Carnival Cruise Line has launched Carnival Rewards, a new loyalty program that expands the ways guests can earn rewards and qualify for status across their engagement with the cruise line. The program introduces two separate mechanisms: Carnival Rewards Points, which can be redeemed toward cruises and eligible onboard experiences, and Status Qualifying Stars, which determine membership status and associated benefits.
Guests will earn three Points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases, including gratuities, and one Point for every casino point remaining at the end of a sailing. Points can be used toward future cruises and eligible onboard activities like shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa treatments. The points are credited approximately 14 days after a sailing concludes.
Members earn three Stars for every dollar spent on eligible purchases and one Star for every casino point earned. The program features four status levels: Red (on enrolment), Gold (10,000 Stars), Platinum (50,000 Stars), and Diamond (100,000 Stars). Status is earned during a two-year qualifying window and retained for a subsequent two-year period.
Carnival has also introduced the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, allowing cardholders to earn points and status through everyday spending. New cardmembers can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days. Eligible Carnival purchases can earn up to six times the points, combining card earnings with Carnival Rewards Points.
Cardholders can also earn two times the points on eligible restaurant and grocery purchases and one point per dollar on other eligible spending. The card enables members to earn up to four Status Qualifying Stars on eligible Carnival purchases and one Star on other purchases. The card offers a six-month promotional 0% APR on Carnival cruise booking purchases and an annual 2,500-point anniversary bonus after spending $2,000.
Alongside the points and status tiers, Carnival has introduced a Milestone Recognition Program based on the total number of days a member has sailed with the cruise line. This program is intended to recognize guests’ longer-term relationship with Carnival separately from their rewards points and status qualification. While the specific benefits of milestone recognition are not detailed in the announcement, the program adds a new dimension to how the cruise line values long-term customer relationships.
This approach shifts focus slightly from the purely transactional nature of many current loyalty schemes, which often prioritize immediate spend over historical engagement. The inaugural qualifying period runs from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. This extended timeline provides members with a significant advantage in the first year of the program.
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