Carnival Cruise Line will introduce a new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, for which guests compile points based on what they spend on the cruise fare and onboard the ship. The launch date is June 1, 2026.
The current program, Very Important Fun Person (VIFP), compiles points based solely on the number of nights that Carnival customers sail. Carnival president Christine Duffy said it was time for a loyalty overhaul.
In a message to customers, Duffy said that from 2021 to 2024, the number of Platinum and Diamond guests doubled and tripled, respectively. She also said the average cruise on an Excel-class ship has 1,200 guests who are Platinum or Diamond status, "making it nearly impossible to provide meaningful priority benefits."
"When so many guests have elite status, it is much more difficult to make everyone feel special," Duffy said. "These realities will only continue to erode the recognition and rewards of the current VIFP Club program, and we feel that change is necessary in order to better recognize our guests."
Carnival said it wanted to wait almost a full year before implementing Carnival Rewards to "provide guests plenty of time to learn about the changes."
Earning stars for status
In the new program, guests will accumulate Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed on Carnival purchases. Guests earn status-qualifying stars that will determine tier status. The status tiers will be the same -- Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond -- but how guests will earn status will be different.
Gold status is 10,000 stars, Platinum is 50,000 and Diamond is 100,000. Guests receive three stars for every $1 spent on Carnival purchases. Guests earn stars when they buy the cruise, shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, onboard merchandise and when they gamble in the casino. Purchases on the Carnival Rewards credit card will enable guests to reach status quicker.
A guest's status on June 1, 2026, will be based on status as of May 31, 2026 (for sailings that have returned as of that date). Existing status will be honored for a two-year period (except for Diamond-level guests), unless subsequent activity qualifies the guest for a higher status level. Diamond-level guests will retain their Diamond status for a 6-year period ending May 31, 2032.
As long as there is activity within a three-year period, points will not expire.
Status will be earned over a two-year period and retained for the following two years.
No matter a guest's status, Carnival said it will "incorporate ways to recognize their achievement of various milestones, including the number of cruise days sailed."
Guests will continue earning VIFP status as usual until the new program launches. Upon launch of Carnival Rewards, current cardmembers will have the balance of their Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points.
Customers can learn more at CarnivalRewards.com.