Carnival Cruise Line has announced updates to its newly unveiled Carnival Rewards loyalty program, following pushback from guests after the initial rollout.
The enhancements focus on rewarding the line’s most loyal guests in the Diamond and Platinum tiers.
From VIFP to Carnival Rewards
Carnival’s current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club, launched in 2012, rewards guests primarily based on nights sailed.
In June 2025, the cruise line announced the program would be replaced by Carnival Rewards starting June 1, 2026.
The new program ties loyalty status to “status qualifying stars” earned through cruise fares and onboard spending, while also introducing redeemable rewards points for extras like dining, spa treatments, and future cruises.
The announcement generated pushback from longtime cruisers. Many pointed out that popular perks were being eliminated, and the introduction of a two-year requalification cycle meant frequent cruisers would lose their status if they didn’t meet a spending threshold.
Carnival Cruise Line’s said the changes were necessary to balance the growing number of top-tier platinum and diamond members and to bring the program up to date, but the initial reaction was far from favorable.
New for Diamond and Platinum Guests
In response to guest feedback, Carnival has revamped its program for upper-tier members:
- Lifetime Diamond Status: Guests who achieve Diamond status under the VIFP Club by May 31, 2026, will not only retain Diamond status through May 31, 2032, but will also receive lifetime Diamond recognition in Carnival Rewards.
- Platinum Boost: Guests who reach Platinum by May 31, 2026, will not only see their status extended through May 31, 2028, but will also receive a bi-annual boost of 10,000 status qualifying stars in each two-year cycle under Carnival Rewards. This gives Platinum members a 20 percent head start toward requalifying Platinum, as well as a leg up toward reaching Diamond. Platinum members are also guaranteed at least Gold status in every future cycle.
Other Updates
Children under 18 will continue to sail with the same loyalty status as their parent or guardian. Once they turn 18, any who achieved Diamond or Platinum by May 31, 2026, will be able to opt into Carnival Rewards at the same tier.
Carnival also confirmed it is working on similar credit card partnerships for Canadian and Australian guests, modeled after the U.S. Carnival Rewards Mastercard.
Carnival Rewards officially launches on June 1, 2026. While today’s announcement strengthens the program for Diamond and Platinum guests, we’ll have to see if the line makes any other course corrections before the official rollout next year.
Read More: How to Transfer Your VIFP Status to Other Cruise Lines
