Subscribe now to get our Cruise Planning Guide and the latest updates! Carnival Cruise Line is replacing its VIFP commitment program with a brand-new system called Carnival Rewards. The change goes into result on June 1, 2026.
Under the brand-new program, loyalty status will be based on spending instead of the variety of nights you’ve cruised. That consists of cruise fare and onboard purchases.
Cruisers will earn two kinds of rewards:
- Stars identify your status level: Red, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.
- Points can be redeemed for onboard benefits, specialty dining, spa treatments, gratuities, or toward a future cruise.
Status will reset every 2 years. Here’s just how much spending is required throughout that time:
- Gold: 10,000 Stars (around $3,334)
- Platinum: 50,000 Stars (around $16,667)
- Diamond: 100,000 Stars (around $33,334)
Existing VIFP members will keep their existing tier when the brand-new program begins. Red, Gold, and Platinum status will stand through May 31, 2028. Diamond members will have a longer grace period and keep their status through May 31, 2032, before requiring to requalify.
Cruise nights from the VIFP program will no longer count towards commitment status as soon as Carnival Benefits launches.
Carnival Benefits points can be redeemed onboard throughout your cruise or used toward future reservations. The redemption system will be accessible through your Carnival account.
There will no longer be a Blue tier in the brand-new program. New guests will start at Red and earn Stars based upon spending.
Some perks from the old program may not carry over, and brand-new redemption alternatives will be available using Carnival Rewards points. More details are expected to be launched as the launch date methods.
Considering that the announcement, reactions from cruisers have actually been mixed. Some are disappointed by the shift far from cruise history and feel the changes decrease the value of long-lasting commitment. Others are taking a wait-and-see method until Carnival releases more information about how points can be redeemed and what the new onboard advantages will in fact look like.
Read more: Tips for Carnival Cruises
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise author based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and primary writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over twenty years of experience planning journeys and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting memorable delicious schedules. She’s constantly on the hunt for tasty, enjoyable travel locations and cruise travel plans. She firmly believes that life is brief and we must take advantage of it, so always state yes to dessert.