Carnival Cruise Line has formally launched Carnival Rewards, replacing its long-running VIFP Club with a loyalty programme based primarily on eligible guest spending.
The transition took effect on 1 September 2026 and changes both how members earn redeemable rewards and how most guests qualify for loyalty status.
Instead of progressing principally through the number of days sailed, members now collect two separate currencies: Carnival Rewards Points and Status Qualifying Stars.
How Carnival Rewards works
Carnival Rewards Points can be redeemed against eligible Carnival purchases, including cruise fares and selected experiences before, during or after a sailing. Status Qualifying Stars are counted separately and determine whether a member holds Red, Gold, Platinum or Diamond status.
Members earn three Points and three Stars for every US dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases. Carnival says eligible categories include cruise fares, gratuities, transfers, Carnival Vacation Protection and qualifying pre-cruise and onboard purchases.
Government taxes and fees, required cruise fees and expenses, flights bought through Carnival Fly2Fun and certain other charges are excluded. Purchases funded using Carnival Rewards Points, onboard credit or some forms of Future Cruise Credit may also be ineligible.
Casino activity provides another route to earning, while holders of the Carnival Rewards Mastercard can receive additional Points and Stars under the card programme.
A major change from cruise-day recognition
The introduction of spending-based qualification represents a fundamental change from the VIFP Club, under which members traditionally advanced through the tiers according to accumulated cruise days.
Under Carnival Rewards, most members will need to qualify again during recurring two-year earning cycles. Their accumulated Stars will determine their status for the following benefit period.
This means two guests taking the same number of cruises may progress differently if their eligible expenditure varies. Carnival says the structure offers greater flexibility and allows guests to earn and redeem rewards across more parts of their holiday.
What happens to existing VIFP status?
Carnival has introduced transitional arrangements for members who held status when the VIFP Club ended on 31 August 2026.
Guests who had achieved Diamond status receive lifetime Diamond status after enrolling in Carnival Rewards.
Qualifying former Platinum members retain Platinum status until 31 December 2028. Carnival also says these members will receive a 10,000-Star boost at the beginning of each future two-year earning cycle, giving them Gold status and a head start towards Platinum or Diamond.
A guest's former VIFP number becomes their Carnival Guest Number, although eligible customers must enrol and accept the new programme's terms to participate fully and receive the applicable benefits.
Arrangements for cruises spanning the launch
Carnival has also explained how the change affects voyages that began before 1 September and end after the new programme launched.
For those sailings, existing VIFP benefits, days sailed and milestone rewards continue to be honoured onboard. Eligible spending across the voyage will also earn Carnival Rewards Points and Stars, which will become available after the cruise ends.
The launch had originally been scheduled for June 2026 but was moved to September, giving customers additional time to earn their final VIFP status during the summer season.
Full earning rules, exclusions and transitional arrangements are available through the Carnival Rewards overview, Carnival's official transition guidance and the programme's full terms and conditions.