Carnival’s Loyalty Revamp Sparks Outrage Among Longtime Cruisers

Carnival Cruise Line’s announcement of its major overhaul to its loyalty program has ignited a wave of backlash from longtime guests, many of whom feel that their loyalty and years of dedication are being dismissed.

As Carnival prepares to replace the much-loved Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program with the new Carnival Rewards in 2026, longtime cruisers are expressing frustration over the significant changes.

A Bitter Goodbye to Lifetime Benefits

The most controversial shift in the new program is the removal of lifetime loyalty benefits. Under the current VIFP system, guests build status based on their total number of days sailed with Carnival.

Once achieved, these benefits are permanent. However, the new Carnival Rewards system will require guests to re-earn their benefits every two years through continued spending on cruises, onboard amenities, and services.

For many loyal guests, this is a bitter pill to swallow. “The lifetime status revocation is a deal breaker for me,” said one longtime cruiser. “Take away a few perks… No big deal. But this change was my personal deal breaker.”

This loss of permanent benefits feels especially unfair to many who have dedicated years to achieving higher-tier statuses, with some guests noting that it can take years to reach the upper levels of the VIFP program. Carnival’s new model, which resets status after two years, means guests will need to spend more frequently to maintain their rewards.

The New Carnival Rewards Program

Starting June 1, 2026, Carnival’s new points-based loyalty system will reward guests based on spending rather than days at sea. Spending on cruise fares, shore excursions, spa treatments, and onboard purchases will all contribute to status accumulation, with the program structured to reward repeat spenders.

While some guests have welcomed the shift toward rewarding spending, the change comes with a catch – status will expire every two years. For those who do not cruise frequently or spend enough, this could mean a constant battle to maintain their perks.

Another sore spot is Carnival’s push for guests to sign up for their branded credit card to accelerate points accumulation. This move has drawn criticism from guests who feel the loyalty program is now more of a spending scheme than a true reward for long-term loyalty.

“This is not a loyalty program. It is a rebate program,” one guest pointed out. “The more you spend, the more you will be rebated – as long as it’s within a two-year period.”

What’s Gone and What’s Staying?

Along with the overhaul of the rewards system, some beloved perks are being cut or reduced. Platinum and Diamond-tier guests will no longer enjoy exclusive VIFP Club parties or complimentary welcome gifts like tote bags, baseball caps, or drink koozies.

Additionally, children under 18 will lose their $5 arcade credits, a small but appreciated perk for families.

The biggest loss is the removal of complimentary benefits for Diamond-level cruisers, such as the free specialty dining dinner, stateroom upgrades, and exclusive luggage tags. For many, these once-cherished perks now feel like a distant memory, replaced by the need to spend continuously to maintain their status.

Despite these changes, some perks remain. Platinum and Diamond-level guests will still enjoy priority embarkation and debarkation, early online check-in, and free wash-and-fold laundry—provided they meet the spending thresholds every two years.

Looking Ahead

While the new Carnival Rewards program won’t take effect until June 2026, many longtime guests are already disillusioned, questioning the value of their past loyalty. The questions about future benefits, the long-term stability of the program, and whether Carnival will further revise its changes remain unanswered for now.

For those considering a Carnival cruise, it’s clear that the days of long-term loyalty rewards are gone. Whether or not the new program will provide the same level of satisfaction as its predecessor remains to be seen.

As the clock ticks down to 2026, loyal Carnival cruisers will need to decide: is it still worth it to stay loyal, or is it time to start exploring other options?