Carnival Is Launching a New Loyalty Program Called Carnival Rewards

Carnival Cruise Line is overhauling its loyalty program with a new system designed to reward guests for both cruising and spending. The program, called Carnival Rewards, will officially launch on June 1, 2026, replacing the long-running Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program with a new structure that places greater emphasis on flexibility, redemption options, and ways to earn status.

Carnival Rewards introduces a two-track system for loyalty benefits. Guests will earn Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed for a wide range of onboard purchases, along with status qualifying stars that determine their tier within the program. While the current VIFP structure bases loyalty solely on the number of nights sailed, the new program includes a broader set of criteria, such as cruise fare and onboard spending. That means a guest’s financial engagement with the brand will now factor into their progression through the loyalty tiers.

The program will include four tiers—Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—similar to the existing VIFP program. Guests will earn tier status over a two-year period, with status retained for the two years that follow. In a transition measure, all current VIFP members will have their existing status automatically carried over into the Carnival Rewards system on launch day. Diamond members will retain their tier through May 31, 2032, providing a six-year grace period to adjust to the new structure.

The new system will also integrate with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays. Cardmembers will be able to earn points and qualifying stars through everyday purchases made outside of Carnival, creating an additional pathway for progression in the program. Carnival says that full details on the revised card benefits will be announced closer to the program’s rollout. At launch, any existing Fun Points earned through the current credit card program will be converted into Carnival Rewards points and applied to cardholders’ new loyalty accounts.

Guests will continue to earn loyalty credit under the current VIFP program through May 31, 2026. During that time, they can continue accumulating nights and progressing toward higher tiers as usual. Once Carnival Rewards goes live, that status will determine their starting point under the new system. Carnival says this transition period is designed to honor guest loyalty while offering time to understand the new program structure.

The updated rewards model also expands the types of benefits available for redemption. Carnival Rewards points can be used for a wide range of purchases, including onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining, shore excursions, and even toward the cost of future cruises. The company says the dual structure of points and stars is intended to give guests more control over both their reward use and their loyalty tier progression.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said the decision to evolve the program came in response to the growing size of the brand’s loyalty base and the need to deliver a more personalized experience. “By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them,” she said. “This transition honors our past while building a future where loyalty is recognized through both cruising frequency and overall engagement with the Carnival experience.”

The program shift comes at a time of sustained growth for Carnival, as the line continues to expand its fleet, enhance its onboard offerings, and deepen its investment in customer loyalty initiatives. Carnival is also set to unveil its major new cruise destination in The Bahamas next month.

With more ways to earn and redeem rewards, the cruise line says Carnival Rewards is designed to align more closely with modern travel behavior, offering incentives that extend beyond the ship and into everyday life.

More details about Carnival Rewards, including exact earning rates and cardmember perks, are expected to be announced in the coming months.