Carnival Rewards Starts Today! Every Perk At Every Tier
Carnival Rewards is live as of today, September 1, 2026, replacing the VIFP Club. Here's what you actually get at every tier, what carried over, and what quietly disappeared. HOW YOU EARN: For every dollar of eligible Carnival spend (cruise fare, prepaid gratuities, transfers, spa, excursions, specialty dining), you earn 3 Carnival Rewards Points and 3 Status Qualifying Stars. Points redeem for perks like eligible cruise fare, spa, beverages, and shore excursions (not taxes/fees). Stars decide your status. Casino play counts too — 1 casino point = 1 Status Qualifying Star. THE FOUR TIERS: Red (start), Gold (10,000 stars), Platinum (50,000 stars), Diamond (100,000+ stars). Stars reset every two-year earning window; once you hit a tier, you keep it for the following two-year enjoyment period. WHAT IT COSTS: At 3 stars per dollar, Gold takes about $3,300, Platinum about $16,700, and Diamond over $33,300 in eligible spend every two years. Existing Platinum members get a 10,000-star head start, so they only need about $13,300 to keep Platinum. Mastercard everyday spend earns 1 star per dollar — a much slower path. PERKS BY TIER: • Red: members-only deals + free 1.5L bottle of water • Gold: + complimentary alcoholic drink on 5+ night cruises (Gold pins removed) • Platinum: + another free drink, collectible pin, priority dining & specialty dining reservations, free laundry, priority check-in/boarding/luggage, dedicated embarkation lounge, early cabin access, priority tendering • Diamond: + guaranteed preferred dining time, captain's special onboard event invite WHAT DISAPPEARED: Loyalty parties replaced by 2 drink vouchers; welcome treat, logo gift, and arcade credit (under 18) removed; Diamond one-time offers revoked (luggage tag set, complimentary specialty dinner for two, cabin upgrade or free 3rd/4th passengers). MILESTONE REWARDS (separate track, by nights sailed, never expire): 50 nights = 5,000 points + commemorative Sail & Sign card; 100 nights = 10,000 points + gift + card; every 100 nights after = same. THE MASTERCARD: 50,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days (helps redemptions, not status). Up to 6x on Carnival purchases, 2x restaurants/grocery, 1 star per $1 on everyday spend. THE TRANSITION: VIFP status carries over only if you opt in. Platinum keeps Platinum through Dec 31, 2028; after that your guaranteed floor is Gold unless you earn enough stars to keep Platinum. Lifetime status is gone — requalify every 2 years (Diamond gets one extra-long first cycle). The big shift: Carnival used to reward how many days you cruised. Now it rewards how much you spend. Is Carnival Rewards better or worse than VIFP? Tell me your status going in and what you think in the comments. Sources: Carnival Rewards Terms & Conditions: https://www.carnival.com/carnival-rewards/terms-and-conditions Carnival Rewards Benefits: https://www.carnival.com/carnival-rewards/benefits Carnival Rewards (official site): https://carnivalrewards.com/ Cruise Critic tier guide: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/carnival-vifp-very-important-fun-person-cruise-loyalty-program Book your next cruise on Viator: https://www.viator.com/searchResults?text=cruise+shore+excursions&pid=P00308799&medium=link&campaign=lidoburrito Get travel insurance with SafetyWing: https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26558778&utm_source=26588778&utm_medium=Ambassador #cruise #carnival #carnivalrewards #cruisenews #vifp #loyaltyprogram #carnivalcruise #cruising