Sarah Bretz, ContributorCarnival Cruise Line announced today that it will be launching a new points-based loyalty program called Carnival Rewards. It will be replacing the line’s current VIFP Club loyalty program, taking effect next year in June 2026.
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. Instead of focusing solely on the number of nights guests sail, which is the current VIFP Club model, guests will earn rewards and achieve higher status levels based on spend, including cruise fare and onboard activities.
The new program will be closely tied to everyday spending on the co-branded credit card with Barclays — the Carnival Rewards Mastercard — allowing cardmembers to earn points and status even faster. More details on the credit card will be announced at a later date.
How to Earn Points
Guests will earn Carnival Reward points and status qualifying stars on every eligible Carnival purchase, including cruise fares and onboard purchases.
Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers including onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining, and future cruises.
Stars introduce a new way to unlock higher status among four tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Status is earned over a two-year period and is retained for the following two years.
As part of the transition to the launch of Carnival Rewards on June 1, 2026, members’ existing status will carry over and serve as a new entry point into the program for a two-year period through May 31, 2028. Diamond members will retain their status for a six-year period through May 31, 2032. This ensures that all current loyalty status is honored while giving members time to familiarize themselves with the enhanced rewards.
Guests will continue earning VIFP status as usual until the new program launches. In addition, upon launch of the Carnival Rewards program, current cardmembers — as well as any new cardmembers between now and the launch of the updates — will have the balance of their Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points in their Carnival Rewards account.
To learn more and explore what’s to come, visit carnivalrewards.com. Current Carnival Cruise Line loyalty members will receive emails throughout the transition process ahead of the June 2026 conversion with the latest updates.
Comments
This new points and stars-based program sounds very similar to the rewards programs that airlines use. What are your thoughts on the transition? Do you think other cruise lines will follow suit? Drop us an anchor below and share your thoughts on Carnival Rewards.
1 comment
Miguel Rodriguez
Love it! It made no sense to me that those that always book interiors and spend nothing onboard get the same perks as someone that books better category rooms, and spends, just because they have equal nights. Seems more fair now for both guests and carnival.