Carnival Rewards loyalty program
Carnival Cruise Line has announced a major refresh of its guest loyalty program. Beginning June 1, 2026, the all-new Carnival Rewards™ program will replace the long-standing VIFP Club®.
For those that love Carnival cruises, this means more ways to earn, more ways to redeem, and a program designed to truly reward loyalty.
What Is Carnival Rewards?
Carnival Rewards is the next evolution in guest recognition at sea. While the VIFP Club focused mainly on the number of days sailed, the new program expands benefits by rewarding both cruise activity and spending.
Key highlights:
- Launch Date: June 1, 2026
- Current VIFP Club status remains unchanged until then
- Existing VIFP numbers automatically convert to “Carnival Guest Numbers”
- Members will opt-in to Carnival Rewards by accepting updated terms and conditions
Earn Points & Stars Every Time You Cruise
Carnival Rewards has two ways to measure loyalty:
🎯 Carnival Rewards Points
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases (cruise fare, pre-cruise packages, onboard spend, gratuities, and more)
- Earn additional points through casino play
- Redeem points toward:
- Cruise fares and deposits
- Shore excursions
- Specialty dining & drinks
- Spa treatments & onboard shopping
- WiFi, packages, and more
⭐ Status Qualifying Stars
- Earned on the same spend categories as points
- 3 Stars per $1 spent on eligible purchases
- Also earned via casino play (1 Star per casino point)
- Stars determine your status tier (Red, Gold, Platinum, Diamond)
- Collected in two-year cycles and reset at the end of each qualifying period
Status Levels & Benefits
The Carnival Rewards program keeps the familiar tiers – Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond – but with updated qualification rules.
- Blue tier (entry-level in VIFP) is eliminated. All Blue members roll into Red.
- Platinum guests retain their status through May 2028 and receive a bonus 10,000 Stars at program launch.
- Diamond status earned by May 31, 2026, is permanently extended.
Carnival’s goal is to keep status meaningful by balancing recognition with exclusivity.
Why the Change?
The VIFP Club launched in 2012 and became hugely popular. But with so many cruisers reaching Platinum and Diamond, benefits like priority boarding and early stateroom access became harder to deliver consistently.
Carnival Rewards addresses this by:
- Linking rewards to both spending and cruising
- Providing more flexible redemption options
- Ensuring that higher status feels truly special again
Milestones Still Matter
Carnival Rewards will also bring a revamped Milestone Program, celebrating key achievements in your cruising journey.
- Recognition will now be based on days sailed, not just number of cruises
- Guests will continue to enjoy onboard recognition, commemorative Sail & Sign cards, and exclusive gifts
- Platinum and Diamond pins remain part of the tradition
What This Means for You Now
- No immediate changes to your current VIFP Club benefits
- Keep cruising and enjoying your rewards as usual until May 31, 2026
- Starting June 2026, your VIFP number becomes your Carnival Guest Number
- Simply opt-in to Carnival Rewards to unlock the new perks
Ready to signup ? …
Carnival Rewards is designed to give guests greater flexibility, more recognition, and real value for their loyalty. Whether you’re saving points for your next big voyage or using them to enjoy onboard luxuries, Carnival Rewards puts the choice in your hands.
Stay tuned at CruiseAgency.com.au for updates as Carnival reveals more details ahead of the official launch in June 2026.
More Information
To learn more about this new Carnival Cruises loyalty program, you can download a copy of the Carnival Rewards FAQ from our website, or head over to the Carnival website directly for the latest updates.
Author: Cruise Agency
Last Updated: 27th September 2025
Categories: Carnival Cruises , Loyalty Programs
