Set sail for serious perks with Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program!
The more you cruise, the more Carnival spoils you get. We’re talking complimentary drinks, free laundry service, priority boarding, guaranteed dining times, and even cabin upgrades.
Read on to learn about Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program’s different tiers and the benefits of each tier.
How to Sign Up For VIFP
The VIFP Club is a point-based program with five levels: Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Your level will increase as you complete more cruises, but first, you must enroll in the program.
Long cruises and spontaneous getaways will get you to the next level quicker than cruising once yearly.
To join the VIFP Club, you’ll need a member number. Before you book your first Carnival cruise, visit the Carnival VIFP Club website and click the ‘Join’ button. Provide your email address and create a password, and you’ll be in.
Once you’ve signed up for an account, you can access your account information and profile. You can also find out what benefits you’ll get based on how much you’ve cruised.
You’ll immediately start receiving cruise offers from Carnival by email. You may be eligible for discounts or special offers on your first cruise, but you can opt-out at any time.
How to Earn VIFP Loyalty Points
The real benefits kick in once you’ve sailed your first cruise!
You’ll receive one (1) VIFP Club point for each day you cruise. On a three-night cruise to the Bahamas? That’s 3 points. Are you enjoying a 14-night Carnival Journey cruise to Hawaii? You just scored 14 VIFP Club points.
Note: In 2012, Carnival changed its program. It used to be one point per cruise, and ten cruises would have you at Platinum status.
Sailing on the Carnival Cruise Line is the only way to earn VIFP points.
While Carnival Corporation owns and operates other cruise lines, VIFP Club points and benefits are not reciprocal to Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, or any other cruise brand in the portfolio. They have their own loyalty programs.
READ MORE: Best Cruise Line Loyalty Programs
VIFP Tiers and Benefits
The VIFP Club has five membership tiers. With more points earned, you’ll move up to a higher tier and enjoy more benefits.
Note: Your Sail and Sign Card will reflect the color of your VIFP tier at the start of each cruise.
As you climb the VIFP loyalty program, your privileges and benefits will improve. Priority boarding and disembarkation are only the beginning.
You’ll be able to access VIP lounges, priority terminal access, priority Captain’s Lounge entry, and even free drinks at cocktail receptions and VIP parties.
Blue Level (First Cruise)
When you sign up for the VIFP Club initially, you’ll be known as a “Blue Card,” a first-time Carnival cruiser. At this level, you’ll receive Carnival’s VIFP Club newsletter and qualify for special cruise offers.
Red Level (up to 24 points)
After you’ve sailed on your first Carnival cruise, you’ll be upgraded to Red. In addition to the VIFP Club newsletter and special offers, you’ll receive a complimentary 1-liter bottle of water that you can pick up from any bar on the ship.
Gold Level (25 to 74 points)
Once you’ve sailed on Carnival for at least 25 days, you’ll receive Carnival Gold status and be eligible for a complimentary appreciation drink on cruises of 5 nights or longer.
You’ll receive a Gold VIFP pin on every cruise in addition to the Red benefits.
Platinum Level (75 to 199 points)
With increased cruise days come increased benefits, and this is where things start getting good.
Carnival Platinum benefits include a special event invitation to the Platinum and Diamond VIFP Party on cruises of 5 days or more, offering complimentary drinks and appetizers.
During the cruise, you’ll get a complimentary beverage at the Seaday Brunch. Do you love to indulge in chocolate while at sea? A complimentary chocolate delight will be delivered to your room on cruises for five nights or longer.
A complimentary Carnival logo gift on every sailing and a collectible pin. Past gifts have been Bluetooth speakers, blankets, headphones, tote bags, and mugs.
You’ll also be provided with a dedicated toll-free number for reservations and access to many services onboard, including priority check-in and boarding, priority spa reservations, a priority line at the guest services desk, priority debarkation, complimentary wash and fold laundry service, and priority tender boarding (water shuttle).
Initially, you’ll get a buy-one-get-one-free tournament entry for blackjack or slots in the casino. However, it was halted in 2021 due to the pandemic and to promote social distancing. It was replaced by the $25 FunPlay casino credit.
Last June 2024, Carnival decided to remove its free casino credit.
Diamond Level (200+ points)
Carnival rolls out the Diamond carpet for their most loyal passengers (figuratively, of course), with all of the Platinum benefits plus a host of other perks. The benefits are generous once you reach the Diamond level (200 cruise days or more).
Other Diamond tier perks include:
- An invitation to a special event hosted by the Captain
- A one-time free cabin upgrade
- Priority reservations
- A one-time complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant of choice
- Priority specialty restaurant reservations
- Guaranteed seating time of choice in the main dining room
- VIFP Club luggage tag set
You can get a detailed look at the VIFP program and unique perks here.
Carnival VIFP Club Login
You can look up your Carnival VIFP Club number by logging into your account on the Carnival website.
If you don’t know your login information or haven’t sailed on Carnival since the VIFP Club was created in 2012, you can access your account information by clicking here.
Tips to Maximize Your Perks With Carnival
Carnival makes it easy to earn VIFP points, where you get one point for each day sailed. That said, there are ways to accelerate the earning process and earn more perks!
- Take Longer Cruises: Booking cruises of 7 nights or longer will quickly boost your point total compared to taking only short weekend getaways.
- Book Multiple Cruises Per Year: Cruising at least twice a year rather than just once can make a huge difference over time.
- Join the Casino Program: Joining the Players Club casino program allows you to earn casino points. The more points you earn, the more benefits you get.
- Check Out Cruise Packages: As a VIFP member, you can unlock big savings and add to your points by opting for trending and limited-time offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens if I reach a new VIFP tier in the middle of a cruise?
Guests who change to the next VIFP tier, even if it is the last sailing day, will be entitled to the perks associated with the new tier for the duration of the voyage. That means that if you were to go from Gold to Platinum during your voyage, your card would be Platinum for the entire voyage.
2. What kind of cruise deals will I receive with the VIFP Program?
Past guests will receive some special cruise rates, but those will vary from guest to guest. If you are enrolled in Carnival’s casino program Player’s Club, you should check to ensure there aren’t better deals.
3. Does the cruise fare I pay impact my VIFP points?
Most cruise fares will not impact the sailing days associated with the VIFP levels. The main exception is for those who have won a free cruise or are given a complimentary cruise for some special event/gathering onboard.
4. Is Carnival’s VIFP program worth it?
Yes! From complimentary drinks to priority check-in, boarding, and reservations, Carnival’s VIFP program is definitely worth it. And the best part about it is that it’s free to join, even for first-timer Carnival cruisers!
5. How do I check my Carnival VIFP status?
To check your Carnival VIFP status, simply log into your account, load your VIFP profile by clicking on “Your Name,” and then click on “My Cruises.”
Your current VIFP level will be displayed, in addition to how many points you have and how many you need to get to the next level.
Alternatively, you can check the color of your Sail and Sign Card at the start of each cruise.
Final Thoughts
VIFP member Becky Smith says, “It is certainly nice not to have to pay for the Faster to the Fun program, as it is included as a platinum/diamond member.
And when on a longer voyage, having the complimentary laundry perk is a big help, as it lets you avoid having to spend money on having laundry done or going to the self-serve laundromats on the ships.”
She continued, “As a Diamond guest, sometimes there are “unofficial” perks that go along with it. It might be a special invitation to go up to the bridge [and] several other things that are not publicized. These will vary depending upon the ship and officers on board.”
Are you looking for another cruise line loyalty program? You can find a detailed overview of each cruise line program here.
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This article was initially published in October 2020. It was updated and republished in July 2023.
