Where to Buy Carnival Cruise Line Gift Cards and Save Big

Planning a dream vacation often begins with a spark—perhaps a stunning photo of a turquoise Caribbean sea, a friend’s glowing review of a cruise, or even a spontaneous desire to escape the daily grind. For many, a Carnival Cruise Line vacation represents fun, relaxation, and adventure all rolled into one floating paradise. But what if you could make that dream even sweeter by saving money from the very beginning? Enter Carnival Cruise Line gift cards—a flexible, convenient, and often discounted way to fund your next cruise or gift one to a loved one.

Carnival Cruise Line gift cards aren’t just for birthdays or holidays; they’re a strategic tool for budget-conscious travelers. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser looking to lock in a lower fare or a gift-giver aiming to offer a meaningful, experience-based present, these gift cards open doors to incredible savings and unforgettable journeys. But with so many places to buy them—from official Carnival websites to third-party retailers—where should you go to get the best value, the most convenience, and the highest chances of scoring a discount? This guide dives deep into the top sources for purchasing Carnival Cruise Line gift cards, how to avoid scams, how to maximize savings, and insider tips to stretch every dollar.

Official Carnival Cruise Line Gift Card Sources

Buy Directly from the Carnival Website

The most reliable and secure place to purchase a Carnival Cruise Line gift card is directly through the official Carnival Cruise Line website. At carnival.com, you can buy digital or physical gift cards in denominations ranging from $25 to $1,000. The process is simple: select your amount, choose between email delivery (digital) or mailed delivery (physical), add a personalized message, and check out using a credit card or PayPal.

Visual guide about where to buy carnival cruise line gift cards

Image source: welcomepresents.com

Pros:

100% authentic and guaranteed to work on any Carnival cruise
No risk of fraud or scams
Instant delivery for digital cards (great for last-minute gifts)
Can be applied to any future cruise, onboard spending, or even shore excursions
No expiration date on gift cards (as of 2024 policy)

Cons:

No built-in discounts (cards are sold at face value)
Physical cards may take 7–10 business days to arrive

Pro Tip: Sign up for Carnival’s email newsletter. Occasionally, Carnival runs promotions where you can get a bonus gift card (e.g., “Spend $200, get a $25 bonus card”) or free expedited shipping on physical cards. These offers are rare but worth waiting for if you’re planning a large purchase.

Use Carnival’s Gift Card Portal for Bulk Purchases

For corporate gifts, group cruises, or wedding favors, Carnival offers a dedicated Gift Card Portal designed for bulk purchases. Businesses and event planners can buy 10 or more cards at once, customize messages, and even request special packaging. This portal is ideal for companies rewarding employees or families organizing a multi-generational cruise.

Example: A wedding couple purchases 20 $50 gift cards to give as guest favors. Each card can be used toward their cruise or future vacations, adding a personal and practical touch to their celebration.

To access the portal, visit carnival.com/gift-cards and click “Bulk Orders.” You’ll need to fill out a form with your contact and billing information. A Carnival representative will follow up within 24–48 hours.

Bonus: While bulk orders don’t come with automatic discounts, Carnival occasionally partners with corporate travel programs that offer rebates or loyalty points when purchasing gift cards through affiliated portals. Always ask about corporate perks if you’re buying for a business.

Third-Party Retailers That Sell Carnival Gift Cards (With Discounts!)

Major Retailers: Walmart, Target, and Costco

One of the best-kept secrets in cruise travel is that third-party retailers often sell Carnival Cruise Line gift cards at a discount. Major chains like Walmart, Target, and Costco frequently offer gift card promotions, especially around holidays like Christmas, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day. These retailers buy gift cards in bulk from Carnival and pass on savings to customers.

For example:

Walmart: In Q4 2023, Walmart ran a “Buy $100 in select gift cards, get $10 off” promotion. Carnival cards were included, allowing customers to buy a $100 Carnival card for just $90.
Target: Target’s Circle Rewards program occasionally offers “Spend $50 on gift cards, get 10% off.” Carnival cards qualify, making them a smart purchase for Target loyalists.
Costco: Costco sells Carnival gift cards in multi-packs (e.g., two $100 cards for $180), offering a 10% discount. These are often available during seasonal sales or as part of Costco’s “Gift Card Deals” events.

Insider Tip: Check weekly ads (online or in-store) and use apps like RetailMeNot or Honey to track when these promotions go live. Signing up for retailer newsletters can also give you early access to flash sales.

Online Marketplaces: Amazon and GiftCardGranny

For digital shoppers, Amazon is a top destination for Carnival gift cards. Amazon frequently offers discounts through its “Deals” section or via third-party sellers. As of 2024, Amazon lists Carnival gift cards at face value, but during major sales events like Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, you may find 10–15% off select cruise gift cards.

Example: During Prime Day 2023, Amazon offered a $100 Carnival gift card for $85—a 15% savings. These deals are time-limited, so set up deal alerts using tools like CamelCamelCamel or Slickdeals.

Another valuable resource is GiftCardGranny.com, a comparison site that aggregates discounted gift cards from various resellers. Here, you can often find Carnival cards at 5–20% off face value. The site shows the discount percentage, seller rating, and estimated delivery time.

How it works:

Search “Carnival Cruise Line” on GiftCardGranny
Sort by “Highest Discount”
Click through to a trusted reseller (e.g., CardCash, Raise, or PayPal Digital Gifts)
Purchase using PayPal, credit card, or gift card balance

Caution: Always verify the seller’s rating (aim for 4.5+ stars) and check return policies. While rare, some resellers may sell used or expired cards. GiftCardGranny vets sellers, but it’s still wise to read recent customer reviews.

Specialty Gift Card Sites: CardCash and Raise

Dedicated gift card resale platforms like CardCash.com and Raise.com specialize in buying unused gift cards from individuals and reselling them at a discount. These sites often have the deepest discounts on Carnival cards—sometimes up to 25% off.

For example, in early 2024, CardCash listed a $200 Carnival gift card for $150 (25% off). The card was delivered via email within 5 minutes and could be used immediately on carnival.com.

Why are these cards discounted? People sell gift cards for various reasons: unwanted gifts, financial need, or simply to convert credit into cash. Resellers buy them at 75–90% of face value and resell at 80–95%, pocketing the difference.

Best Practices:

Buy from sellers with 95%+ positive feedback
Use PayPal or credit card for added fraud protection
Check the card’s terms: Ensure it’s valid for online use and has no usage restrictions
Redeem immediately after purchase to avoid “stale” card issues

Pro Tip: Combine a discounted gift card with Carnival’s own promotions. For instance, if Carnival offers “$25 off $200 spend,” and you buy a $200 card for $160, your effective savings jump to 30%!

How to Maximize Savings on Carnival Gift Cards

Stack Discounts: Use Multiple Savings Methods

The real magic happens when you stack discounts—combining a discounted gift card with Carnival’s own promotions, credit card rewards, and travel loyalty programs. Here’s how:

Buy the card at a discount: Purchase a $200 Carnival gift card for $170 via Raise (15% off).
Wait for a Carnival promotion: Carnival runs “Bonus Bucks” events where you get $25 in onboard credit for every $200 spent. Apply your $200 gift card to a cruise booking during this promotion.
Use a rewards credit card: Pay for the gift card with a card that offers 2% cash back or travel points. You earn rewards on the $170 spent.
Earn loyalty points: If you’re a Carnival VIFP Club member, you earn points on the cruise booking, which can be redeemed for future discounts.

Total savings breakdown:

$30 saved on gift card (15% discount)
$25 in onboard credit from Carnival promotion
$3.40 cash back (2% on $170)
Points toward future cruise

That’s a total effective savings of 31.7% on your cruise spending!

Leverage Seasonal and Holiday Sales

Timing your purchase is crucial. Carnival gift cards are most discounted during:

Holiday seasons: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day
Back-to-school sales: Retailers like Walmart and Target run gift card promos in August
Travel industry events: Events like “National Cruise Vacation Week” (usually in September) may trigger retailer discounts
Retailer anniversaries: Target’s “Target Circle Week” or Costco’s “Member Appreciation Days”

Example: In November 2023, Costco offered a “Buy $150 in select gift cards, get $25 off.” Carnival cards were included. A $150 Carnival card cost just $125—a 16.7% discount.

To stay informed, follow travel deal blogs like The Points Guy, TravelZoo, or Scott’s Cheap Flights. They often highlight gift card deals in weekly newsletters.

Use Cashback and Rewards Apps

Maximize every dollar by using cashback apps when buying gift cards:

Rakuten: Offers up to 5% cash back at Walmart, Target, and Amazon when purchasing gift cards through their portal.
Ibotta: Occasionally has rebates on gift card purchases (e.g., “Get $2 back on any $50 gift card”).
Fetch Rewards: Scan your gift card receipt for bonus points redeemable for gift cards or cash.

Pro Tip: Link your credit card to multiple cashback platforms. For example, use Rakuten to buy the card, then upload the receipt to Ibotta. Stack the savings!

Where NOT to Buy Carnival Gift Cards (Avoiding Scams)

While the internet offers convenience, it also harbors scams. Avoid purchasing Carnival gift cards from:

Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: Sellers may offer “used” cards or fake PDFs. Always verify the card works before paying.
Unsecured websites: Sites without HTTPS, customer reviews, or clear return policies are red flags.
Email or text offers: “Get 50% off Carnival cards!” scams often lead to phishing sites.

Red flags to watch for:

Seller demands payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
No customer service contact information
Prices that seem too good to be true (e.g., $200 card for $50)
Requests for your Carnival account login details

Example: In 2022, the FTC reported a scam where fake Carnival gift cards were sold on Instagram. Victims paid via Venmo but received invalid codes. The scammers used stolen images of real cards.

Check Card Authenticity Before Purchase

Before buying any third-party gift card, verify:

The card is digital or physical (as described)
It’s valid for use on carnival.com (not just onboard)
It has no expiration date (Carnival cards never expire, but some resellers may sell older cards with unclear terms)
The seller provides a money-back guarantee if the card is invalid

After purchase, test the card immediately by logging into your Carnival account and applying it to a dummy booking. If it doesn’t work, contact the seller and Carnival’s customer service for a refund.

Creative Ways to Use Carnival Gift Cards (Beyond the Obvious)

As a Budgeting Tool for Future Cruises

Carnival gift cards are a powerful vacation savings tool. Instead of waiting until booking, buy discounted cards over time and store them in a digital wallet (like PayPal or Apple Wallet). This “pay as you save” approach locks in savings and avoids last-minute price spikes.

Example: A family plans a 2025 cruise. They buy one $100 discounted gift card per month (avg. $85 each). After 12 months, they’ve spent $1,020 and have $1,200 in Carnival spending power—effectively saving $180.

As Wedding, Baby Shower, or Retirement Gifts

Experience-based gifts are increasingly popular. A Carnival gift card is a thoughtful, flexible present that allows the recipient to choose their own adventure. Add a custom note: “For your next escape—sun, sea, and relaxation included!”

Creative ideas:

Pair the card with a travel journal or cruise planning book
Create a “Cruise Countdown” calendar with the card as the centerpiece
Use it as part of a “bucket list” gift basket

For Onboard Spending and Shore Excursions

Even if you book your cruise with cash, a gift card can cover onboard expenses like:

Dining at specialty restaurants (e.g., Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi)
Spa treatments and fitness classes
Alcoholic drinks and soda packages
Shore excursions booked through Carnival

Using a discounted gift card for these extras means you’re effectively getting onboard perks at a lower cost—like a “buy one, get one free” deal on luxury experiences.

Data Table: Best Places to Buy Carnival Gift Cards (2024)

Retailer	Discount Range	Delivery Time	Best For	Trust Level
Carnival.com (Official)	0% (face value)	Instant (digital), 7–10 days (physical)	Guaranteed authenticity, bulk orders	★★★★★
Costco	10–15%	3–5 days (shipping)	Multi-packs, family gifts	★★★★★
Target	5–10% (with Circle rewards)	Instant (digital), 5–7 days (physical)	Frequent shoppers, holiday gifts	★★★★☆
Walmart	5–10% (seasonal promos)	Instant (digital), 3–7 days (physical)	Last-minute gifts, bulk purchases	★★★★☆
GiftCardGranny	5–20%	Instant (email)	Deep discounts, digital cards	★★★★☆
CardCash/Raise	10–25%	Instant (email)	Maximum savings, tech-savvy buyers	★★★☆☆

Note: Trust levels are based on customer reviews, fraud rates, and return policies as of 2024.

Final Thoughts: Smart Shopping for Smarter Cruising

Buying a Carnival Cruise Line gift card isn’t just about convenience—it’s a strategic move to save money, plan ahead, and give the gift of adventure. By shopping smart, you can stretch your vacation budget by 10%, 20%, or even more. The key is to combine trusted sources with timing, stacking, and vigilance.

Start by exploring official sources for guaranteed safety, then expand to third-party retailers during holiday sales. Use cashback apps and loyalty programs to amplify your savings. And never underestimate the power of a well-timed purchase—those Black Friday deals on gift cards could be the difference between a standard balcony room and a suite with a view.

Whether you’re gifting a cruise to a loved one or funding your own escape, a Carnival gift card is more than plastic or pixels. It’s a ticket to freedom, fun, and unforgettable memories. So go ahead—buy that card, lock in those savings, and set sail toward your next great adventure. With the right strategy, your dream cruise might be closer (and cheaper) than you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Carnival Cruise Line gift cards online?

You can purchase Carnival Cruise Line gift cards directly from the official Carnival website or through trusted third-party retailers like Amazon, GiftCards.com, and PayPal Digital Gifts. Buying online ensures instant delivery via email and often includes exclusive digital discounts.

Are Carnival Cruise Line gift cards sold at physical stores?

Yes, Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are available at select retail locations, including Walmart, Target, and grocery stores with gift card kiosks. Check the retailer’s website or call ahead to confirm availability at your local store.

Can I save money when buying Carnival Cruise Line gift cards?

Absolutely! Look for promotions on the Carnival website, third-party gift card platforms, or retail partners during holidays or special events. Some credit card rewards programs also offer bonus points or cash back on gift card purchases.

Do Carnival Cruise Line gift cards ever go on sale?

Yes, Carnival occasionally offers discounts or bonus cards (e.g., “Buy $100, get $10 free”) during seasonal sales or partner promotions. Signing up for Carnival’s email newsletter is a great way to stay updated on these deals.

Is it safe to buy Carnival Cruise Line gift cards from third-party sellers?

Purchase only from reputable third-party sites like Raise, CardCash, or Amazon to avoid scams. Always verify the seller’s ratings, reviews, and refund policies before buying to ensure legitimacy.

Can I use Carnival Cruise Line gift cards for onboard purchases?

Yes, Carnival gift cards can be used toward cruise fares, onboard expenses (dining, spa, excursions), and even drink packages. Just present the card at onboard guest services or apply it during online check-in.

Key Takeaways

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