The world of cruise loyalty is getting a jolt in the present day, as Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s largest line, has introduced an overhaul of its loyalty program. The rebranded program — dubbed Carnival Rewards — will take impact on June 1, 2026.
This isn’t only a new title. As an alternative, Carnival is totally rethinking its method to rewarding prospects, shiting nearer to an airline frequent flyer mannequin — full with redeemable factors together with common qualification necessities to earn (and retain) elite standing.
There’s quite a bit to this announcement, so this is what you must know.
Earn and redeem factors with Carnival Rewards
Below the road’s present loyalty program — Carnival VIFP Membership — there is a single metric for patrons. You earn 1 level for every evening you sail. The extra factors you earn, the upper standing you unlock.
Carnival Rewards will change that, as you will earn factors based mostly on how a lot you spend, with 3 factors for each greenback spent on eligible Carnival purchases. This consists of your cruise fare, onboard drinks, specialty eating, spa remedies and shore excursions.
You too can earn 1 level for each on line casino level remaining on the finish of your cruise — so frequent players will quickly be rewarded for his or her play.
Lastly, you will additionally earn Carnival Rewards factors for spending on the Carnival® World Mastercard®, issued by Barclays. This foreign money will substitute the FunPoints at present earned on the cardboard, and current cardmembers will see their present balances transitioned to the brand new program when it launches.
The knowledge for the Carnival Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
As soon as earned, you can redeem Carnival Rewards factors for nearly something associated to a Carnival cruise — whether or not it is reserving a crusing, reserving excursions or packages previous to embarkation, or overlaying onboard purchases. There’s additionally no minimal to redeem.
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Be aware that this program solely applies to Carnival itineraries, to not any of the opposite manufacturers underneath the Carnival umbrella.
Associated: 43 Carnival Cruise Line suggestions, methods and hacks to boost your trip at sea
Incomes stars for standing with Carnival Rewards
Whereas factors are not the metric to qualify for standing, Carnival continues to be rewarding its most loyal prospects within the new program. Nonetheless, in a significant shift for the business, qualification is not a lifetime prospect. As an alternative, you will earn Standing Qualifying Stars on the similar charge you earn factors: 3 stars for each greenback spent on eligible Carnival purchases and 1 star for each on line casino level left on the finish of your cruise. Carnival can be shifting to simply 4 tiers of standing (down from 5 within the VIFP program).
This is the way you qualify for every tier:
- Pink: Upon join
- Gold: 10,000 stars
- Platinum: 50,000 stars
- Diamond: 100,000 stars
You’ve gotten a two-year interval throughout which to earn sufficient stars to qualify. Then, when you hit an relevant standing, it is legitimate for the remainder of that interval plus the next two years.
This is how that breaks down with Carnival spending (excluding on line casino exercise):
- Gold: $3,333.33 over two years
- Platinum: $16,666,67 over two years
- Diamond: $33,333.33
As you’ll be able to see, incomes (or sustaining) standing within the new Carnival Rewards program requires plenty of spending, however fortunately, the road is providing present standing holders a transition interval.
Present VIFP standing holders
The standing you maintain within the VIFP Membership on Might 31, 2026 shall be your beginning stage in Carnival Rewards for 2 years — which means Gold members as of that date will maintain their Gold standing by way of at the very least Might 31, 2028 (and similar for Platinum members).
Nonetheless, Diamond VIFP cruisers will maintain that standing for six years, by way of Might 31, 2032. These people have already spent at the very least 200 nights on Carnival ships, so it is cheap to supply them an extended runway to regulate to the brand new program. However, these members might want to hit the two-year qualification requirement previous to the top of this six-year transition interval to maintain their advantages past that date.
Along with these main modifications in qualification, Carnival can be adjusting a number of the perks for Platinum and Diamond members.
As of June 1, 2026, the next advantages from the present VIFP program will not be obtainable:
- VIFP Membership occasion on 5+ day cruises (now two complimentary drinks)
- $5 price of complimentary arcade credit (company underneath 18 solely)
- Welcome deal with on 5+ day cruises (upon request)
- VIFP Membership emblem reward on each crusing
As well as, Diamond members will not earn the next one-time perks after qualification:
- One-time complimentary meal for 2 at a specialty eating restaurant of selection
- One-time free cabin improve, or third, fourth and fifth company sail free
- VIFP Membership baggage tag set
You possibly can view full particulars of the modifications to VIFP Membership standing on this web page.
Given all of those modifications, for those who’re closing in on the 200 nights required to earn Diamond standing, it could be a good suggestion to push for that threshold by Might 31, 2026, since you will lock in these perks for the primary six years of the brand new Carnival Rewards program.
Backside line
Carnival Cruise Line has introduced one of the vital overhauls to a cruise loyalty program in years. It’s transferring away from lifetime qualification and introducing a brand new foreign money that may be earned and redeemed for nearly any Carnival buy. This wildly totally different method is certain to generate plenty of buzz from present members as the road seems to be forward to thrilling developments within the years to come back.
