Carnival Rewards Changes 2026: Carnival Just Put Platinum Guests on a Clock
For years, Carnival loyalty was simple. You sailed. You accumulated days. You moved up. It was not flashy, but it was easy to understand and, more importantly, it felt fair. That ends on September 1, 2026 , when Carnival shifts from VIFP to the new spend-based Carnival Rewards program. Carnival says guests keep earning VIFP status only through August 31, 2026 , and after that status is earned in fixed two-year windows using Status Qualifying Stars instead of cruise history alone. Carnival’s current thresholds are steep: Gold at 10,000 stars, Platinum at 50,000, and Diamond at 100,000 . Carnival also says members generally earn 3 stars per $1 on eligible Carnival purchases, with separate star earning tied to casino points. That is the official version. The pier version is harsher: Carnival has decided that loyalty now counts less than spend. Carnival VIFP Changes: The Platinum Penalty Is Real The biggest losers here are not casual cruisers. They are current Platinum guests. Car...