Royal Caribbean has launched two compelling credit card options in partnership with Bank of America: the Royal ONE Visa Signature and the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature. If you frequently sail with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea, these cards offer a direct path to earning onboard credits and discounts across all three brands.
But which one should you choose? Let’s break down the math and the perks to see which card deserves a spot in your wallet.
The Royal ONE Visa Signature: No-Fee Entry
The standard Royal ONE card is a solid entry point for cruisers who want to earn rewards without worrying about an annual fee.
- Bonus Offer: 45,000 bonus points after $2,000 in spend within 90 days.
- Value: $450 in onboard credit or cruise discounts.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Key Benefit: Priority boarding for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
- Earning Rate: 3x on cruise purchases; 2x on gas, EV charging, and groceries.
The Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature: The Premium Experience
For the more frequent traveler, the Royal ONE Plus adds significant “Plus” perks for a modest annual fee.
- Bonus Offer: 70,000 bonus points after $3,000 in spend within 90 days.
- Value: $700 in onboard credit or cruise discounts.
- Annual Fee: $99.
- Key Benefits: $120 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit (every 4 years), priority suite boarding across all three brands, and priority luggage delivery.
- Earning Rate: 4x on cruise purchases; 2x on airlines, hotels, dining, gas, EV charging, and groceries.
First-Year Value Comparison
Here’s how the first-year value stacks up for both cards:
| Benefit | Royal ONE | Royal ONE Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus Value | $450 | $700 |
| TSA Pre/Global Entry Credit | $0 | up to $120 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | -$99 |
| Total Net First-Year Value | $450 | $721* |
*Value assumes Global Entry credit is used in the first year.
PointsGobbler Verdict
If you sail at least once a year, the Royal ONE Plus is the clear winner for the first year. The extra 25,000 bonus points ($250 value) easily covers the $99 annual fee, and the addition of travel categories (airlines, hotels, dining) to the 2x earning tier makes it much easier to rack up points between cruises.
The $120 Global Entry credit is the cherry on top. However, if you are strictly fee-averse and only want a card for the priority boarding perk, the standard Royal ONE remains a respectable no-fee choice.
Always verify current offer terms and conditions on the official Bank of America or Royal Caribbean websites before applying.