Carnival Drops Diamond and Platinum Benefits on Select Long Cruises

Some of Carnival Cruise Line’s most loyal guests will be missing out on a few favorite perks next year. The cruise line has notified Diamond and Platinum members booked on three upcoming long sailings that several top-tier benefits won’t be offered this time around.

Which Carnival Ships Are Impacted

The change affects three Carnival Journeys sailings departing on October 18, 2025. The ships involved are Carnival Dream from Galveston, Carnival Radiance from Long Beach, and Carnival Venezia from New York.

The Carnival Dream cruise ship glides across the ocean at sunset, its blue hull and red-and-white funnel illuminated by the golden light, showcasing the grandeur of cruise vacations.

Each cruise is a longer itinerary that tends to attract regular cruisers. Carnival Dream will sail a 14-night Eastern Caribbean voyage, Carnival Radiance will head out on a 14-night Hawaii cruise, and Carnival Venezia will embark on a 12-night journey to the Southern Caribbean.

All three departures are already popular with frequent cruisers, many of whom hold top VIFP loyalty status. Carnival confirmed that the same benefits will be removed across all three ships for these particular voyages.

What Benefits Are Being Removed

Carnival has informed Diamond and Platinum guests that several of their usual privileges will not be available on these longer sailings. The list includes priority embarkation and debarkation at both the homeport and ports of call, early access to staterooms for dropping off luggage, and priority delivery of bags to cabins.

Guests will also miss out on priority guest service lines and dedicated phone support, as well as guaranteed main dining room seating for Diamond members. According to the message sent by Carnival, the decision was made because of the unusually high number of elite-level cruisers onboard.

However, not all perks are being dropped. Guests will still receive their VIFP logo gifts, ship pins, complimentary laundry, and priority spa reservations. Carnival emphasized that these changes only apply when an exceptional number of top-tier guests are booked on the same sailing.

The image features Carnival Breeze's red VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club card and promotional materials laid out on a textured orange and white striped surface, highlighting the exclusive perks and information provided to members. This represents a welcoming gesture for guests, enhancing their onboard experience with a personal touch.

Why Carnival Is Making the Change

Carnival explained that the temporary removal of select perks is a matter of logistics rather than policy. When there are hundreds, or even thousands, of Diamond and Platinum guests on the same cruise, it becomes impossible to deliver every priority service fairly.

These three sailings are part of the Carnival Journeys series, which are longer and more immersive itineraries designed for experienced cruisers. Because these trips are less frequent and often sell out months in advance, they tend to attract a higher concentration of the cruise line’s most loyal passengers.

The issue is not new for Carnival. Similar benefit adjustments have occurred on other special voyages with a heavy mix of repeat guests. Most travelers understand the operational challenge and appreciate that Carnival is upfront about the change before departure.

Carnival Radiance cruise ship with its distinctive red funnel cruising through the deep blue ocean under a clear sky, with a puff of white clouds in the distance — Carnival Radiance

Guest Reaction and Loyalty Program Changes Ahead

The news has drawn mixed reactions among Carnival’s most loyal fans. Many long-time cruisers say they understand the logistical hurdles but hope that future voyages will better balance loyalty perks with guest capacity. Others have expressed disappointment, noting that benefits like priority boarding are part of what makes their repeat sailings special.

Carnival has already hinted that changes are coming to its VIFP program, which will soon evolve into a new structure called Carnival Rewards. While full details have not yet been released, the company has suggested that the refreshed program will offer more flexibility and allow guests to tailor their rewards experience.

Brand ambassador John Heald has previously shared figures showing how crowded some sailings can be with elite members. On certain voyages, more than half of all guests hold Diamond or Platinum status, which makes offering every perk nearly impossible. The upcoming changes to the loyalty system may help Carnival provide a more consistent experience across all sailings.

Final Word

While some loyal guests may be disappointed by the loss of priority perks on these sailings, Carnival’s transparency and communication have been well received. The line continues to honor many popular rewards, such as complimentary laundry and exclusive gifts, while preparing a broader refresh of its loyalty program.

For travelers booked on these October 2025 cruises, the focus will remain on the unique itineraries and extended time at sea that make Carnival Journeys voyages so appealing. With a new rewards system on the horizon, future sailings could bring a fairer and more flexible approach to loyalty recognition.