Carnival Cruise Line certainly shook up the cruise loyalty world with the announcement of their new Carnival Rewards program, set to replace the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program from June 1, 2026.
While there are many things about the new program that confused, frustrated, and outright angry guests are focusing on, it is also important to note that there are quite a few things that haven’t yet been fully confirmed about the new program.
Who Earns the Points on One Booking?
One of the biggest questions guests have had so far is who earns what points on what cruise booking under Carnival Rewards.
Because the program will be tied to spending, how are those spending points divided among different people staying in the same stateroom?
For example, a married couple who takes a 7-night cruise together under the current VIFP program will both earn the full 7 points toward their existing loyalty status.
Under the new program, it is unclear if that same couple would both earn the full total of points – let’s say, a $3,000 cruise fare so 3,000 points – for that same sailing, or if it would be split as 1,500 points per person.
And what about a third or fourth guest in the same stateroom, such as a group of adult friends traveling together?
Furthermore, will it make a difference whose name is on the credit card for booking the reservation? If the couple does not have a joint Carnival Rewards Mastercard, would just one person earn all the points?
How Will Young Cruisers Earn Points or Status?
Similarly, many loyal Carnival cruisers have expressed confusion about whether or not their children, grandchildren, or other young cruisers will earn any status at all.
Because Carnival Rewards is spending-based, and children aren’t spending the money – the cards all being in adults’ names – will children earn any loyalty for their travels?
Travel can be a lifelong joy, and helping children and teens “earn” status so they can continue to travel with benefits in their adult years is something many parents and grandparents enjoy doing.
Under the current program, the onboard VIFP parties recognize the youngest Diamond level cruisers for a moment of fun. These are often toddlers or pre-teens who have already sailed 200+ days with the cruise line, and therefore would have that elite status for decades to come.
One of the biggest concerns with the VIFP program has been how top-heavy it is already in its upper tiers, making such lifetime awards for children – who haven’t paid the cruise fare or contributed to the spending-related rewards – unsustainable.
How Will Points Be Redeemed?
Carnival has emphasized that the new rewards program offers guests flexibility to redeem points for what they value most, whether that might be discounts on cruise fares, specialty restaurant reservations, spa treatments, merchandise, shore tours, and more.
There has not yet been any indication of exactly how points are to be redeemed, however. Earning points is fairly straightforward – 1 point for every $1 spent, or 3 points per $1 when using the Carnival Rewards Mastercard (some purchases are excluded).
But how many points will be necessary to enjoy a meal at the Chef’s Table, get that 50-minute hot stone massage, or pick up the latest tumbler or t-shirt in Fun Shops?
Those numbers have not yet been released, but can make a tremendous difference depending on their perceived value onboard. Using 500 points for a specialty dinner may not be too bad, but 5,000 could seem excessive.
Similarly, it has not been clarified whether or not any redeemed points are then taken away from the status “stars” that determine a guest’s overall loyalty level.
How Carnival Rewards Differs From the VIFP Program
Despite the unanswered questions that may take months to fully clarify, we do know that the new spend-based program is significantly different from the VIFP program.
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For now, guests accrue points based on how many days they have sailed aboard Carnival cruises, and that is how their lifetime loyalty and their overall perks and benefits have been determined.
Carnival Rewards, however, is tied to ongoing spending, with status determined by overall financial commitment to the cruise line over a two-year period, with no lifetime status. Instead, guests must re-spend to re-earn their status level every two years.
Gone are certain perks, such as the onboard reunion parties on longer sailings as well as the often controversial VIFP Club gifts. Also gone are first-time-Diamond benefits such as a free specialty dining reservation and an exclusive luggage tag set.
With so much blowback in the days immediately following the new program’s reveal, it is highly likely that Carnival Cruise Line may re-evaluate its overall design.
Whether any changes are made before June 1, 2026, however, is yet one more thing we just don’t know yet.
