With the launch of the new rewards program looming on September 1, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy sat down with brand ambassador John Heald to answer guest questions.
Points based on days rather than itinerary
“I know there are a lot of problems,” Duffy admits, understating the scale of the ship, which is as big as the largest ship in the fleet she oversees. In the viral YouTube video (which you can watch below), she and Heard then had a carefully curated (but intentionally casual) conversation about a variety of awards-related topics, starting with milestone awards.
Acknowledging the importance of loyalty, Duffy said that with the new program, Carnival will “change the way we calculate milestones. So instead of the number of cruises you take, it will be based on the number of days you sail.”
While this may sound like a matter of semantics, it’s actually very important information. “For those who tend to fly longer cruises, it used to take them just as long to reach these milestones as those who flew shorter cruises.”
Yes, once a guest opts in a new Carnival Rewards Programtheir past voyages will be converted into days. In other words, if you sailed three 7-night flights on the old plan, that would translate to 21 points.
Points, Stars and those new Nautical and Flag cards
Perhaps recognizing that there’s quite a bit of confusion among cruisers regarding some of the changes, Duffy and Hield set out to clarify the difference between “points” and “stars,” both of which accrue over time.
As points accumulate, they can be used in a variety of ways, including paying a cruise deposit or shopping on board or earning bill points. Additional points are awarded for each milestone. For example, once they sail for 50 days, this milestone will automatically trigger 5,000 Carnival Rewards points to be added to their account.
Plus, you earn points for every dollar you spend at Carnival.
The duo also revealed that Carnival’s sailing and flag cards have been redesigned to include how many days a sail is made. “Our guests show their loyalty more than any other cruise line in the world,” Heald said.
Those unused benefits accrued under the former VIFP program will continue until the end of 2030 after opting into Carnival Rewards.
how to gain status
Under the new plan, stars are collected to increase status…and these stars are based on how much you spend at the carnival. Earn three stars for every dollar you spend on your cruise fare and any spending you make on board. (Think shore excursions, specialty dining, shore excursions, etc.)
Whether playing table games or slot machines, gamblers can earn stars.
Finally, those who choose to use the Carnival World Mastercard will also earn stars based on purchases.
Essentially, while Carnival’s previous program was truly based on loyalty, the new program is designed to provide bigger, faster returns for those who spend more money. This means that people can essentially buy status rather than earn it.
An important step you absolutely must take
Anyone wishing to transfer VIPP rewards must ensure they opt into the new program before it launches. Why? Because this is essentially a new program, cruise lines must accept the terms and conditions under which Carnival Rewards operates.
“Privacy rules prevent us from automatically checking in guests, even our long-term cruisers,” Duffy explained. The only exception? Carnival Mastercard holders accept new terms and conditions when accepting the card.
Neither Duffy nor Heard responded to the numerous complaints from Carnival loyalists who dislike aspects of the program. Chief among them is the loss of lifetime status, which is replaced by a system that must be regained every two years. (Only those who achieve Diamond status before August 31, 2026 will receive Lifetime status.)