Carnival Cruise Line pronounces new loyalty program, set to launch in June 2026
The world of cruise loyalty is getting a jolt right now, 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 a substitute, Carnival is totally rethinking its strategy 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 lots to this announcement, so this is what you must know.
Earn and redeem factors with Carnival Rewards
Underneath the road’s present loyalty program — Carnival VIFP Membership — there is a single metric for purchasers. 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 may earn factors primarily based on how a lot you spend, with 3 factors for each greenback spent on eligible Carnival purchases. This contains your cruise fare, onboard drinks, specialty eating, spa remedies and shore excursions.
You can even earn 1 level for each on line casino level remaining on the finish of your cruise — so frequent avid gamers will quickly be rewarded for his or her play.
Lastly, you may additionally earn Carnival Rewards factors for spending on the Carnival® World Mastercard®, issued by Barclays. This forex will exchange the FunPoints at present earned on the cardboard, and present 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.
As soon as earned, you can redeem Carnival Rewards factors for just about something associated to a Carnival cruise — whether or not it is reserving a crusing, reserving excursions or packages previous to embarkation, or masking 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 beneath the Carnival umbrella.
Associated: 43 Carnival Cruise Line suggestions, methods and hacks to reinforce 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. Nevertheless, in a significant shift for the trade, qualification is not a lifetime prospect. As a substitute, you may 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:
- Crimson: Upon enroll
- Gold: 10,000 stars
- Platinum: 50,000 stars
- Diamond: 100,000 stars
You could have 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 may see, incomes (or sustaining) standing within the new Carnival Rewards program requires a variety 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 Could 31, 2026 will probably be your beginning stage in Carnival Rewards for 2 years — that means Gold members as of that date will hold their Gold standing by way of at the least Could 31, 2028 (and similar for Platinum members).
Nevertheless, Diamond VIFP cruisers will hold that standing for six years, by way of Could 31, 2032. These people have already spent at the least 200 nights on Carnival ships, so it is affordable to supply them an extended runway to regulate to the brand new program. Nonetheless, these members might want to hit the two-year qualification requirement previous to the tip 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 out there:
- VIFP Membership occasion on 5+ day cruises (now two complimentary drinks)
- $5 price of complimentary arcade credit (visitors beneath 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 visitors sail free
- VIFP Membership baggage tag set
You’ll be able to 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 might be a good suggestion to push for that threshold by Could 31, 2026, since you may 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 crucial vital overhauls to a cruise loyalty program in years. It’s shifting away from lifetime qualification and introducing a brand new forex that may be earned and redeemed for just about any Carnival buy. This wildly totally different strategy is bound to generate a variety of buzz from present members as the road seems to be forward to thrilling developments within the years to return.
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