Carnival Cruise Line has launched Carnival Rewards, a new loyalty program that awards both redeemable points and status based on how much guests spend with the line rather than solely on how often they sail.
The program replaces Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person Club, which determined status by nights sailed for more than a decade, and moves the line toward the spend-based model that has become standard across major airline and hotel loyalty programs. Carnival first announced the overhaul in June 2025, with existing VIFP status carrying over as members’ entry point into the new program.
“Cruise loyalty has traditionally been built around how often guests sail, and Carnival Rewards was designed to go beyond that,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The new program recognizes the many ways our guests engage with Carnival, and with both rewards and status, we’re giving guests more flexibility and more value to enjoy the experiences that matter most to them.”
Carnival Rewards runs on two currencies. Carnival Rewards Points are earned at a rate of three points per $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities, plus one point for every casino point remaining at the end of a sailing. Points post roughly 14 days after a sailing ends and can be redeemed toward future Carnival cruises and eligible onboard experiences, including shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa treatments, regardless of a member’s status level.
Status, meanwhile, is determined by Status Qualifying Stars, earned at three stars per $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases and one star per casino point earned, even if those casino points were already redeemed onboard for Funplay. The program has four tiers: Red upon enrollment, Gold at 10,000 stars, Platinum at 50,000 stars, and Diamond at 100,000 stars. Status is earned during a two-year qualifying window and enjoyed through the remainder of that period plus the following two-year window. The inaugural qualifying period runs from Sept. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028, giving members extra runway to earn stars in the first cycle.
A separate Milestone Recognition Program will continue to recognize members’ lifetime relationship with the line based on total days sailed.
Carnival is also pairing the program with the new Carnival Rewards Mastercard, which the line says is the first card of its kind in the cruise industry. Cardholders earn up to six points per $1 on eligible Carnival purchases when card and program earnings are combined, two points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and one point per $1 everywhere else, along with up to four Status Qualifying Stars on Carnival purchases and one star on all other spending. New cardmembers receive 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, and the card carries a zero percent promotional APR for six months on Carnival cruise booking purchases, plus a 2,500-point anniversary bonus after $2,000 in annual spend. Terms apply to both offers.
To enroll in Carnival Rewards or learn about the program and earning opportunities, visit CarnivalRewards.com.
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