Key Aspects:
- John Heald has clarified that the new Carnival Rewards program still includes free laundry for Diamond and Platinum guests.
- The overall amount of complimentary laundry bags depends on sailing length and has been reduced from the VIFP program.
- Heald also reminds guests that they must opt in to the new program no later than August 31, 2026.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new rewards program begins on September 1, 2026, and at that time, one of the most popular perks for Platinum and Diamond level guests is being slashed: complimentary laundry services.
What is not happening, however, is the benefit being discontinued altogether. John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, was firm with that clarification in a Facebook post he made on Friday, August 28, responding to unfounded reports that the benefit was disappearing.
“I would like to respectfully correct one of the big cruise influenzers and let you know that from September 1st when Carnival Rewards starts that Diamond and Platinum guests will indeed still have laundry perks and that they have not, as said by Mr Influenzer, ‘been canceled,'” he explained.
Both Platinum and Diamond level guests will receive free laundry under the new Carnival Rewards program, but exactly how much depends on the length of the cruise.
For sailings from 3-6 days, Platinum guests will get one free bag, while Diamond guests will get two free bags. For cruises of 7-13 days, the amounts are two bags for Platinum guests and three for Diamond guests. On longer sailings of 14 days or more, Platinum guests get four complimentary bags of laundry, while Diamond guests get five.
While this is certainly not cancelling the perk, it is dramatically reduced. Under the “Very Important Fun Person” loyalty program (which is ending after August 31, 2026), Platinum guests received 2, 3, and 5 bags on cruises of 2-6, 7-13, and 14+ days, respectively. This is exactly the amount that Diamond guests will receive under the Carnival Rewards program beginning September 1, 2026.
As VIFPs, Diamond guests received unlimited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry service, regardless of cruise length. As Heald has clarified, this is no longer the case and the overall number of bags will be limited under Carnival Rewards, but not eliminated altogether.
Another Reminder to Opt In to Carnival Rewards
Heald also reminds guests that they only have until Monday, August 31, 2026 to opt in to the new Carnival Rewards program. There is an “OPT IN NOW” button on the upper right corner on the rewards program’s official website, and guests can also check to see if they’ve already successfully opted in, just in case they are unsure or may have had technical problems.
A notice has also been posted on Carnival Cruise Line’s website for several months reminding guests to opt in.
“You must enroll and accept the Terms & Conditions to participate in the new Carnival Rewards™ program launching September 1, 2026, to ensure your status and benefits transition from the VIFP Club® program. You’re just two clicks away!” the notice reads.
Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?
Carnival Cruise Line has taken other steps to encourage guests to opt in before the deadline. VIFP guests have been sent emails and Heald has issued numerous reminders.
Heald and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy even put out a video discussing the new program and explaining why guests can’t be automatically enrolled, even if they have been members of the VIFP program for many years.
“It is a brand new program,” Duffy reminded viewers. “It has new terms and conditions, and guests should review and accept them. Privacy rules prevent us from automatically enrolling guests, even our longtime cruisers.”
The Carnival Rewards program was initially supposed to begin on June 1, 2026, but Cruise Hive reported in November 2025 that the changeover was delayed to September 1, 2026. At that time there was not yet any notice that guests had to individually enroll, but the program was still being tweaked.
