Carnival Cruise Line just unveiled plans for a complete overhaul of its loyalty program, which will include new features, expanded ways to earn status, and updated reward categories.
In a major announcement shared by Carnival Cruise Line on June 18, 2025, the company revealed plans to retire its longtime Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club and introduce a new loyalty program called Carnival Rewards. The new program will include a revamped points-based loyalty system set to debut on June 1, 2026.
The new program introduces several major changes, including a dual-earning structure and new status tiers that go beyond simply counting cruise nights.
Guests will now earn two different types of value with the program. First, Carnival Rewards points can be redeemed for a wide range of purchases with the cruise line. Second, the program includes status qualifying stars, which determine a guest’s loyalty tier. Both of these components will be earned through cruise fare and onboard purchases.
This announcement marks a significant shift from the current VIFP loyalty model used by Carnival Cruise Line. In fact, the cruise line states the program structure is an industry first, displaying the cruise line’s commitment to creating a "more meaningful recognition" to valued guests for Carnival Cruise Line.
According to a press release, the company states, “Carnival Rewards is introducing a dual-earning structure where guests accumulate both Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed on Carnival purchases and status qualifying stars that will determine a guest’s tier status.”
Ultimately, the Carnival Rewards program is designed to give guests “more control over their rewards and status” instead of focusing only on number of cruise nights sailed.
The cruise line emphasized, “Instead of focusing solely on the number of nights guests sail, which is the model Carnival currently follows under its VIFP program, Carnival Rewards will offer more opportunities to earn rewards and achieve higher status levels based on spend, including cruise fare and onboard activities.”
Carnival also announced that spending on the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, which is the cruise line’s co-branded credit card with Barclays, will contribute to earning both points and stars.
This change positions Carnival Cruise Line with a cruise industry first: allowing guests to build loyalty status even when they’re not sailing. “The new program will be closely tied to everyday spending on the co-branded credit card with Barclays… giving cardmembers the opportunity to earn points and status even faster,” the press release stated. More details about credit card spending will be released at a later date.
Carnival President Christine Duffy emphasized that the overhaul comes in response to challenges with the existing VIFP model. IN particular, there are too many top-tier status members. She stated, “Our current VIFP program has served us well for many years and while we’ve enjoyed truly extraordinary growth in our loyal customer base, it has become challenging to deliver the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve.”
Duffy added, “By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them.”
“This transition honors our past while building a future where loyalty is recognized through both cruising frequency and overall engagement with the Carnival experience, bringing Carnival Rewards into the top tier of travel loyalty programs that provide our guests with ways to earn status and points through their everyday spending on the Carnival Rewards Mastercard,” concluded Duffy.
What perks are included in Carnival Rewards?
Under the new program, points can be redeemed for nearly any Carnival product or service, including spa services, specialty dining, shore excursions, and even future cruises. As stated in the release, “Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers.”
In addition, stars are used to unlock tier levels, including Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Notably, Carnival Cruise Line clarifies that status is earned over a two-year period and retained for the following two years. This structure is similar to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which reset each year and allow status benefits to be retained for the following year.
This loyalty structure is a huge deviation from the current cruise industry. Most cruise lines follow a lifetime status model that allows guests to earn and keep their status and associated perks.
In the announcement, Carnival Cruise Line clarifies that existing VIFP status will carry over into the new system, giving all members time to adjust. “As part of the transition to Carnival Rewards’ launch… members’ existing status will carry over and serve as a new entry point into the program," states the cruise line.
Current Diamond members will enjoy an extended six-year status window, through May 31, 2032. This “ensures that all current loyalty status is honored while giving members time to familiarize themselves with the enhanced rewards.”
A new website has been created for Carnival Rewards.
Carnival has launched a dedicated website, CarnivalRewards.com, to explain the upcoming program and help guests prepare. The site offers an overview of how the Carnival Rewards points and stars will work. In addition, cruisers can see descriptions of what each new loyalty tier will include, options for point redemption, and a detailed timeline of the transition.
Carnival says the website will be updated regularly and that current Carnival loyalty members will receive emails throughout the transition process with the latest updates about the program. There will also be “tools to track status, point balances and tips to maximize rewards under the new system.”
New Carnival Rewards tiers unveiled.
Carnival’s new loyalty program introduces a four-tier structure, including Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Currently, the VIFP program has five different tiers where cruisers earn 1 point per night of their cruise.
Under the new loyalty program, each tier offers increasing benefits based on how much you spend, using a system of “stars” to track loyalty status. Unlike the previous VIFP model, this new approach rewards both cruise and onboard spending, as well as purchases made through the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.
At the Red level, guests receive basic recognition and access to members-only promotions with a free 1.5L bottle of water. Gold status at 10,000 stars adds exclusive offers, such as an included beverage onboard.
Once cruisers reach Platinum status with 50,000 stars, they’ll unlock more premium benefits. These include priority boarding and reservations, two free drinks at VIFP parties on cruises five nights or longer, a welcome treat upon request, and one complimentary drink at select onboard venues.
Top-tier Diamond status, earned at 100,000 stars, builds on all previous perks and adds a few elite-level benefits: guaranteed main dining time preference, unlimited complimentary laundry service, and invitations to exclusive events hosted by the Captain.
However, there are a few well-known perks from the old VIFP program that are being phased out. These include the one-time cabin upgrade, free specialty dining for two, and the occasional free 3rd and 4th guest in a stateroom. Additionally, Gold loyalty members will no longer receive a pin.
Carnival cruisers are not happy about the loyalty changes.
Unfortunately, many of Carnival’s loyal cruisers are not happy about the recent changes. On a Reddit thread posted to r/Cruise, one commenter said, “Carnival always had the weakest loyalty program. Now they make it worse, in my opinion.”
Another cruiser responded and asked if the changes were a joke, while one commenter replied, “10,000 points for gold [status] to get 1.5 liter water and 1 free drink? And status is only good for two years? Did I read that right?”
In particular, many cruisers criticized Carnival Cruise Line for shifting away from lifetime status to a yearly-based loyalty model. “Am I reading that right? They’re changing the loyalty program from lifetime to status for the next 2 years?” commented one cruiser.
One person replied, “And the benefits are… incredibly meager. Pretty much just priority line standing options. Imagine dumping over $33,000 to have priority boarding… and it vanishes after two years. Like, who even cares about any of this?”
“This is the worst loyalty program redesign I’ve ever seen in my life. Expiring cruise loyalty rewards is the dumbest [thing] ever. Will not sail again if this is implemented,” replied one cruiser.
Many of Carnival’s top-tier cruisers are expressing frustration over the upcoming overhaul, arguing that the new Carnival Rewards program doesn’t seem to genuinely reward long-term loyalty.
In another Reddit thread, one cruiser shared, “So I have been platinum for years, and stay loyal to Carnival solely because of that status. Apparently loyalty means nothing, and now I can choose other cruise lines without a second thought.”
One commenter expressed, “This just means I won’t default t Carnival when I book. I am still working, so we only cruise every other year, but I am Platinum because we have cruised with Carnival for over 20 years. I think someone else said it, it’s no longer a loyalty program, so why would I now have loyalty to the brand?”
"So basically they kept the same benefits while making it spend-based and you have to keep qualifying like airline/hotel status rather than keeping status for life. Doesn't look good to me!" stated one person.
Another commented, "Wow. They went from bad to [worse]. And also basically no incentive to be loyal to them if you won't cruise enough in 2 years to earn a decent status."
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
