Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled updates to its upcoming Carnival Rewards™ loyalty program, specifically benefiting current and soon-to-be Diamond and Platinum members of the existing VIFP Club®. These enhancements will reward the dedication of long-time cruisers ahead of the program’s official launch on June 1, 2026.
Carnival President Christine Duffy emphasized that the improvements stemmed directly from guest feedback collected over the summer, reflecting the company’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with its most loyal travelers.
Duffy said, “We are so excited about our new Carnival RewardsTM loyalty program launching next year, and believe it will drive fantastic engagement with, and rewards for, our guests. At the same time, we greatly appreciate the loyalty of our passionate guests and the years of dedication many have exhibited in order to achieve higher tiered loyalty status with Carnival Cruise Line. We’ve spent the summer talking with our guests, listening to their comments and taking in their feedback. As a result, I am happy to share that we are making changes to improve the offering to our most loyal customers as we get ready for the program’s launch in 2026. We believe these enhancements recognize our appreciation for the loyalty of our top tier guests.”
As part of the update, Diamond members who reach that status by May 31, 2026, will enjoy lifetime Diamond status in the new Carnival Rewards™ program, extending far beyond the original timeframe. Platinum members will receive a biennial boost of 10,000 stars, beginning at the program’s launch and continuing every two years. Additionally, Platinum status now guarantees a minimum of Gold tier status in all future reward periods.
In line with privacy laws, children under 18 will not be independently enrolled in the program but will carry the same loyalty status as their designated adult during cruises. When they reach adulthood, eligible minors who earned Diamond or Platinum status before the cutoff will be invited to join Carnival Rewards™ with full access to corresponding benefits.
Carnival also confirmed it is actively developing comparable options for Canadian and Australian guests, alongside the rollout of the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard in the U.S.
Learn more about the new changes in the Carnival Rewards™ program here.