Carnival Discount Gift Cards
How to use Carnival gift cards to pay for your cruise
You can use Carnival gift cards for almost everything related to your trip.
To pay for the cruise itself, log into your account on Carnival.com or call them at 1-800-764-7419. Pick gift card as your payment method and enter the card number and PIN. Carnival lets you apply up to 10 gift cards per booking. If the cards don't cover the full amount, just pay the rest with a credit card.
Once you're on the ship, head to Guest Services and ask them to load your gift card balance onto your Sail & Sign account. From there it covers spa treatments, specialty dining, the casino, drinks, and shore excursions booked onboard.
One thing to know: Carnival gift cards don't work on third-party sites like Expedia or Costco Travel. You have to book directly through Carnival.
How to check your Carnival gift card balance
Use the balance check button above on this page. You can also call Carnival gift card support or check at any Guest Services desk on the ship.
What the savings actually look like
Check the current discount above. On a $3,000 cruise, even a few percent off saves you over $100. Most people put that toward the drink package or a balcony upgrade. The bigger the booking, the more you save.
Stacking gift cards with other discounts
A lot of cruisers take this a step further. Buy the gift cards here at a discount, then use a credit card that earns bonus points on gift card purchases. Cards like Chase Freedom or Citi Custom Cash sometimes run 5% categories that cover gift cards. Do both and the total savings add up fast.
Carnival's own promotions work on top of this too. Early Saver rates, free drink packages, reduced deposits. Those are pricing discounts. Gift cards apply at the payment step, so they stack.
Earning VIFP Club points
Carnival's VIFP Club loyalty program tracks your cruise history. Your VIFP status is based on days sailed, not how you pay. Booking with gift cards doesn't affect your loyalty status or perks in any way.
What happens if you cancel your cruise
If you cancel a cruise that was paid with gift cards, Carnival typically issues the refund back to the original gift cards or as a future cruise credit, depending on the cancellation terms. Check Carnival's cancellation policy on their website before booking.
Common questions
Can I use Carnival gift cards for onboard purchases? Yes. Go to Guest Services and they'll load the balance onto your Sail & Sign account. Works for dining, drinks, spa, casino, and excursions.
Do Carnival gift cards expire? No. No expiration, no fees.
Can I use more than one gift card on a booking? Yes. Carnival accepts up to 10 per reservation. You can cover the rest with a credit card.
Do these work on Princess or Holland America? No. Even though they're all under the same parent company, Carnival gift cards only work for Carnival Cruise Line.
Can I buy a Carnival cruise through Expedia with gift cards? No. Gift cards only work when booking directly through Carnival.
What denominations do you carry? $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000.
Where we get these cards
We buy Carnival gift cards in bulk from authorized distributors. Cruise lines like selling gift cards in advance since it locks in revenue early, so they offer volume discounts. We pass those savings on to you. Every card is verified before it hits your account, delivery is instant, and you're covered by our 100-day guarantee.
