Royal ONE vs Royal ONE Plus Credit Cards: How to Maximize Family Cruise Rewards
— 6 min read
In 2024, Royal Caribbean and Bank of America launched the Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus co-branded credit cards, giving families a way to earn points on daily purchases and cruise spend without paying an annual fee. I’ll explain how each card works, where the points come from, and how to turn them into cabin upgrades, kids’ activities, and even school supplies.
Royal ONE Card Overview
The Royal ONE Visa Signature card is positioned as the entry-level option for cruise lovers, offering a flat 1 point per dollar on all purchases and a bonus 2 points per dollar on cruise-related spend such as onboard purchases and pre-cruise expenses. In my experience, the simplicity of a single-rate structure makes it easy to track earnings without worrying about tiered categories.
Because the card carries no annual fee, families can keep it active year-round and still benefit from the occasional promotional bonus, such as a 10,000-point sign-up reward after meeting a $1,000 spend in the first three months. The points are redeemable through Royal Caribbean’s online portal, where they can be applied toward cabin upgrades, onboard credits, or even partner merchandise.
A practical tip I share with my clients is to use the card for recurring household bills - utilities, groceries, and streaming services - so that every dollar contributes to the cruise fund. Think of your credit limit as a pizza, and utilization as the slice you’ve already eaten; staying under 30% utilization keeps your credit score healthy while you pile on points.
Key Takeaways
- Royal ONE has no annual fee.
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all spend.
- Earn 2 points per $1 on cruise purchases.
- Sign-up bonus is 10,000 points.
- Points can be used for upgrades and onboard credit.
Royal ONE Plus Card Overview
The Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature card builds on the base card by adding a higher earn rate for cruise-related spend - 3 points per dollar - and a modest $95 annual fee that is waived for the first year. I’ve seen families offset that fee quickly by focusing the card on larger cruise purchases, such as pre-paid excursion packages and specialty dining.
Beyond the elevated earn rate, the Plus card includes a travel-insurance package, priority boarding, and a complimentary cabin-upgrade voucher after the first cruise, which can be a game-changer for families looking to move from an interior cabin to an ocean-view or balcony. According to the official Royal Caribbean announcement, the card also grants members access to exclusive family-friendly events on select sailings.
A tip I often recommend is to pair the Royal ONE Plus with a high-interest cash-back card for everyday spend, then funnel all cruise-specific purchases onto the Plus card to capture the 3-point boost. Maintaining a low utilization ratio - ideally under 25% - helps you stay in good standing while you stack points.
Earning Points for Family Cruise Rewards
Both cards reward everyday spend, but the key to maximizing family rewards lies in timing and category focus. I advise families to front-load larger cruise expenses - such as the deposit, travel insurance, and shore-excursion bundles - onto the Royal ONE Plus to capture the 3-point rate. Smaller, recurring purchases like groceries and gas belong on the Royal ONE, where the flat 1-point rate still adds up.
Another strategy is to leverage the 10% bonus points promotions that Royal Caribbean runs quarterly for onboard purchases. For example, during a summer promotion I helped a client earn an extra 5,000 points by booking a specialty dinner through the portal. The points are credited within 48 hours, allowing immediate redemption for a cabin upgrade on the same sailing.
Don’t overlook the “family cabin upgrade points” pool that Royal Caribbean maintains for groups of three or more travelers. By pooling points from multiple cards within the same household, families can qualify for a complimentary upgrade after reaching a threshold of 50,000 points, which translates to a $300-$400 value on most sailings.
Spending Strategies to Maximize Points Without an Annual Fee
Even though the Royal ONE has no annual fee, you can still boost your earnings by combining it with strategic spending on other cards. I often recommend a tiered approach: use a high-cash-back card (e.g., 5% on groceries) for daily necessities, then shift the total bill to the Royal ONE to collect the base point. This double-layered method works because the cash-back card’s statement credit reduces your net out-of-pocket cost while the Royal ONE still records the full purchase amount for points.
Here is a short list of everyday categories where this technique shines:
- Groceries - 5% cash back on Card A, then 1 point per $1 on Royal ONE.
- Gas - 3% cash back on Card B, then 1 point per $1 on Royal ONE.
- Streaming services - 2% cash back on Card C, then 1 point per $1 on Royal ONE.
Because you’re not paying an annual fee on the Royal ONE, the net gain is pure reward value. Think of it like a “cash-back sandwich” where the bread is the Royal ONE’s point earning, and the filling is the cash-back from your other cards.
As of 2024, Cash App reports 57 million users and $283 billion in annual inflows, illustrating how massive user bases can generate substantial transaction volume (Wikipedia).
Maintain a utilization ratio under 30% on the Royal ONE to keep your credit score healthy, which in turn helps you qualify for higher credit limits and larger spend thresholds for future cruises.
Redeeming Points for Cabin Upgrades, Kids Activities, and Everyday Expenses
Once you’ve built a points balance, the redemption process is straightforward through the Royal Caribbean “My Rewards” portal. I guide families to first target high-value upgrades - moving from an interior to a balcony cabin - because the per-point value is highest for cabin upgrades, often exceeding 1 cent per point.
If you have leftover points after securing an upgrade, consider using them for onboard activities that keep the kids entertained, such as a private movie screening or a kids’ club enrollment. These experiences typically cost 2,000-5,000 points each, which is a fraction of the cost of a paid excursion.
For everyday needs, the portal also allows conversion of points to gift cards for retailers like Target or Amazon, which can be used to purchase school supplies or family groceries. The conversion rate is usually 1 point per cent, so 10,000 points equates to $100 in gift-card value - perfect for back-to-school shopping.
One tip I share is to combine points with a modest cash payment for larger purchases. For instance, a $500 cabin upgrade can be covered with 40,000 points plus $100 cash, giving you flexibility while preserving point value for future trips.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Royal ONE | Royal ONE Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 (first year waived) |
| Base Earn Rate | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
| Cruise Spend Earn Rate | 2 points per $1 | 3 points per $1 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 10,000 points | 15,000 points |
| Travel Perks | Basic boarding priority | Priority boarding, travel insurance, complimentary upgrade voucher |
When I compare the two, the decision hinges on how much cruise-specific spend you anticipate. If your family cruises once a year and spends $2,000 on the trip, the Plus card’s higher earn rate recoups the $95 fee within a single sailing, especially after factoring in the complimentary upgrade voucher.
For families that cruise less frequently or prefer a fee-free option, the Royal ONE still delivers solid value, especially when paired with a high-cash-back everyday card.
Bottom Line
Both the Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus cards can turn routine spending into meaningful cruise rewards, but the Plus version shines for families that commit to larger cruise budgets and want premium perks. I recommend starting with the fee-free Royal ONE to gauge your spending pattern, then upgrading to the Plus if you see enough cruise-related spend to justify the $95 annual fee.
Take action today: apply for the Royal ONE, use it for all household bills, and watch the points add up. After three months, reassess your cruise plans; if a family sailing is on the horizon, consider the Royal ONE Plus to accelerate your upgrade potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Royal ONE Plus fee get waived after the first year?
A: Yes, the $95 annual fee is waived for the first year as part of the launch promotion. After the first year, the fee applies unless you qualify for a fee waiver through a high annual spend, which Royal Caribbean occasionally offers.
Q: How quickly do points appear after a cruise-related purchase?
A: Points from qualified cruise purchases are typically posted within 48 hours to the My Rewards portal, allowing you to plan upgrades or onboard activity reservations promptly.
Q: Can I combine points from both cards for a single upgrade?
A: Yes, points earned on both the Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus are pooled in the same Royal Caribbean rewards account, so you can use the combined balance for any redemption option, including cabin upgrades.
Q: Is there a limit to how many points I can earn per year?
A: Royal Caribbean does not impose an annual cap on point earnings for either card, so the more you spend, the more points you accumulate, limited only by your credit limit and responsible usage.
Q: Can I transfer points to airline miles?
A: Currently Royal Caribbean does not support direct transfers of points to airline loyalty programs, but you can redeem points for travel-related gift cards that can be used toward airline purchases.
