Carnival's VIFP Club rewards the line's most loyal cruisers with perks like priority boarding, free drinks, members-only rates, and access to exclusive events.
Although the benefits aren't as lucrative as other lines, Carnival continues to maintain a strong fan base. The perks are a nice way to boost the fun aboard Carnival's fleet that can't be replicated elsewhere!
Curious as to what being a "Very Important Fun Person" gets you? We're here to break down the benefits of each VIFP tier, the perks you can expect, and how to make the most of your Carnival cruise loyalty level.
Editor's note: Information was accurate as of June 2025. However, Carnival has plans to update its loyalty program. We will continue to monitor for news and update this guide as new details are released. Modifications are expected to go into effect in 2026.
What are the Carnival VIFP levels?
Carnival's loyalty program has five tiers.
- Blue (your very first Carnival cruise)
- Red (your second cruise to 24 points)
- Gold (25 to 74 points)
- Platinum (75 to 199 points)
- Diamond (200 or more points)
Carnival automatically signs up passengers for the VIFP Club when they book a cruise. Everyone starts at the Blue tier, and this is where you will remain until after you've completed your first Carnival cruise, whether it's 3 nights or 7 nights.
Even though you don't have to enroll yourself, signing up for an account on Carnival's website is advisable because you can access the line's full array of planning and booking tools. Once booked, having an account also makes 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.
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 who have earned 200 points. This is a pretty low threshold considering that some lines, such as Royal Caribbean, demand 700 points to reach their top tier.
How do you earn VIFP points?
Earning points within Carnival's guest recognition program is easy. Everyone earns one point per night spent aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship. There are no ways to earn double points, such as sailing solo or in a suite.
So, regardless of whether you sail in a windowless inside cabin or a spacious Ocean Suite for a 7-night cruise, you'll earn the same 7 points. This is because the number of points is based on cruise nights, not cabin type or fare paid.
That said, Carnival's terms and conditions let guests take advantage of the next loyalty tier on the sailing on which they receive it. This means, for example, you don't have to have 25 points credited to your account before embarkation day to enjoy Gold benefits.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line cabin guide: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suites
What are the benefits of Carnival's loyalty levels?
The perks for first-time cruisers are almost non-existent. The entry-level Blue tier only gives you access to members-only offers and emails.
The Red tier isn't much better. There aren't really any perks that you will want to write home about at this level. In fact, the only additional benefit you'll get in addition to the members-only offers and emails is a complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water — this will save you around $4.75!
The Gold tier has a few more onboard benefits, such as a complimentary drink on sailings that are five nights or more and a Gold VIFP pin on every sailing. To claim your complimentary drink, just order any beverage at a bar or restaurant. Your very first drink on the cruise is free, though you must pay the mandatory service charge.
Once you reach the Platinum tier, you're treated like a real VIP
Many of Carnival's VIFP Platinum benefits are akin to those 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 specialty restaurants.
Other benefits include:
- Members-only offers
- Member e-newsletter
- Complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water
- Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day
- VIFP Party on 5+ day sailings with complimentary beverages
- Complimentary beverage redeemable at any venue, regardless of cruise length (automatically applies to the first drink transaction)
- Welcome treat on 5+ day cruises (must call room service to schedule delivery on nights one or two)
- Unique, collective VIFP pin and logo gift on every sailing (redeemable at the Photo Gallery no later than two days before the end of the cruise)
- Priority spa reservations
- Priority ship-to-shore tender boarding
- $5 worth of arcade credits (guests under 18 only)
- Priority Guest Services assistance by phone
- Priority line at the Guest Services desk onboard
- Priority disembaraktion
- Priority reservations at the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants
- Complimentary Wash & Fold laundry service (2 bags on 3-6 day cruises, 3 bags on 7-13 day cruises, and 5 bags on 14+ day cruises)
To reach the Platinum tier, you need to have 75 VIFP Club points. You can earn this by sailing on 11 weeklong cruises or 19 4-night getaways.
Carnival Diamond benefits
The highest level of Carnival's VIFP Club is Diamond. To reach this tier, you must have 200 points, which equates to 29 7-night Carnival cruises.
Compared to other lines, Carnival's Diamond tier has fewer worthwhile perks. For instance, when you reach Pinnacle Club within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, you receive a complimentary cruise.
Still, to reward its most loyal fans, Carnival does offer a few exclusive benefits at the Diamond level:
- Guaranteed Main Dining time preference – early or late (dinner only)
- Unlimited complimentary Wash & Fold laundry service
- Special event invitation from the Captain on each sailing
- One-time free cabin upgrade OR third, fourth, and fifth guests sail free
- One-time complimentary meal for two at your specialty restaurant of choice
- VIFP Club luggage tag set
- Dedicated toll-free number for sales and service
Perks cannot be shared
According to Carnival's VIFP terms and conditions, "Benefits are meant to recognize individual members and are therefore not transferable to travel companions." This means that you can't share your perks with spouses or children, even if they're staying in the same cabin.
That said, certain events allow higher-tiered loyalty members to bring a guide. Otherwise, Otherwise, invitations are exclusive and cannot be transferred or shared. Some perks, such as those including alcohol and arcade credits, are age-restricted, too.
Finally, Carnival doesn't status match
Carnival's VIFP benefits don't extend to other cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation umbrella, including Princess, Holland America Line, or P&O.
Guests sailing with other cruise lines will accrue points for the loyalty programs of those respective lines and not under the VIFP program.
Carnival has no plans to create a status-matching program for its brands, either.
Read more: Will Carnival ever offer a loyalty match between its cruise lines? Here’s what they just said
Useful tips for planning a Carnival cruise:
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
