Carnival Cruise Line is replacing its longtime VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program with a new system called Carnival Rewards, set to launch June 1, 2026. While the new program offers more ways to earn perks, the most important change for current cruisers is this: your status is no longer permanent. Under Carnival Rewards, your tier level can drop if you don’t continue cruising or spending regularly.

Here’s what you need to know.

Carnival Rewards Replaces VIFP in June 2026

Carnival Rewards introduces a dual-earning structure where guests earn:

Carnival Reward Points – These can be redeemed for purchases such as spa treatments, specialty dining, onboard experiences, and even future cruises.
Status Qualifying Stars – These determine your loyalty tier: Red, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.

Unlike the VIFP system, which is based solely on the number of nights you’ve sailed, Carnival Rewards factors in both cruise nights and how much you spend, including onboard purchases and spending through the new Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

Loyalty Status Can Now Expire or Drop

One of the biggest changes is how long you keep your tier level.

Status is earned over a rolling two-year period.
Once you earn a tier (Gold, Platinum, or Diamond), you keep it for two years.
After that, your activity is re-evaluated. If you haven’t earned enough Stars during the new two-year window, your status may drop.

This is a major shift from the current VIFP model, where status—especially Platinum and Diamond—is permanent once reached.

Example:
If you earn Platinum status by December 2026, you’ll keep it through December 2028. But if you don’t cruise or spend enough in 2027–2028 to requalify, your status could drop back to Gold or even Red starting in 2029.

Current VIFP Status Will Carry Over—But Not Forever

Carnival is providing a transition period for existing VIFP members:

Your current VIFP tier will transfer into Carnival Rewards on June 1, 2026.
That status will be locked in until May 31, 2028.
Diamond members will keep their tier even longer—through May 31, 2032.

After that, your tier level will depend entirely on your activity during the most recent two-year earning window. This means loyal cruisers who have reached high status but sail less frequently going forward may see their status level drop.

Earning Points and Stars

With Carnival Rewards, you earn:

Reward Points on eligible Carnival purchases (cruise fare, onboard spending, and the Carnival Rewards Mastercard).
Stars that count toward your loyalty tier.

This allows for more flexible ways to earn and redeem rewards, but it also shifts the focus from cruise history to ongoing engagement.

Carnival Mastercard Integration

Carnival’s co-branded credit card, issued by Barclays, will become a bigger part of the program:

Guests can earn both Points and Stars through card spending.
Existing Fun Points from the current card program will convert to Carnival Reward Points when the new system launches.

More details about new credit card perks will be announced closer to launch.

When the New Program Begins

Launch Date: June 1, 2026
Until then, guests continue earning VIFP status under the current system.
More details will be shared at CarnivalRewards.com, including tools to track your points, tier status, and upcoming changes.

Bottom Line: Status Is No Longer Permanent

The most important takeaway for current VIFP members is this: Platinum and Diamond status will no longer be permanent. Under Carnival Rewards, you must maintain activity—either cruising or spending—every two years to keep your tier. While existing status will carry over temporarily, long-term status now depends on consistent engagement with Carnival.

If you're a loyal Carnival cruiser who earned top-tier status years ago and now sails less frequently, this change could mean losing benefits unless you stay active under the new system.

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