Carnival Is Refreshing Their Loyalty Program – Here’s What You Need to Know

Carnival has announced a big refresh to their loyalty program, and if you’re a current VIFP member (or hoping to be), this is great news. The new program is called Carnival Rewards™, and while it brings a brand-new way to earn and spend, Carnival has also extended the timeline so your upcoming cruises still count toward your final VIFP status.

Below is an easy breakdown of what’s changing, how you’ll earn, and what you get at each status level.

More Time to Lock In Your VIFP Status

Carnival heard from guests who were worried they wouldn’t have enough time to cruise before the switch. As a result:

• Carnival Rewards will now launch on September 1, 2026.

• All cruises you take through August 31, 2026 will still count toward your VIFP Club® status.

• Whatever your VIFP status is on August 31, 2026 becomes your starting status in Carnival Rewards when it begins.

So, if you’re aiming for Platinum or Diamond, those Summer 2026 sailings can still push you over the line.

How the New Two-Year Cycle Works

Once Carnival Rewards launches, the program will move to a simple, calendar-based system:

• Your first Carnival Rewards cycle runs from September 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.

  • That means the very first cycle is a little longer, giving everyone four extra months to earn.

• After that, each earning period is a two-year window:

  • January 1 – December 31, every two years.

• Your status is based on how many Stars you earn during each two-year cycle. Stars reset at the end of each cycle, but your rewards Points balance does not (more on that next).

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Stars vs. Points: What’s the Difference?

Carnival Rewards uses two different currencies:

Stars – For Status Levels

Stars decide whether you’re Red, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.

You earn:

• 3 Stars per $1 spent on cruise fare and onboard purchases

• +1 extra Star per $1 when you pay with the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard®

• 1 Star for every casino point

Stars reset at the end of each two-year earning period, and your total in that period determines your status level.

Points – For Redeeming Rewards

Points are what you actually spend on treats and perks:

You earn:

• 3 Points per $1 spent on cruise fare and onboard purchases

• 1 Point per casino point

• Extra Points with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard

Points can be redeemed for things like:

• Drinks

• Shore excursions

• Photos

• Even cruise fare

For value, about 100 Points ≈ $1, though the exact value can fluctuate with demand (similar to how cruise fares change).

Best of all, Points don’t expire as long as you earn or redeem at least once every three years.

New Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® Perks

Starting in September 2026, the Carnival Rewards Mastercard will tie directly into the new program and help you earn faster:

• On Carnival purchases:

  • 3 Points + 1 Star per $1 (for a net total of 6 Points and 4 Stars per $1 when combined with your onboard earning)

• At eligible grocery stores & restaurants:

  • 2 Points + 1 Star per $1

• Everywhere else:

  • 1 Point + 1 Star per $1

If you already have a Carnival credit card, you don’t need to reapply. Your existing Fun Points® will automatically convert into Carnival Rewards Points when the new program launches.

Status Levels & What You Get

Carnival Rewards will still celebrate loyal cruisers with four main tiers:

• Red: 0 – 9,999 Stars

• Gold: starting at 10,000 Stars

• Platinum: starting at 50,000 Stars

• Diamond: starting at 100,000 Stars

Here’s a simplified look at how the benefits stack up.

Benefits for All Levels (Red, Gold, Platinum, Diamond)

No matter your tier, you’ll be able to:

• Earn and redeem Points for rewards

• Enjoy Carnival Rewards and partner offers

• Receive a complimentary 1.5L bottle of water

Gold – 10,000 Stars and Up

Once you reach Gold, you keep everything from Red plus:

• Personalized member support via the contact center

• One complimentary beverage of your choice on any 5+ day sailing anywhere on the ship

Platinum – 50,000 Stars and Up

Platinum is where the perks really expand. Platinum guests keep all Red & Gold benefits plus:

Onboard Extras

• Two complimentary beverages of your choice on any sailing, anywhere on the ship

• Member collectible, ship-specific pin

• Complimentary wash & fold laundry service

Priority Access

• Preferred main dining time

• Early online check-in

• Priority embarkation and security

• Access to the Captain’s Lounge (where available)

• Early bag drop-off in your stateroom for carry-ons

• Priority Guest Services line

• Priority casino cashier line

• Spa priority

• Priority debarkation

On top of that, Platinum guests also receive a 10,000-Star boost every two years, helping them maintain their status more easily.

Diamond – 100,000 Stars and Up

Diamond is the top tier and comes with lifetime status plus all the benefits of the lower levels, along with some exclusive extras:

Onboard Extras & Priority Access

• All Platinum onboard and priority perks

Exclusive & Concierge Experience

• Guaranteed main dining time

• Retail concierge service

• Dedicated Diamond support desk (contact center)

• Access to a dedicated casino host (upon request)

• Special event invitation from the Captain, such as a Diamond luncheon or cocktail event

If you’ve already hit Diamond in VIFP, Carnival has confirmed that Diamond guests keep lifetime status in Carnival Rewards.

Milestones: Still Celebrated, With a New Twist

Carnival isn’t getting rid of Milestones—they’re just updating how they work.

• The current milestone program ends on August 31, 2026.

• Any milestone awards earned by that date remain valid through August 31, 2030.

• Under Carnival Rewards, Milestones will be tied to days sailed and celebrated on the specific cruise where you hit that milestone.

• All your past cruising history will carry over into the new system, so your time at sea still counts.

What This Means for You

If you love sailing with Carnival, this update gives you:

• More time to lock in the highest possible VIFP status before everything converts in 2026.

• A clearer, calendar-based cycle so you always know where you stand.

• A flexible system where you can earn status with Stars and spoil yourself with Points.

• Even more ways to accelerate your earning with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

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If you have upcoming Carnival cruises booked (or you’re thinking about planning one), those sailings through August 31, 2026 still help shape your starting status in the new program—so every sea day counts.

If you want to plan more cruises to boost your status, reach out to us and we’ll walk you through it step by step.