Carnival Rewards Won’t Launch Until September 2026 After Latest Change

• Carnival Rewards is now launching September 2026
• Summer 2026 still counts toward VIFP status
• Your VIFP tier on August 31 becomes your starting status
• First earning cycle runs through December 2028
• Diamond remains lifetime for anyone who earns it before the switch
• Point values may vary depending on demand

Carnival Rewards is being pushed back again. The new loyalty program will now launch on September 1, 2026, adding another shift to this rollout.

The good news is that cruisers get an extra three months under the current VIFP system. If you are trying to reach Platinum or make a final push toward Diamond, your Summer 2026 sailings will still count toward your legacy status. That gives frequent Carnival cruisers a little more time to finish out their goals before the changeover.

When the new program begins, your VIFP status as of August 31, 2026 will become your starting tier in Carnival Rewards. Carnival is also expanding the first earnings cycle. The initial period will run through December 31, 2028, before shifting to the regular two-year cycles already outlined.

Carnival also shared a few clarifications. Points will not have a fixed value, and the number needed for redemptions may change based on demand. It works a lot like how cruise prices rise during holidays and then settle during quieter weeks. It is not the most predictable system, but at least Carnival is explaining how it will function.

Stars (status) and Points (redeemable rewards) are still tied to spending, and the new Carnival credit card will increase what you earn in both categories. This delay gives Carnival more time to finalize the program and gives cruisers a longer window before everything switches to the new system.

This update follows several earlier adjustments, including restoring lifetime Diamond, adding a status boost for Platinum members, updating milestone timelines, and explaining how tiers will transition. Anyone following the changes knows Carnival Rewards has already shifted multiple times, and now the timeline changes again before the program even launches.

Read more: Carnival Tips and Things You Should Know