Photo: Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line is making a significant move in the cruise world today, bringing its loyalty model closer to the model long used by airlines, hotels, and credit cards.
The company launched Carnival Rewards yesterday, September 1, a new loyalty program it says is the first of its kind in the cruise industry.
Unlike the old model, where status was based primarily on the number of days sailed, the new program also gives significant weight to how much the guest actually spends during the vacation.
The new model is built on two tiers: Carnival Rewards Points, which can be redeemed, and Status Qualifying Stars, which determine a passenger's status level. Alongside these, the company is also adding a Milestones program, which provides additional recognition based on the total number of days a passenger sails with Carnival.
It is important to note that the Carnival Rewards Mastercard is currently available to US residents only and customers outside the US cannot apply for the card.
The key number in the program is very simple: Carnival Rewards members will receive 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities.
The points can be redeemed for future cruises, as well as for onboard services and experiences, including shore excursions, specialty restaurants and spa treatments. [
The points will be accrued at the end of the cruise and will usually appear in your account within 14 days of the cruise ending. Once they are registered, you can start using them.
Casino activity is also integrated into the system: for each Casino Point remaining at the end of the cruise, one Carnival Rewards Point will be received.
Along with points, passengers will accumulate Status Qualifying Stars.
Here too, the ratio is 3 stars per dollar in eligible Carnival purchases. Based on these stars, club members will be divided into four levels:
Red upon joining, Gold starting at 10,000 Stars, Platinum starting at 50,000, and Diamond starting at 100,000 Stars.
The status is accrued over a two-year period and then retained for the next benefit period. The first accrual cycle will be particularly long, lasting from September 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.
But Carnival doesn't stop at the loyalty club.
Along with the launch, Carnival Rewards Mastercard, a new credit card designed to allow travelers to earn points and status on routine expenses outside of the vacation itself, also went into operation. Carnival also describes it as the first of its kind in the industry.
The most notable benefit for new members is 50,000 bonus points, after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days, subject to terms and conditions.
The card's main benefits include:
- 50,000 bonus points for new members, after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days, subject to terms and conditions.
- Earn up to 6x points on eligible Carnival purchases: 3x points with the card, plus up to 3x points through the Carnival Rewards program. The benefit applies to cruise bookings, shore excursions, onboard activities, spa treatments and specialty restaurants, among other things.
- 2x points on eligible purchases at restaurants and grocery stores.
- One point per dollar on all other purchases.
- Ability to accumulate up to 4 Status Qualifying Stars on Carnival purchases, combined with stars accumulated through Carnival Rewards, as well as 1 Qualifying Star on all other purchases.
-0% interest for 6 months on Carnival cruise booking purchases, allowing greater flexibility in planning and paying for your vacation, subject to terms and conditions.
Annual bonus of 2,500 points on the card's anniversary, after spending $2,000 on purchases.
The big change is in perception. Until now, cruise loyalty has been largely based on how many times and for how many days a passenger sailed. Now Carnival is moving to a model that also rewards the guest's level of spending and engagement, a move that is much more reminiscent of the models of airlines and hotel chains.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy explained that loyalty in the cruise world has traditionally been built around the frequency of sailings, and that the company now seeks to recognize the different ways in which guests interact and spend money within Carnival's system.
From the company's perspective, the move is intended to give travelers more flexibility: not only to accumulate status, but to choose how and when to redeem their benefits.
And what was once mainly a "how many days did you sail" club is now becoming a complete system that connects cruises, on-ship expenses, a casino, a customer club, and a credit card, a move that may mark the direction in which other cruise companies will also go.