Carnival Cruise Line had made waves back in June with the announcement of major changes to their existing VIFP loyalty program. Specifically, they had intended to offer their most loyal guests only a limited time extension of their current levels and benefits, after which time the guest would need to re-qualify each year based on several criteria.

Original Post: Carnival Cruise Line Unveils New “Carnival Rewards” Loyalty Program Set for 2026 Launch

In a communication sent to travel partners and guests today, Carnival Cruise Line appears to have made several amendments to their original plans for Carnival Rewards.

Copy of Letter from Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line

Dear Carnival Guests:

In June, we announced our plans to transition the existing Carnival VIFP Club loyalty program to a new program in June 2026 – Carnival Rewards. Carnival Rewards was designed to model other successful and popular travel loyalty programs that more closely align activity and spending to rewards and status.

While we explained our rationale for the change and provided a year’s notice to give everyone time to learn about how Carnival Rewards will operate, we also provided an extended period of time to maintain or achieve higher status levels before implementation.

Unfortunately, the announcement left some of our most loyal guests with the impression that their loyalty was being overlooked, which certainly was not our intention. We spent the summer listening closely to the feedback we received. As a result, we are pleased to share some modifications that address the concerns expressed:

- Diamond Status: As originally proposed, we were providing our Diamond guests with an additional six years of Diamond status once Carnival Rewards launches – through May 2032. Reflecting upon what it takes to achieve Diamond status, we are permanently extending Diamond level status to all guests who have earned it by May 31, 2026.

- Platinum Status: In our original announcement, we advised that Platinum guests as of May 31, 2026 would enter the new program with Platinum status recognition through May 31, 2028. Given the number of existing Platinum members, we are unable to extend Platinum status permanently due to all of the operational challenges we’ve previously explained.However, we want to do more to recognize their loyalty. Accordingly, for all guests who are Platinum level as of May 31, 2026, along with extending Platinum status through May 31, 2028, 10,000 status qualifying stars will also be deposited into Platinum guests’ new Carnival Rewards account when the program launches next year. That provides a minimum of Gold status in the subsequent June 2028 to May 2030 cycle and provides a boost towards maintaining Platinum status or earning Diamond status. Furthermore, we’re pleased to advise that this 10,000 status qualifying stars deposit will be a bi-annual gesture at the start of each new two-year earning cycle, providing Gold status and a nice head start each period towards Platinum and Diamond status. This deposit is limited to existing Platinum VIFP guests as of May 31, 2026.

- Guests Under Age 18: U.S. privacy laws restrict children under 18 from being enrolled in programs like Carnival Rewards, but we’re pleased to confirm that children will be able to enjoy the same status as their parent or adult that is designated as their responsible party on the booking for that sailing. Their cruise fare and spending will also contribute to the responsible party’s Carnival Rewards account. Furthermore, for our young cruisers who have achieved Diamond or Platinum status by May 31, 2026, their status will be kept on file and they’ll be invited to opt-in to Carnival Rewards with their May 31, 2026 earned status once they turn 18. At that time, they will also be provided the same Diamond permanent status or bi-annual status ‘boost’ offered to our Platinum guests as outlined above.

- Recognizing Your Milestones: We truly value your past cruising achievements and will continue to honor them with Carnival Rewards. All existing VIFP Milestone awards earned through May 2026 will be fully honored through May 2030, giving us the honor of celebrating those special achievements with you. In addition, we are so excited that Carnival Rewards will include an enhanced Carnival Rewards Milestones recognition program that will be based on days sailed (rather than number of cruises taken), and offering more benefits and rewards for each milestone achieved. More details will be shared in the upcoming months through email and our microsite on this recognition program.

For Our Australia and Canada Guests: We’re actively exploring options for our guests in Canada and Australia so that we can offer similar enhanced earning and rewards opportunities to residents in those countries, like what the Carnival Rewards Mastercard will do for U.S. residents.

The passion and loyalty of our guests is something that motivates our team every day to deliver the best cruise experience at sea. We appreciate the support of our guests as we move forward with a new loyalty program that has been designed to create more rewards and recognition for our guests. Please look for updates via email and as posted to carnivalrewards.goccl.com, including more details later this year about the new credit card program. With the opening of Celebration Key, our enhancements at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Isla Tropicale, our expanded presence in Australia, exciting new itineraries and more new ships on order, there is much we look forward to, and many more reasons to sail Carnival.

What do you think about these changes, has Carnival done a good job of listening to their guests? Leave a comment below or join us on the Talking Cruise Community forums.