The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

In fact, Royal Caribbean has eight vessels that are less than half the size of the Oasis-class ships. If you're thinking about booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, ... SkiptocontentAdvertiserdisclosureGuideThe6classesofRoyalCaribbeancruiseships,explainedGeneSloanEmailArticlesGeneSloanhaswrittenaboutcruisingformorethan25yearsandformanyyearsoversawUSAToday’saward-winningcruisesite.He’ssailedonmorethan150ships.Follow23minreadJumptosectionThispostcontainsreferencestoproductsfromoneormoreofouradvertisers.Wemayreceivecompensationwhenyouclickonlinkstothoseproducts.Termsapplytotheofferslistedonthispage.ForanexplanationofourAdvertisingPolicy,visitthispage.Evenifyou’reanewcomertocruising,you’veprobablyheardofRoyalCaribbean‘sgiantOasis-classships.They’remorethan20%biggerthananyothercruisevesselsafloatandlikenothingelseyou’llfindatsea.Indeed,whenyouhearpeopletalkingaboutthewowfactorofthe“floatingmegaresorts”ofRoyalCaribbean,it’slikelythey’rereferringtothefiveshipsintheOasis-classseries,whichincludethejust-unveiledWonderoftheSeas—theworld’sbiggestcruisevessel.Formorecruiseguides,newsandtips,signupforTPG’scruisenewsletter.SignupforourdailynewsletterEmailaddressSignupIwouldliketosubscribetoThePointsGuynewslettersandspecialemailpromotions.ThePointsGuywillnotshareorsellyouremail.Seeprivacypolicy.NotallRoyalCaribbeanshipsaresimilarlysupersized,though.Whilethelineisperhapsbestknownforgiantvessels—itoperatesnineofthe20biggestcruiseshipsintheworld—italsomarketssomerelativelysmaller,moreintimateships.Infact,RoyalCaribbeanhaseightvesselsthatarelessthanhalfthesizeoftheOasis-classships.Ifyou’rethinkingaboutbookingaRoyalCaribbeancruise,you’llfindthelineoffersawiderangeofshipstylesanddesigns.Withtherelativelyrecentremovaloftwooldershipsfromitsfleet,RoyalCaribbean—theworld’slargestcruiselinebypassengercapacity—nowhas26oceangoingvesselsinall.That’smorethananyothermajorcruiseline,anditmeansthatyouhavealotofchoiceswhenitcomestopickingtheperfectRoyalCaribbeanshipforyou.Related:TheultimateguidetoRoyalCaribbeanThegoodnewsforthoseofyoutryingtogetahandleonalltheoptionsisthatthe26shipscaneasilybebunchedintojustsixgroupsofvesselsthathavesimilaramenities.Ifyouknowonememberofthegroup,youknowthemall.Thesesixgroupsaremadeupofshipsconstructedaroundthesametimetothesamebasicdesign.They'reknownincruiseindustrylingoas“classes,”andeachhasitsownlookandfeel.AnintroductiontoRoyalCaribbeanshipsRoyalCaribbean’sOasis-classshipsaresobigthere’sroomforthreedistinctpoolareasplusakiddiesplashzoneontheirtopdecks.Theyalsohavemidshipopeningsthatarehometotree-linedcentralparks.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Forthemostpart,RoyalCaribbeanoperatesbig,bustlingmegashipsthatwillappealtopeoplewholikeamegaresortexperience.Thecompanyhasbuiltitsbrandaroundofferingvacationersatonofdiversionsonitsships,whetherfordining(somevesselshavemorethan20distinctplacestogrababite)orentertainment.Itsvesselsarelivelyandfun.Butjusthowover-the-topthemegaresortexperienceonaRoyalCaribbeanshipisvariesfromclasstoclass.Related:EverythingyouneedtoknowaboutRoyalCaribbeancabinsandsuitesTheline’sfiveOasis-classshipsareunlikeanythingelseyou’llfindatseawhenitcomestosize,amenitiesandcapacity.Theyeachcanholdmorethan6,600passengerswitheveryberthfull.Somewhatsmallerinsize,butstillgiantbyanymeasure,aretheline’sfiveQuantum-classandthreeFreedom-classvessels,whicheachhavetotalcapacitiesrangingfromaround4,500to5,600passengers.Withroomforaround3,800passengersatmaximumoccupancy,theline’sfiveVoyager-classvesselsarerelativelylarge,too.RoyalCaribbean’sbiggestshipshaveinterior,mall-likeRoyalPromenadeswithshops,eateriesandbars.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Together,the18vesselsofthesefourclasses—Oasis,Quantum,FreedomandVoyager—makeupRoyalCaribbean’sbig-shipfleet.Theline’sremainingeightvessels,splitamongtwoclasses,aresmaller,withmaximumoccupancytoppingoutaround2,500passengers.WhilenolongerthefocusatRoyalCaribbean,thesmallerships,whichingeneralaretheline’solderships,allowittoofferitinerariestoplacesthataren’taseasyforbigshipstovisit.NotallportsintheworldcanhandleashipthesizeofSymphonyoftheSeas.ThesmallershipsalsoappealtoasubsetofRoyalCaribbeanfanswhoprefermoreintimacyinacruisevesselanddon’tmindgivingupsomeonboardamenitiestogetit.Theyarealsooftenlessexpensivetosailon,onaper-daybasis.Related:AbeginnersguidetopickingacruiselineAsyoumightexpect,thebiggestRoyalCaribbeanshipshavethemostamenities.Witheachstepdowninsize,you’llfindfewerrestaurants,bars,entertainmentvenuesandattractions.EventhesmallestofRoyalCaribbeanshipsstillhavequiteabittooffer,though.Ifyou’resailingwiththelineforthefirsttime,it’simportanttounderstandthatnotallofRoyalCaribbean’ssignatureattractionsandvenuesareonallitsships.Forinstance,whileeveryRoyalCaribbeanvesselnowhasoneoftheline’siconicclimbingwalls(somehavetwo!),onlythe18shipsoftheline’sbig-shipclasseshaveaFlowRidersurfingsimulator.Onlythe13shipsoftheOasis,FreedomandVoyagerclasseshaveiceskatingrinks.NotethatRoyalCaribbeaniscurrentlydevelopinganentirelynewclassofships,theIconclass.Thefirstofthevessels,IconoftheSeas,isscheduledtodebutinlate2023,withtwomoreoftheshipscomingin2025and2026,respectively.FewdetailshavebeenannouncedabouttheIconclass,otherthanthattheshipsintheserieswillbeatadsmallerthantheOasis-classshipsat200,000tonsandcarryabout5,650passengersatdoubleoccupancy.QuantumclassShipsinclass:QuantumoftheSeas(2014),AnthemoftheSeas(2015),OvationoftheSeas(2016),SpectrumoftheSeas(2019)andOdysseyoftheSeas(2021).Size:168,666to169,379tons.RoyalCaribbean’sQuantumoftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Unveiledin2014,theQuantumclassisRoyalCaribbean’snewestclass,andperhapsitsmostinnovativeclassever.Inadditiontoawiderangeofrestaurants,barsandshowrooms,thefiveshipsintheclassfeaturesomeofthemostunusualnewattractionsyou’llfindatsea,includingbumpercarpavilions(yes,somehowtheyfoundroomforthese)andskydivingsimulators.Theshipsalsohaveglass-enclosedcapsulesmountedonmechanicalarmsthatwilltakeyousoaringintotheskyforbird’s-eyeviews.They’recalledtheNorthStarrides,andtheymaybetheoddestattractionseveraddedtothetopofacruiseship.TheNorthStarattractiononRoyalCaribbean’sQuantumoftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Quantum-classshipsalsofeatureunusual,multilevelentertainmentspaceswithfloor-to-ceilingglasswallscalledTwo70.Thespacesarehometoinnovativeshowsthatoftenfeatureaerialperformers,singersanddancerswhoemergefromopeningsinthefloorortheceiling.Atcertaintimesoftheday,theglasswallstransformintoanexpansiveambientsurfacecalledVistaramathatprojectsrealandimaginedscenes.Related:The9craziestattractionsyou’llfindonacruiseshipAlltheaboveareinadditiontomanyofthecoreRoyalCaribbeanattractionsyou’llfindonmostofthebrand’sships,includingpools,rockclimbingwalls,casinos,spasandBroadway-styleshows.However,don’texpectalloftheclassicRoyalCaribbeanfeaturesonQuantum-classships.Forinstance,youwon’tfindiceskatingrinksonthevessels—althoughthey'reastapleofallotherbigRoyalCaribbeanships.Quantum-classshipsalsodon’thavewaterparks.TheQuantum-classshipsaren’tquiteasbigasRoyalCaribbean’sOasis-classvessels(andthusdon’thavequiteasmuchroomforthingslikeiceskatingrinks).Ataround169,000tons,though,they’restillamongthebiggestshipsatsea,withasignificantnumberofvenues.Theyalsocancarryalotofpeople.Mostoftheshipsintheclasshold4,180passengersatdoubleoccupancy—4,905ifeveryberthisfilled.OneexceptionisSpectrumoftheSeas,whichwasspecificallybuiltfortheChinamarketwithsomedesigndifferences.Itcanholdupto5,622passengers.Additionally,thenewestshipintheseries,OdysseyoftheSeas,canholdupto5,498passengers.Related:4thingsweloveaboutOdysseyoftheSeasOnemorebigdifferencebetweentheshipsoftheQuantumclassandotherbigRoyalCaribbeanshipsisthatQuantum-classshipsaredesignedtobemoreversatile.Ifyoulookcloselyattheirdeckplans,you’llnoticethatmoreoftheirmainattractionsareindoors,protectedfromtheelements,thantheshipsof,say,theOasisorFreedomclasses.TheindoorSeaPlexvenueonQuantum-classshipsisabumpercarpavilionthatdoublesasarollerskatingrinkandcanbeusedforbasketballandgames.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)OneofthetwomainpoolareasoneachoftheQuantum-classships(withtheexceptionofOdysseyoftheSeas)isenclosed,forinstance.Thebumpercarpavilionsare,too,doublingasrollerskatingrinksorusedasindoorbasketballcourts.ThisallowsRoyalCaribbeantosendtheshipstocoolerregionsoftheworldsuchasAlaskaandNorthernEuropewherethetemperaturesaren’talwaysconducivetooutdooractivity.RoyalCaribbeanalsohasusedsomeoftheQuantum-classshipsforsailingsoutofChina.Related:EverythingyouneedtoknowaboutRoyalCaribbean’sloyaltyprogramOasisclassShipsinclass:OasisoftheSeas(2009),AllureoftheSeas(2010),HarmonyoftheSeas(2016),SymphonyoftheSeas(2018),WonderoftheSeas(2022)andUtopiaoftheSeas(coming2024).Size:226,838to236,857tons.RoyalCaribbean’sOasisoftheSeas,oneoftheworld’slargestcruiseships.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Ifyou’rethekindofpersonwholovesnothingbetterthanabig,bustlingresortwitheverysortofamusementknowntohumans,thenthisisthecruiseshipclassforyou.Asmentionedabove,theOasis-classshipsaremorethan20%biggerthananyothercruisevesselafloat,andforbig-shiplovers,there’sreallynothingquitelikethem.Related:MSCCruisesisbuildingashipnearlyasbigasOasis-classvesselsEachoftheOasis-classvesselshasthreeseparatemainpoolareas,akiddiesplashzone,surfingsimulators,aminiaturegolfcourse,abasketballcourtandevenazipline.Andthat’sjustontheirtopdecks.Insidethevessels,you’llfindmorelounges,bars,restaurantsandshopsthanyoucanimagine—plushugecasinos,spasandshowroomswithBroadway-styleshows.Theyevenhaveindooriceskatingrinks,justincaseyouwanttogetyourMichelleKwanon.RoyalCaribbean’sgiantOasis-classvesselsfeatureminiaturegolfcourses,basketballcourtsandsurfingsimulatorsontheirtopdecks,amongotheramusements.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Whatyouwon’tfindontheOasis-classshipsisintimacy.Thesearevesselsthatcancarryasmanyas6,988passengerswheneveryberthisfilled.Theyoperatewitharound2,200crewmembers.Thatmeansyoucouldbesharingyourvacationwithmorethan9,000people.Iftheabovesoundsdownrightoutrageoustoyou,itis.Keepinmind,though,thatthebiggestmegaresortsonlandareevenbigger.ThebiggestresortintheU.S.,TheVenetianinLasVegas,has7,092rooms.Thatmeansitcanholdmorethan14,000guests,assumingtherearetwopeopleperroom.Bythatmeasure,Oasis-classshipsarealmostsmall.Oasis-classshipsalsodon’tnecessarilyfeelascrowdedastheyare.RoyalCaribbean’sdesignersaremastersatcreatingvesselsthatcancarrythousandsandthousandsofpeoplebutstillfeelrelativelyuncrowded—atleastinsomeareas.Youcanhaveaquietafternoonreadingabookonabenchinthesometimesnearlyempty,tree-linedCentralParkareaofWonderoftheSeaswhilejustafewdecksabovethousandsofvacationersarefrolickingawayattheship’spools.ThreeofthefourOasis-classshipshaveacomplexofwaterslidescalledThePerfectStorm.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)NotethatthereareafewdifferencesfromshiptoshipintheOasis-classseries.Forstarters,thethreenewestandlargestshipsintheseries—WonderoftheSeas,SymphonyoftheSeasandHarmonyoftheSeas—haveafewadditionalattractionsandvenues.Amongthem:theUltimateAbyss,aterrifyingslidethatdropsninedecks.(RoyalCaribbeansaysitdrops10decks,butdon’tbefooled;thelineiscountinganonexistentDeck13.)Therearealsogiantwaterslidesonfourofthefiveships.OnlyAllureoftheSeasismissingthem.ThereareplanstoaddwaterslidestoAllureoftheSeas,buttheywereputonholdaftertheCOVID-19-causedcruisingshutdownof2020.Related:The6mostspectacularwaterslidesandwateryfunzonesatseaAhandfulofrestaurantsarealsodifferentfromshiptoshipintheseries.Thenewestandlargestshipintheseries,WonderoftheSeas,hasthemostdifferencesfromtheotherOasis-classvessels.At236,857tons,it'sabout4%biggerthanthenextbiggestshipintheserieswiththeextraspacedevotedtosuchadditionsasadedicatedsuiteareawithaprivatelounge,restaurantandsundeck.Related:WhyWonderoftheSeasisawesomeforfamilies|WonderoftheSeascabincomparison|AwildracetotryeveryWonderoftheSeasattractionin2daysAsixthshipintheOasis-classseries,tobecalledUtopiaoftheSeas,isscheduledtodebutin2024.ConstructionofthevesselbeganinAprilattheChantiersdel’AtlantiqueshipyardinSt.Nazaire,France—thesameshipyardthatbuiltWonderoftheSeas.RadianceclassShipsinclass:RadianceoftheSeas(2001),BrillianceoftheSeas(2002),SerenadeoftheSeas(2003)andJeweloftheSeas(2004).Size:90,090tons.RadianceoftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Notsureyouwanttosailonamegashipwith6,000peoplebutstillwantavesselwithagoodamountoffeaturesandactivities?TheRadiance-classshipsmaybetheperfectsolution.At90,090tons,thefourvesselsintheseriesarelessthanhalfthesizeofRoyalCaribbean’smassiveOasis-classships,butstillbigenoughthattheyhavealottooffer.Eachofthevesselshasmorethanahalf-dozenplacestoeatincludingamainrestaurant,casualbuffet,steakhouse,ItalianrestaurantandAsianvenue.You’llalsofindthreepoolsoneachoftheships,whirlpools,arockclimbingwall,aminiaturegolfcourse,asportscourtandanadults-onlysolarium.Eachoftheshipsalsohasatheater,spa,casinoandmultiplebarsandlounges.ThepooldecksonRadiance-classshipsaren’tnearlyasbigasonOasis-classorQuantum-classvessels.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Whatyouwon’tfindontheships,becauseoftheirsmallersize,areallthegee-whizattractionssuchasiceskatingrinks,surfingsimulators,giantwaterslidesandbumpercarpavilionsthatRoyalCaribbeanhasputonitsbiggervessels.Ifyoucan’tlivewithoutthosesortsoffeaturesonacruiseship,theRadianceclassprobablyisn’tforyou.EachoftheRadiance-classshipsholdsabitover2,100passengersatdoubleoccupancy(plusafewhundredmorewitheveryberthfilled).That’slessthanhalftheamountofpassengersyou’llfindonthebiggestRoyalCaribbeanships.Thatmakesthemperfectforcruiserswhowanttogetawayfromthesortofcrowdsthatareonthebiggestmegashipswithoutgivingupmanyoftheamenitiesthatbigshipshavetooffer.FreedomclassShipsinclass:FreedomoftheSeas(2006),LibertyoftheSeas(2007)andIndependenceoftheSeas(2008).Size:154,407to156,271tons.RoyalCaribbean’sIndependenceoftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Asrecentlyas2009,thesewerethebiggestcruiseshipsintheworld,andthey’restillquitebigascomparedtoalmostallothercruisevesselsafloat.Whilenolongeronthelistofthetop20biggestcruiseships—they’vebeendisplacedbyRoyalCaribbean’sOasis-andQuantum-classvessels,aswellasafewshipsfromotherlines—theFreedom-classvesselsofferaclassicbig-shipexperiencewithlotsofrestaurants,bars,showroomsanddeck-topattractions.TheFreedom-classships,notably,werethefirstRoyalCaribbeanshipstofeatureaFlowRidersurfingsimulatorontheirtopdecks—nowasignatureattractionfortheline.Thevesselsalsohavemultiplepoolareas,awaterpark,aminiaturegolfcourseandarockclimbingwallontheirtopdecks,whichareamongthemostactivity-packedatsea.EveryFreedom-classshiphasaFlowRidersurfingsimulatoronitstopdeck.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Indeed,thetopdecksofFreedom-classshipsaremoreloadedwithattractionsthananyotherRoyalCaribbeanvesselsexcepttheOasis-classvessels.Youjustwon’tfindseveralofthemostover-the-topattractionsthatareatopOasis-classships,suchasziplines.Intheirinteriors,Freedom-classvesselshavethemall-likeRoyalPromenadespacesfilledwitheateries,barsandshopsthathavebecomestandardonbiggerRoyalCaribbeanships.Theyalsohavelargecasinosandspas.Related:RoyalCaribbeanjustfixedtheworstpartofcruisingAtaround156,000tons,theFreedom-classshipsareabout31%smallerthantheOasis-classships,asignificantstepdowninsize.They’renearly8%smallerthantheQuantum-classships.TheyalsocarrysignificantlyfewerpassengersthantheOasis-classships.FreedomoftheSeasandIndependenceoftheSeascarryaround3,900passengersatdoubleoccupancy(closerto4,600witheveryberthfilled).LibertyoftheSeascancarryseveralhundredmore.VoyagerclassShipsinclass:VoyageroftheSeas(1999),ExploreroftheSeas(2000),AdventureoftheSeas(2001),NavigatoroftheSeas(2002)andMarineroftheSeas(2003).Size:137,276to139,999tons.MarineroftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)TheVoyager-classshipsaresimilartoFreedom-classships,butshorterinlength.Or,putanotherway,theFreedomclasswasastretchedversionoftheVoyagerclass.LiketheFreedom-classvessels,theVoyager-classshipshavemanyofRoyalCaribbean’ssignatureattractions,includingrockclimbingwallsandiceskatingrinks.Infact,theshipswerethefirstatRoyalCaribbeantohavethoseattractions.Voyager-classshipsalsowerethefirsttofeatureamall-likeRoyalPromenadewithbars,cafesandshopsintheirinteriors.Eachalsohasseveralspecialtyrestaurantsinadditiontoitsmaindiningroomandcasualbuffet,includingaversionofRoyalCaribbean’ssignatureChopsGrillesteakhouseandanItalianrestaurant.OneofthemaindifferencesbetweentheVoyagerclassandtheFreedomclassisthattheRoyalPromenadesonVoyager-classshipsareshorter.Thetop-deckareasoftheVoyager-classshipsalsoaremoretruncatedascomparedtotheFreedom-classvessels.ThepooldeckofRoyalCaribbean’sNavigatoroftheSeas,oneoftheline’sVoyager-classships.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)TherearealsofewercabinsontheVoyager-classships,resultinginfewerpassengersonboardatypicalsailing.Mostoftheshipscarryaround3,100passengersatdoubleoccupancy—about800fewerthanthetypicalFreedom-classship.Ataround139,000tons,theshipsareabout11%smallerthantheFreedom-classships.TherearealsosomevariationsinattractionsamongthefiveVoyager-classvessels.NavigatoroftheSeashasarelativelynewwaterslidezonethat’shometoTheBlaster,thelongestwaterslideatsea.Youwon’tfindthatontheotherships,thoughmostofthemhavedifferentwaterslides.Onlythreeofthefiveships—VoyageroftheSeas,NavigatoroftheSeasandMarineroftheSeas—havelasertagcourses.AdventureoftheSeasistheonlyvesselintheclasswithakiddiesplashzone.InamajoroverhaulofMarineroftheSeasin2018,RoyalCaribbeanaddedanewattractioncalledSkyPad.It’savirtualrealitybungee-trampolineexperience.Related:WhytheoverhaulofNavigatoroftheSeaswassogreatVisionclassShipsinclass:GrandeuroftheSeas(1996),RhapsodyoftheSeas(1997),EnchantmentoftheSeas(1997)andVisionoftheSeas(1998).Size:73,817to82,910tons.RhapsodyoftheSeas.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Datingtothe1990s,theVision-classshipsarethesmallestatRoyalCaribbean,andtheyofferfeweronboardattractionsandamenitiesthanistypicalfortheline’svessels.Ingeneral,theyappealtocruiserslookingforamoreintimateexperienceonacruiseshipthanwhatyou’llfindonthebigRoyalCaribbeanships.Theyalsodrawcruiserswhocaremoreaboutthedestinationsthattheyvisitonacruisethanonboardattractions.Alongthoselines,RoyalCaribbeanoftensendssomeofitsVision-classshipstoEuropeinthesummertooperateportcall-intensiveitineraries.ThevesselsalsooftensaillongertripsintheCaribbeanthattakeinless-visitedsoutherlyislands.Inbothcases,theallureofthecruiseshasmoretodowiththeportstheshipsvisitthantheonboardexperience.Vision-classshipsarealsosometimesbasedinsecondaryportssuchasBaltimoreorSanJuan,PuertoRico,wherethesizeofthelocalcruisemarketmightnotwarrantalargervessel.Exceptforrockclimbingwalls,theVision-classshipshavenoneofthesignatureRoyalCaribbeandeck-topattractionssuchassurfingandskydivingsimulators.Forthemostpart,theirtopdecksarelinedwithpools,whirlpoolsandsunningareas,asistypicalforshipsbuiltinthe1990s.Allofthemhaveatleasttwopoolsandsixwhirlpools,exceptforEnchantmentoftheSeas,whichhasthreepoolsandsixwhirlpools.EnchantmentoftheSeasalsohasabungeetrampolinearea,somethingnoneoftheothervesselsoffer.Related:Iscruisingrightforyou?Startbyaskingyourselfthese7questionsInadditiontomainrestaurantsandcasualbuffets,eachoftheshipshasatleastoneandoftenseveraladditionalspecialtyrestaurantssuchastheline’ssignatureChopsGrillesteakhouseandItalianeateryGiovanni’sTable.RhapsodyoftheSeashasthebiggestselectionofdining;EnchantmentoftheSeashasthesmallest.Threeofthefourvessels—allbutEnchantmentoftheSeas—haveanIzumiAsianrestaurant.Eachoftheshipsvariesslightlyinsize.GrandeuroftheSeasisthesmallestofthefourvessels,measuringaround74,000tons.EnchantmentoftheSeasisthebiggest,measuringaround83,000tons(itwas,notably,lengthenedby73feetin2005).Planningacruise?Startwiththesestories:The5mostdesirablecabinlocationsonanycruiseshipThe8worstcabinlocationsonanycruiseshipAquickguidetothemostpopularcruiselines21tipsandtricksthatwillmakeyourcruisegosmoothly15wayscruiserswastemoney12bestcruisesforpeoplewhoneverwanttogrowupWhattopackforyourfirstcruiseRelatedstoriesAmericanconsidersdroppingthefree24-hourholdoptionAmericanAirlinesandBritishAirwayslaunchreciprocalupgradecertificatesJetBlueflashsale:Flightsfrom$39untilSept.15Lufthansapilotshaveagreednottostrikeagainuntil2023FeaturedphotobyRoyalCaribbean'sAllureoftheSeasisoneoftheworld'sbiggestcruiseships.(PhotocourtesyofRoyalCaribbean)Editorialdisclaimer:Opinionsexpressedherearetheauthor’salone,notthoseofanybank,creditcardissuer,airlineorhotelchain,andhavenotbeenreviewed,approvedorotherwiseendorsedbyanyoftheseentities.TopoffersfromourpartnersHowwechooseHowwechosethesecardsOurpoints-obsessedstaffusesaplethoraofcreditcardsonadailybasis.Ifanyoneonourteamwouldn’trecommendittoafriendorafamilymember,wewouldn’trecommenditonThePointsGuyeither.Ouropinionsareourown,andhavenotbeenreviewed,approved,orendorsedbyouradvertisingpartners.LearnMoreaboutChaseSapphirePreferred®CardTermsApplyBestall-aroundtravelrewardscardChaseSapphirePreferred®Card60,000pointsLearnMoreaboutCapitalOneVentureXRewardsCreditCardTermsApplyBestcardforpremiumperkswhiletravelingCapitalOneVentureXRewardsCreditCard75,000milesLearnMoreaboutTheBusinessPlatinumCard®fromAmericanExpressTermsApplyBestforlargepurchasesTheBusinessPlatinumCard®fromAmericanExpress120,000points100,000pointsLearnMoreaboutCapitalOneVentureRewardsCreditCardTermsApplyBestrewardscardfornon-bonusspendingCapitalOneVentureRewardsCreditCard75,000miles60,000milesSeeallbestcardoffersRelatedstoriesNewsAmericanconsidersdroppingthefree24-hourholdoptionNewsAmericanAirlinesandBritishAirwayslaunchreciprocalupgradecertificatesDealsJetBlueflashsale:Flightsfrom$39untilSept.15NewsLufthansapilotshaveagreednottostrikeagainuntil2023TPGfeaturedcardBeststartertravelcardCitiPremier®CardApplyforCitiPremier®CardTPGEditor‘sRatingOpenEditorsratingCardRatingisbasedontheopinionofTPG‘seditorsandisnotinfluencedbythecardissuer.4/5GotoreviewApplyNowApplyforCitiPremier®CardatCiti'ssecuresiteRewards1-3Xpointsdetails3XEarn3Pointsper$1spentatRestaurantsandSupermarkets3XEarn3Pointsper$1spentatGasStations,AirTravelandHotels1XEarn1Pointper$1spentonallotherpurchases Introoffer80,000points60,000pointsdetailsForalimitedtime,earn80,000bonusThankYou®Pointsafteryouspend$4,000inpurchaseswithinthefirst3monthsofaccountopeningAnnualFee$95RecommendedCredit670-850Excellent,GoodmoreinfoCreditrangesareavariationofFICO©Score8,oneofmanytypesofcreditscoreslendersmayusewhenconsideringyourcreditcardapplication.WhyWeChoseItTheCitiPremier’s3pointsperdollarspentacrossawiderangeofpopularcategoriesisoneofthemorelucrativeofferingsintheworldofpointsandmiles.TheCitiPremiercomeswitha$95annualfeeandiscurrentlyofferingasolidsignupbonusof80,000pointsafteryouspend$4,000onpurchaseswithinthefirstthreemonths.Italsohassomevaluabletransferpartnerstomakethemostofyourrewards.AddinaccesstoCitiEntertainmentplusa$100hotelcreditforanysingle-stayhotelbookingthatexceeds$500ormore,excludingtaxesandfees,bookedthroughtheCititravelwebsite,therearefewreasonswhytheCitiPremiershouldnotbeineverytraveler’swallet.Pros&ConsProsEarns3xpointsonrestaurants,supermarkets,gasstations,airtravelandhotels.$100annualhotelsavingsbenefit(onsinglehotelstaybookingsof$500ormore,excludingtaxesandfees,bookedthroughthankyou.com)Pointstransferto16airlineprograms,fromJetBluetoVirginAtlantic.WorldEliteMastercardbenefits,extendedwarranty,damageandtheftprotection.Cons$95annualfeeLackstravelprotectionsthatothertravelrewardscardscomewithMoreDetailsForalimitedtime,earn80,000bonusThankYou®Pointsafteryouspend$4,000inpurchaseswithinthefirst3monthsofaccountopeningEarn3Pointsper$1spentatRestaurantsandSupermarketsEarn3Pointsper$1spentatGasStations,AirTravelandHotelsEarn1Pointper$1spentonallotherpurchasesAnnualHotelSavingsBenefit80,000Pointsareredeemablefor$800ingiftcardswhenredeemedatthankyou.comNoexpirationandnolimittotheamountofpointsyoucanearnwiththiscardNoForeignTransactionFeesonpurchasesApplyNowApplyforCitiPremier®CardatCiti'ssecuresiteBeststartertravelcardCitiPremier®CardTPGEditor‘sRatingOpenEditorsratingCardRatingisbasedontheopinionofTPG‘seditorsandisnotinfluencedbythecardissuer.4/5GotoreviewRewardsRate3XEarn3Pointsper$1spentatRestaurantsandSupermarkets3XEarn3Pointsper$1spentatGasStations,AirTravelandHotels1XEarn1Pointper$1spentonallotherpurchases IntroOfferOpenIntrobonusForalimitedtime,earn80,000bonusThankYou®Pointsafteryouspend$4,000inpurchaseswithinthefirst3monthsofaccountopening80,000points60,000pointsAnnualFee$95RecommendedCreditOpenCreditscoredescriptionCreditrangesareavariationofFICO©Score8,oneofmanytypesofcreditscoreslendersmayusewhenconsideringyourcreditcardapplication.670-850Excellent,GoodWhyWeChoseItTheCitiPremier’s3pointsperdollarspentacrossawiderangeofpopularcategoriesisoneofthemorelucrativeofferingsintheworldofpointsandmiles.TheCitiPremiercomeswitha$95annualfeeandiscurrentlyofferingasolidsignupbonusof80,000pointsafteryouspend$4,000onpurchaseswithinthefirstthreemonths.Italsohassomevaluabletransferpartnerstomakethemostofyourrewards.AddinaccesstoCitiEntertainmentplusa$100hotelcreditforanysingle-stayhotelbookingthatexceeds$500ormore,excludingtaxesandfees,bookedthroughtheCititravelwebsite,therearefewreasonswhytheCitiPremiershouldnotbeineverytraveler’swallet.ViewMorePros&ConsMoreDetailsProsEarns3xpointsonrestaurants,supermarkets,gasstations,airtravelandhotels.$100annualhotelsavingsbenefit(onsinglehotelstaybookingsof$500ormore,excludingtaxesandfees,bookedthroughthankyou.com)Pointstransferto16airlineprograms,fromJetBluetoVirginAtlantic.WorldEliteMastercardbenefits,extendedwarranty,damageandtheftprotection.Cons$95annualfeeLackstravelprotectionsthatothertravelrewardscardscomewithForalimitedtime,earn80,000bonusThankYou®Pointsafteryouspend$4,000inpurchaseswithinthefirst3monthsofaccountopeningEarn3Pointsper$1spentatRestaurantsandSupermarketsEarn3Pointsper$1spentatGasStations,AirTravelandHotelsEarn1Pointper$1spentonallotherpurchasesAnnualHotelSavingsBenefit80,000Pointsareredeemablefor$800ingiftcardswhenredeemedatthankyou.comNoexpirationandnolimittotheamountofpointsyoucanearnwiththiscardNoForeignTransactionFeesonpurchases