Posts in category: Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest loyalty programme overhaul in years takes effect from 1st September 2026, replacing the long-running VIFP system with Carnival Rewards and introducing a new approach to status, points, milestone recognition and benefits.

The change moves Carnival away from awarding loyalty status primarily according to days sailed. Under Carnival Rewards, most guests will instead qualify for status by earning “stars” through eligible spending with the cruise line, while a separate points currency can be redeemed towards cruise purchases and onboard experiences.

Carnival has also revealed the first Platinum and Diamond collectible pins for the new programme. The dated, ship-specific pins are available on cruises departing from 1st September onwards, although Gold guests will no longer receive loyalty pins.

Carnival Rewards was originally due to launch on 1st June 2026 before its introduction was postponed until September. Guests were given until 31st August to opt in and transfer their existing loyalty status and sailing history from VIFP.

Status Moves To A Spending-Based System

One of the most significant changes under Carnival Rewards is the way passengers earn and retain loyalty status.

Instead of status being permanently accumulated according to the number of days a guest has sailed, eligible Carnival spending will generate stars that count towards status. Those stars operate within two-year earning periods, meaning most passengers will have to continue earning to retain their level.

Carnival has made an exception for existing Diamond VIFP members. Following criticism of the original Carnival Rewards proposals, the cruise line announced in September 2025 that Diamond status already earned under VIFP would be recognised as lifetime Diamond status under the new programme.

Existing VIFP status earned by 31st August 2026 carries over and remains the guest’s Carnival Rewards status through December 2028, covering the programme’s first earning period. From January 2029, status will be determined by what members have earned during that period.

Platinum members will also receive a 10,000-star boost at the beginning of the next earning period, allowing them to start at Gold rather than the entry-level Red tier.

Carnival Rewards continues to provide different benefits according to status.

Members at every level receive a complimentary 1.5-litre bottle of water, while Gold members receive one complimentary beverage on cruises of five days or longer.

Platinum members receive two complimentary beverages, limited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry and selected priority or preferred access covering areas including online check-in, embarkation, debarkation, dining times and other onboard services.

Diamond remains Carnival Rewards’ highest tier. Its benefits include additional complimentary wash-and-fold laundry, although the service is no longer unlimited, guaranteed main dining time selections, retail concierge services and an invitation to a special event hosted by the Captain.

Several benefits associated with the previous VIFP programme have ended. These include Platinum and Diamond VIFP parties on selected sailings, VIFP-branded loyalty gifts, welcome treats and complimentary stateroom upgrades.

Alongside stars, Carnival Rewards members can earn points from eligible Carnival purchases and through the Carnival Rewards Mastercard for qualifying cardholders.

Those points can be redeemed against a range of cruise expenses. Members can use them towards a deposit or cruise fare as well as purchases including shore excursions, spa treatments, drinks packages, speciality dining and onboard shopping.

Carnival says there is no minimum points balance required before redemption, giving members the option of using smaller balances rather than waiting until they reach a particular threshold.

Milestones, meanwhile, remain linked to sailing history rather than spending.

Carnival confirmed in July that milestone recognition would be based on total days sailed from 1st September, replacing the previous system based on the number of cruises taken regardless of voyage length.

Recognition is available at 50 days, 100 days and every additional 100 days thereafter. Depending on the milestone reached, rewards can include bonus points, a commemorative coin, onboard credit and other benefits.

The cruise discount, onboard credit and complimentary cruise previously associated with VIFP milestones have been discontinued as part of the transition.

New Carnival Rewards Pins Revealed

Carnival has retained one of the more visible collectibles associated with its former loyalty programme, although eligibility has been narrowed.

Brand ambassador John Heald revealed the first Carnival Rewards Platinum and Diamond pins on 31st August, confirming they would be available on qualifying sailings beginning from 1st September.

“Here are the images of the Carnival Rewards Platinum and Diamond ship specific pins which can be collected from the photo gallery on cruises that start from September 1 onward,” Heald originally said.

John later updated his post to let people know that the pins would be delivered to cabins instead.

Both circular designs feature an image of the relevant Carnival ship in the centre, with Carnival Rewards branding and the cruise line’s funnel logo above. The year appears at the bottom, retaining the dated format that allows passengers to associate individual pins with particular cruises.

The Platinum version has silver framing together with red, gold and platinum dots of graduated sizes, while “Platinum” appears around the upper border.

The Diamond version adds a larger diamond-style dot alongside the red, gold and platinum markings, with “Diamond” around the upper border.

Carnival has traditionally changed its loyalty pin designs annually, although it has not been confirmed whether the Carnival Rewards versions will receive a different design each year (beyond the date changing, of course).

Only Platinum and Diamond members are eligible for the new pins. Gold-level pins, which were available under VIFP, have been discontinued.

Eligible passengers must collect their pin from the Pixels Photo Gallery during their cruise, where staff have a list of Platinum and Diamond guests and record when each pin is claimed.

Carnival has used onboard collection for loyalty pins since cruises resumed in 2021. Before the industry-wide pandemic suspension, pins had been delivered to passengers’ staterooms.

Availability can still depend on onboard supplies. Shipping delays affecting the 2026 VIFP pins earlier this year resulted in some guests being unable to collect them during their cruises. At the time, Heald said affected passengers could contact customer service after sailing to request that a pin be mailed to them.

The transition to Carnival Rewards has not been entirely smooth. Some passengers reported inconsistencies involving their previous VIFP information and the stars and points displayed under the new programme in the days leading up to the change.

Carnival’s website and Carnival Rewards systems were also unavailable during a planned 18-hour maintenance period from the evening of 29th August until midday on 30th August.

With the new programme taking effect from 1st September, Carnival’s loyalty structure now enters its first earning period, which runs through the end of 2028 before members’ status is recalculated for January 2029.

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Norwegian Cruise Line has temporarily closed hot tubs and heated whirlpools aboard Norwegian Prima while working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following three reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease among passengers who sailed on the ship in May and July 2026.

The cruise line has notified guests about the investigation, although no source of the infections has been established and testing conducted aboard the ship has so far returned negative results for Legionella bacteria.

“We are reaching out to you to inform you that Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding three reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving passengers who sailed on the Norwegian Prima in May and July 2026,” the notification said.

Norwegian Cruise Line has not identified the specific sailings involved, and it remains unclear whether any of the three passengers contracted the infection aboard Norwegian Prima or were exposed elsewhere.

Precautionary closures during testing

As part of the investigation, Norwegian Cruise Line has tested water-related equipment and fixtures aboard Norwegian Prima, including faucets, showers and hot tubs. According to the cruise line, all results received so far have been negative.

Despite those results, public hot tubs and heated whirlpools on private balconies are being kept out of service while further sampling and any necessary follow-up work are completed.

“As a precaution, all public hot tubs and private balcony heated whirlpools will remain closed and will reopen only after sampling has been completed and any necessary remediation measures have been carried out in accordance with CDC guidelines,” the notification said.

No other illness-related operational changes have been announced aboard the ship.

Norwegian Prima has capacity for 3,099 guests and is currently operating seven-night Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, with itineraries covering both the eastern and western Caribbean.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Unlike many respiratory illnesses, it is generally not transmitted directly from one person to another. Infection can occur when people inhale small droplets of water containing the bacteria, making complex water systems and equipment capable of producing mist potential areas of concern during an investigation.

The CDC says symptoms generally begin between two and 14 days after exposure, although they can sometimes take longer to appear. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches.

People aged 50 and over, current or former smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems are among those at increased risk. Legionnaires’ disease is treated with antibiotics and can require hospital care.

Because symptoms can emerge days after exposure and travellers may encounter multiple water systems before, during and after a holiday, the three reported cases do not by themselves establish Norwegian Prima as the source of the infections.

Previous cruise ship investigations

The Norwegian Prima investigation follows several other Legionnaires’ disease alerts involving cruise ships in recent years.

Norwegian Cruise Line guests were notified in February 2026 about two reported cases involving passengers who had sailed aboard Norwegian Encore in December 2025. A separate notification concerning possible exposure was issued to Norwegian Epic guests in November 2025.

Other cruise lines have also taken precautionary measures following reported cases. Royal Caribbean notified guests in January 2025 in connection with cases involving passengers from Symphony of the Seas sailings in October and December 2024, while Celebrity Cruises issued a warning in January 2024 after two cases were associated with Celebrity Ascent.

In the latest case, Norwegian Cruise Line and the CDC are continuing their investigation aboard Norwegian Prima, with the affected hot tubs and whirlpools remaining closed until sampling is completed and any required remediation has been carried out.

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A passenger aboard Carnival Legend was evacuated by helicopter after a medical emergency prompted the cruise ship to make a brief diversion while sailing through the English Channel.

The emergency unfolded on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, as the Carnival Cruise Line ship was traveling toward Dover, England, near the end of a 10-night British Isles cruise.

An HM Coastguard helicopter was dispatched to the ship, which altered its course slightly to move closer to England’s southwest coast for the evacuation.

Coast Guard Helicopter Sent to Carnival Legend

According to Plymouth+, the emergency occurred while Carnival Legend was about eight nautical miles south of Lizard Point in Cornwall, a coastal area in southwest England.

Britain’s HM Coastguard confirmed that it received a request for assistance at 9:40 a.m. local time.

“At 9:40 a.m. today (29 August), HM Coastguard’s assistance was requested for the medical evacuation of a passenger on board a vessel around eight (8) nautical miles south of Lizard Point, Cornwall,” the statement confirmed. “An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent and the person was handed over to the Ambulance Service at Newquay.”

Satellite tracking showed Carnival Legend making a small change to its route to move closer to the coast and meet the helicopter. Such course adjustments can help emergency crews carry out medical evacuations as quickly as possible.

Officials have not released additional information about the passenger or the medical emergency. The passenger’s age and the nature of the condition that prompted the evacuation remain unknown.

Cruise lines typically limit the medical information they disclose following such incidents to protect the privacy of passengers, their families and traveling companions.

Ship Was Returning From British Isles Cruise

At the time of the evacuation, Carnival Legend was sailing between the Isle of Man and Dover. Saturday was scheduled as a full day at sea as the ship covered the roughly 670-mile journey.

The 2,124-passenger ship had departed Dover on Thursday, Aug. 20, for a 10-night British Isles itinerary.

During the cruise, Carnival Legend visited Cork in Ireland; Holyhead in Wales; Dublin; Liverpool; Greenock, the port serving Glasgow, Scotland; Belfast in Northern Ireland; and the Isle of Man.

Despite the medical evacuation and brief course change, there was no reported delay to the ship’s planned return to Dover for passengers to disembark on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 30.

Why Cruise Ship Medical Evacuations Happen

Cruise ships have onboard medical centers staffed by doctors and nurses, allowing many illnesses and injuries to be treated while at sea. However, passengers and crew members may occasionally need medical care beyond what can be provided aboard a ship.

When that happens, an emergency evacuation can be requested.

How the evacuation is carried out depends on several factors, including the ship’s distance from shore, sea and weather conditions, and the location of suitable medical facilities.

A passenger might be removed by helicopter or rescue boat. If a ship is close enough to a suitable port, it can instead divert and dock so the patient can be transferred directly to an ambulance.

The Carnival Legend incident was one of several recent medical evacuations involving Carnival Cruise Line ships.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, a passenger was evacuated from Carnival Firenze by rescue boat in Long Beach, California. On Wednesday, July 15, a woman was airlifted from Carnival Luminosa near Northern California.

Details Often Remain Private

Detailed medical information is generally not released after cruise ship evacuations. Previous emergencies at sea have involved conditions including stroke-like symptoms, pregnancy complications, appendicitis and other serious medical problems.

Emergency teams may also have to conduct evacuations under difficult conditions. Rescue operations can take place amid rough seas, strong winds and severe weather when a passenger or crew member needs urgent treatment ashore.

In the case of Carnival Legend, the helicopter evacuation was completed and the passenger was transferred to ambulance personnel in Newquay. No further information about the passenger’s condition was released.

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Royal Caribbean has changed the official branding of its private Bahamian destination, removing the word “at” from Perfect Day at CocoCay and adopting the shorter name Perfect Day CocoCay.

The change has already been introduced across Royal Caribbean’s website, marketing materials and online booking system, as well as reservation invoices. Celebrity Cruises, which began calling at CocoCay in April 2024, has also updated its references to the destination.

Royal Caribbean publicly highlighted the change in a social media video posted on 27th August 2026, using a performer at CocoCay to demonstrate that the former wording is being retired.

In the video, the performer repeatedly attempts to welcome guests to “a Perfect Day at CocoCay”, with the word “at” obscured by a ship’s horn sound. She eventually delivers the revised greeting: “Welcome to Perfect Day CocoCay!”

“Say goodbye to the ‘at’ in Perfect Day at CocoCay – from now on, it’s Perfect Day CocoCay,” the video is captioned. “A different name, with the same award-winning island experience you know and love.”

Royal Caribbean also referenced the change on Instagram, writing: “The ‘at’ in Perfect Day CocoCay has left the chat.”

The Facebook video had attracted nearly 60,000 views by 29th August, while the Instagram version had received more than 2,200 likes.

Branding Aligns With Other Royal Caribbean Destinations

Royal Caribbean has not provided a detailed explanation for dropping the preposition, and the change does not indicate any alteration to the destination itself. However, the revised name more closely follows the naming conventions the company uses for other destinations within its growing portfolio of private and exclusive experiences.

Royal Caribbean groups these locations and developments under its “Ultimate Destinations by Royal Caribbean” branding.

Its beach club projects, for example, follow a consistent “Royal Beach Club” naming format tied directly to their locations. These include Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas and the planned Royal Beach Club Santorini in Greece.

The shortened CocoCay name also follows the format previously chosen for the company’s proposed Perfect Day Mexico project near Costa Maya.

That development was announced as Perfect Day Mexico rather than Perfect Day at Mexico. The original project subsequently encountered opposition in Mexico and will not proceed as initially designed.

Using Perfect Day CocoCay therefore gives Royal Caribbean a more consistent naming structure should the company introduce additional Perfect Day destinations in the future.

CocoCay Remains Central To Private Destination Strategy

CocoCay has become an important part of Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean deployment, with the destination designed specifically around visits from the cruise line’s ships. Celebrity Cruises expanded its own Caribbean offering to include calls there beginning in April 2024.

The latest change is a branding adjustment rather than a new destination or redevelopment announcement, meaning passengers with CocoCay included on their itineraries will increasingly see Perfect Day CocoCay used throughout Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises booking and travel documents.

Elsewhere in Royal Caribbean’s private destination portfolio, Labadee in Haiti remains branded as an “Exclusive Destination” rather than using either the Perfect Day or Royal Beach Club names.

Royal Caribbean has not operated calls at Labadee since March 2024 amid continuing security concerns and civil unrest in Haiti. Suspensions affecting the destination have been extended through at least June 2027, affecting more than 60 future itineraries.

Where possible, alternative port calls are being arranged for cruises affected by the extended Labadee cancellations.

For CocoCay, however, the latest development is considerably simpler: the destination remains the same, but one word has disappeared from its name.

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