Bank of America
Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature Credit Card
Premium cruise rewards card with 4x points on cruise lines and 2x on travel and dining, plus Global Entry credit and anniversary cruise discount.
Annual fee
$99
Top rate
4x flights
Welcome bonus
60,000 points
Quick look
Cruise-Focused Rewards
Earn up to 4x points on cruise line purchases
3.1
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Frequent Royal Caribbean Group cruisers who spend $10,000+ annually on cruise bookings and want dedicated cruise rewards and perks.
The verdict
The Royal ONE Plus delivers a punchy 4x on Royal Caribbean Group cruises and handy perks like $200 annual cruise discounts and Global Entry coverage. But the card's narrow focus—points redeem only for cruise discounts and onboard credit—makes it a specialized tool, not a workhorse. At $99 annually, it pays for itself if you book cruises regularly and hit the $20,000 annual spend threshold for the anniversary reward. Otherwise, a general-purpose premium card like Chase Sapphire Preferred offers better flexibility.
Best for cruise-focused travelers who spend $10,000+ annually with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea. Skip it if you want redemption flexibility or rarely cruise.
Pros
- 4x points on Royal Caribbean Group cruise lines—highest earner in its category for cruise-specific bookings
- $200 annual cruise discount after $20,000 annual spend creates meaningful value for active cruise-goers
- 60,000-point welcome bonus ($600 onboard credit) covers most of the first year's fee
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years offsets $30 of annual fee over time
- Priority cruise boarding and expedited luggage delivery across Royal Caribbean brands
Cons
- Points redeem only for cruise discounts and onboard credit—no airline transfers, hotel stays, or cash back
- 1-point = 1-cent redemption value is significantly lower than premium card benchmarks (Sapphire at ~1.5¢)
- Annual fee only justifies if you cruise regularly and hit $20,000+ annual spend thresholds
- Points cannot pay taxes, fees, or gratuities—limits where the bonus actually goes
- Rewards outside Royal Caribbean (2x dining, 1x other) are mediocre vs. competitors in similar fee band
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 4x | 4 points per dollar on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea purchases |
| Flights | 2x | 2 points per dollar on airline purchases |
| Hotels & car rentals | 2x | 2 points per dollar on hotel purchases |
| Dining & restaurants | 2x | 2 points per dollar on dining purchases |
| Groceries | 2x | 2 points per dollar on grocery purchases |
| Gas & EV charging | 2x | 2 points per dollar on gas and EV charging station purchases |
| Everything else | 1x | 1 point per dollar on all other purchases |
The standout is the 4x rate on Royal Caribbean Group purchases—significantly higher than general travel cards. However, 2x on dining and travel sits in the middle of the field (Chase Sapphire Preferred hits 3x on travel, though at $95 annually). The real limitation is redemption: points only convert to cruise discounts or shipboard credit, with no airline transfer partners or cash-back option. This makes the card valuable only for cruise-focused households. Redemption minimum is 5,000 points ($50).
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
At $99, the fee is reasonable for a premium travel card—it sits in a $95-$99 band with Sapphire Preferred and similar cards. However, the value equation tilts on how much you cruise. Cardholders who spend $10,000+ with Royal Caribbean annually can recoup the fee through bonus earnings on cruise bookings and the $200 anniversary reward. For casual or one-time cruisers, the fee is harder to justify given the restricted redemption options.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
The 60,000-point welcome bonus worth $600 onboard credit is generous and covers the first year's $99 fee with room to spare. The $2,500 minimum spend in 90 days is achievable for most household budgets. However, the bonus only redeems as shipboard credit (meals, excursions, onboard purchases)—it doesn't translate to cash or broader travel value like some competitors offer.
Other benefits
- Priority suite boarding and luggage on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea sailings
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit every 4 years
- $200 annual cruise discount after spending $20,000 on purchases each year
- $0 fraud liability guarantee
- Balance Connect overdraft protection with no transfer fees
- Digital Wallet support including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Online and mobile banking access
- Account alerts for balances and due dates
Similar cards
More flexible redemption (3x travel, dining transfers to airlines/hotels) and similar $95 fee, but lower cruise-specific earnings if you book with Royal Caribbean.
Also $95 annual fee with 5x hotels and broader transfer options, but lacks the cruise-line specialization and $200 annual cruise discount.
Frequently asked questions
How valuable are the points if I don't cruise often?
Not valuable. Points redeem only for Royal Caribbean onboard credit or cruise discounts. If you cruise once every few years or prefer other cruise lines, the card's main earning categories (4x on Royal Caribbean) won't apply. The $99 fee becomes hard to justify without regular cruise spending.
Can I transfer points to airline miles or hotels?
No. Royal ONE Plus points are locked to Royal Caribbean redemptions—onboard credit and cruise discounts only. If transfer flexibility is important, consider Chase Sapphire Preferred, which lets you move points to airlines and hotels.
Is the $200 annual cruise discount guaranteed?
No—you must spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year to earn the $200 cruise discount. This requirement means the card primarily pays for itself among high-spending cruisers. Casual cruisers will struggle to hit this threshold.
What's the point value redemption rate?
1 point = 1 cent when redeemed as onboard credit ($5,000 points = $50 credit). This is on the lower end compared to premium travel cards like Sapphire, where points often redeem at 1.5+ cents per point through their transfer partners.
Can I use points to pay for cruise taxes and fees?
No. Points cannot be used toward taxes, fees, or gratuities—they can only pay for the base cruise fare, onboard purchases, or excursions. This limits the practical value of large point balances.
Does this card help with cruise line elite status?
No. Points earned don't contribute to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea loyalty status. The card's perks (priority boarding, expedited luggage) are cardholder-specific benefits, not tied to building cruise-line status tiers.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026