It’s safe to say that Carnival Cruise Line caused a bit of a stir last year upon announcing major changes to their loyalty program.
Now comes word that unless cruisers take one very important step, they’ll lose their status entirely.
How to Avoid Losing Your Status
As of September 1, Carnival will be retiring its much-loved Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program. At that time, the line will be switching to the new Carnival Rewards program.
The new system involves earning stars in order to boost one’s status. Unlike under the previous program, the earned status is no longer a permanent, protected level. Instead, it must be re-earned every two years.
While that has led to confusion among some longtime loyalists and anger among others, there seems to be no way to stop this in-motion train. (Carnival has made tweaks since the original announcement and may well make more in the months between now and September.)
Most assumed their loyalty status would automatically transfer to the new program. But as it turns out, it isn’t quite as simple as that.
“Due to privacy laws,” reads a warning from Carnival, “your current status progress and benefits from the VIFP Club program will carry over only by opting in and enrolling in Carnival Rewards prior to when the new program launches September 1, 2026.”
The Biggest Change
Under the former VIFP Program, the easiest and most popular way to earn points was by simply booking a cruise. Points were earned for each day spent on a Carnival ship. The new Rewards program, however, has shifted to a money-spent system.
Not coincidentally, the line has been heavily promoting the Carnival World Mastercard to earn points and boost status.
And it’s worth noting that the line says those who already have the card will have their earned Fun Points balance converted to Carnival Rewards Points when the new program launches in September.
For complete information on everything related to the new program, head to CarnivalRewards.com.
