Carnival Revamps Loyalty Program with New “Carnival Rewards”
Carnival Cruise Line today announced a major overhaul of its guest loyalty program, introducing Carnival Rewards™, set to launch in June 2026. This innovative program brings a cruise industry first: a dual-earning structure, new ways to achieve status, and expanded reward categories, replacing the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP)™ program. Guests will continue to earn VIFP status until the new program takes effect, which will then serve as their entry point into Carnival Rewards.
Earn More, Faster: Points and Stars for Every Purchase
Carnival Rewards moves beyond simply counting nights at sea. The new system allows guests to earn both Carnival Rewards points, redeemable for Carnival purchases, and status-qualifying stars, which determine their tier level. This means more opportunities to earn rewards and climb the loyalty ladder based on total spend, including cruise fares and onboard activities.
The program will also be closely linked to the Carnival Rewards Mastercard from Barclays, a co-branded credit card. Cardmembers will have the chance to earn points and status even faster through everyday spending, with more details on the credit card to be announced later.
Why the Change? Enhancing Guest Recognition
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, explained the evolution:
“Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to more meaningful recognition for our valued guests. While our VIFP program has served us well, the extraordinary growth in our loyal customer base has made it challenging to deliver the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve. This points-based system offers greater flexibility, allowing guests to personalize their rewards. It honors our past while building a future where loyalty is recognized by 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.”
How Carnival Rewards Works: Points & Stars
- Dual Earning Structure: Guests will earn both Carnival Rewards points and status-qualifying stars on virtually every eligible Carnival purchase, including cruise fares and onboard spending. This dual system gives you more control over your rewards and status.
- Redeem Your Points: Points can be redeemed for nearly anything Carnival offers, such as onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining, or even towards a future cruise.
- Unlock New Tiers with Stars: Stars introduce a new way to reach higher status across four tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Status is earned over a two-year period and retained for the following two years.
Seamless Transition for Current Members
To ensure a smooth transition when Carnival Rewards launches on June 1, 2026, all members’ existing VIFP status will carry over, serving as their new entry point into the program for a two-year period, through May 31, 2028. Notably, Diamond members will retain their status for an extended six-year period, through May 31, 2032. This guarantees that current loyalty status is honored while giving members ample time to get familiar with the enhanced rewards.
Current VIFP members will continue to earn status as usual until the new program’s launch. Additionally, upon the launch of Carnival Rewards, existing Carnival credit cardholders (and any new ones between now and launch) will have their current Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points in their new account.
Learn More About Carnival Rewards
To explore the exciting future of Carnival Rewards and stay updated on what’s to come, guests can visit carnivalrewards.com. Current Carnival loyalty members will also receive regular email updates throughout the transition process leading up to the June 2026 conversion. Carnival will provide detailed information, tools to track status and point balances, and tips to maximize rewards under the new system.
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