How I Use Rakuten + CardCash to Save Money on Cruises, Hotels & Travel
- Cruising with Lynnie
- Jun 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9
💸 One of the ways I save money while planning a cruise is stacking savings with Rakuten and CardCash! 🛳️ ✈️
If you haven't used Rakuten before, it's a cash back website and app that gives you money back when you shop through their links at participating stores and travel brands. Right now, NEW RAKUTEN USERS WHO SIGN UP THROUGH MY LINK CAN GET 💰 $50 CASH BACK AFTER MAKING A MINIMUM $50 PURCHASE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF SIGNING UP. You can qualify for the $50 bonus by signing up through my link below.👇
What Can You Use Rakuten For When Planning a Cruise?
Rakuten partners with thousands of stores and travel brands that cruisers already use for: ✈️ Flights 🏨 Hotels 🚘 Rental cars 🎟️ Excursions 🧳 Luggage & cruise essentials👗 Vacation outfits ☀️ Sunscreen & travel items
Some popular travel brands and hotel booking sites commonly found on Rakuten include: Marriott, Best Western, Hotels.com, Expedia, Hyatt, Hilton Hotels & Resorts , Viator, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines
How i STACK SAVINGS Using Rakuten + CardCash
💳 One of the ways I save on cruise expenses is pairing Rakuten with CardCash.
Here’s exactly what I do:
I go to Rakuten first (sign up or log in) and search for CardCash
Then I click through to CardCash from Rakuten
I buy discounted cruise gift cards on CardCash
I save money on the discounted gift cards
PLUS I earn cashback from Rakuten 💸
If you don’t want to use Rakuten, you can still save money by purchasing discounted gift cards directly through CardCash. CardCash OFFERS NEW USERS WHO CREATE AN ACCOUNT THROUGH MY LINK BELOW 👇 A $5 COUPON SENT TO THEIR EMAIL AFTER SIGNING UP. The coupon requires a minimum purchase of $25 and is valid for first-time customers only.
Some cruise gift cards currently available on CardCash include: Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America
(there are also many other travel gift cards available)
Important Things to Know About the $50 Rakuten Bonus
To qualify for the current offer:
➤ You must be a new Rakuten user
➤ You must sign up through my link
➤ You need to make qualifying purchases totaling at least $50 within 90 days
➤ Purchases must be made through Rakuten to qualify for cashback
How I Use Carnival Gift Cards for My Cruises
One of the reasons I like using discounted Carnival gift cards is because they can be used for so many different cruise expenses before and during the trip.
Before my cruise, I use Carnival gift cards toward:
➤ Cruise fare payments
➤ Prepaid gratuities
➤ CHEERS! drink packages
➤ Shore excursions
➤ Specialty dining
➤ Other pre-cruise add-ons
Once I get onboard, I apply gift cards to my onboard account using one of the onboard kiosks or through Guest Services. That onboard credit can then be used for onboard purchases like:
➤ Drinks
➤ Specialty restaurants
➤ Shops
➤ Spa treatments
➤ Internet packages
➤ Casino charges linked to your Sail & Sign account
➤ Other onboard expenses
For me, it’s one of the easiest ways to lower overall cruise costs a little at a time.
Cashback rates and promotional offers can change over time, so always double-check current terms directly through Rakuten and CardCash before purchasing.
⬇️ Have you ever used Rakuten or CardCash before? I’d love to hear your favorite money-saving travel tips in the comments!👇
☀️I live local to Port Canaveral and grew up in Orlando and create lots of helpful info for cruisers traveling to the area, and for those who just love cruising as much as I do. Follow me for more cruise tips, travel finds, and insider info for your next vacation!🛳️🌴
*Information provided is subject to change at any time. Only services believed to be valuable and beneficial are recommended.
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