If you're looking to make the most out of your cruise vacations, it pays to be loyal to a single line. Over time, you will unlock some benefits meant to make your vacation more convenient and possibly save you some money!
While each cruise line has their own loyalty program that they are all built differently. On Royal Caribbean, for instance, you are able to earn two points per night of the cruise if you're sailing in a suite. No matter what cabin you book onboard any of Carnival Cruise Line's ships, you will only receive one point per night.
Even though it might take a little bit longer to accumulate points, the highest tier of Carnival's VIFP Club, or Very Important Fun Person Club, only requires 200 points. In comparison, to become a Pinnacle member in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, you have to have a whopping 700 points.
As you earn more points, you'll ascend up the ranks of various programs. The higher the level you reach, the more perks to which you'll be entitled. You can expect things like discounts, thank-you gifts, complimentary laundry, and invitations to exclusive onboard parties.
While Carnival's loyalty program does not include as many jaw-dropping incentives as others (i.e., complimentary drinks and/or appreciation cruises), it does benefit the most loyal cruisers with perks that are similar to those booked in suites on cruise lines like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Plus, it's pretty easy to ascend the ranks.
Carnival Cruise Line VIFP tiers
There are five different levels within the VIFP Club. The entry-level tier is Blue, and this is where you'll remain until after you've completed your first Carnival cruise, whether it's 3-nights or 7-nights. Following the Blue level is Red, which is where you'll remain until you accrue 24 points. Gold Members have between 25 and 74 points, while Platinum Members have between 75 and 199.
The highest level, Diamond, is reserved for those loyal to Carnival who have earned 200 points. This is a pretty low threshold considering that some lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, require 700 points for their highest tier.
Carnival Cruise Line VIFP perks
Before you even step foot on a Carnival ship, you are able to become a Blue VIFP member. While you shouldn't expect any onboard benefits, this entry-level tier will give you access to members-only offers and emails. Once you have completed your first Carnival sailing, you will become a Red VIFP member.
There aren't really any perks that you will want to write home about at this level. In fact, the only additional benefit that you'll get in addition to the members-only offers and emails is a complimentary 1-liter bottle of water.
Once you have earned 25 points, you'll ascend into the Gold tier, which gives you a few more onboard benefits, such as a complimentary drink on sailings that are five nights or more and Gold VIFP pin on every sailing. Note that for the free drink, it can only be redeemed on the last night of the sailing after 5:00pm, meaning that you can't head straight to the bar on embarkation day for a complimentary beverage.
When you achieve Platinum status, you'll realize that many perks are akin to those that you might receive as a suite guest, such as priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day, as well as priority reservations in the main dining room and one specialty restaurant.
With this tier, you do lose the complimentary drink and Gold VIFP pin. In place, you are able to get a free beverage during SeaDay Brunch. If you're on a ship without brunch, it can be redeemed during breakfast or lunch in the Main Dining Room. Other benefits include:
- All Blue, Red and Gold perks
- Exclusive party on sailings of five nights or more (including free drinks and appetizers)
- Chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to cabin (sailings of five nights or longer)
- Collectible pin on each sailing, noting the ship and year
- Priority spa reservations
- Priority ship-to-shore tendering
- BOGO casino tournament entry (blackjack and slots only)
- $25 in casino FunPlay money
- $5 complimentary arcade credit (children 17 and younger only)
- Carnival logo gift
- Priority guest services assistance (by phone and in person)
- Priority disembarkation
- Complimentary limited laundry services (amount varies by cruise length)
Carnival's highest tier, Diamond, is achievable after 200 nights. To put this into perspective, after 29 week-long cruises, you will have maxed out Carnival's reward program. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer free cruises and even unlimited wi-fi for their most loyal cruisers. With Carnival, however, you don't get as many lucrative perks. Regardless, the benefits that Diamond members do have make their cruising experience a little more special:
- All Blue, Red, Gold and Platinum perks
- Guaranteed seating times in main dining room
- Priority reservations in all specialty restaurants
- Unlimited complimentary laundry services
- Special event invitation from captain on each voyage
- One-time free cabin upgrade or third and fourth passengers sail free
- Donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital on your behalf (once per year)
- One-time alternative dining for two
- VIFP luggage tag set (awarded once when you reach Diamond level)
- Dedicated toll-free number for sales and service
Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll in VIFP?
Carnival Cruise Line automatically enrolls passengers in its loyalty program when they book a cruise, but it is advised for all travelers to create onboard accounts on the line's website.
Signing up for a Carnival website account allows you to access the line's full array of planning and booking tools. Once you're booked, having an account will also make embarkation day easier by allowing you to fill out all necessary forms, set up an onboard charge account, enter your passport info, and print your boarding documents and luggage tags before arriving at the port.
If you join prior to booking your first cruise, you can start enjoying VIFP booking discounts right away.
When does my loyalty status take effect?
Points earned during a sailing are added to VIFP accounts within 14 days of the conclusion of the voyage. Therefore, if a particular cruise will bump you to the next tier, you generally won't receive the perks associated with that tier until the next sailing on which you embark.
However, Carnival's terms and conditions state the line, at its discretion, might choose to honor the bump during the sailing on which you receive it. It doesn't hurt to ask at the guest services desk if you have questions.
I'm cruising with friends/my spouse, and we're at different loyalty tiers. Can perks be shared?
No. According to Carnival's VIFP terms and conditions, "Benefits are meant to recognize individual members and are therefore not transferable to travel companions." However, some special events will clearly state that attendees can bring a guest. Otherwise, invitations are exclusive and cannot be transferred or shared. Some perks, such as those including alcohol and arcade credits, are age restricted.
If I have status and I'm cruising with my child(ren), will my status carry over?
No. Each person must earn his or her own VIFP status through the accumulation of points awarded after completing qualifying sailings.
Will other Carnival Corporation cruise lines honor my VIFP status if I sail with them?
No. Carnival VIFP benefits will not be extended to passengers sailing with other lines in the Carnival Corporation portfolio. Sailing with those lines will allow passengers to accrue points under the loyalty programs of those respective lines and not under the VIFP program.
Note that all information contained in this article is updated as of September 2022. Per Carnival's webpage, "Carnival Cruise Line® reserves the right to change terms/benefits [of the VIFP Program] at any time."
Have more questions? Get the answers on Carnival's VIFP page, VIFP FAQ page and terms and conditions page. If you're not yet a VIFP member, here's where you can sign up.
Ashley Kosciolek
Ashley boarded her first cruise more than a decade ago and never looked back. Since then, she has written thousands of expert cruise tip features; ship, port and shore excursion reviews; and industry news articles. Her work has appeared on Cruise Critic, USA Today, the Associated Press, NBC News, the Miami Herald and Huffington Post.
