Carnival to Phase Out Lifetime Status With New Rewards Program

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that its long-standing VIFP Club will be retired in favor of a new spend-based loyalty program called Carnival Rewards, scheduled to launch on June 1, 2026. While the early reveal has generated strong reactions from longtime cruisers, Carnival’s leadership says the overhaul is necessary due to explosive overall growth and overcrowded elite tiers.

Program Announcement and Key Changes

Carnival Rewards replaces the former cruise-night points with a dual-earning structure based on spending, though final details on spending thresholds and tier requirements are still in development. According to the cruise line, guests will earn three points per dollar spent on eligible purchases, such as cruise fares, onboard activities, specialty dining, and spa treatments, along with “stars” that determine tier levels. Under the new framework, the four tiers (Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond) will be earned and retained on two-year cycles, eliminating the lifetime status approach that VIFP used.

Several established perks, including the eliminated Blue-tier entry and legacy gifts like Gold pins, are slated for removal or revision. Carnival says points will not expire as long as guests maintain account activity within a three-year window, and current VIFP members will automatically transfer into Carnival Rewards as of June 1, 2026.

Rationale for the Overhaul

In official communications, Carnival cites the exponential growth in its fleet and top-tier memberships as the reason for the new model. President Christine Duffy noted that carrying roughly 110 million guests by the end of 2025 would render the old structure unsustainable. “The evolution of our loyalty program to Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for our valued guests,” Duffy said. “By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them.”

Brand Ambassador John Heald emphasized that the early announcement is meant to gather feedback before the 2026 debut. “The structure is not yet final, and your voices are being relayed to management,” he wrote, suggesting there could be refinements to tier thresholds, accrual rates, and redemption charts in response to passenger concerns.

Loyalty Program Details

Carnival Rewards is designed around two parallel metrics: redeemable points for purchases and tier-qualifying stars. Spending on cruise fares, onboard activities, shore excursions, and specialty services will all contribute to point accumulation. Carnival has also reiterated that the co-branded Carnival Rewards Mastercard will offer additional ways to earn. Under the new system:

• Three points per dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases.
• Four tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond (with the Blue tier eliminated).
• Rolling two-year status windows, with requalification required to maintain Platinum or Diamond levels.
• No lifetime standing; Diamond members specifically have a six-year grace period (through May 31, 2032) before requalification becomes mandatory.
• Redeemable points can be used for onboard items (like specialty dining and spa treatments) and for future cruise credits.

Stakeholder Reactions

The proposed shift has polarized Carnival’s loyal customer base. A petition opposing the new system quickly amassed more than 1,000 signatures, with many frequent cruisers expressing frustration about losing lifetime-style tiers. “I’ve spent years building up my status, and now it’s tied to how much I spend,” wrote one petitioner on social media. Others who have cruised often but at lower fares feel undervalued by the spending-based criteria.

Meanwhile, some guests applaud the change on platforms like Reddit, arguing that “when everyone is special, no one is,” and predicting that trimming overcrowded elite tiers may recover the exclusivity of top-level perks. Still, many express confusion over technical details, such as how points and stars are tracked for shared bookings, or how partially booked cabins will accrue status. Carnival says a final redemption chart and tier thresholds will be published closer to launch.

Impacts on the Broader Cruise Industry

The shift to spending-based loyalty programs is a growing trend in the cruise sector. Competitors like Explora Journeys blend onboard spend with nights sailed for tier qualification, though Explora continues to grant lifetime status once a threshold is reached. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises is capitalizing on Carnival’s overhaul by promoting its Status Match program, allowing guests from other lines to retain or gain equivalent status. Observers say Carnival’s decision may spur similar changes at Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, with the success or failure of Carnival Rewards likely influencing how other lines rethink their own loyalty offerings.

Transition Timeline and What to Expect

Current VIFP members can continue accruing cruise-night credits under the old system until May 31, 2028. At that point, all existing statuses will carry over into Carnival Rewards for at least two years (with Diamond members enjoying status through May 31, 2032). Carnival’s preview materials indicate that the venerable VIFP gifts, Gold pins, and certain free drink benefits will be phased out or restructured. Going forward, guests can track updates at carnivalrewards.com, with the line indicating more specifics will be released as the program’s launch nears.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Carnival Rewards officially launch?

The new program takes effect on June 1, 2026. Guests can continue earning under the VIFP Club until that date, with their final VIFP status transferring to Carnival Rewards as the starting tier.

Will my current VIFP status still be honored?

Yes. Carnival states that existing VIFP tiers will transfer over at the time of launch and remain valid through May 31, 2028, for most tiers. Diamond members receive an extended grace period through May 31, 2032.

Are lifetime-style tiers going away?

Yes. Carnival Rewards replaces the permanent tiers with rolling, two-year membership cycles, requiring guests to requalify to maintain Platinum or Diamond status.

Do I need the Carnival Rewards Mastercard to earn points?

No. The card is optional and provides an extra avenue for collecting points on everyday purchases, but guests will earn points and tier-qualifying stars on eligible cruise bookings and onboard spend without it.

Why are some passengers unhappy about these changes?

Many longtime cruisers feel the new system devalues past loyalty by removing lifetime perks and tying status more directly to spending. Others argue it may alleviate overcrowding at the top tiers, making benefits more manageable and potentially more rewarding for frequent, higher-spending guests.

Carnival officials say they will consider passenger feedback as the final structure of Carnival Rewards is refined, leaving a window of opportunity for further adjustments before the program goes live in 2026.