Carnival Pushes Back Controversial Rewards Launch to 2026
Carnival Cruise Line is delaying the rollout of its highly anticipated—and highly debated—Carnival Rewards™ loyalty program. The line confirmed this week that the new system will now launch on September 1, 2026, three months later than previously planned.
According to an email sent to guests, the change is designed to give cruisers more time to lock in their final VIFP Club® status before the new, spend-based model takes over.
“To give you extra time — and to let your Summer 2026 cruises count toward your final VIFP Club® status — we are moving the launch of Carnival Rewards to September 1, 2026,” Carnival explained.
The new start date means all cruise activity through August 31, 2026 will count toward guests’ VIFP level, which will automatically convert into their starting status in Carnival Rewards™.
Diamond Chase Continues Through Summer 2026
The delay is especially significant for cruisers hoping to reach the coveted Diamond tier—the only status that will become lifetime once the new program begins.
For months, high-level cruisers have been racing to squeeze in additional sailings, especially with Carnival offering double or triple VIFP points on select itineraries.
Many saw the announcement as a victory.
Comments on Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page ranged from excited…
- “WOOHOO! That gets me to diamond by the time of the change!!”
- “Just got my email! Yay! Now to see how we can make it work to get to Diamond.”
…to frustrated.
- “This sucks. I thought they would’ve grandfathered platinums in.”
- “They say they listened, but they really haven’t. My platinum status will mean nothing eventually.”
How the New Carnival Rewards™ System Will Work
While the start date has shifted, Carnival is not making major changes to the structure of the revamped program.
Two Types of Earnings: Stars & Points
Cruisers will earn stars toward status and points toward onboard rewards.
How Stars Are Earned (Status Tier Progression)
- 3 stars per $1 spent on cruise fare
- 3 stars per $1 in onboard purchases
- 1 star per casino point
- 4 stars per $1 spent with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard (fare & onboard purchases only)
Status tiers are set at:
- Gold: 10,000 stars
- Platinum: 50,000 stars
- Diamond: 100,000 stars (lifetime)
Two-Year Status Cycle
Carnival confirmed that the program will follow two-year earning periods, where cruisers must re-earn their status every cycle.
The first extended period runs from August 31, 2026 through December 31, 2028. After that, all cycles will follow the calendar year (Jan 1–Dec 31).
How Points Are Earned (Onboard Reward Redemptions)
Points are accumulated the same way as stars:
- 3 points per $1 spent on fare & onboard purchases
- 1 point per casino point
- Bonus points for everyday purchases using the Carnival Mastercard
Guests can redeem points for things like drinks, specialty dining, spa services, photos, and excursions. Carnival says 100 points will equal roughly $1 in value, though redemption rates may vary based on demand.
Points Do Not Expire — With One Rule
Points will remain active as long as a guest earns or redeems points at least once every 3 years.
Stars, however, reset every two years, except for those who reach lifetime Diamond before the changeover.
Longtime Cruisers Still Divided
The delay has softened the blow for many guests hoping to secure Diamond status while they still can. However, others believe the change still diminishes their loyalty, especially Platinum-level cruisers who sail less often.
Carnival insists the new system will be more flexible and reward guests who spend more rather than simply counting sail days. But with the program now delayed until late 2026, the debate is sure to continue.
