Carnival will overhaul cruise loyalty program: Here's how much you'll earn

 

For loyalty status on Carnival Cruise Line, it’ll soon be points that count – not just how many cruises you’ve been on.

Carnival will overhaul its loyalty program next year, measuring status largely based on purchases rather than days sailed – and giving guests new ways to earn and redeem benefits. Carnival Rewards will take the place of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club, which has been in place since 2012.

As demand has grown – along with the cruise line’s ships and fleet – the company has outgrown the current program, according to Carnival President Christine Duffy.

“We, over time, have so many guests that have earned status with Carnival based on how frequently they cruise,” she told USA TODAY ahead of Wednesday’s announcement. “But as we continue to add ships and add bigger ships and have five more ships that will be coming, we recognize that it's become very challenging to really give so many people the benefits that come with the way the existing program was structured which is pretty much, if you're at this status, this is what you get.”

The number of Diamond VIFP members – its highest level – more than tripled between 2021 and 2024. Platinum members, the second-highest, more than doubled.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

“I think the new program allows us to evolve to something that gives our guests a lot more flexibility in how they earn rewards that they can use, and also how they continue to earn status,” said Duffy. Here’s what travelers should know.

When will Carnival Rewards take effect?

The new program will launch on June 1, 2026. Guests will be asked to opt in and their VIFP member number – which will be called their Carnival Guest Number – will be transferred.

Members of the program will keep their existing loyalty status, with the exception of Blue members whose level will be combined with the program’s Red tier. That status will remain valid for six years for Diamond members – through May 31, 2032 – and two years for all other levels.

How will the program work?

Guests will earn status-qualifying stars by spending money on the following:

• Their cruise fare
• Pre-cruise and onboard purchases
• Gratuities
• Transfers 
• Carnival Vacation Protection

Points earned in the casino will also count towards passengers’ star balance. Unlike VIFP status levels, which don’t expire, Carnival Rewards status accrued in a two-year period will be good for the following two years (with the exception of the initial six-year guarantee for existing VIFP Diamond members upon the program’s launch).

Separately, guests will earn Carnival Rewards points in the same ways they earn stars. “Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers, including onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining, and even toward a future cruise,” the cruise line said in a news release.

Carnival Mastercard cardholders, who can already earn FunPoints through purchases, will be automatically switched to a Carnival Rewards Mastercard. Their FunPoints will be combined with their Carnival Rewards account, with additional details to come.

Duffy said the new program is “more akin to the kind of loyalty programs that consumers have become quite accustomed to from the hotel industry and from the airline industry. And so we think while it's a first for the cruise industry, that it's something people will understand.”

How much will I earn through Carnival Rewards?

Guests will get three status-qualifying stars and three Carnival Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases. Members can also get one star and one rewards point for each casino point they have left at the end of their cruise.

The four-tier program will include:

• Red upon sign up: Perks include an e-newsletter and a complimentary bottle of water
• Gold at 10,000 stars: Perks include Red benefits plus Gold member support and a complimentary drink on cruises 5 days or longer
• Platinum at 50,000 stars: Perks include most Gold perks plus two complimentary drinks, priority specialty dining reservations, complimentary laundry service, priority embarkation and debarkation and more
• Diamond at 100,000 stars: Perks include most lower-tier perks along with retail concierge services, invitation to a special event from the captain and more

As an example, a guest who sails once per year, takes two shore excursions and orders three drinks per day could earn approximately 5,655 rewards points based on a typical seven-day cruise. The same guest could also earn an estimated 11,310 stars within a two-year period.

Travelers can visit Carnival’s website to calculate how much they’ll earn on their cruise.

Duffy noted the cruise line will continue to recognize guest loyalty even beyond the points and stars system, such as when a guest reaches their 25th cruise, for instance.

“So, we want people to know that we continue to very much value our loyal guests.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.