Benefits of Owning Cruise Stock: Perks of 3 Cruise Companies Compared

Did you know there are perks for owning stock in a publicly traded cruise line? How does some onboard credit sound?

With three major cruise companies offering onboard credit just for owning a certain amount of shares, plus one more publicly traded player, there are some nice options for cruisers who like to invest.

*This article has been updated from its original publishing date to reflect recent changes.

In this post we will cover what perks you get for owning stock in these cruise companies and the slight differences in each program. We’ll also touch on the newest publicly traded cruise company.

While the price of a stock will fluctuate throughout the year, one advantage to owning stock in a cruise line is the onboard credit value stays relatively constant for the companies that offer it.

I say “relatively” because cruise lines do tend to change their shareholder benefits from time to time and there may even be restrictions added to certain situations.

Note: This is not financial advice and we are not investment advisors. You should talk with your own financial advisor and assess the risks of buying or owning stock in any company.

What cruise companies offer onboard credit perks?

Not every cruise line is publicly traded in the U.S. stock market. Some, like MSC Cruises, are privately owned.

The majority of cruise ships in the world sail under one of these parent companies that are publicly traded:

• Carnival Corporation & PLC (NYSE: CCL)
• Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL)
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE: NCLH)

These three currently offer onboard credit (OBC) perks for shareholders. There’s also a fourth publicly traded cruise company — Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE: VIK) — which operates river cruises, ocean cruises, and expedition voyages. As of now, Viking does not offer an onboard credit program for shareholders.

If you don’t see your favorite cruise line in the list above, not to worry. Many cruise lines are owned by these “big 3” parent companies and we have detailed this below. In fact, a large majority of all cruise lines fall under one of these brands.

• Carnival Corporation & PLC – owns the following brands
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Seabourn
  • P&O Cruises
  • P&O Cruises (Australia)
  • Costa Cruises
  • AIDA Cruises
  • Cunard
• Royal Caribbean Group – owns the following brands
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Silversea Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd – owns the following brands
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Note: Not every cruise brand may qualify for the perks of its parent company in exactly the same way, and it’s important to check with your cruise line first. Some brands may have additional booking class requirements. Viking operates independently and currently has no shareholder OBC program.

How many shares do you have to own to get the perks?

For the three companies that offer onboard credit, the requirements are very similar. You must own 100 shares of stock in the company to qualify.

Related: What cruise line is best for you: 25 compared

Benefits of cruise stock ownership compared

Now, let’s dig a little deeper and see exactly how much onboard credit you receive for each cruise company that offers it. The amounts are only slightly different based on the duration of itineraries.

Also, keep in mind that these offers can change or be updated at any time at the discretion of the cruise companies. Carnival’s current program runs through sailings departing December 31, 2026, and the others continue on similar terms.

Carnival Corporation & PLC

Requirements: Must own at least 100 shares in the company (NYSE:CCL or Carnival plc)

• 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

In order to receive the onboard credit you have to ask for it and prove you own shares in the company.

You can often do this through the Stockperks platform or by contacting the cruise line directly with proof from your brokerage. Applications should be made at least three weeks before sailing (earlier if using a travel agent).

Restrictions: Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, interline rates, or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are typically excluded. The onboard credit is not transferable and applies to the shareholder-occupied stateroom. It cannot be exchanged for cash and has standard exclusions like casino use or gratuities.

Read more about the stock ownership onboard credit program or learn how to apply with Carnival on their official shareholder benefit page.

Read more: How much it takes to get a free cruise through loyalty benefits

Royal Caribbean Group

Requirements: Must own at least 100 shares in the company (NYSE:RCL)

• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings 14 or more nights: $250
• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 6 to 13 nights: $100
• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 5 nights or less: $50
• Onboard credit per stateroom on a World Cruise: $1,000

These onboard credits can be used on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises (subject to eligibility).

Royal Caribbean recommends submitting requests approximately 2-3 weeks before sailing. Submit early to be safe.

Restrictions: Excludes charter sailings and Galapagos itineraries on Celebrity. The credit applies per stateroom (double occupancy, one credit per cabin per sailing) and only to the stateroom occupied by the qualifying shareholder. Unused credit is forfeited and cannot be converted to cash.

You can request your onboard credit through Royal Caribbean’s shareholder benefit form on their investor site.

Read more: Carnival vs Royal Caribbean: Loyalty Perks Compared

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd

Requirements: Must own at least 100 shares in the company (NYSE:NCLH)

• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 15 days or more: $250
• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 7 to 14 days: $100
• Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 6 days or less: $50

This offer applies to sailings with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (excluding charter sailings).

Proof of ownership must be provided at least 15 days prior. Use the official shareholder request process on the NCLH investor site.

Restrictions: Excludes charter sailings. Credit is per stateroom and non-transferable. If shares are jointly held and you’re booking multiple staterooms, you’ll generally need 100 shares per requested credit. Unused credit is forfeited and cannot be exchanged for cash. It doesn’t apply to certain discounted or complimentary rates.

What’s the biggest perk of onboard credit through stock ownership?

If you’re a long-term investor and you go on a lot of cruises, this should be a pretty simple decision for the big three.

The biggest perk is that you can get the onboard credit for every qualifying cruise you take in the future (provided the program remains in place). If you take 4 cruises a year that can easily amount to $400 total on 7-night sailings.

Cruise line stocks remain volatile, but for frequent cruisers the recurring onboard credit can feel like a nice ongoing perk on top of any stock performance. Viking (VIK) doesn’t offer OBC right now, but many investors like its upscale, destination-focused river and ocean product if that fits their cruising style better.

At the time of this update, 100 shares of Carnival Corp. stock would cost roughly a couple thousand dollars (stock prices change daily—check current quotes for CCL, RCL, NCLH, and VIK).

I still see solid deals on 7-night cruises where that $100 onboard credit can cover specialty dining, spa treatments, or just extra fun onboard.

What can you use your OBC (Onboard Credit) for?

You can use that onboard credit for just about anything you can pay for on a cruise ship. Things like spa treatments, massages, facials, and hair treatments can qualify. Or you can use it for specialty dining restaurants or even for a purchase in the gift shop.

Some things you cannot use your onboard credit for would be things like gratuities and gambling in the casino (standard exclusions apply across the programs).

Again, none of this is financial advice and you really should talk with your financial advisor before buying stock in a cruise company just to take advantage of onboard credit.

If you do take a lot of cruises throughout the year and would like to find a way to supplement some of your onboard spending, this might be something worth looking into.

Also, keep in mind that while the cruise industry has recovered strongly, these shareholder programs are reviewed periodically and could change.

Read more: 7 ways to avoid spending a single extra penny onboard your cruise