Carnival Cruise Line announced today enhancements to the new Carnival RewardsTM loyalty program for all current Diamond and Platinum guests and all guests who reach Diamond and Platinum level prior to the new program’s launch date of June 1, 2026.
“We are so excited about our new Carnival RewardsTM loyalty program launching next year, and believe it will drive fantastic engagement with, and rewards for, our guests. At the same time, we greatly appreciate the loyalty of our passionate guests and the years of dedication many have exhibited in order to achieve higher tiered loyalty status with Carnival Cruise Line. We’ve spent the summer talking with our guests, listening to their comments and taking in their feedback. As a result, I am happy to share that we are making changes to improve the offering to our most loyal customers as we get ready for the program’s launch in 2026,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We believe these enhancements recognize our appreciation for the loyalty of our top tier guests.”
Among the changes announced:
- Guests who achieve Diamond status in the current VIFP Club® by May 31, 2026 will not only receive Diamond status through May 31, 2032, they will now receive lifetime Diamond status in the Carnival RewardsTM program.
- Guests who achieve Platinum status in the current VIFP Club® by May 31, 2026 will not only have their status extended through May 31, 2028, as previously announced, but will also now receive a bi-annual boost of 10,000 Carnival RewardsTM status qualifying stars when the Carnival RewardsTM program starts on June 1, 2026, and in every two-year earning cycle thereafter. This will give Platinum VIFP members a 20 percent “head start” to earning Platinum status, and even a head start to reaching the higher Diamond status in the new program. It also provides for a minimum of Gold status in all future cycles under the Carnival RewardsTM program.
- Consistent with U.S. privacy laws that restrict children under 18 from being enrolled in programs like Carnival RewardsTM, Carnival confirmed that children will enjoy the same status as their parent or adult that is designated as their responsible party on the booking for that sailing, and when minors turn 18, those who have achieved Diamond or Platinum status by May 31, 2026, will be invited to opt-in to Carnival RewardsTM with their earned status and the same privileges offered to all other Diamond and Platinum VIFP members.
- Carnival is actively exploring options for guests in Canada and Australia to offer similar enhanced earning and rewards opportunities to residents in those countries, like what the Carnival RewardsTM Mastercard will do for U.S. residents.
When formally launched on June 1, 2026, Carnival RewardsTM will be the first loyalty program of its kind in the cruise industry, and is inspired by the success and popularity of airline and hotel loyalty programs where guests can earn status and rewards that are tied to both travel activities and spending, as well as a co-branded credit card. Guests will be able to accumulate points that can be converted to reward dollars and used toward cruise fares, onboard experiences, shore excursions and other vacation activities. For more information on Carnival RewardsTM, please visit CarnivalRewards.com/change.
