7 Reasons The New Carnival Loyalty Program Makes Sense

I’m well aware that there will be Carnival cruise fans who see the title of this article and will be triggered already.

Trust me, I’m being very careful while I peek out over the parapet with this article…

But while I totally understand the reasons that many cruisers hate the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program, I can also see (some) sense in why it’s going to happen, and why it’ll be a good thing. For some people.

I don’t expect to convert the haters by the end of this guide, but maybe you’ll at least see that some of the reasons behind the change are reasonable…

1. Thinning Out the Top-Tier Members

The main reason Carnival decided to get rid of the VIFP loyalty program and replace it with Carnival Rewards is because there are just too many loyal Carnival fans reaching the upper tiers of the existing system.

It’s impossible to give special treatment to the Diamond cruisers when there are hundreds of them boarding a ship. In fact, there have been some cruises where it hasn’t been possible to offer priority disembarkation as there have just been too many people in the priority group, meaning everyone loses out.

“Priority boarding” just becomes, well, “boarding” by that point. And there were plenty of other perks where there are just too many people to properly accommodate them.

So yes, a lot of Platinum and Diamond cruisers are going to be very upset about the changes, as they eventually lose their status if they don’t spend the money to maintain it.

But for those that do spend that money, they should find that their rewards perks feel a lot more like a perk, something that’s special for them.

It’s a tough balance. But when a “loyalty” system gets too crowded at the top, it stops feeling like a reward and starts feeling like something everyone gets just for turning up.

The new program gives Carnival a way to better control numbers at the upper tiers, while still offering a path to reach them – just with a bit more effort (or money) required.

2. Big Spenders Will Love It

Let’s be honest – some cruisers spend a lot of money. They book the best balcony cabins, splash out on shore excursions, order drinks by the bucket, and hit the spa without blinking at the prices.

Under the old system, those people weren’t rewarded more than someone who booked a cheap interior cabin and didn’t spend a penny onboard.

Now, with Carnival Rewards, spend is rewarded. If you’re someone who loves a bit of luxury and is happy to treat yourself, you’ll climb the loyalty ladder faster and get more back in return.

It’s a loyalty program that finally recognises value, not just volume.

And yes, that will upset the inside cabin bookers who can’t afford to spend all those extras onboard. I sympathise with those people.

They do have to remember that their existing status will remain in place for at least a couple of years though.

And if you remove the emotion from the situation, can you blame a company for wanting to reward the people who spend the most money with them?

3. It Can Be Faster to Rise Up the Tiers

One of the biggest surprises for new cruisers is just how long it used to take to move through the VIFP tiers. Unless you were doing multiple cruises a year, progress could be painfully slow.

With the new Carnival Rewards system, there’s a real chance to rise through the tiers much quicker – if you’re spending the money.

Since you earn three stars for every eligible dollar you spend, the more you invest in your cruise experience, the quicker you unlock benefits.

And you don’t need to wait until the end of a two-year cycle to enjoy your upgraded status – as soon as you hit a new tier, you get those perks right away.

For newer cruisers who want to build status quickly, this is a major improvement.

4. More Opportunity to Tailor Your Own Perks

One of the clever things about the new program is that it separates rewards (points) from status (stars).

That means you’re not just working toward a fixed tier – you’re also earning points that you can spend however you like.

Fancy a steakhouse dinner? Use your points.

Want an internet package, or a bottle of bubbly for sailaway? Use your points.

It’s not just about climbing the status ladder. You can get little wins along the way, and that helps the program feel more rewarding – even if you’re only an occasional cruiser.

5. The Best Status Perks Remain in Place

Despite the drama, it’s worth pointing out that many of the most-loved perks from the old system are still available – you just have to earn them under the new rules.

Platinum and Diamond members still get things like priority boarding, dedicated support, complimentary laundry, and Captain’s events (for Diamond only).

If you make it to those tiers, the benefits do still feel valuable – maybe even more so now that fewer people will be there with you.

And with tier matching in place for the first two (or six, for Diamond) years, past cruisers aren’t being completely cast aside. There’s a grace period to adjust and show Carnival you still deserve those perks.

6. Casino Players Can Get Triple Perks

If you enjoy spending time in the casino while you cruise, then Carnival Rewards could be a huge win – because you’re now earning three different types of rewards from a single activity.

For every point you earn through the Carnival Players Club – the cruise line’s casino-specific rewards program – you’ll also earn a Rewards Point (which you can spend on drinks, excursions, internet and more), and a Status Qualifying Star (which helps move you up the Carnival Rewards tiers).

So you’re essentially getting triple perks from the same casino play:

• Carnival Players Club points – used for offers like free drinks while you play, discounted (or even free) cruises, and other casino-specific benefits
• Carnival Rewards Points – which can be spent on all sorts of onboard extras
• Status Stars – which help you reach higher status tiers and unlock broader perks

And the best part? The Carnival Players Club is staying exactly as it is – it hasn’t been replaced or watered down.

So casino guests now have more ways to earn and enjoy rewards than ever before. If you’re a regular in the onboard casino, this change really works in your favour.

7. It Encourages People to Try Other Cruise Lines

This one might sound strange in an article about why Carnival’s new loyalty system is a good thing, but hear me out.

When loyalty is permanent and status never drops, there’s less reason to try other cruise lines. You might feel “locked in”, even if you’re a bit bored of the same ships or itineraries.

But now that status is temporary and spend-based, there’s less to lose by broadening your horizons.

If Carnival Rewards feels harder to maintain, some cruisers might decide to explore Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, or others – and that could be a good thing. It adds variety, and you might even find another line you love just as much (or more).

I have some guides that will help you compare the Carnival experience to that with other cruise lines…

• Carnival Vs MSC Cruises
• Carnival Vs Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Vs Norwegian Cruise Line
• Carnival Va Royal Caribbean

MSC and Virgin Voyages in particular are proving to be very popular amongst the social media chatter about Carnival Rewards, because of their Status Match.

Read more: MSC Cruises Status Match Charts – Free Perks When You Sail!

You don’t have to start from scratch with those cruise lines and their loyalty programs, if you already have earned your way up the VIFP ladder.

Loyalty should reward you, not trap you. And Carnival Rewards might nudge people into rediscovering their freedom to cruise how they want.

Final Word

It’s easy to see why so many Carnival fans are upset about the changes to the loyalty program. Losing lifetime status, spending thresholds, and the complexity of earning periods have all triggered strong reactions – and understandably so.

But there is another side to the story.

Carnival Rewards brings in more flexibility, more personalisation, and better recognition for those who spend more on their cruises. For big spenders, casino players, and newer guests, this new system could actually offer more tangible benefits than VIFP ever did.

No loyalty program is perfect – and this one might still evolve based on feedback – but for the right kind of cruiser, Carnival Rewards could be a very rewarding change.

And now I’ll dip back down below the parapet.

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