When Carnival Cruise Line first announced in June that its long-running VIFP Club would be sunset in 2026 and replaced with the new Carnival Rewards program, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The concept was clear: Carnival wanted a program that looked more like other travel loyalty systems, one that rewarded both activity and spending. But for many long-time loyal cruisers, the news felt like a downgrade.
I covered the original announcement in detail here, outlining how the new system was set to work. While some guests welcomed the changes, the response from many Platinum and Diamond members was fierce. Social media groups and message boards lit up with frustration, and Carnival found itself in damage-control mode.
Today, Carnival sent an email to its most loyal guests acknowledging the criticism—and announcing some significant revisions. The takeaway? Carnival had no choice but to listen and adjust course.
Permanent Diamond Status
Originally, Diamond guests were promised an extension of their tier for six years following the program’s launch. Now, Carnival is making that extension permanent. Anyone who earns Diamond status by May 31, 2026, will keep it for life. This move directly addresses the complaints from cruisers who argued that reaching Diamond took decades of loyalty and shouldn’t come with an expiration date.
A Boost for Platinum Guests
Platinum members—who make up a much larger group—aren’t getting lifetime perks, but Carnival sweetened the deal compared to the initial rollout.
- Platinum members as of May 31, 2026, will keep Platinum status until May 31, 2028.
- In addition, Carnival will deposit 10,000 Status Qualifying Stars into their new Rewards account each cycle. That’s enough to guarantee Gold status and provides a head start toward keeping Platinum or even reaching Diamond.
This deposit will repeat every two-year cycle, ensuring long-term Platinum guests always have a cushion in the program.
Fixes for Families and Kids
Another sticking point was what would happen to under-18 guests. U.S. privacy laws prevent minors from being enrolled in Carnival Rewards. Initially, this looked like a downgrade for younger cruisers who had worked their way up to Platinum or Diamond.
Carnival’s solution: children will mirror the status of their parent or responsible adult when sailing, and their spending will credit that adult’s account. For young cruisers who already achieved Platinum or Diamond by May 31, 2026, Carnival will preserve that status and allow them to opt in with those perks once they turn 18.
Milestones Still Matter
One of the hallmarks of VIFP was Milestone recognition based on the number of cruises taken. Carnival confirmed all Milestone awards earned through May 2026 will still be honored until May 2030. On top of that, Carnival Rewards will shift to a days-sailed model for future Milestones, with more recognition and benefits promised (details to come).
Regional Considerations
Carnival also addressed Canadian and Australian guests, who previously raised concerns about being left out of perks tied to the U.S.-only Carnival Rewards Mastercard. The company says it’s actively exploring comparable options for those markets, though specifics remain TBD.
Why Carnival Had to Pivot
The blowback to Carnival Rewards was unlike anything we’ve seen in recent cruise program changes. While other lines—like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity—have tied loyalty to spending without much uproar, Carnival’s massive VIFP base simply wasn’t having it. Platinum and Diamond guests, who make up the backbone of Carnival’s repeat business, felt dismissed.
By making Diamond permanent and adding recurring boosts for Platinum, Carnival essentially admitted what many already knew: ignoring loyalty is risky business. With Celebration Key, new ships, and expanded itineraries in the pipeline, Carnival needs these guests more than ever.
Carnival Rewards will still launch in June 2026, but it will look very different than the version announced just three months ago. While not every guest will be happy, these changes show that Carnival was forced to listen—and they made the right call.
Because when it comes to cruise loyalty, it’s clear: the guests still have the loudest voice onboard.