Carnival Rewards Explained: How the New 2026 Loyalty Programme Works

It’s been a long time since a cruise line launched something that triggered such an intense reaction. From the moment Carnival unveiled its new Rewards programme, the backlash was swift and loud.

That said, there are elements of the new system that are genuinely positive, though many loyal Carnival fans may be too frustrated to see them right now. Of course, some of the changes feel like a step backwards, and if you’re a long-time cruiser, you might find yourself understandably disappointed once you see what’s different.

I’ve touched on the controversy, but this guide won’t dwell on it. This guide is here to give you the facts – a clear, neutral breakdown of what’s changing from the old VIFP system, and exactly how Carnival Rewards will work moving forward.

Let’s break it down…

TL;DR, What’s Changing

• Carnival Rewards replaces the old VIFP loyalty program from June 1st 2026
• You now earn 3 points and 3 stars for every $1 spent
• Points buy rewards like drinks, excursions, and internet
• Stars unlock loyalty tiers (Red, Gold, Platinum, Diamond), but they expire every 2 years
• To reach Diamond, you’ll need to spend $33,334 in just two years
• Your past cruises? Don’t count anymore

Some cruisers love the new flexibility. Others say it’s a loyalty tax in disguise.

Carnival Rewards: Key Dates and What to Expect

Carnival Rewards has been on the horizon for a while, with teasers from senior figures at Carnival and plenty of speculation among cruisers. The official announcement finally came on June 18th 2025, outlining exactly how the new loyalty program will work.

But here’s the catch: Carnival Rewards won’t take effect until June 1st 2026. That means guests have nearly a year to get familiar with the changes or voice their frustrations. Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has hinted that feedback might influence some tweaks before launch, but no promises.

Unlike other cruise lines, where your loyalty status lasts for life, Carnival Rewards works on a rolling two-year cycle. Your tier is only based on the stars you earn in the current or previous cycle, and after that, you start from zero again.

“Points and Stars”? Here’s the Deal

At the heart of the new Carnival Rewards programme is a two-part system: points and stars. You’ll earn both as you cruise and spend, but they serve very different purposes.

What Are Reward Points?

Reward Points are a brand-new addition. You’ll earn them every time you book a cruise or make qualifying purchases through Carnival, and unlike stars, these points are meant to be spent.

Think of them like onboard currency. You can use them towards drinks, excursions, internet, dining, and more.

How to Earn Points

The main way to rack up Reward Points is simple: spend money with Carnival. Whether it’s your cruise fare, a spa treatment, speciality dining, or a shore excursion, most purchases will earn you points.

Most onboard and pre-cruise purchases qualify, including:

• Cruise fare
• Spa treatments
• Shore excursions
• Speciality dining
• Drinks
• Shopping
• Activities like BOLT or IMAX

However, not everything earns points. You won’t receive points for:

• Port fees and taxes
• Airfare, including bookings through Fly2Fun
• Certain cruise fare types, like charters or packaged rates

It’s still unclear whether gratuities will count — Carnival has yet to confirm.

One important detail: you’ll only earn points when spending actual money. That means if you pay using onboard credit or a Future Cruise Credit, those purchases won’t count. The same rule applies to others in your cabin; if they’re spending real money, they’ll earn points too.

Carnival also offers an online calculator to help estimate how many points you might earn per trip.

Casino Play

If you enjoy spending time in the casino, there’s another way to boost your Rewards Points.

Carnival Rewards works alongside the existing Carnival Players Club. You’ll continue earning casino points through the Players Club, and now, for every 1 casino point you earn, you’ll also receive 1 Carnival Rewards point.

How you earn casino points depends on the game. For slot machines, it’s typically 1 point for every $2 played. Table games vary, but they’re included too.

So, if you’re someone who likes to hit the slots or try your luck at the tables, your casino play could significantly bump up your rewards balance.

Related reading: Cruisers Are Using These Casino Tricks for Free Carnival Cruises

Carnival Mastercard

Another way to earn Rewards Points is by using the Carnival Mastercard. New cardholders receive a welcome bonus, and from then on, you’ll earn points on every purchase you make with the card.

If you’re already collecting Carnival Fun Points, these will be converted into Rewards Points when the new programme launches, likely at a 1:1 ratio, though that hasn’t been officially confirmed.

In short, for every 1 Fun Point you earn with the Carnival Mastercard, you’ll also earn 1 Rewards Point under the new system.

One important caveat – the Carnival Mastercard is only available to US residents. So, if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, this particular earning method won’t be an option.

What You Can Spend Points On

Carnival Rewards Points can be used for a wide range of purchases, both onboard and before you sail. You’ll be able to redeem points for things like:

• Cruise deposits
• Cruise fare
• Onboard activities
• Casino gaming
• Shopping
• Speciality dining
• Drinks
• Shore excursions

The full pricing structure hasn’t been released yet, but here’s a rough idea of what different point levels might get you:

Under 2,000 points

• A 6-pack of soda
• A frozen piña colada
• Banana boat ride at Princess Cays
• Snorkel or rental equipment at Princess Cays
• Daily internet access

2,000 to 4,999 points

• Dinner at Cucina del Capitano
• Manicure at the spa
• Day pass to the Thermal Suite
• Stingray encounter at Princess Cays

5,000 to 9,999 points

• Steakhouse dinner
• Charm of Grand Turk shore excursion
• Multi-mask facial at the spa
• Pixels photo package

10,000+ points

• A 3-day Bahamas cruise in an interior cabin (taxes and fees not included)
• Dolphin swim excursion in Ocho Rios
• Swedish massage
• Private beach club pass

You can use your points while booking your cruise, to pre-book activities before sailing, or onboard during your trip. Just keep in mind that once you spend them, they’re gone.

What Are Status Qualifying Stars?

In addition to earning points, you’ll also earn Status Qualifying Stars every time you cruise with Carnival. These stars function more like traditional loyalty metrics — they determine your status tier within the programme.

Unlike points, stars can’t be spent. Instead, they unlock perks and benefits based on the tier you reach. They’re not permanent, though. Your stars are valid for two years following the end of each earning cycle, meaning your status can change depending on how much you cruise and spend during that time.

How to Earn Stars

Stars are earned in exactly the same way as points, and you’ll collect both at the same time. For every $1 you spend on eligible purchases, you’ll receive 3 Stars alongside your 3 Reward Points.

Casino play counts too: 1 Casino Point = 1 Star.

However, there’s one key difference – purchases made with the Carnival Mastercard only earn points, not stars. So while the card can help you earn rewards to spend, it won’t help you level up your status.

Carnival offers an online calculator to estimate your star earnings. Just be aware: it shows totals over a two-year cycle, even though it asks how many cruises you take per year, so read the results carefully.

There are also a few milestone bonuses:

• After 50 nights sailed with Carnival, you’ll earn 5,000 bonus points and a special milestone Sail & Sign card.
• After every 100 nights, you’ll get an additional 10,000 bonus points, a new Sail & Sign card, and a commemorative gift.

Just like points, stars are only earned during a specific two-year earning period. Once that period ends, your star count resets to zero, and you’ll need to start again if you want to maintain or increase your status.

Status Levels and Perks

Carnival Rewards features four status tiers (Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond), each offering a different set of perks based on how many stars you earn during a two-year cycle.

Red Tier

This is the entry-level status and requires no minimum number of stars. As soon as you sign up for Carnival Rewards, you’ll be in the Red tier.

Red perks include:

• Members-only newsletter
• Access to exclusive deals
• Red Sail & Sign card
• Complimentary 1.5-litre bottle of water on every cruise

Gold Tier

To unlock Gold status, you’ll need 10,000 stars, which equates to spending $3,334 on eligible Carnival purchases over two years.

Gold perks include everything from the Red tier, plus:

• Gold Sail & Sign card
• Dedicated customer support
• One complimentary drink on cruises of 5 nights or longer

Platinum Tier

To reach Platinum status, you’ll need to earn 50,000 stars, which means spending $16,667 on eligible Carnival purchases within a two-year earning period.

In addition to all the Red and Gold perks, Platinum members receive:

• Platinum Sail & Sign card
• Collectable pin badge
• Dedicated customer support
• Two complimentary drinks per cruise
• Priority dining reservations (Main Dining Room and speciality restaurants)
• Complimentary wash & fold laundry service (1 to 4 bags, depending on cruise length)
• Early online check-in (up to 16 days before sailing)
• Priority check-in at the terminal
• Priority security queue (where available)
• Access to the Captain’s Lounge at the terminal
• Priority boarding and luggage delivery
• Early bag drop-off in your stateroom
• Dedicated lines at Guest Services and the Casino
• Priority spa reservations
• Priority access to tender boats or water shuttles
• Priority debarkation at the end of your cruise

Diamond Tier

Diamond status is the highest level in the Carnival Rewards programme. To qualify, you’ll need to earn 100,000 stars, which means spending $33,334 within a two-year earning period.

Diamond members receive all the perks from the previous tiers, plus:

• Diamond Sail & Sign card
• Dedicated sales and customer support team
• Guaranteed Main Dining Time (early or late seating)
• 2 to 5 complimentary wash & fold laundry bags (based on cruise length)
• Priority access to retail concierge services
• A dedicated casino host upon request
• Invitation to an exclusive event hosted by the Captain

How the Earning Periods Work

One of the most significant (and controversial) changes with Carnival Rewards is that your status is no longer permanent. To maintain your tier, you’ll need to continue spending; otherwise, your status can drop or reset entirely.

The programme is based on fixed two-year earning periods. The first cycle begins on 1st June 2026 and runs through 31st May 2028. During that window, every eligible dollar you spend helps you accumulate stars and achieve a tier.

Your earned tier is then locked in for the following two-year cruising period — in this case, from 1st June 2028 to 31st May 2030. But when that period starts, your star count resets, and you begin earning again for the next cycle.

Example:

• From 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2028, you earn 50,000 stars
• That qualifies you for Platinum status from 1st June 2028 to 31st May 2030
• But if, during the 2028–2030 cycle, you only earn 10,000 stars, you’ll drop to Gold from 1st June 2030
• If you then earn 50,000 stars again from 2030 to 2032, you’ll regain Platinum for the next period

There is some good news – you don’t have to wait until the end of the earning cycle to enjoy your new status. As soon as you hit the threshold for a new tier, the perks kick in immediately.

For example, if you reach 50,000 stars on 12th March 2028, you’ll become Platinum on that date, and your status will remain valid through to 31st May 2030. Just remember, your star count will reset on 1st June 2028, and you’ll begin earning towards the next period.

Why Carnival Is Replacing the VIFP Program

So, why is Carnival scrapping the old VIFP loyalty programme? According to the cruise line, the reason is simple: too many people were reaching the top tiers, especially Platinum and Diamond.

As a result, Carnival was struggling to deliver the promised perks. When half the ship qualifies for priority boarding, it stops feeling like a perk and starts feeling like standard procedure.

Rather than just adding extra tiers to spread out the benefits, Carnival made the decision to completely overhaul the system. The goal? To make the programme more sustainable and ensure that rewards feel truly exclusive, but only for those who cruise (and spend) consistently.

VIFP Status Match: What Happens to Your Current Tier

Understandably, many loyal cruisers are frustrated that their years of VIFP progress won’t carry over as points or stars. However, there is some good news – Carnival will honour your current VIFP status during the transition to the new Rewards programme.

If you’re a Red, Gold, or Platinum member under VIFP, you’ll automatically retain that tier in the new Carnival Rewards system for the first two years – from 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2028, and enjoy the updated perks that come with it.

Diamond members get an even better deal. Their status will be protected for six years, covering the first three Rewards cycles, through to 31st May 2032.

Although Diamond guests won’t be able to earn additional status-qualifying stars during the first four years, they’ll maintain their Diamond benefits throughout that period. Then, from 1st June 2032, their tier will reflect how many stars they earned in the most recent cycle (June 2030 to May 2032).

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to take in, no doubt. Whether you’re frustrated by the overhaul or simply curious about what’s changing, if you plan to sail with Carnival in the future, it’s well worth understanding how the new Rewards programme works.

It may not be the loyalty system everyone hoped for, but there are still valuable perks to be earned, both through Reward Points you can spend, and Stars that determine your status. Yes, your stars reset every two years, but if you cruise regularly, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to climb the tiers again.

Here’s a quick recap:

• You earn 3 points and 3 stars for every $1 spent
• Points are redeemable for rewards like drinks, dining, activities, and even cruise fare
• Stars unlock status tiers, bringing perks every time you sail

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