BREAKING: Carnival Rewards Delayed to September 1, 2026
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the new Carnival Rewards program will now launch on September 1, 2026, giving VIFP Club members the full summer to earn Platinum or Diamond status before the program begins.
In an email this afternoon, Carnival President Christine Duffy said the company had been “listening to [VIFP] feedback” and is responding with this extension. All cruises through August 31, 2026, will count toward final VIFP Club status, which will carry over as your starting tier in Carnival Rewards. Summer sailings still help members reach Platinum or Diamond under the current rules.
See our guide to Carnival Rewards for the full details of the new program.
The first Rewards earning cycle will run from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. Diamond status remains lifetime if earned by August 31, 2026, and Platinum members get a recurring 10,000-star boost every two years. Carnival is keeping the core benefits announced earlier, including the spend-based system and the split between Stars and Points. Today’s update is strictly about the timeline.
Carnival’s email also outlined details on earning Stars, redeemable Points, the two-year cycle, the updated Milestone structure, and how the new Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® will work, all of which will take effect when the program launches in September.
Sources & Further Reading
Official Carnival Resources
Into the Funnel Related Coverage
Featured image: Carnival Jubilee Sail & Sign cards showing Platinum and Diamond VIFP tiers.
Photo: Jenny Motley, Into the Funnel
