Carnival Updates Carnival Rewards Again After Guest Feedback

Carnival announced changes to its new loyalty program again, this time in response to feedback from guests. These updates come a few months after they first introduced Carnival Rewards, which is set to replace the current VIFP Club in June 2026.

Diamond members will now receive lifetime status.
Anyone who reaches Diamond under the VIFP program by May 31, 2026, will keep that tier permanently in the new Carnival Rewards system. This replaces the original plan, which extended Diamond status only through 2032.

Platinum guests will get a status boost every two years.
If you’re Platinum by the cutoff date, your tier will still be honored through May 31, 2028. But now, Carnival will deposit 10,000 status-qualifying Stars into your account at the start of each two-year cycle. That’s enough to guarantee Gold status and gives you a head start toward requalifying Platinum or reaching Diamond.

Kids under 18 will continue to match the status of their parent or guardian on the booking. Once they turn 18, if they earned Platinum or Diamond before the cutoff, they’ll be invited to opt in to Carnival Rewards with that status.

Milestone awards earned through May 2026 will be honored through May 2030. Going forward, milestone recognition will be based on days sailed, not the number of cruises.

Carnival says these updates were made after listening to guest feedback over the summer. Many longtime cruisers weren’t happy with the original rollout and felt their loyalty wasn’t being acknowledged. These changes are meant to address that, and Carnival emailed cruise guests today—I received the message myself—outlining the updated benefits ahead of the 2026 launch.

All of these updates apply only to guests who reach Platinum or Diamond status by May 31, 2026. The new Carnival Rewards program will officially launch on June 1, 2026.

Read more: Things to Know Before Your Carnival Cruise

Photo credit: Deposit Photos |Carnival Cruise Line