Royal Caribbean Gift Cards Explained Best Uses & Deals

Are you looking for a gift for a cruise lover? Or want to make your voyage budget-friendly? In both cases, a Royal Caribbean gift card comes in handy.

Royal Caribbean International is a world-famous cruise line. It is known for being luxurious and comfortable for the passengers. Who doesn’t love the idea of relaxing on a luxury cruise?

This is where the ease and flexibility of the gift card come into the picture. This blog will walk you through where to buy the card, redeem tips and reviews about it.

30-Second Summary

Everyone likes a convenient journey on a cruise ship. A Royal Caribbean gift card is perfect to make a voyage convenient for you or your loved ones.

You can send it as a gift to other cruisers or use it on your cruise vacation. In this blog, you will learn where you can buy this card and how to use it. In case you forget about using it before your cruise, you will learn how to redeem it during the journey, all in this blog.

What is a Royal Caribbean Gift Card?

A Royal Caribbean gift card is a digital prepaid card. It is used to pay for cruises or onboard expenses. You can use it on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.

What is a Royal Caribbean Gift Card?

You can load it from $50 to $2000. In short, it makes it convenient to show small and grand gestures to cruise lovers or make a budget for yourself for the voyage.

Where to Buy a Royal Caribbean Gift Card?

There are many reliable options from which you can buy a gift card easily.

Where to Buy a Royal Caribbean Gift Card?

Royal Caribbean Official Website

  • Royal Caribbean gift cards are easily available on the official website in digital format.
  • You can choose the message, amount and design of your gift card.
  • You can also select the delivery date. The card gets emailed to the recipient.
  • The recipient gets the gift card and its information through email. The sender gets the confirmation message.

Costco and Sam’s Club

  • A Royal Caribbean gift card from Costco is occasionally available at discounted rates.
  • The Royal Caribbean gift card from Sam’s Club has the discounted prices too. For example, you pay only $450 for a $500 gift card. That is around a 10% discount.
  • The deals are not always available. You can get them during the holiday season, Black Friday or summer sales.
  • You can only purchase these deals if you are a member of Costco and Sam’s Club.

Amazon and Walmart

  • You can find Royal Caribbean gift cards getting sold on Amazon and Walmart during the holiday season.
  • A Royal Caribbean gift card on Amazon and Walmart may not be from these retailers. Most of the time, it is the third-party sellers.
  • You might not be able to find discounted prices.
  • These platforms are convenient and great for last-minute gifting.
  • However, be wary of third-party sellers. Make sure to read their reviews before purchasing from them.

Dyme

Dyme
  • Dyme is a unique gift card platform. When you buy a Royal Caribbean gift card, you get cash back on your purchase.
  • Dyme also donates a portion of the money to environmental causes.
  • The amount for cashback varies.
  • This platform is well-known than other mainstream ones.

AARP Travel Center

  • You can get a Royal Caribbean gift card from AARP. However, they sell gift certificates, not standard gift cards.
  • You can purchase these certificates if you are a member (generally 50 years and older).
  • The certificated value is applied as onboard credit after your voyage begins.
  • You cannot use it to pay for your fare upfront like the standard gift card.
  • The credit is added to your SeaPass account once you are on the ship.
  • This gift certificate is sold at discounted prices occasionally.

Are There Any Deals or Discounts?

If you are looking to maximize the value of a Royal Caribbean gift card, here are some ways:

Are There Any Deals or Discounts?

Warehouse Clubs: You can get bundled deals.

Dyme Cashback: You can earn while you spend.

Credit Card Offers: Several travel and shopping credit cards offer points and cashback on purchasing gift cards.

Holiday Sales: Keep checking Royal Caribbean’s official website during the holiday season, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other events.

Promo Code: You can apply the Royal Caribbean gift card promo code at checkout. It will allow you to receive discounts on specific cruises and stateroom categories.

Loyalty Programs: If you are a member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, you may receive exclusive offers on gift cards or cruises.

Royal Caribbean Gift Card Uses

This gift card can be used for various expenses.

Royal Caribbean Gift Card Uses

Cruise Bookings

New Reservations: You can use the gift card to pay for a portion or the entire cost of a new cruise booking made directly through Royal Caribbean.

Existing Reservations: These gift cards can be applied to an existing cruise reservation to upgrade your stateroom or toward the final payment.

Onboard Expenses

  • You can pre-purchase packages like Wifi, dining, shore excursions and drink bundles.
  • These gift cards can be added to your onboard expense account as well. You can use it to pay for spa treatments, specialty restaurants, onboard shopping and more.

Redeeming Your Gift Card Onboard

You can redeem the Royal Caribbean gift card before the cruise or during the voyage. If you forget to redeem it before your journey, you can do so during your cruise in a simple way.

Redeeming Your Gift Card Onboard
  • First, you visit Guest Services once you are onboard.
  • You provide them with your card number and PIN.
  • The staff will apply the credit to your SeaPass account, which you use onboard.
  • After the funds are added, you can use them for any purchase on the ship.

Royal Caribbean Gift Card Expiration

If you have a Royal Caribbean virtual gift card sitting, you must think it has expired. The good news is that it has not. According to Royal Caribbean Cruises, the value never expires. It means that you, your family and friends can enjoy the sea journey without any problem.

Royal Caribbean Gift Card Expiration

Is There Any Physical Royal Caribbean Gift Card?

Officially, Royal Caribbean only offers a digital gift card. You can get it through their website. This card is sent through email and includes the card number and PIN.

However, there are a few exceptions where you might get physical copies of Royal Caribbean gift cards.

Warehouse Clubs

Some members reported buying physical gift cards at warehouse clubs. This approach is typically a part of promotion during the holiday season.

However, modern delivery through these retailers includes only digital cards now. So it is rare to find physical copies but totally possible if you purchase in-store.

Third-Party Sellers

Some people come across physical gift cards on eBay or Amazon. However, they are either the older version or leftover stock. You should not purchase these cards because:

  • There is a risk of scam as they could already be used.
  • Royal Caribbean does not support reselling.

All in all, this method is risky and not recommended.

Royal Caribbean Gift Card Reddit Reviews

  • A Reddit user shared their experience on CruiseCritic, “The new gift cards work like most modern gift cards. Easy to use for booking cruises or in the cruise planner, easy to redeem for your onboard account too”
  • Another Reddit user writes, “I bought a $2,000 GC, used $1,000 to pay a deposit for a 2026 transpacific cruise that definitely had a promo in, no issues. Used the other $1,000 to pay for a 9-night Caribbean for which I had already paid the deposit, also no issues and also most definitely had a promo.”

Wrapping It Up

Having a Royal Caribbean gift card provides a convenient and versatile way to enhance your voyage experience. This card can be used for fare, onboard services and shore excursions.

This blog provides information about these gift cards. Use this guide to see where you can buy one, where to use it and how to redeem it. Also, stay updated with all cruise-related information by visiting CruiseTidal.

FAQs

What can Royal Caribbean gift cards be used for?

You can use Royal Caribbean gift cards for a variety of cruise expenses. These cards cover cruise fares, onboard amenities, dining, shopping, shore excursions and more.

How to use a Royal Caribbean gift card onboard?

To use the Royal Caribbean gift card, visit the Guest Services desk onboard. The credit is added to your SeaPass account and you can use it however you want to.

What is the Best place to buy Royal Caribbean gift cards?

The best place to buy the Royal Caribbean gift card is the official Royal Caribbean website. They are available in digital form. However, you can also buy it from Amazon, Costco and other retailers.

What is the Royal Caribbean gift card onboard credit?

Royal Caribbean’s onboard cash is also referred to as “cruise cash.” You can buy services and products onboard through it. It functions like a gift card and is added to your SeaPass account.

Do Royal Caribbean gift cards expire?

No, Royal Caribbean gift cards do not expire. You can use them whenever you want.

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