Step into the dazzling world of Carnival Cruise Line’s casinos, where the excitement of spinning reels and shuffling cards is matched only by the thrill of unlocking exclusive rewards. The Carnival Players Club isn’t just a casino loyalty program—it’s your golden ticket to comped drinks, VIP perks, and unforgettable experiences at sea. Whether you’re an avid gambler or a casual player, our guide will show you how to make the most of every hand, spin, and bet on your next Carnival cruise! Be sure to check out our full guide on winning free cruise trips by gambling on all the popular ships!
What Is the Carnival Players Club?
The Carnival Players Club is Carnival Cruise Line’s casino rewards program, designed to reward guests for their gaming activity onboard. Unlike many land-based casino programs, Carnival’s is seamlessly integrated across its entire fleet. That means every time you play in a Carnival casino, you’re earning points and perks that travel with you from ship to ship.
Enrollment is automatic and free for all guests 18 and older. If you’ve ever played in a Carnival casino and used your Sail & Sign card, congratulations—you’re already a member! Your Sail & Sign card acts as your Players Club membership card. Each time you insert it into a slot machine or present it at a table game, you’re earning points and building your profile. Even though you’ll get a new Sail & Sign card on each cruise, your Player ID stays the same, so your status and benefits follow you wherever you sail.
How to Earn Players Club Points
The heart of the Carnival Players Club is its points system. Earning points is straightforward, but understanding how it works can help you maximize your rewards.
Slot Machines:
You’ll earn one point for every $2 you play on slots. This is an improvement from the previous $2.50 requirement, making it easier and faster to rack up points.
Table Games:
Points at table games are based on the type of game, your average bet, and how long you play. Casino supervisors use tracking technology to monitor your play and assign points accordingly. The more you bet and the longer you play, the more points you’ll earn.
Comps and Credits:
For every 1,000 points you earn, you’ll receive about $10 in complimentary credits. These can be used for onboard experiences like specialty dining, drinks, or spa treatments. If you earn 10,000 points on a cruise, that’s $100 in comps—enough for a fancy dinner or a shopping spree.
Carnival Players Club Perks
The Players Club is packed with benefits designed to make your cruise even more enjoyable. Here’s what you can look forward to as you play:
Drinks On Us
One of the most popular perks is the “Drinks On Us” program. Earn 2,000 points during your cruise (or the equivalent at table games), and you’ll receive unlimited complimentary drinks while you’re playing in the casino. This includes cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, and more. Carnival claims you’ll earn this perk twice as fast as on any other cruise line.
Keep in mind that due to state laws, alcoholic drinks can’t be served until the ship is in international waters when departing from Texas or New York. But once you’re at sea, your glass will never be empty while you play.
Comped Experiences
The comps don’t stop at drinks. Active Players Club members can also receive:
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Free spa treatments
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Logo merchandise and collectibles
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Wine service at dinner
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Steakhouse dinners
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Beverage packages
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Photo gallery credits
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Specialty restaurant experiences
Casino hosts are authorized to grant comps based on your projected play, so if you’re on track to earn a lot of points, you may receive perks early in your cruise. On longer sailings, you might even find welcome treats or cookies delivered to your stateroom.
Special Cruise Offers and Tiers
The Players Club features several exclusive cruise offers, each with its own set of perks:
Premier Cruises & Premier My Way
Premier Cruises are special events for top players, featuring welcome and goodbye gifts, priority boarding, and exclusive casino promotions. With the new Premier My Way option, you can now book Premier benefits on any sailing, not just designated group cruises. This means less crowding and more flexibility.
Ultra Cruises
Ultra Cruises are limited to about 400 guests, creating a more intimate and exclusive atmosphere. Benefits include:
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High-end prize drawings (think iPhones, MacBooks, TVs)
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Complimentary gifts in your cabin
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Invitations to private cocktail parties
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Drinks On Us for you and a companion
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Personalized door plaques
Elite Cruises
Elite Cruises are the most exclusive, with only 200 guests invited. Perks include:
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Complimentary parking or airport transfers
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Platinum VIFP status for the cruise
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In-cabin delivery of your favorite drinks
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Drinks On Us everywhere on the ship
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Free shore excursions
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Dedicated Elite host services
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Complimentary room service and WiFi
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Priority embarkation and debarkation
Tournament Invitations and Special Events
The Carnival Players Club isn’t just about earning points—it’s also your ticket to some of the most exciting casino tournaments at sea.
Million Dollar Slot Tournaments
Twice a year, Carnival hosts massive slot tournaments with a $500,000 grand prize. These events attract thousands of players and offer prizes to the top 100 finishers. Even if you don’t hit the jackpot, the energy and excitement are worth the price of admission.
Blackjack and Table Game Tournaments
Regular blackjack tournaments feature prize pools up to $50,000. Special tournament cruises offer even more action, with daily competitions and elimination rounds. Entry fees cover all your tournament play, and all prize money comes from entry and re-buy fees.
Seasonal Promotions
From Super Bowl parties to shipwide promotions like Hot Seat and Fireball, there’s always something happening in the casino. Premier guests often get double prize money in these events, adding even more value to their status.
Maximizing Your Players Club Experience
To get the most out of the Carnival Players Club, a little strategy goes a long way.
Plan Your Play
If you’re aiming for Drinks On Us, remember you’ll need to cycle $4,000 through slot machines to hit 2,000 points. Spread your play out over the cruise and take breaks to enjoy other activities.
Table game players should check with supervisors to ensure their play is being tracked accurately. Don’t be shy about asking your casino host for comps or checking your point balance.
Leverage Comps
Use your comp credits for experiences you’d pay for anyway, like specialty dining or spa treatments. If you’re close to a reward threshold, consider playing a bit more to unlock the next perk.
Take Advantage of New Premier Options
With Premier My Way, you can choose the cruise and dates that work best for you, avoiding crowded casinos and maximizing your enjoyment.
How the Players Club Works with VIFP Club
The Carnival Players Club is separate from the VIFP Club, Carnival’s loyalty program based on cruise frequency. However, you can stack the benefits from both programs for an even more rewarding experience.
While VIFP status is earned by sailing often, Players Club perks are based on your casino play. This means even first-time cruisers can enjoy VIP treatment if they play enough in the casino, while frequent cruisers can combine their perks for the ultimate Carnival experience.
Recent Changes and What’s Ahead
Carnival is always tweaking the Players Club to keep things fresh. Recent updates include:
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Lower point requirements for earning rewards
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More flexible Premier cruise options
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Enhanced tournament offerings
Some traditional perks, like the $25 FunPlay credit for Diamond and Platinum VIFP guests, have been phased out, but new benefits and faster point earning rates help balance things out.
With the continued success of the Million Dollar Slot Tournaments and the expansion of Premier My Way, expect the Players Club to keep evolving to meet the needs of today’s cruisers.
Why the Carnival Players Club Is a Must for Casino Fans
The Carnival Players Club is more than just a casino rewards program—it’s your all-access pass to a world of perks, comps, and exclusive experiences at sea. Every spin, hand, and bet brings you closer to free drinks, luxury dining, VIP events, and even free cruises.
What sets the Players Club apart is how easy it is to join, how quickly you can earn rewards, and the sheer variety of benefits available. Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming for Elite status, there’s something for everyone.
So next time you set sail with Carnival, don’t just walk past the casino—step inside, insert your Sail & Sign card, and start playing your way to an unforgettable cruise adventure. The rewards are waiting, and your next big win could be just a spin away.
