Carnival Cruisers Still Frustrated Despite Rewards Program Changes

Carnival’s recent adjustments to its upcoming Carnival Rewards program have done little to calm the waters among loyal passengers.

Despite last week’s announcement aimed at addressing concerns, many cruisers continue to voice frustration and disappointment across social media and travel forums.

The new Carnival Rewards program, set to replace the long-running Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club in June 2026, has been a flashpoint since it was revealed earlier this year.

While Carnival has confirmed that Diamond status will now be permanently locked in for those who reach it by 31st May 2026, many feel that the cruise line is still undervaluing years of loyalty – particularly from Platinum guests.

Diamond Safe, Platinum Left Behind

The permanent protection of Diamond benefits was hailed as a win for Carnival’s most seasoned cruisers.

However, Platinum members were left with a more limited concession: a 10,000 “star” bonus every two years, which translates to an automatic Gold status and a small head start towards requalifying.

For many, this simply isn’t enough. One long-time cruiser wrote:

“Shame on you Carnival, penalizing those of us who stayed loyal to you to obtain platinum status… Keep diamond and platinum grandfathered in and let your new loyalty program prove it’s the right move.”

Another passenger echoed the sentiment, saying:

“So disappointed in Carnival. We have worked so hard to get to Platinum working towards Diamond. We are at 151 [days] and there is no way we can get to 200 by May. However, if they would give us till 2028… that would be doable.”

Frustration Over Deadlines and Access

Several guests are also upset with the timing of the transition, pointing out that their milestone sailings fall just days after the May 2026 cut-off.

“My husband would’ve made it to Platinum on our June 2026 cruise, but the cut-off date is just 7 days before our cruise starts,” one traveller complained. “An extension would be extremely helpful!”

Canadian and Australian guests remain especially disheartened, as the program is still limited to U.S. residents. One Platinum member from Canada noted:

“Since we can’t get the Mastercard, we are unable to collect points for dollars spent. All this time we have been loyal – even when Covid hit we sailed with masks. One would hope Carnival will do something for us Canadians.”

Value of Loyalty in Question

Beyond technical details, many guests say the new structure undermines the spirit of Carnival’s loyalty program.

Several pointed out that the new money-spent model shifts focus away from days at sea.

“As silly as it sounds, we loved just working toward the different colors,” wrote one cruiser. “With the change, it is all about money spent and the days at sea seem to mean very little… With the loyalty program going away, so is our loyalty.”

Others expressed scepticism about Carnival’s reasoning, particularly regarding the number of Platinum members onboard.

“If operational challenges were truly a thing then Faster to the Fun wouldn’t be offered – for $210 mind you – on a 7-day cruise…Platinum should be extended lifetime as well.”

Looking Ahead

Carnival president Christine Duffy recently acknowledged the “passion and loyalty” of Carnival’s guests, insisting the line is listening.

But with the new program still nearly nine months away from launch, it’s clear that many long-time cruisers remain unconvinced.

One loyal guest summed up the prevailing mood:

“I have chosen Carnival each time and would love to continue, but also appreciate being recognized for my loyalty. There are other lines that status match and I may give them a try.”

As the competitive cruise market heats up, Carnival faces the challenge of balancing its desire to reward high-spending guests with the loyalty of long-time cruisers who feel left behind.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.