Carnival to Launch New Rewards Program in 2026
Carnival Cruise Line has announced the launch of an all-new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, set to debut on June 1, 2026. The new system will replace the long-standing Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program and introduces a points-based structure that expands how guests can earn and redeem benefits across Carnival experiences.
Carnival Rewards aims to deliver a more personalized and flexible loyalty experience, combining Carnival Rewards points and status qualifying stars into a dual-earning model. While VIFP focused on nights sailed, the new program will also reward guests based on spending behavior, including everyday purchases with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays.
In the new system, guests will earn points for redemption on Carnival-related purchases—such as cruise fares, onboard activities, spa treatments, and specialty dining—while accumulating stars that determine their loyalty status tier. The tiered structure includes Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels. Status is earned over a two-year qualifying period and maintained for the following two years.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, emphasized the shift as a strategic enhancement of the guest experience. “The evolution of our loyalty program to Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for our valued guests,” said Duffy. “By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them.”
Duffy added that the change is designed to reflect the growth in Carnival’s loyal customer base and to better support high-tier members. “Our VIFP program has served us well for many years, but it has become increasingly difficult to provide the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve.”
The Carnival Rewards Mastercard will play a central role in the updated loyalty framework. Cardholders will be able to earn both points and stars through qualified spending, making it easier to achieve higher status tiers and enjoy faster reward accumulation, even between sailings. Current and new cardholders will have their existing Fun Points automatically converted to Carnival Rewards points when the program launches.
As part of the transition, guests’ current VIFP status will carry over into Carnival Rewards and act as their entry point for the first two years, through May 31, 2028. Diamond-level members will receive extended status through May 31, 2032, as a loyalty bonus.
Guests can continue earning and enjoying VIFP benefits until the official launch. After that, all activity and spending will begin contributing to the new points and stars system under Carnival Rewards.
With this major loyalty overhaul, Carnival joins other major cruise lines in modernizing their rewards programs to offer more value, personalization, and engagement across cruising and everyday spending. The upcoming launch positions Carnival Rewards as a competitive offering among top-tier travel loyalty programs.
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