Royal Caribbean expands Affirm payments to UK, Canada

Royal Caribbean has expanded its partnership with Affirm to offer payment instalments to cruise customers in Canada and the UK, while renewing the companies' existing arrangement in the United States.

Customers booking a Royal Caribbean cruise in the two new markets can now choose Affirm at checkout and, if approved, split the cost into instalments. The full cost is shown upfront, with no late fees, hidden charges or compounding interest.

The deal extends the buy-now-pay-later model further into travel as holiday operators look for ways to capture spending on higher-ticket trips. Cruises typically involve higher upfront costs than many other forms of leisure travel, making payment options a potentially important factor in booking decisions.

Royal Caribbean sells cruises to hundreds of destinations, including routes in Europe and the Caribbean. The new payment option is designed to give travellers in the UK and Canada more choice in how they pay for holidays.

Affirm, which operates a payment network focused on instalment lending, said demand for travel spending on its platform has continued to rise. Travel purchases on its network increased 29% year on year in the quarter ended 31 March 2026, according to the company.

Kara Wallace, Chief Marketing Officer at Royal Caribbean, said flexibility is an important part of how customers plan trips.

"We know our guests are looking for memorable experiences when they sail with us, and flexibility plays an important role in helping them plan those getaways with confidence. Expanding our partnership with Affirm gives more travellers choice in how and when they pay, making it easier than ever to book the experiences that matter most - whether it's celebrating a special occasion, exploring new destinations or spending quality time with family and friends," Wallace said.

The expansion adds Canada to a partnership already operating in the US and introduces the option to UK travellers. It gives Affirm a broader presence in cruise bookings outside its home market and places Royal Caribbean among travel groups that use instalment products to broaden payment options.

Travel payments

Buy-now-pay-later providers have pushed further into travel as consumers seek ways to manage the cost of flights, accommodation and package holidays. The model remains under scrutiny in some markets because it is a form of credit, but providers argue that fixed repayment schedules and upfront pricing offer clearer terms than revolving credit.

In the UK, Affirm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In Canada, rates can range from 0% to 31.99% APR, depending on provincial rules, eligibility checks and purchase amount.

For Royal Caribbean, the tie-up reflects a broader effort by travel companies to reduce friction at the point of purchase, particularly for family holidays and longer-haul trips where total costs can be significant. Spreading payments may help customers commit to larger bookings earlier, rather than reducing trip length or cutting extras to fit immediate budgets.

Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm, said the companies were building on an existing relationship in the travel industry.

"Booking a cruise should feel like the start of your holiday, not a financial juggling act. With Affirm, travellers can spread out the cost, with no late fees or hidden charges. We are excited to build on our successful partnership with Royal Caribbean to help even more holidaymakers turn their travel plans into reality," Pommen said.