Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest loyalty programme overhaul in years takes effect from 1st September 2026, replacing the long-running VIFP system with Carnival Rewards and introducing a new approach to status, points, milestone recognition and benefits.
The change moves Carnival away from awarding loyalty status primarily according to days sailed. Under Carnival Rewards, most guests will instead qualify for status by earning “stars” through eligible spending with the cruise line, while a separate points currency can be redeemed towards cruise purchases and onboard experiences.
Carnival has also revealed the first Platinum and Diamond collectible pins for the new programme. The dated, ship-specific pins are available on cruises departing from 1st September onwards, although Gold guests will no longer receive loyalty pins.
Carnival Rewards was originally due to launch on 1st June 2026 before its introduction was postponed until September. Guests were given until 31st August to opt in and transfer their existing loyalty status and sailing history from VIFP.
Status Moves To A Spending-Based System
One of the most significant changes under Carnival Rewards is the way passengers earn and retain loyalty status.
Instead of status being permanently accumulated according to the number of days a guest has sailed, eligible Carnival spending will generate stars that count towards status. Those stars operate within two-year earning periods, meaning most passengers will have to continue earning to retain their level.
Carnival has made an exception for existing Diamond VIFP members. Following criticism of the original Carnival Rewards proposals, the cruise line announced in September 2025 that Diamond status already earned under VIFP would be recognised as lifetime Diamond status under the new programme.
Existing VIFP status earned by 31st August 2026 carries over and remains the guest’s Carnival Rewards status through December 2028, covering the programme’s first earning period. From January 2029, status will be determined by what members have earned during that period.
Platinum members will also receive a 10,000-star boost at the beginning of the next earning period, allowing them to start at Gold rather than the entry-level Red tier.
Carnival Rewards continues to provide different benefits according to status.
Members at every level receive a complimentary 1.5-litre bottle of water, while Gold members receive one complimentary beverage on cruises of five days or longer.
Platinum members receive two complimentary beverages, limited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry and selected priority or preferred access covering areas including online check-in, embarkation, debarkation, dining times and other onboard services.
Diamond remains Carnival Rewards’ highest tier. Its benefits include additional complimentary wash-and-fold laundry, although the service is no longer unlimited, guaranteed main dining time se
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