every time you book a cruise to confirm that you still own the shares. When submitting the required information, Carnival requires a current shareholder statement to confirm ownership. Hope this helps!

Does this shareowner perk of $100 also cover Seabourn cruises?

It does, however, the process is a little different for Seabourn. I’ve included the contact information below. Whether you email or fax, be sure to include all of the required information for them to process your request.

SEABOURN Fax: 206-501-2900 Email: [email protected]

So I sent in the paperwork 4 weeks ago by both fax and email. How do I confirm I got the OBC? Do they email you when received and processed? Nothing showing on my account. Sailing soon.

If you have a Personal Vacation Planner with Carnival, I would call them asap. If not, call the general line to inquire (they’ll likely have to transfer you). The other option is you can send a follow-up email to the email address asking for a status update – but if you sail soon, calling is your best avenue.

Do you know if you can still get the comp credit if you booked your cruise through a casino promotion? Looking at getting the shares before my next cruise in December Thanks

Prior to the pandemic, this didn’t seem to be an issue. However, Carnival has become more strict on Casino offers. I always advise that if you already have the shares, it’s worth giving it a try and submitting the paperwork. The worst they can say is no.

I booked on a Princess cruise. Bought 100 CCL shares and emailed my information. I heard it might be 2 to 3 weeks to get the OBC. I was so surprised to see the OBC applied to my account within a day or 2 after I sent the email.

Wow, that’s an amazing turnaround time. I just submitted one this evening for my Mardi Gras sailing in December. Curious to see how long it takes to get posted. Thanks for sharing!

Hi, Mark. So here’s a question for you. What does “reduced rate” mean? For instance, if I booked a cruise Holland America on Cruises.com, and instead of the full price, paid a discounted fare, would I still qualify for the OBC if I was a shareholder? How about if the Cruises.com price was the same as the advertised price on Holland America’s web site? Thanks for the help!

Reduced rate usually means casino fare, free/significantly reduced rate cruise, etc. For example, last year, I got a $100 balcony. Under the old system, I received the $100 credit… which was amazing! With the changes they’ve made, I would likely not receive the credit, but it never hurts to try. I always recommend submitting; worst case, they will tell you no. 🙂

I bought 100 Carnival shares in October through Capital.com. On 7 November I emailed Carnival with attachment showing my holding and details of my P&O cruise on 21 Dec, I received an automated email to say that it had been received, but that is all. Do they let you know if they have either applied the credit or if there was an issue. I am slightly concerned as it is my first application and the cruise is in 4 weeks

When I’ve submitted via email, I’ve always received a message back once it’s been applied. On Carnival Cruise Line, you can see the credits that have been applied to your account once you check in. I might recommend reaching out to the email address to see if they were able to process it. I just had to do that with my last sailing as I never heard back. They couldn’t find my submission and asked for me to reply with my statement, which I did, and within 24 hours, it was applied and they responded via email. Enjoy your cruise!!

Is it okay to send my information now for my 4/2/2023 sailing?

Usually, they’ll only approve sailings about two months out or so. With that said, I included my end of January sailing when I submitted October and December sailings, and they applied the benefit. Worst case, they’ll reply to your email letting you know that you have to wait until closer to your sailing.

Hi I have brought carnival shares last week ..we sail on the 30th April…Will I be able to apply for once ..cruisers are confusing me as they say you have to hold shares for at least 3 months before you can apply ..is this from when you brought them or when you pay your balance in full or the actual date you sail … I have brought from H L…who I believe will do the request when you inform them of your cruise date …TIA

I purchased my first shares of Carnival back in 2015 and sailed several weeks later and they applied the credit. Nowhere on any of the official Carnival documentation do they indicate a minimum holding timeframe for the shares, so you should be good! With that said, according to the current Shareholder Benefit documentation, the booking must be made by February 28, 2023 on sailings through July 31, 2023. With the financial challenges Carnival continues to face, I’m curious how the shareholder benefit may change in the coming year (fingers crossed they keep it as is).

Great article! Im curious, if you receive on-board credit through a promo would you get both credits? I.e $50 promo obc for the sailing and then $100 obc for being a shareholder?

I’ve heard mixed reviews from other cruisers. In my own personal experience, I have always received both. Most bookings these days seem to come with at least $50 OBC. Between that OBC and the $100 shareholder credit, it almost covers the gratuities for two. One more perk of the shareholder credit!

We are seriously considering buying 100 shares. We have two cruises booked for February and December. You mentioned above booking using the VIFP number. My vacation planner always searches for the best deal when booking. Is this going to be a problem?

At the current price point, I always recommend it to fellow cruisers! With that said I always disclaim that I am not a tax or financial advisor, so do so at your own risk tolerance – however, at current share prices, it doesn’t take a lot of sailings to pay for itself (unlike when I purchased at $46/share, ouch). In terms of whether or not there will be an issue, there shouldn’t be, unless you’re booking on a casino offer or free/almost-free cruise offer. While there were some issues at the end of 2021 and start of 2022, I’ve not had a single request declined this year. It should be noted, that the current shareholder benefit is good through July 31, 2023 if booked by February 28, 2023. The benefit could change when Carnival releases their 2022 Annual Report; I’ll post any changes to the site.

Please do report any changes of Carnival as we booked 4 Holland America line cruises…3 were casino offers and one we paid them directly. What if my partner buys the shares, as he did not get the casino offers…could he buy 100 shares and get the shareholders benefits…? I know he gets his own offers of onboard freeplay sometimes but not he doesn’t get many offers at all so just freeplay here and there for him as he likes to play real poker so the casino is not a place he spends much time.

That’s a great question. In general, if the room is booked on a casino offer, likely, the shareholder credit does not apply. With that said, I *always* advise submitting it, even if there’s a chance it may be denied. Worst case scenario, you’re out a couple minutes submitting it. Best case? They apply it despite having a casino offer on the room! Good luck, and let us know what happens!

I booked on a Carnival cruise. I submitted my request for the OBC on Tuesday, 01/03/23 and on Thursday, 01/04/23, my OBC for the five day cruise ($50) was applied to my Carnival account. I was surprised. My question is on my Carnival account, under OBC it says “Confirm with all OBC holders before applying credits pre-cruise to avoid cancellations on board.” I am travelling with my husband, so why the possiblity of Cancellation on board.” Thank you.

That’s fantastic to hear how quickly it was applied to your account! Do you by chance have any other OBC on this booking? I did some digging and also pinged a buddy. It sounds like anyone listed on the booking has the ability to use the OBC pre-cruise (shore excursions, spa treatments, etc.) If OBC is split across multiple folks and someone spends on behalf of the actual OBC holder, the item purchased can be canceled onboard. So, the warning is essentially telling you to confirm with any OBC holder on the booking before spending the funds to avoid whatever you book from being canceled. Hope that helps, Mary!

Can someone tell me where you send your shareholder certificate for Carnival Australia and P and O Australia cruises please.

Hello Pam. There are two options that we were able to find for you. If you wish to send your credit in via mail, regardless of which line you sail, send it to: Customer Service Manager PO Box 1429, Chatswood, NSW 2057 You can call this number for inquiries: Tel 61 2 8326 4000 This would be for if you want to fax your proof to the brand: Fax 61 2 8326 4550 And finally, if you’re sailing with Carnival Australia, you can submit your information via email to this address: [email protected] If you’re sailing P&O or Princess Australia, you can send your details to this email address: [email protected]

Hope you are able to successfully complete this!

I’m thinking of purchasing 100 shares. I already have 2 Carnival cruises booked for later this year. Even though the current OBC offer for shareholders expires in June, if the new offer for after that date still offers OBC will I be eligible to claim these for my upcoming booked cruises that I booked last year? Thanks Belinda

Yes! As long as your shares are active and you can show that on your statement that you provide to Carnival, then you will qualify for the OBC benefit at the time of your sailing. They don’t need to see the purchase date for the shares during the application process.

Thanks Rocky, Sounds great and I appreciate your quick response Belinda

I had a very good experience with Carnival. I actually forgot all about the OBC. I was able to get to my account on the ship and print my proof of ownership. I took it to guest services not expecting anything to come of it, and I certainly understand why. Well, to my surprise, they gave me $250 within 24 hours. Thank you, Carnival. I will never forget to apply again. I am ready to apply for my August cruise, but I think I need to wait a bit longer.

Wow; that’s fantastic!! I’ve never heard of them honoring the shareholder credit while on the ship. Great job thinking to ask Guest Services! And, yes, generally, you need to be within a couple months of your sail date for them to apply the credit, however, I’ve had them apply it up to 4 months in advance (when submitting it with other sailings that were closer).

When do we expect Carnival to announce if Shareholder benefits are to extended until 2024. I booked a cruise in March 2023 for trip beginning July 2023. As Feb28th is last date currently advertised for all cruises up to July 31st 2023, I am currently in Limbo.

Great news: we’ll be posting an article shortly that shares those details. Not to fear, you will be covered for your July cruise.

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Hi. We have cruises booked in Aug ‘23, Jan ‘24 and March ‘24. We are buying 100 shares of CCL as we feel it’s good value given the amount of cruises we take. All our cruises are with HAL. Who do we submit our stock certificate to? Carnival or Holland America?

Hey there! Thanks for the message and for checking out the post. Congrats on your decision to pick up 100 shares! For HAL, you’ll want to submit to [email protected] . We’ve never sailed Holland America Line ourselves, so you’ll have to let us know how the process goes! We hope that you have safe travels and enjoy all 3 sailings! -Mark

Hi there I’m looking at a 13 night cruise with P&O. Its actually 14 days on disembarking day, Will this quality for the higher OBC

Great question! If P&O refers to the cruise as a 14-day cruise, then it would qualify as the highest level OBC. Either way, you’ll be getting some awesome on-board spending money for your cruise!

Can anyone advise me of the P&O UK Shareholders email address – I have now purchased my shares and HL have my cruise info but I just want to double check as we sail in 32 days and I don’t want to miss out Thanks

Hello Kirsty. Sorry for not responding to you sooner. Here is the email address for P&O UK shareholders to claim your credits: [email protected] Hope you have an amazing cruise!

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Cruise Shareholder Benefits – Save Money on Your Next Cruise Booking

It’s a surprisingly little-known way to save on your next cruise, but did you know that by being a shareholder of these cruise lines entitles you to a discount or on-board credit?

By owning as few as 100 shares of a cruise line stock, you can get perks with every cruise booking! (with a few exceptions)

How do you get the cruise line shareholder benefits?

The method varies a little between cruise companies, but generally, the requirement is at least 100 shares of stock owned directly. So for example, you cannot own stock in a fund and still qualify, it must be 100+ stock shares owned individually.

Each cruise line asks that you submit proof of ownership of the 100+ shares, by email. This can be in the form of copies of brokerage statements.

The cruise passenger details must match the brokerage statements exactly in order to receive the cruise shareholder benefits.

It’s worth noting that the benefits are generally applied PER CABIN, so only one shareholder will be recognized per booking per cabin and the onboard credit is shared among the people in the cabin.

Norwegian Cruise Line Shareholder Benefits

Are you an owner of at least 100 shares of NCLH stock? Then you can get some great benefits by just filling out the NCL Shareholder Benefits Request Form ! Be sure to submit this form at least 2 weeks ahead of the cruise in which you are applying for the benefit.

What to expect as a Norwegian shareholder:

$250  Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 15 Days or More. $100  Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 7 to 14 Days. $50  Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 Days or Less.

This benefit also extends to their subsidiaries Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas! Note that each cruise line has its own submission email address, but the same form and proof of shareholder status is the same.

The biggest caveat is that this benefit is available for regular-priced cruises meaning special rates such as friends and family, employee and travel agent rates are not eligible.

• Read: More helpful tips and information about cruising & cruise vacations

Carnival Cruise Shareholder Benefits & Discounts

Carnival has a similar benefit schedule as Norwegian with onboard credits. This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Worth noting that Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, interline rates, tour conductors, or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from the offer.

Carnival shareholder benefit forms & information

Just fill out the Carnival Shareholder Benefit Request Form .

Submissions must be sent at least 4 weeks prior to sailing.

NORTH AMERICA BRANDS Sailings of 14 days or longer US $250 Sailings of 7 to 13 days US $100 Sailings of 6 days or less US $ 50

CONTINENTAL EUROPE BRANDS Sailings of 14 days or longer €200 Sailings of 7 to 13 days € 75 Sailings of 6 days or less € 40

UNITED KINGDOM BRANDS Sailings of 14 days or longer £150 Sailings of 7 to 13 days £ 60 Sailings of 6 days or less £ 30

AUSTRALIA BRANDS Sailings of 14 days or longer A$250 Sailings of 7 to 13 daysA$100 Sailings of 6 days or less A$ 50

Since Carnival Cruises owns so many lines, it’s nice that they allow this cruise shareholder benefit program across all brands! These brands include:

Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America shareholder benefits, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises

Princess Cruises shareholder benefits

When preparing this information, fellow passengers asked specifically about Princess Cruises and if they have a shareholder benefit program. This is the same program and shareholder benefit forms as Carnival Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean Shareholder Benefits

Finally, Royal Caribbean has their own shareholder benefits which include Royal Caribbean Cruises as well as Celebrity Cruises.

$250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less

As with the other programs, this requires 100 shares of stock owned to qualify and the request must be made at least 3 weeks prior to sailing.

Read about the most current shareholder benefit details and get the Royal Caribbean shareholder benefit request form here.

Celebrity Cruises Shareholder Benefits

Celebrity Cruises shares the same submission requirements and forms as Royal Caribbean. Download the Celebrity shareholder benefit request form here .

**Since Azamara has been split from Royal Caribbean, unfortunately, this shareholder benefit is no longer available for Azamara.

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A few words about owning cruise line stocks and investing in cruise lines during financial uncertainty

We spoke to a number of travelers that have used the above shareholder benefits for their cruise vacations, but most agree that investing in cruise stocks has some risk to it. While these stocks for major cruise lines are at record lows some people have purchased just to get the shareholder benefit KNOWING that there is risk involved such as insolvency of the cruise line, especially given the current financial conditions of cruise lines in general.

Travelers are rationalizing these stock purchases by stating that 100 shares of Carnival (or NCL, for example) is so cheap, that even a few cruises with the shareholder benefit would equal their stock purchase cost.

This argument gets less valid as the share prices increase, obviously, but as of now, these travelers make a good point about ongoing benefits for such a small investment that could grow. (or devalue to zero)

We don’t offer advice about stock investing, ever. We’ve taken advantage of these programs above and think it’s a great way to add value to your cruises and invest a little bit for the future! That’s merely our opinion.

How TO buy cruise line stock to get the shareholder benefits?

If you have a brokerage account and investing already, just pick up the phone or go online and purchase shares as you would any other stock or security.

If you’re not an investor but would like to acquire some stock from one of these cruise companies, you can use the company we have used for the past several years, IBKR (Interactive Brokers)

If you’d like to register with Interactive Brokers to purchase stock, you can get up to $1000 for using our referral link for registration (and we’ll get a little bit too!)

Our experience with IBKR has been nothing but positive and we’ve done a number of transactions and have been able to use statements they provide for proof of ownership to get the shareholder benifits on our cruises.

More Cruise Tips & Helpful Information

Compare Major Cruise Lines – A Guide To Choosing The Perfect Cruise Brand

Cruise lines compared – the difference in major cruise lines explained. Choosing a cruise is a complex task matching dates, excursions, ports, and destinations... Read This

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Carnival (CCL) to Report Q2 Earnings: What's in the Cards?

Carnival Corporation & plc CCL is scheduled to report its second-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Jun 25, 2024, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 22.2%.

How are Estimates Placed?

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter bottom line is pegged at a loss of a cent. In the prior-year quarter, CCL reported a loss of 31 cents.

For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at approximately $5.7 billion. The metric suggests an increase of 15.1% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.

Carnival Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Carnival Corporation price-eps-surprise | Carnival Corporation Quote

Let's look at how things have shaped up in the quarter.

Factors to Note

Carnival’s fiscal second-quarter top line is expected to have increased year over year on the back of improvements in booking activities, a strong pricing environment and increased advertising activities.

Carnival's initiatives to boost brand visibility and generate widespread demand for cruise travel bode well. By focusing on diverse source markets, the company is attracting a significant number of new guests and expanding its base of repeat customers. The comprehensive strategy is likely to have driven overall demand and promoted sustainable revenue growth in the to-be-reported quarter.

Significant investments in capacity creation and expanded offerings are likely to have aided the company’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. New ships such as Carnival Jubilee, Sun Princess and Queen Anne are expected to drive increased demand. AIDA’s modernization program is likely to have enhanced guest experiences and environmental sustainability. At the same time, the exclusive destination Celebration Key is anticipated to boost ticket revenues and reduce costs, supporting CCL’s growth strategy in the fiscal second quarter.

Increased revenues from its onboard and passenger tickets are likely to have driven the fiscal second-quarter top line. Our model projects fiscal second-quarter passenger ticket revenues to rise 16% year over year to $3.64 billion. We expect onboard and other revenues to increase 11.8% year over year to $1.97 billion.

Strength in core deployments across the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, along with optimized yield on limited remaining inventory and progress in the commercial space, are likely to have driven EBITDA and margin enhancements in the to-be-reported quarter. For second-quarter fiscal 2024, the company expects adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $1.05 billion.

However, high costs are likely to have hurt the company’s bottom line. For second-quarter fiscal 2024, CCL expects adjusted cruise costs, excluding fuel per ALBD (in constant currency), to increase approximately 3% year over year. The upside includes an unfavorable impact of 1.3 percentage points attributed to lower ALBDs resulting from the Red Sea rerouting, as certain ships repositioned without guests.

What the Zacks Model Unveils

Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Carnival this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat.

Earnings ESP: Carnival has an Earnings ESP of +70.37%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: The company has a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Given the information provided, investors might find it advantageous to contemplate acquiring CCL shares before the unveiling of its second-quarter results. Encouraging signals, such as anticipated rise in booking activities, strength in core deployments and modernization programs, hint at the potential for favorable earnings outcomes.

Regarding valuation, CCL’s shares present an appealing opportunity. With a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 12.93X, below the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry average of 16.71X, the stock offers compelling value for investors aiming for exposure to the leisure industry.

These positive indicators suggest that the company's growth trajectory remains promising, presenting an opportune moment for investors to consider investing in the stock ahead of second-quarter fiscal 2024 results.

Other Stocks Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates

Here are some other stocks from the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.

Hasbro, Inc. HAS currently has an Earnings ESP of +7.06% and a Zacks Rank of 1.

HAS’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to increase 55.1%. It reported better-than-expected earnings in two of the trailing four quarters and missed on the other two occasions, with a negative surprise of 17.5% on average.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation H has an Earnings ESP of +0.81% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

H is expected to register a 17.1% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter. It reported better-than-expected earnings in two of the trailing four quarters and missed on the other two occasions, with earnings surprise of 20.3%, on average.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. CHH currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.22% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

CHH’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to increase 6.3%. It reported better-than-expected earnings in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 4.6%.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival stock holder, shipboard credit?

By torybruno , August 15, 2004 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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I've heard rumors that you can get a shipboard credit if you are a stockholder of Carnival. Do you bring your brokerage statement on board, or how do you get the credit? Is it per person, or per cabin?

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At last word, the onboard credit was still available to Carnival stockholders. You must own 100 shares of Carnival stock to be eligible. You will received $50 per cabin for less than 7 nights and $100 per cabin for 7 night cruise (don't know about longer cruises, never took one). There is an application in your Annual report from Carnival, however, if you don't have that, you can send a copy of your latest brokerage statement to Carnival Corp in Miami. I don't have the address readily available, however, I was able to get the information by going to Carnival's website. I believe I got a phone number on the site and called someone for the address to mail the info to.

We have had the credit from Carnival. What we have done in the past is to copy our broker statement, blacked out all information other than our name, address, # of shares of Carnival. Your account # and what other stocks you own do not pertain to the credit from Carnival. Faxed it to our TA and have never had a problem. I also take a copy with me on the cruise "just in case".

cruising3times

We just fax our brokerage statement to Carnival with our sailing information a couple of weeks before our cruise. We have always gotten the credit on our sign and sail bill.

Keep in mind that you will not get the credit if you got other onboard credits or have special rates when booking (and I am sure there are several other reasons). I have run into these two in the past few cruises.

CoachTerry14

The latest info:

Carnival Corporation & plc is please to extend the following benefit for stockholders:

Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 14 days or longer - $250

Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 7 to 13 days - $100

Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 6 days or less - $50

This benefit is applicable on sailings through July 31, 2005 aboard the brands listed below. Certain restrictions apply.

This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors, or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer. This benefit is not transferable, not combinable with any other shipboard offer anc cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuties charged to your onbard account. Only one onbard credit per shareholder occupied stateroom. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2005.

Please provide your name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (i.e., photcopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate or a current brokerage or nominee statement) and the inital deposit to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected.

North American Brands:

Holland America / Winstar

Cunard* / Seabourn

Ocean Village

Swan Hellenic

Continential European Brands

Costa Cruises*

Aida Das Clubschiff

Australian Brand

P & O cruises Australia

*The onboard credit for Cunard and Costa Cruises is determined based on the operational currency onboard the vessel.

Thanks for the info......technically, we are occupying two staterooms....a balcony and an inside, but we are listed as hubby and son in one, wife and son in the other....I wonder if we can get 100 for each cabin??? !!!

I think you would be eligible for each cabin!!!

Does anyone know if I were to purchase 100 shares today...would I still be able to get the onboard credit for my 9/26/04 sailing?

Tom-n-Cheryl

jenr: you can always give it a try.... it is $43.39/share now - it has hovered around $45 for the last several months...so it appears to be a good time!

tory: my wife and I each have accounts with Carnival stock, and when we book 2 cabins (when our boys come along) we will book Cheryl in one, and myself in the other --- we get the credit for each!

We have received shareholder credit in conjuction with 15% discount letters AND with Military rates (all at the same time) - without a problem...

Yes, but I would not buy the stock for only this reason. The OBC would cover the trading costs of the stocks.

• 2 weeks later...

Torybruno I think you would be eligible for each cabin!!!   Does anyone know if I were to purchase 100 shares today...would I still be able to get the onboard credit for my 9/26/04 sailing?

I was told by Carnival this morning on the phone that the confirmation of stock ownership must be turned in to Carnival or TA with the initial deposit for your cruise.

So...I didn't receive stockholder credit for the cruise I am taking August 29th, since I paid in full online several months ago. I also will not receive the credit for the cruise I booked for March, since I didn't submit the stockholder paperwork with the deposit. :mad:

Live and Learn....now I just have to hope that the stock is worth having.

I was told by Carnival this morning on the phone that the confirmation of stock ownership must be turned in to Carnival or TA with the initial deposit for your cruise.   So...I didn't receive stockholder credit for the cruise I am taking August 29th, since I paid in full online several months ago. I also will not receive the credit for the cruise I booked for March, since I didn't submit the stockholder paperwork with the deposit. :mad:  

I have received the Credit about 8 times and have never given the info to anyone but Guest Relations at the Carnival Headquarters. I usually send everything in a few months before the cruise. I would suggest sending in everything in Priority Mail to the address provided in the Annual Report today!

As Randy mentioned, I have also just sent the information just before the cruise to the address in the Annual Report and have had no problems. Anyway, with booking cruises so far in advance chances are you could sell your stock before you even cruise!

I have the FAX # where you can send the info... I would give you at least even odds (for both cruises!)

Just include a cover sheet with all important data:

Name/address/phone/ship/sail date/cabin #/booking #

and include a second page (paperwork as evidence of ownership)

I have the FAX # at home, I will try to get that posted tonight...

unless things have changed I dont think you need much of an advance notice to claim the stock credit......i never before heard about having to send in the paperwork along with the initial deposit....i would seriously DOUBLE CHECK on that...cause im betting thats incorrect info.....the 4 times ive collected on it ive always sent in the paperwork to the carnival peoples within 2 to 3 weeks of sailing....longgg after payment was made on the cruise....

Tom...thanks so much for digging out that number. I'll give it a shot!!

The rest...I just stated above what I was told on the phone this morning by Carnival.

This also from the Carnival site posted earlier by Host Terry says to send all of the things Tom mentioned (name, sailing date, proof of ownership, etc.), AND the initial deposit to your Travel Agent or to the cruise line you have selected.

I'll give it another shot, after Tom posts the fax number!

Stircrzy, The Fax # Is 305-406-5882, Send Attention Research Dept.

(I'm a "Mary Lynn", too...but Merilynn)

You have to send PROOF of your deposit! You do not have to send in your stock credit request at that time.

It is a very long sentence, but if you cut it down it says:

...along with proof of... the inital deposit to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected.

We have never been denied our credit (9 or 10 times) even when we used credit card points to pay for all but $199 of a cruise. Also, we send our confirmation of booking (deposit) and proof of shares to the address listed in the annual report. We have never given this info to our TA. One item of note on that: For our next cruise the copy of shares owned I sent was a very light copy and they requested a new one from us thru our TA they did not contact us directly.

It is a very long sentence, but if you cut it down it says: ...along with proof of... the inital deposit to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected.

The PVP at Carnival still tells me that the proof of stock ownership MUST accompany the inital deposit for stateroom credit to be issued...

...but did advise me to call Research and speak to a supervisor.

I used the fax number that was graciously provided by Chuleta and faxed my confirmation to Carnival on Tuesday at 5 PM.

Today I called and spoke with someone in the Research Department. I just asked if I had been credited with the stockholder credit and was very politely told that I had been credited already and the credit would be on my S&S when I board on Sunday.

While I don't recommend that anyone leave this so late, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to be granted my credit on a cruise sailing in three days.

Thanks to all of you who tried to help me and BIG THANKS to Carnival!

Congratulations - have a great time!

You can believe all of the PVP's some of the time, and some of them ALL the time --- but not all of them all of the time ..lol

(though the "some of them all the time" might be stretching it a bit...:rolleyes: )

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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Best credit cards for cruises for June 2024

Ready to say “bon voyage” to land and set sail for the high seas? There are a lot of other travelers today who feel the same — both cruise ship capacity and the number of people aboard cruises are on the rise, according to data from the Cruise Lines International Association .

Many cruise travelers keep coming back: 12% take a cruise twice each year, and another 10% cruise three to five times per year.

The more frequently you spend time on the water, the more it pays to have a travel credit card to maximize your cruise spending. Here’s what to look for and how to get the most out of your next cruise vacation:

While your first instinct might be toward a co-branded cruise rewards credit card with the cruise line you like best, many travelers will get the best value from a general travel credit card .

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat travel rewards

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

2x miles on all other purchases

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why we like this card: If you enjoy taking cruises but only get to do so once every couple of years, a flat rewards card like Capital One Venture Rewards could be ideal. Whether you’re traveling or at home, you can use the card to accrue rewards on all of your regular spending for a full 2x miles per dollar.

As for redemptions, this card is best if you prefer to book directly with the cruise line, from a discount site, or with a travel agent. You can use your Capital One Venture Rewards Card miles to cover the charge (within 90 days of it posting to your account). You could then choose to book airfare, hotels, and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal and maximize the costs of getting to your cruise’s port city with up to 5x on those purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for flexible rewards

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠ (not including hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 annual hotel credit)

3x points on dining

3x points on online grocery purchases

3x points on select streaming services

2x points on all other travel purchases

1x points on all other purchases

Why we like this card: Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of our favorite travel cards for nearly any traveler — and can potentially bring big savings to your next cruise trip.

To start, the 60,000-point welcome offer (after spending $4,000 within the first three months) is worth up to $750 when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. Those bonus points, and all points you earn with the card, get boosted by 25% with Chase Travel redemptions for a value of 1.25 cents per point. And you can earn those points quickly on your cruise spending with 5x rewards on Chase Travel purchases and 2x points on all other travel.

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 2x rewards on travel can be useful if you prefer booking through a travel agent or the cruise line directly, Chase Travel (for 5x rewards) is also a solid cruise booking option. You’ll find sailings to plenty of destinations across the world and even get access to onboard credits, package upgrades, complimentary airport transfers, and more when you book eligible trips with partners through Voyages by Chase Travel.

Unlike other travel options on the site, you won’t be able to book your cruise online. Instead, you’ll need to call and speak with a cruise specialist using the number on Chase Travel.

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best premium benefits

Annual fee: $695 ( see rates and fees )

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first 6 months

5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in spending per calendar year)

5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel

Why we like this card: We like the Platinum Card from Amex for any type of traveler who is frequently on the go (especially frequent fliers), but it has some specific perks for those who prefer vacationing by cruise ship.

The Platinum Card comes with Cruise Privilege Program benefits when you book sailings lasting five nights or more with eligible cruise lines through Amex Travel. You’ll get up to $300 in onboard credits per stateroom; the exact amount depends on the type of room you book and the cruise line you choose. Also get one unique amenity provided per room you book and a boosted 2x rewards rate on your booking.

This can be a great way to maximize the points you earn with your Platinum Card , as well. Cruise bookings typically only earn 1x point per dollar, but if you’re able to book through Amex Travel and choose a Cruise Privilege Program-qualifying trip, you’ll get even more for your spending. Plus, the 5x rewards on flight spending can be useful for reaching the port city where you embark on your cruise.

As a downside, cruises aren’t the best redemption option for the Membership Rewards points you earn. You’ll get about .7 cents per point when you redeem for cruises through Amex Travel, compared to 1 cent per point on airfare.

Even still, this card’s solid cruise benefits combined with the long list of Platinum Card credits and benefits can be a good option for frequent travelers who also enjoy cruises. Before you apply, look at your regular spending and budget, compared to the Amex Platinum Card’s specific travel rewards and benefits — you’ll always want to ensure you get enough value from a premium travel card to justify the price.

Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee and first-year bonus

Annual fee: $0

Welcome offer: Get an unlimited match on all the miles you earn over your first year of card membership

1.5x miles on every purchase

Why we like this card: For no annual fee, Discover it Miles offers a simple rewards structure, great welcome bonus, and even intro APR — all of which can offer value for your next cruise vacation.

Just like a flat cash-back card , the Discover it Miles’ flat 1.5x rewards on every purchase lets you maximize every dollar you spend without having to think about it too much. It may not have the greatest rewards rate compared to some travel cards, but everything from regular bills and utilities to the cost of your next cruise booking will go toward your miles balance.

With the card’s welcome bonus, you’ll also get a match on every dollar you spend over your first year. Say you make $12,000 in purchases the first year, for example, earning 18,000 miles. At the end of the year, you’ll get another 18,000 for a total of 36,000 miles in that year — which you can put toward next year’s cruise spending.

Another benefit for new cardholders is the Discover it Miles’ 0% intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers. You’ll pay no interest for the first 15 months, with a variable 18.24% - 24.24% APR after that. If you have an upcoming cruise planned, you could charge the cost of the trip to your card and then enjoy making smaller payments without interest (rather than the full upfront cost now) to pay down the balance over the next 15 months before interest kicks in. Just make sure you can pay it off over that period to avoid taking on high-interest debt later on.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi : Best for booking cruises through Costco

Annual fee: $0 (though you do need a Costco membership)

Welcome offer: None

4% cash back on eligible gas stations and EV charging stations (up to $7,000 spent per year, then 1%)

3% cash back at restaurants

3% cash back on eligible travel (includes Costco Travel)

2% cash back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases

1% cash back on all other purchases

Why we like this card: If you’re both a Costco member and love to take cruise vacations, the Costco Anywhere Visa may hit a sweet spot for your wallet. It has plenty of rewards categories to help you make the most of your spending all year, but also rewards cruise purchases you make through Costco Travel at 3% cash back.

When you book your cruise through Costco Travel , you can choose by destination, cruise line, type of cruise, and other categories. You can also score extras while onboard like resort credits, added amenities, and more. Finally, you’ll save even more when you book cruises that are eligible for a Digital Costco Shop Card, which works like an electronic gift card you can use on future Costco Travel, Costco.com, or in Costco warehouses.

If the Costco Anywhere Visa card has any downside, it’s the limited options for redeeming the cash back you earn. Each year after your February billing statement, you’ll receive an annual cash-back gift certificate with your total cash-back balance. Then, you can redeem the cash back in a single transaction at Costco warehouse locations before Dec. 31, 2024.

Co-branded cruise cards to consider

Despite their limited flexibility compared to general travel cards, some cruise regulars may get outsized value from the co-branded cards offered by cruise line companies. Here are some features you’ll find from these cards today:

Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard®

This card, issued by Bank of America, has a welcome offer of 20,000 bonus points (worth $200 toward your next Norwegian cruise) when you spend at least $1,000 within the first 90 days. There’s no annual fee.

Rewards include 3x points on Norwegian purchases, 2x points on eligible air travel and hotel purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases. You’ll earn WorldPoints, which you can use toward upgrades, discounts, onboard credits, and more when you cruise with Norwegian.

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature®

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature is another no-annual-fee card from Bank of America. Your card purchases earn MyCruise points, which you can redeem for trips with Royal Caribbean and its partners, for room upgrades, or onboard credits.

With this card’s welcome offer, get 25,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days. If you can spend at least $3,500 within the first 90 days, you’ll also get the added benefit of a $50 discount on airfare to your cruise destination through Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program. Then, earn 2x points with Royal Caribbean and its sister lines Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, as well as 1 point per dollar on every other purchase.

Read our full review of the Royal Caribbean Visa

Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature®

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature is much like the above card from its sister brand Royal Caribbean. This no-annual-fee Bank of America card offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.

You’ll also earn MyCruise points with this card to use toward future trips with Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, or Silversea at a rate of 2x points on purchases with any of those three brands or 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Check out our Celebrity Cruises Visa review

Carnival® World Mastercard®

This no-annual-fee card from Carnival and Barclays offers 25,000 FunPoints for new cardholders who spend $500 in the first 90 days. FunPoints are redeemable for onboard credits (starting at 5,000 points for $50 in credits) or for statement credits toward eligible Carnival cruise purchases you’ve made in the past 180 days.

Ongoing rewards include 2x points per dollar on Carnival Cruise Lines spending and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Plus, there’s a solid introductory APR offer for balance transfers.

Princess Cruises® Rewards Visa® Card

If you prefer to set sail with Princess Cruises, this no-annual-fee card from Barclays can help you earn points for onboard credits, gift cards, statement credits for Princess Cruises purchases, and even eligible airfare.

There’s a 10,000-point welcome offer when you spend at least $500 within the first 90 days, and rewards include 2x points on Princess Cruise purchases (including while onboard) and 1x points on all other purchases.

Read our full review of the Princess Cruises Rewards Visa

How to choose a credit card for cruises

To choose the best travel credit card , you need to find the combination of rewards, benefits, and fees that fit your budget and travel plans. That’s true for cruise credit cards too. But also consider what specific benefits the card or rewards program offers to help you save when you set sail.

These are some card features to look for:

If your cruise rewards card has an annual fee , do the math to make sure you’re getting enough value to offset the cost. Also, look at the card’s ongoing APR, foreign transaction fees , and any other fees that may apply. The interest rate, in particular, will likely be high on any travel credit card. Spend only what you can afford to pay down when your balance is due whenever possible, and you can avoid those high interest charges altogether.

Rewards on cruise spending

If you want to get rewarded for the money you spend booking your cruise vacations, choose a card with eligible travel rewards . Some travel cards only offer boosted rewards on specific travel purchases, like airfare or hotel bookings. Others will have a broader travel rewards category more likely to include cruises. Look for specific details on eligible spending within your card’s rewards program terms.

Cruise rewards redemptions

In addition to earning rewards on cruises, also consider how you can redeem rewards for cruises. Often, the best way to maximize redemption value is to book through the rewards program portal — but not every rewards program offers cruise travel as a redemption option. See if there are other ways to get a good redemption value on cruise spending, such as putting those rewards toward a statement credit cruise purchases charged to your account.

Travel protections

Using a credit card with travel protections to book your cruise can save you major headaches later on. Travel credit cards (especially more premium cards with annual fees ) often come with benefits such as travel assistance services, delay reimbursement, travel cancellation or interruption insurance, and more. To gain access to these protections, make sure you book your trip and pay using the card.

Added benefits for cruises

If cruises are your preferred type of vacation, prioritize benefits that help you save on cruise spending. This might include discounts or onboard credits, access to special pricing and voyages, and more. But don’t forget the extra costs of getting to your port city, too. Many travel cards offer benefits and credits for air travel and hotel stays, which can offer additional savings on your way to the ship.

Should you get a co-branded cruise line card?

Even if you go on cruises regularly, a general travel credit card can offer more flexibility, potential rewards, and ongoing benefits than you’ll often find from co-branded cards from cruise lines.

Start with the welcome offer . Among the cruise line cards we found, many welcome offers topped out around 20,000 or 25,000 points — worth around $200 to $250. Travel credit cards, on the other hand, typically offer welcome bonuses worth 60,000 to 80,000 points or more — a potential $600 to $800 value.

How you earn rewards is another important thing to consider. Co-branded cruise cards tend to only offer bonus rewards on your cruise spending and a maximum 1 point per dollar anywhere else. With a regular travel card, you can find rewards categories to make the most of your everyday spending at home and on those large purchases you make toward travel when planning a vacation (cruise or otherwise).

Finally, consider how you redeem your rewards. Cruise line credit cards do allow you to use your rewards for onboard credits or toward your cruise purchase. But you’ll get a lot more flexibility elsewhere. This might include using rewards toward your cruise booking, booking a flight to your port city with points or miles, booking the hotel you’ll stay in the night before you embark, and other purchases. That added flexibility can help ensure you get the best value from your points and bring down the overall cost of your cruise travel.

What credit score do you need for a credit card for cruises?

Many travel credit cards , including those good for cruises, require good to excellent credit for approval. If you don’t already have a solid credit score, you may want to take time to build your credit before you apply.

Student credit cards , secured credit cards , and other cards for credit-building are great options to improve your score and credit history. Then, you can upgrade to a more rewarding travel card in the future, and put your good credit habits to use while you earn rewards to use for upcoming trips.

Our methodology

Our search for the best credit cards for cruises began with our existing ratings of travel credit cards. The criteria used for these ratings includes details such as APR, annual fee, and security features as well as travel rewards rates, ease of redemptions, sign-up bonus, and more.

First, we looked for the best general travel cards for cruise travelers to use when they book and when they cruise. We went through all of our top-rated travel cards to individually look for cruise-related benefits. Then, we prioritized those travel cards that offer general travel rewards, rather than just boosted rewards specific to air travel or hotels.

Our search took on a more subjective approach from here, allowing us to consider what exactly travelers are looking for in a card to help them save on cruise travel. For our final picks, we included the cards we believe have the best combination of benefits designed for cruises, high ratings under our overall travel card rubric, rewards on both travel and everyday spending, and more. We also prioritized cards with more affordable annual fees for this list — unless there were significant or unique benefits for cruises on a card with a higher annual fee.

We also wanted to highlight the most rewarding co-branded cruise rewards credit cards from cruise lines. While we believe general travel cards may be more rewarding for the greatest number of readers, we also understand the value of a co-branded card for committed cruise fans who travel very frequently. The co-branded cards listed above are those cards from major issuers today that received the highest ratings in our overall rubric.

Finally, none of the cards on our list charge foreign transaction fees — making them all easy to use when traveling by cruise to international destinations. And we also included a majority of cards with a range of travel protections to help you in case of delay, trip interruption, and other unforeseen circumstances.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance 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.

Thinking of booking a cruise? Here are the lines you should — and shouldn't — sail with.

• Before you book a cruise , it's important to understand that not all cruise lines are equal.
• Each cruise line has amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers.
• Carnival is good for families, Virgin Voyages for solo adults, and Cunard for mature travelers. 

I am a very, very avid cruiser. Last year alone, I spent 73 days on cruise ships .

I've sailed with most major lines, from kid-focused Disney Cruise Line to the sometimes-naughty Virgin Voyages. When people ask me which cruise ships I recommend , my answer isn't so straightforward.

Each cruise line is unique, offering amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers. What you book will depend on your needs, wants, budget, and what you'd rather avoid.

So, I've done some research about popular cruise lines and combined my personal experiences to help you decide which cruise line to book with.

After all, this is kind of the year of the cruise , with travelers predicted to set sail at some of the highest rates in years throughout 2024.

Here's what you need to know about some of the major cruise lines before you book your next trip.

Editor's Note: Price ranges were calculated at the time of publication based on available listings on each cruise site. Cruise pricing is per person, based on double occupancy and the cheapest stateroom/fare available. Prices were calculated before taxes, port charges, and other fees. Itineraries with added tours built-in were not included when calculating this information.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cost: $ | Prices range from $156/pp for a two-day getaway from Sydney to $3,273/pp for a 10-day Alaska cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, intergenerational groups, families, and partiers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-class, elegant experience or a quiet, laid-back vibe

Highlight: All Carnival cruises come with itineraries loaded with fun activities. Some ships have especially exciting features like the first roller coaster at sea, SkyRide zip-line-style aerial bikes, and themed parties.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to wear a tux or ball gown or have a quiet cruise experience.

Launched in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line is one of nine cruise lines owned by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc. It's the company's largest cruise line, with 27 ships. Its cruises typically range from two days to 29 days.

Carnival Cruise Line offers year-round cruises in Australia, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico and seasonal cruises in Alaska , Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, and New England.

Celebrity Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $233/pp for a three-night Key West & Bahamas cruise to $6,912/pp for a 7-night Galapagos cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo travelers

Skip if: You're looking for a slower-paced classic cruise

Highlight: All Celebrity Cruises come with amazing outdoor spaces like The Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck of Solstice Series ships and the Rooftop Terrace on Millennium Series ships. You also won't want to miss the Magic Carpet , which allows guests to hang out while suspended above the ocean on some ships.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who want to attend lectures about their ports of call.

Celebrity Cruises began sailing in 1997. There are 16 ships, which sail on itineraries ranging from three to 19 nights to nearly 300 ports of call in 70 countries.

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $249/pp for a two-night cruise from Southampton, England to Hamburg, Germany, to $19,158/pp for a 111-night World Voyage

Ideal for: Sophisticated travelers and mature cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-energy cruise, hoping to travel with children , or craving adventurous activities

Highlight: All Cunard cruises come with white-glove service. You won't want to miss Cunard's famous 3:30 p.m. afternoon tea, gala evenings, and fine dining arranged by stateroom grade.

Possible cons: This is a very formal cruise with strict dress codes. You won't find water slides or pool parties here.

Founded in 1840, Cunard offers a classic cruise experience with cruises ranging from two to 116 nights.

Its four ships sail to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Disney Cruise Line

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $422.40/pp for a two-night cruise from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia, to $5,592/pp for a 12-night Mediterranean with Greek Isles cruise

Ideal for: Disney adults , families, and intergenerational groups

Skip if: You don't want to vacation around a bunch of children and you crave peace and quiet

Highlight: All Disney Cruise Line cruises come with heaps of Disney magic in the way of special events and details. You won't want to miss character meet and greets, pirate-themed parties with fireworks, and passengers trading pins and leaving treats inside decorative pouches hung on stateroom doors.

Possible cons: There is a significant child population on most of these cruises and not much adults-only entertainment. Dinners in the main dining can get loud, and, just like at the theme parks, there can be many queues for activities and other offerings.

Disney Cruise Line first set sail in the 1990s and has five active ships, with the new Disney Treasure set to debut in December. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 15 nights.

Holland America Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $94/pp for a one-day Pacific Northwest cruise to a $27,399/pp for a 132-day Grand Voyage

Ideal for: Music lovers and sophisticated world travelers who appreciate European hospitality and smaller ships

Skip if: You're young, traveling with children, or want to party

Highlight: All Holland America Line cruises come with a dose of Dutch hospitality and elegance. During my cruise with the line, I enjoyed the Dutch cuisine and Music Walk , which features live performances at B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

Possible cons: The line takes its formal nights really seriously and attracts an older crowd.

Holland America Line has had ships sailing the globe for over 140 years. Its 11 ships cruise to more than 425 ports of call on seven continents, and cruises range from one to 118 days.

MSC Cruises

Cost: $ | Prices range from $80/pp for a three-night Mediterranean cruise to $46,149/pp for a 116-night World Cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, families, intergenerational groups, big groups

Skip if: You're looking for lots of food options or top-tier entertainment

Highlight: All MSC Cruises offer great value — and good pizza

Possible cons: The cruise fare does not include many dining options, and the evening entertainment skews old-school and a bit more basic than some other cruise lines that do Broadway-worthy shows.

MSC Cruises has 22 ships, with one more projected to join its fleet by 2025. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 118 nights.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $79/pp for a one-day Australia cruise to $4,379/pp for a 10-day European cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for structure, ballroom dancing, and fancy dinners

Highlight: All Norwegian Cruise Line cruises offer freestyle dining. You won't want to miss its Broadway-level shows and generous drink package, which is often offered complimentary.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like formal dress codes, and some dislike the à la carte pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been sailing the world for over 57 years. Its 19 ships visit 400-plus ports on seven continents, and cruises typically last one to 25 days.

Princess Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $127/pp for a two-day Australia Seacation to $24,098/pp for a 98-day World Cruise

Ideal for: Mature solo travelers, couples, and retirees

Skip if: You're looking for lots of activities and party vibes. Princess Cruises tend to attract an older crowd, and the shows and activities reflect this. There aren't many events offered each day. On the three cruises I sailed with Princess, the entertainment was primarily musicals, piano players, and singers backed by an orchestra. There were only a handful of children on each cruise.

Highlight: All Princess Cruises offer Discovery and Animal Planet-exclusive shore excursions — and many have an excellent onboard lecture series.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to party, love water slides, or have teenagers.

Founded in 1965, Princess Cruises has 16 ships that sail to 330 destinations worldwide on itineraries from three to 111 days

Royal Caribbean

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $196/pp for a two-night Hong Kong cruise to $8,266/pp for a 13-night Arctic Circle cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and intergenerational travelers

Highlight: All Royal Caribbean cruises come with fun activities and a broad range of entertainment options. Some have the Ultimate Abyss , the tallest slide at sea, or the glass capsule North Star , the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. You won't want to miss the Oasis Class ships' seven distinctly themed neighborhoods and Royal Promenade, a mall-like thoroughfare with shops, restaurants, and lounges that runs the length of the ship.

Possible cons: Many of its ships are mega-ships, so this isn't the line for you if you want a more intimate trip.

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean sails to about 240 destinations on six continents. Cruises range from two to 22 nights.

Royal Caribbean has many of the world's largest cruise ships in its fleet of more than 20 vessels.

Virgin Voyages

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $415/pp for a four-night roundtrip cruise from England to Amsterdam to a $3,072/pp for a 13-night Canada, Carolina, and Miami cruise

Ideal for: Child-free travelers, health enthusiasts, the glamorous, and those who don't like strict rules

Skip if: You want a classic cruise, need structure, or can't handle playfulness (and, sometimes, naughtiness)

Highlight: All Virgin Voyages are child-free, and everyone gets unlimited WiFi, access to group fitness classes, and gratuities included in their fare. You won't want to miss its famous Scarlet Night, 20 eateries (every venue is considered specialty dining), and eclectic shows like "Untitled DanceShowPartyThing."

Possible cons: There aren't traditional song-and-dance shows, assigned dining times, and nightly portrait photography

Virgin Voyages has been sailing its "Lady Ships" inspired by superyachts since 2021. Three nearly identical ships are currently in service, and a fourth one is set to set sail later this year.

Virgin Voyages sails to about 100 destinations in Australia, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom on cruises ranging from three to 16 nights.

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