After years of growing congestion particularly with the upper tiers of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, first launched in 2012, Carnival Cruise Line has finally created a new program for eager guests.

Coming in June 2026 will be the new Carnival Rewards program, featuring a duel-earning structure based on both on sailings as well as spending through the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

The new program is designed to help travelers better customize the rewards they prefer, truly providing added value and rewarding loyalty in multiple ways.

“The evolution of our loyalty program to Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for our valued guests,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line’s president.

“Our current VIFP program has served us well for many years and while we’ve enjoyed truly extraordinary growth in our loyal customer base, it has become challenging to deliver the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve.”

The number of Platinum VIFP guests has doubled since 2022, while the number of Diamond guests has quadrupled in that same time period.

The new system will be points-based in a way to reward not only frequency of travel with the cruise line, but also how much travelers spend onboard. Guests will earn three points for every $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases (with limited exclusions).

Points can also be earned through casino play, and even when guests make non-cruise purchases with their Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

“This transition honors our past while building a future where loyalty is recognized through both cruising frequency and overall engagement with the Carnival experience,” explained Duffy.

Guests will be able to redeem their earned points for onboard extra-charge activities, spa treatments, drinks, specialty dining, shore tours, and even credit them toward future Carnival cruise vacations.

Simultaneously, guests will earn “stars” that determine their loyalty tier, which will remain for two years. The “lifetime” status of cruise line loyalty is being eliminated.

The new program is being introduced in a phased approach. Current VIFP members will stay with their current loyalty level through May 31, 2028 (once the new program launches on June 1, 2026).

Diamond members, however, will have six years – until May 31, 2032 – to acclimate to the new program.

This will give everyone time to adjust to the changes and the launch of the Carnival Rewards program while still building loyalty – both stars and points – on booked cruises and any new sailings they enjoy in the interim.

Guests should note that, for now, there are no changes to the current VIFP program – at least for the next year.

“For the time being, there is no impact to the existing VIFP Club program, guest status, account, or how we will deliver our existing onboard experience.  The preview of the changes is the start of a conversation about how Carnival Rewards will deliver guest benefits and recognition when it formally launches in June 2026,” the Carnival website confirms.

This new program comes after years of hints and sly suggestions that updates were in the works. Such as been the inevitable delay with the announcements that some loyal guests even believed the updates might never be made.

Will the Changes Be Happily Accepted?

Of course, it is not easy to craft a loyalty program covering millions of cruise guests, hundreds of annual sailings, and a fleet of nearly 30 vessels sailing all over the world.

Different benefits, of course, are organized by different cruise line departments, but must have all been meshed together into the new, cohesive program. Balancing levels, providing good value, and above all, ensuring guests feel welcome and valued are all key aspects of any cruise line loyalty program.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

While time will tell whether or not every aspect of the Carnival Rewards program remains intact – perks do come and go over time and some tweaks are likely inevitable – many Carnival cruisers will undoubtedly be eager to set sail with their new benefits in the coming years.

There are regular news stories about travelers who retire to the seagoing life and spend their golden years almost entirely aboard cruise ships, but do such retirement plans come with extra benefits?

One cruise couple who encountered such a retiree in recent years has been considering the option, and reached out to Carnival Cruise Line with interesting questions.

“My wife and I were on a cruise in 2023 aboard the Regal Princess. At dinner we noticed an elderly lady sitting alone in the main dining room. I also noticed that all the staff, ships officers, waiters all seemed very familiar with this lady,” the poster described to Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald.

The guest goes on to note that they had expected the woman might be someone famous, but learned that she had actually been aboard the ship for the past six months.

They had an opportunity to chat with her, and what they learned caught their attention and has kept them thinking about their own options even two years later.

The woman had said of her lengthy cruise, “It’s cheaper than a nursing home.” But is it?

The guest goes on to note that the average cost of a nursing home in their area is $10,000 per month (though according to the American Council on Aging, it is closer to $14,000), and indeed it might be cheaper to set sail permanently.

“My wife and I are both in our late sixties now and we have been thinking about this lady,” the guest explained. “Would Carnival allow discounts for us to live out our lives on the Carnival Legend? This is our favorite ship. … We have no children and we cannot think of a better way to live out our lives.”

The question of whether or not a cruise line might offer discounts for full-time cruise ship life is an interesting one, though Heald admittedly doesn’t have a direct answer.

“Honestly, I have no idea if this is something we would consider,” Heald acknowledged. “I do think though that it’s a wonderful way to think.”

Heald goes on to compare that the retirement home life can be far less impressive than “being forever on vacation” with Carnival Cruise Line’s dining options, multiple pools, “and of course a caring, giving, considerate and always friendly crew.”

Granted, there is one request the guest has for their retirement-at-sea option that Carnival Cruise Line probably won’t be able to accommodate.

“When we die you can just dump us overboard. This will save on funeral costs too,” the guest commented (hopefully joking!).

That did give Heald a laugh, of course, but the cruise line isn’t likely to take such steps. He can, however, help guests arrange for scattering ashes at sea if desired.

Would a Cruise Line Be a Good Alternative to a Nursing Home?

More and more people are considering retirement-at-sea options, and it is an intriguing idea – especially considering that the US average of nursing home care is $111,325 per person for a shared room (think double occupancy staterooms) annually.

Of course, onboard costs would vary depending on the cruise line, the exact ship and type of sailings, stateroom selections, and other factors.

If a guest has high-level loyalty with the cruise line, that could translate into significant savings with free internet, drink discounts, or laundry perks.

Read Also: Here’s How You Can Retire on a Cruise Ship!

One would also have to plan for cruise ship dry dock schedules when it would be necessary to disembark completely, perhaps to switch to a different ship.

Pets would not be permitted, and it is essential to note that cruise ships aren’t always equipped for specialized medical care if it was needed.

Despite those potential drawbacks, however, spending one’s golden years witnessing endless golden at sea sunsets can be a very interesting – and not too outrageous! – option.

For some travelers, it isn’t even necessary to wait until retirement to set sail. Royal Caribbean’s top cruiser, 72-year-old Mario Salcedo, spends nearly 50 weeks a year at sea, working remotely and truly living the seagoing life.

Would you consider a life at sea? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!