- Carnival Rewards launched September 1, 2026, replacing VIFP Club
- Guests earn 3 points and 3 stars per dollar spent on eligible purchases
- Four status tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond
- Milestone Recognition Programme starts at 50 days sailed
- Existing Diamond status holders grandfathered for life
Carnival Cruise Line has launched Carnival Rewards on September 1, 2026, replacing the long-running Very Important Fun Person Club with a loyalty structure based on spend and activity rather than lifetime cruise-day tally, offering guests three points and three stars for every dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases. Guests earn Carnival Rewards Points redeemable for cruises and onboard experiences alongside Status Qualifying Stars that determine tier status across four levels: Red upon enrollment, Gold at 10,000 stars, Platinum at 50,000 stars and Diamond at 100,000 stars. The programme introduces both reward points earned on every eligible Carnival purchase and status qualifying stars based on dollars spent on eligible purchases, giving people status onboard within a four-year window.
The Milestone Recognition Program celebrates guests as they reach key sailing achievements based on cumulative days sailed, starting with 50 days and every 100 days after that, unlocking bonus points, special Sail & Sign cards and commemorative gifts. Existing VIFP members retain current status tiers through the end of 2028, with cruisers who achieved Diamond status by August 31, 2026, locked in with Diamond status for life. The Carnival Rewards Mastercard, launched alongside the programme via Barclays, allows cardmembers to accelerate points up to 6x on Carnival purchases and earn Status Qualifying Stars on everyday spending.
The programme’s four pillars comprise reward points earned on eligible Carnival purchases, status qualifying stars based on spend, co-branded partnerships providing outside value and the Milestone Recognition Program celebrating loyalty based on days sailed. Points post roughly 14 days after a sailing and can be flexibly redeemed toward future cruise bookings or onboard experiences, while status operates on a rolling two-year qualification and enjoyment cycle with the inaugural qualifying window running from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. Carnival Rewards represents the next evolution in cruise loyalty, designed for every guest from first-time cruisers to repeaters.
Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy shared “Carnival Rewards has been designed to go beyond traditional cruise loyalty, recognising the many ways guests engage with Carnival and giving them more flexibility and more value to enjoy the experiences that matter most to them.”
Carnival vice president of loyalty Sid Krishna shared “The programme has been built around four pillars, with reward points earned on every eligible Carnival purchase and status qualifying stars based on dollars spent, while the Milestone Recognition Programme ensures that every day sailed with Carnival counts.”
