Surprising Benefits of Owning Cruise Line Stock You Might Not Know About

Cruise line shareholders receive more than potential stock appreciation and dividends—they can access exclusive onboard credits and more.

By owning as few as 100 shares of Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), or Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCL), investors can unlock perks that effectively create a “vacation dividend” ranging from $50 to $250 depending on cruise length. For frequent cruisers, these benefits can represent returns equivalent to about a 9.5% annual dividend while also improving their onboard experiences.

Key Takeaways

• Some publicly traded cruise lines offer shareholders modest perks, typically as onboard credits.
• These credits range from $50 to $1,000, depending on the length of the voyage.
• Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruises offer similar levels of benefits.

The Hidden “Dividend” of Cruise Line Stocks

Major cruise operators, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruises, offer onboard credits to shareholders who own a minimum number of shares and book cruises with their brands.

These credits can be applied toward onboard purchases such as specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and more—effectively creating a “dividend” that comes as ways to improve your vacation. These modest but welcome discounts can add a little more fun to holiday voyages.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival provides benefits across its wide-ranging lines, which include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa Cruises, AIDA, and P&O Cruises.

Shareholders who hold at least 100 shares of CCL become eligible for the following:

• $250 onboard credit when they book cruises that last at least 14 days.
• $100 onboard credit for cruises lasting between seven and 13.
• $50 onboard credit for durations of six days or fewer.

You must request rewards and verify stock ownership at least three weeks before your departure date through the Carnival “Stockperks” app.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands—Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—provide similar benefits (excluding charter sailings). Any shareholder owning a minimum of 100 shares qualifies for the following:

• $250 onboard credit when they book cruises lasting 15 days or more.
• $100 onboard credit for sailings between seven and 14 days
• $50 onboard credit for six days or fewer.

Shareholders must send the shareholder benefit request form via mail or email at least 15 days before the sailing.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s benefits are especially useful for world cruisers. The onboard credit benefits are for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises (excluding Galapagos and charter sailings). Holders of 100 or more shares qualify for the following:

• $1,000 onboard credit for World Cruises.
• $250 onboard credit for sailing 14 nights or longer.
• $100 onboard credit between six and 13 nights.
• $50 onboard credit for five nights or less.
• Requests should be received two to three weeks before the sail date through the Royal Caribbean website.

Calculating the Real Investment Return

Frequent cruisers may find that these benefits substantially improve their investment returns.

Suppose you buy 100 Carnival Cruises shares at $21 each (their approximate value in March 2025) for a total investment of $2,100) and take two seven-night cruises annually. You’ll gain $200 in onboard credits annually. Assuming the price of CCL shares remains unchanged, that’s like receiving a 9.5% dividend.

For luxury or extended voyages, the value proposition becomes even more compelling. A 14-plus night cruise with a $250 onboard credit represents an immediate 12% return on a 100-share investment.

While these benefits offer tangible value, benefits are typically nontransferable and apply only to the stateroom in which the shareholder is sailing. In addition, credits can’t usually be applied toward prepurchased activities.

The Bottom Line

While any investment should be evaluated primarily on its financial merits, shareholder benefits for cruise line stocks represent a unique advantage for travel enthusiasts. For investors who already enjoy cruising, these perks reduce vacation costs while providing exposure to the travel and hospitality industries.