‘Carnival Rewards’ arrives this year – here’s everything you need to know

Carnival Cruises caused a big stir last year when they announced their new Carnival Rewards program would replace their current VIFP loyalty program.

The most controversial aspect of the initial announcement was that all cruisers would be taken off their loyalty status, and instead would become part of a new rolling two-year cycle where loyalty points could be gained, and then reset again after two years.

Carnival listened to the feedback of its cruisers and has made a range of changes since the initial announcement. They’ve also pushed back the start date of Carnival Rewards, meaning the transition will happen a bit later. 

The change of loyalty program has been made because Carnival said that so many cruisers have reached the top tiers that they haven’t been able to distribute the perks as usual. It makes sense, if half the people on a sailing have priority embarkation, it doesn’t become so much of a priority anymore.

This is evident as Carnival is already removing loyalty perks from some cruisers that have too many high-status loyalty members on board, with some cruisers being told Platinum or Diamond perks won’t be active on their cruise.

Here is everything you need to know about the transition to Carnival Rewards, from how it will work to when it will happen to how it will affect you. 

How will the new Carnival Rewards program work?

• The new system will be a rolling two-year system, meaning that points can be accumulated over a set two year period and then will reset. 
• “Stars” can be earned via buying cruises AND onboard spend. There is also a special Carnival credit that can be used to earn points, but this will not be available to Australians.
• How many stars you earn will determine your loyalty status and therefore your loyalty perks.
• With this link you can calculate based on your cruising habits how many stars you would accumulate. Three points are earned for every USD$1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases. It isn’t yet clear how this will be adapted for Australian cruisers.
• For example, if you were to take one cruise a year, get one spa treatment, take three shore excursions, enjoy specialty dining twice, order four drinks per day and do some very light gambling in the casino, you would earn around 15,000 points over a two year period. This would give you gold status. 
• Based off Carnival’s formula. Earning Gold Status would take USD$3333, Platinum Status would take USD$16,666 and Diamond Status USD$33,333. In Australia dollars this is approximately $5000, $25,000 and $50,000 over a two year period, which then resets at the end of the period.

Further points can be earned by milestones. After 50 total days of sailing guests get awarded 5000 points and after each 100 days of sailing they receive 10,000 points and a commemorative gift.

So what will you earn on each tier?

Red tier

• Earn & redeem points
• Member-only offers
• Member e-newsletter
• Complimentary 1.5L bottle of water

Gold Tier (from 10,000 stars)

• Earn & redeem points
• Member-only offers
• Member e-newsletter
• Gold member support
• One complimentary beverage on 5+ days
• One complimentary 1.5L bottle of water

Platinum tier (from 50,000 stars)

• Earn & redeem points
• Member-only offers
• Member e-newsletter
• Platinum member support
• Member collectible pin
• One complimentary 1.5L bottle of water
• Two complimentary beverages
• Complimentary Wash & Fold
• Preferred Specialty Dining time
• Preferred Main Dining time
• Early online check-in (16 days)
• Embarkation priority
• Onboard priority
• Debarkation priority

Diamond tier (from 100,000 stars) 

• Earn & redeem points
• Member-only offers
• Member e-newsletter
• Dedicated diamond member support (sales & service)
• Member collectible pin
• One complimentary 1.5L bottle of water
• Two complimentary beverages
• Complimentary Wash & Fold
• Preferred Specialty Dining time
• Guarantee Main Dining time
• Early online check-in (16 days)
• Embarkation priority
• Onboard priority
• Debarkation priority
• Retail concierge services
• Special event invitation from the Captain

What will happen to you when the transition happens? Based off your current loyalty status

• If you are currently gold status, you will lose this and start from zero.
• Platinum members will lose their status, however, not this September, but rather on May 31, 2028. Then they will get a 10,000 star boost each two years in the new program, which starts them at gold status. This means it would cost about $20,000 more in total to earn Platinum and $45,000 more to earn Diamond. 
• Diamond members will keep their lifetime status and current perks until 2032, and be guaranteed lifetime status as Diamond in Carnival Rewards.

When will the transition to Carnival Rewards happen?

Guests will be transitioned into the new system of September 1, 2026. This was delayed from an initial start date of June 2026. Here is a guide on how much it would cost to reach platinum status before the new system begins, and therefore keep it forever.

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