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We reported back in April that changes are coming to Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP Loyalty Program. In June, Carnival announced a completely new Carnival Rewards program — a new loyalty program that would drastically change how elite status was earned.
Today, Carnival backpedaled on some of the harshest of changes in the June announcement. Let's dig into what's changed in this breaking news.
How Carnival's New Loyalty Program Will Work
As a refresher, the new Carnival Rewards program will launch June 1, 2026. In the new program, you earn stars from cruise spending, credit card transactions, and even gambling at sea.
The new program will have four loyalty tiers, based on your earnings over a rolling two-year period:
- Red upon sign-up
- Gold at 10,000 stars
- Platinum at 50,000 stars
- Diamond at 100,000 stars
Is Cruise Status Valid for Life?
In the current VIFP loyalty program, sailors earn these levels based on “points” — which are simply nights spent onboard Carnival ships. To earn Platinum status, cruisers need to spend 75 nights onboard, while earning Diamond requires a whopping 200 nights.
Most cruise line status is earned for life, including Carnival VIFP status. The major exception to that rule is MSC Cruises, whose status can be kept active at the same level with a cruise every 36 months.
However, as with any “lifetime” status, it's important to remember that it's not just your lifetime that matters, but also the program's life. And the lifetime of Carnival VIFP's program now ends May 31, 2026.
The crux of negative feedback in the announcement from June was a feeling of a “bait-and-switch” for the most loyal customers in the upper tiers. Carnival Platinums and Diamonds have worked for many years to earn status with Carnival to keep for the rest of their lives, including their retirement years.
What's Changing About the New Carnival Rewards Program
Diamond for life
Carnival Rewards will still launch on June 1, 2026. However, cruisers who earn Diamond status in the VIFP program by May 31, 2026 will keep their Diamond status for life.
This is a significant improvement from the previous transition period, which would only give VIFP Diamond elites status through May 31, 2032. This will quell much of the negative feedback from Carnival's most loyal ranks.
Platinums given a soft landing
As previously announced, Platinum members who earn the level by May 31, 2026, will see their status expire on May 31, 2028. But now, they'll receive 10,000 stars deposited in their accounts every two years (the status earning period). This means existing Platinums will never drop below Gold for the lifetime of the Carnival Rewards program, and have a head start at earning Platinum and Diamond.
Kids get status too
For guests under 18 years of age, their status on board will mirror their parents' status when sailing on Carnival cruises. If they earn Platinum or Diamond status by May 31, 2026, they will be able to opt in to their respective earned status when they turn 18. Their spending will also now count towards the responsible party's Carnival Rewards status.
Extended Milestone Rewards
Carnival will also honor Milestone Rewards earned by May 31, 2026, through May 2030. These valuable perks — which are earned on a sailor's 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th cruises — allow for a 25%-75% onboard credit based on their fare, and even a free Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, or Australia cruise on their 100th voyage.
Aussies too
Finally, the cruise line is working through how to work in a credit card star-earning system for Australian guests, similar to how the program will work for U.S. residents.
Our Take
For Carnival's most loyal customers, this is better news than the announcement in June. Diamond members who have sailed over 200 nights on board will retain their status for life. Platinum members won't keep their status for life. But, they will have a 20% headstart to re-qualifying in the form of a 10,000-point bonus every two years. Low-level status holders won't see any new changes.
It's clear that feedback from members caused Carnival to backpedal from their June announcement. Adjusting the loyalty program to one modeled after many of the airlines, the cruise line may have overplayed its hand. Now, we'll have to watch closely when Carnival launches the program next June if Carnival Rewards spurs more engagement with the brand or drives cruisers to the competition.
In the meantime, if you're close to Platinum or Diamond status with Carnival, it might be time for an “ocean run” to lock in perks in the new program.
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