Carnival replaces VIFP Club with new spend-based loyalty program

Carnival Cruise Line will retire its Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club on June 1, 2026, replacing it with Carnival Rewards – a major shift from cruise-night-based status to spending-based rewards. The change aligns Carnival with broader travel industry trends that prioritize total guest spending over trip frequency. It also introduces a more flexible rewards structure, but not without trade-offs for longtime cruisers used to legacy perks.

Related: Related: Navigating Carnival ship classes? Start here

On this page:

• How Carnival’s new Carnival Rewards works
• The Carnival Rewards transition for existing members
• Benefit changes of Carnival Rewards
• Carnival Rewards credit card integration
• Carnival Rewards impact on different cruisers

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How Carnival’s new Carnival Rewards works

The new Carnival Rewards program introduces a dual tracking system, with Stars determining status tiers and Points serving as redeemable currency. Unlike the old system based on cruise nights, everything now revolves around how much you spend.

Guests earn 3 Stars and 3 Points per dollar spent on cruise fares and onboard purchases, including dining, spa treatments, and excursions. Casino play earns 1 Star and 1 Point per casino point.

There are four status levels based on Stars earned over rolling two-year periods: Gold at 10,000 Stars (approximately $3,334 in spending), Platinum at 50,000 Stars (about $16,667), and Diamond at 100,000 Stars (roughly $33,334). Points can be redeemed for future cruises, excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, and onboard credit, with no minimum redemption requirement.

The Carnival Rewards transition for existing members

All current VIFP members will automatically transfer to the new program while keeping their existing status for an extended grace period. Most members will retain their current tier through May 31, 2028, while those with Diamond status will keep it through May 31, 2032. However, the days of earning status once and keeping it forever are coming to an end. After these dates, all members must requalify every two years based on spending. Lifetime status will be eliminated. Those who are close to qualifying for Diamond status may want to sail before June 1, 2026 to secure their extended benefits through 2032.

Benefit changes of Carnival Rewards

While the new program offers more flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards, it also scales back many traditional perks that longtime cruisers have come to expect. The cuts affect all upper tiers significantly.

Gold members will no longer receive collectible pins. Platinum members will see VIFP parties replaced with two complimentary drinks per sailing and lose access to logo gifts, arcade credits, and automatic welcome treats. Diamond members will no longer receive complimentary specialty restaurant meals, cabin upgrades, free guests, or branded luggage tags. However, milestone rewards will remain in place, with 5,000 Points awarded at 50 cruise nights and 10,000 Points at 100 nights.

Carnival Rewards credit card integration

Carnival's loyalty program now ties directly into its credit card offering, creating more opportunities to earn rewards outside of cruising. This integration marks a significant expansion beyond the previous cruise-only earning structure.

The new Carnival Rewards Mastercard, available to U.S. residents only, allows users to earn bonus Points on everyday purchases, not just cruise-related expenses. Existing FunPoints will convert automatically to Carnival Rewards Points. Points remain valid with any earning or redemption activity within a three-year window.

Carnival Rewards impact on different cruisers

The shift to spend-based rewards will likely benefit frequent cruisers and those who spend more both onboard and through Carnival’s credit card, making it easier for them to earn and maintain higher status levels. On the other hand, casual cruisers or families who sail once a year or less may find it harder to reach the new spending thresholds required for premium status. The updated structure favors consistent engagement and higher spending over occasional travel.

Bottom line

This shift reflects industry-wide trends toward spend-based loyalty programs. While offering more redemption flexibility, it eliminates traditional perks and makes status harder to achieve for occasional cruisers. High-spend guests benefit most, while casual cruisers face higher barriers to premium status.

If you're thinking about sailing with Carnival, now is the time to act. Booking before the new program takes effect lets you enjoy current VIFP perks while they last—and Cruisebound makes it easy to find the best deals.