A Cruise Industry First, the Program Will Introduce a Points-Based System Featuring Personalized Perks and New Ways to Earn Status, Including Credit Card Spend

  Carnival Cruise Line announced today it will launch its new loyalty program with a cruise industry first, adding new features, new ways to earn status, new reward categories and a new name: Carnival Rewards™. The new program will take effect in June 2026, providing guests plenty of time to learn about the changes while they continue to earn status in the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP)™ program that will be their entry point into the new program.   Carnival Rewards is introducing a dual-earning structure where guests accumulate both Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed on Carnival purchases and status qualifying stars that will determine a guest’s tier status. Instead of focusing solely on the number of nights guests sail, which is the model Carnival currently follows under its VIFP program, Carnival Rewards will offer more opportunities to earn rewards and achieve higher status levels based on spend, including cruise fare and onboard activities. The new program will be closely tied to everyday spending on the co-branded credit card with Barclays – the Carnival Rewards Mastercard – giving cardmembers the opportunity to earn points and status even faster. More details on the credit card will be announced later.   “The evolution of our loyalty program to Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for our valued guests. Our current VIFP program has served us well for many years and while we’ve enjoyed truly extraordinary growth in our loyal customer base, it has become challenging to deliver the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “By introducing a points-based system, we're enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them. This transition honors our past while building a future where loyalty is recognized through both cruising frequency and overall engagement with the Carnival experience, bringing Carnival Rewards into the top tier of travel loyalty programs that provide our guests with ways to earn status and points through their everyday spending on the Carnival Rewards Mastercard."   Guests will earn Carnival Reward points as well as status qualifying stars on every eligible Carnival purchase, including cruise fares and onboard purchases. The dual structure gives guests more control over their rewards and status.  

• Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers including onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining and even toward a future cruise.
• Stars introduce a new way to unlock higher status among four tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Status is earned over a two-year period and retained for the following two years.

  As part of the transition to Carnival Rewards’ launch on June 1, 2026, members’ existing status will carry over and serve as a new entry point into the program for a two-year period through May 31, 2028. Diamond members will retain their status for a six-year period through May 31, 2032. This ensures that all current loyalty status is honored while giving members time to familiarize themselves with the enhanced rewards. Guests will continue earning VIFP status as usual until the new program launches. In addition, upon launch of the Carnival Rewards program, current cardmembers, as well as any new cardmembers between now and the launch of the updates, will have the balance of their Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points in their Carnival Rewards account.   To learn more about Carnival Rewards and explore what’s to come, guests can visit carnivalrewards.com and current Carnival loyalty members will receive emails throughout the transition process ahead of the June 2026 conversion with the latest updates. Carnival will provide detailed information, tools to track status, point balances and tips to maximize rewards under the new system.

Carnival Cruise Line has outlined ambitious strategic plans for the next five years. The line's President Christine Duffy provided details on new ships, deployment, fleet enhancements and exclusive destinations at a media briefing at PortMiami. Carnival Cruise Line unveiled plans for its next new ship, Carnival Festivale, which will feature a new outdoor zone on the top three decks, named Sunsation Point. "Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different," said Duffy. "Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest in our history." Duffy revealed that the fourth ship in Carnival's Excel class will be named Carnival Festivale,. Debuting in spring 2027, Carnival Festivale will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida. Reservation and itinerary details will be released this summer. Carnival Festivale will debut three brand new zones; two of which on Decks 6, 7, and 8 will celebrate music with new themed venues and experiences. One zone is inspired by the process of creating music, while the other zone on deck 8 symbolizes the vibe of outdoor music performances. For families, Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, nearly 70% more than on the first three Excel ships. The expansion of the interconnecting rooms is in lieu of the Family Harbor staterooms on the existing Excel ships. Carnival Festivale will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival's Turtles program which is for children six months to two years, and more experiences for them on the open decks. Overall spaces for Carnival's youth programs will also be enhanced. On Deck 18, a main feature of Sunsation Point is Carnival Waterworks Ultra, a family friendly water park at sea. This new area will replace BOLT, the Ultimate Seacoaster that is the top deck feature on the existing Excel ships. The water park will feature six slides, four of which are new to Carnival, including two family raft slides. It includes splash pads and dedicated baby splash areas. There will also be a sports court, ropes course and jogging track along with a new miniature golf course, outdoor games and themed arcade spaces. In the evening, Sunsation will host special evening events that have extended water park hours, in addition to a DJ and other activities. This is a first for Carnival to open Waterworks at night. Duffy also revealed that the name of the line's fifth Excel class ship will be Carnival Tropicale, also one of the original names of early Carnival ships. The homeport and open for sale date will be unveiled well ahead of the scheduled delivery of the ship in spring 2028. Many of the new features on Carnival Festivale will also be included on Carnival Tropicale, as well as some new concepts and theming. Additionally, Carnival has three mega ships which will be delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2033 set to boast over 3,000 guest staterooms, able to accommodate nearly 8,000 guests.

  * Names revealed for fourth and fifth Excel-class ships * ‘Project Ace’ to introduce Carnival Corp’s largest-ever ships * ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’ launched for private destinations   Carnival Cruise Line has outlined its upcoming plans for new ships and destination experiences as part of a five-year ‘Innovation Itinerary’ concept.   It has confirmed that its fourth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Festivale, launching in spring 2027. The vessel will sail from Port Canaveral, with further information regarding itineraries to be announced this summer.   The ship will introduce new onboard areas, such as music-themed venues and an outdoor family zone on the top three decks, named Sunsation Point, which will replace the Bolt rollercoaster. Additionally, it will have 1,000 interconnecting cabins, nearly 70% more than on the first three Excel class ships.   Meanwhile, the fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, with the homeport and open for sale date to be unveiled ahead of the scheduled delivery of the ship in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will include many of the new features to be found on Carnival Festivale, alongside additional new concepts and theming.   The cruise line will also launch the largest ships in the Carnival Corporation global fleet as part of a project named ‘Project Ace’. Three ships will enter service in 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively, with each carrying almost 8,000 passengers.   Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “These ships clearly represent the next generation of ‘Fun’ ships. They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise holidays for guests. This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment and re-imagined outer deck amenities.”   In addition, Carnival Corporation’s collection of cruise destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico – used by many of its brands – are to be promoted as part of a ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’. This comprises:   * Celebration Key: Located in Grand Bahama, opening July 19, 2025. It will feature five ‘portals’, each with a different theme, including family-friendly activities and adult-only areas. * RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Enhancement work for the private island – to be completed by the end of 2026 - includes the addition of a pier that can support Excel class and Project Ace ships. * Isla Tropicale: In 2026, Mahogany Bay, in Roatan, Honduras, will be renamed Isla Tropicale. A pool with a swim up bar and new cabanas will be added. Future enhancements will also include an expanded beach and a beach club.   Duffy said: “Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different. The excitement and energy continue at Carnival. Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest global fleet in our history.   “Looking ahead, we have the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships in our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029, plus fleet enhancements and new investments at some of our existing destinations.”

  Carnival Cruise Line has officially welcomed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter to its fleet.   A celebration event, led by the cruise line’s president Christine Duffy, was held in Sydney on March 28 for Carnival Adventure, while a similar event took place in Brisbane on March 29 for Carnival Encounter.   The two vessels then departed for their maiden cruises as part of the Carnival fleet: a nine-night sailing on Adventure, departing Sydney and calling at Noumea, Lifou, Mystery Island and Vanuatu; and a three-night cruise on Encounter, roundtrip from Brisbane, featuring two sea days.   Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter – which have transferred from P&O Cruises Australia – recently underwent a two-week wet dock to update onboard areas.   A range of experiences and activities were added, including comedy shows and 80s Rock and Glow nights for adults, and Build-A-Bear workshops, Seuss at Sea and Camp Ocean for children.   The rebranded ships continue to feature elements of the P&O Cruises Australia experience, including the exclusive retreat Byron Beach Club; Edge Adventure Park; and Luke Mangan’s speciality restaurant Luke’s Bar & Grill.   Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Our expansion in Australia demonstrates incredible enthusiasm for our brand and we’re grateful to our loyal guests who continue to drive our ongoing growth, solidifying Carnival as the world’s most popular cruise line. Doubling the fun in our Australia homeports enables us to deliver more sailing options, offer more variety and deepen our partnerships in the Sydney and Brisbane communities.”   Carnival Cruise Line now has the largest fleet in its 53-year history, with 29 ships in operation. The cruise line expects to sail more than 500,000 guests from its Australia homeports this year.

P&O Cruises Australia’s two ships have officially joined Carnival Cruise Line. With P&O Cruises Australia now shuttered, the two ship have been renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter are preparing to embark on their maiden voyages as fun ships. They will homeport in Sydney and Brisbane. With the addition of these two ships, Carnival Cruise Line now has the largest fleet of ships in its 53-year history, totaling 29 ships. In Sydney, Carnival Adventure was officially welcomed into the Carnival fleet during a special celebration led by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. A second celebratory event took place on Saturday in Brisbane, homeport of Carnival Encounter. Both ships embarked on their maiden voyages as Carnival ships at the weekend. Completing the integration of P&O Australia into the Carnival brand, the ships were previously known as Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter. They have been upgraded with Carnival fun ship amenities while retaining some of P&O’s favourite elements. Together with cruises on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa, Carnival expects to sail more than 500,000 guests from its Australia homeports this year. "Our expansion in Australia demonstrates incredible enthusiasm for our brand and we’re grateful to our loyal guests who continue to drive our ongoing growth,” Duffy said. “Doubling the fun in our Australia homeports enables us to deliver more sailing options and offer more variety.” Carnival’s HubApp is now available for guests sailing on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. Guests can use the app on personal devices to make dining and excursion reservations, chat with other guests and explore onboard activities. Additionally, guests sailing on the ships can join Carnival's VIFP Club loyalty program.

Carnival Cruise Line recently held a two-day 'Grand Finale' event in Prague for its group of travel agent Fun Ambassadors. The trip featured a full day analysing the success of the programme across the past 12 months, including developing agents’ brand knowledge and growing awareness of Carnival Cruise Line’s itineraries. Day two included a tour of Prague followed by a dinner overlooking the Charles Bridge. Jackie Corbett, from Barrhead Travel, said: "It has been an exciting year of fun and learning. As a store, we have doubled our Carnival Cruise Line bookings." Iain Baillie, VP international sales at Carnival Cruise Line, added: "It's been a pleasure to work with our Fun Ambassadors over the last 12 months and the 'Grand Finale' visit to Prague was the perfect way to thank them for their support.” Our trade relationships are vital to our continued success." The Fun Ambassadors programme was established in 2019 and sees 11 travel agents - hand-picked each year for their knowledge of the cruise industry - work with Carnival to provide advice, ideas and feedback on how the line collaborates with its agent partners. Agents attend quarterly meetings with Carnival executives, receive priority access to events and benefit from 10 Loyalty Rocks points per booking. Further details about the 2025 programme will be revealed shortly.  

  Carnival Cruise Line’s Christine Duffy has marked 10 years as the line’s president.   Christine joined the operator in 2015, following a spell as CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. Prior to that she worked in the travel agency and meeting planning sectors.   In her time leading the cruise line, she has overseen the launch of nine ships and 70 ship refurbishments. During her tenure, 13,500 cruises have departed, with 42.5 million guests sailing with Carnival.   In October 2024, Christine took part in a skydive for Hurricane Helene relief efforts and has supported fundraising work for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.   In July 2025, Carnival will open its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, and additional expansion is taking place on the newly renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.   The Carnival Cruise Line fleet will also expand with five new ships on order, for delivery through to 2033, and the transfer of Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter from P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025.   To watch a video of Christine’s 10-year highlights, click here.

  Carnival Cruise Line has launched four new ‘Carnival Journeys’ Asia-Pacific sailings on Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure, in 2026 and 2027, respectively.   The itineraries will feature seven inaugural ports of call for the cruise line and visit destinations in Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia.   Carnival Luminosa’s new itineraries comprise:   * 14-day Tokyo to Singapore cruise, departing October 9, 2026. Inaugural visits to Hong Kong; Osaka (Kyoto) and Fukuoka (Hakata) in Japan; South Korea's Seogwipo (Jeju); and Keelung (Taipei) in Taiwan. The cruise will also visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam. * 14-day Journey from Singapore to Brisbane, departing November 30, 2026. Visiting Bali; Darwin, Cairns and Airlie Beach, Australia.   Carnival Adventure, which will officially join the fleet from P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025, will operate the following:   * 14-day Cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing January 27, 2027. Visiting Airlie Beach and Darwin, Australia; and Bali and Lombok, Indonesia. * Nine-day Southeast Asia cruise, departing February 27, 2027, roundtrip from Singapore. Inaugural visits to Koh Samui and Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, and Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The sailing will also visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh).   Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line, said: “These new itineraries represent some of our most exotic and diverse offerings in the Asia-Pacific region. With our expanded deployment in Australia, we’re able to offer our guests itineraries with more variety along with the Carnival experience they know and love, and this includes the rare experience of sailing with our ships as they mark inaugural visits to several ports and countries across the region.”   ‘Carnival Journeys’ itineraries are a limited series of voyages with additional onboard experiences on offer.   Sample itinerary   Tokyo to Singapore Visiting Hong Kong; Osaka (Kyoto) and Fukuoka (Hakata) in Japan; South Korea's Seogwipo (Jeju); and Keelung (Taipei) in Taiwan. The cruise will also visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh), Vietnam. Departs October 9, 2026 14 days Prices start from £960pp.

  Carnival Cruise Line has revealed a range of onboard updates for Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.   The two ships are transferring from P&O Cruises Australia and will begin sailing with Carnival from March 2025, following a two-week wet dock.   Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter will feature:   * Carnival’s ‘Fun Squad’: The line’s onboard entertainment team will host comedy shows, deck parties and games. * Turtles Kids’ Club: A new childcare programme for children under two, offering arts and crafts, story time, dancing and sensory play. * Traditional Carnival activities such as Build-A-Bear workshops, the Conga for Kids line dance party and 1980s-themed Rock and Glow nights.   The rebranded ships will continue to feature a range of P&O Cruises Australia favourites, including the exclusive retreat Byron Beach Club; Edge Adventure Park; Luke Mangan’s specialty restaurant Luke’s Bar & Grill; dining options Angelo’s and Dragon Lady; and the Blanc de Blanc show.   Once rebranded, Carnival Adventure will sail year-round from Sydney, joining sister ship Carnival Splendor. Carnival Encounter will homeport in Brisbane year-round, with Carnival Luminosa joining her during the summer season.   In 2025, Carnival expects to welcome 600,000 guests sailing from Sydney and Brisbane.   Kara Glamore, vice-president of sales and marketing at Carnival, said: “This transition presents a unique opportunity to combine the best of P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Cruise Line as the brand expands its footprint in Australia.”   Regarding the line’s range of itineraries departing from Australia, Glamore said: “Carnival Cruise Line remains the only cruise line globally to demonstrate this level of commitment to Australia, sailing year-round and supporting thousands of local jobs while delivering unforgettable holiday experiences in Australia and the South Pacific.”

  Carnival Cruise Line has announced the appointment of Peter Clarke as chief operations officer, effective from November 4, 2024.   Clarke, who is originally from Ireland, joins the cruise line from IHG Hotels & Resorts, where he was vice president of luxury and lifestyle hotel operations, Americas. He previously held similar positions at brands such as Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, EVEN Hotels and Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts.   Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “I am excited about Peter’s addition to an already-strong team that delivers business results along with the great guest experience that Carnival is known for. We will benefit from his broad knowledge in managing the many complexities of the hotel business with different owners across multiple properties and brands delivering world-class customer service, while also building and maintaining a strong culture that allows our team members to take pride in their work, enjoy their jobs and build a career with Carnival.   “We talked a lot about the importance of our culture during the interview process and Peter’s reputation as a strong leader will help us continue to excel as we continue to grow with new ships and new destinations in an increasingly competitive industry.”   Peter Clarke said: “Carnival has long had a reputation for delivering great service to their guests and building a strong culture amongst its employees – priorities I share.  Joining the cruise industry leader at a time of significant growth and innovation is a very exciting opportunity.”

  Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Panorama has returned to service following a 24-day dry dock.   The 4,000-guest ship set sail from Singapore on October 12 on a 25-day transpacific ‘Carnival Journeys’ voyage, featuring the line’s first-ever stop in Manila, Philippines, on October 18.   Carnival Panorama now has the line’s signature red, white and blue hull livery, as well as a non-smoking casino. New Effy Fine Jewellery and Carnival Adventures stores are now located in the refurbished Fun Shops area, the latter selling travel essentials, fragrances and cruise-themed clothing.   Elsewhere, a Dreams Studio, where guests can schedule photoshoots with the ship’s professional photographers, has been added, as well as a new mini golf area. Additionally, the ship received a number of other technical updates.   Following its arrival in Long Beach on November 5, Carnival Panorama will sail a selection of five, six and seven-day itineraries to the Mexican Riviera.

Carnival Cruise Line is expanding 2026-27 schedules for Carnival Magic and Carnival Sunrise from PortMiami. It gives guests more cruise vacation options throughout 2026 and into early 2027. Both ships will offer varied sailings connecting Miami with The Bahamas and the new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, as well as other popular ports in the eastern, western, and southern Caribbean. "These sailings build on our strong deployment plan from PortMiami for 2026/27," said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning. "Year-round from PortMiami, our guests have an incredibly diverse range of itineraries to choose from." Carnival Magic will sail a variety of itineraries including calls at Celebration Key. Six-day Western Caribbean cruises feature stops in Montego Bay and Grand Cayman, as well as Celebration Key. Eight-day Southern Caribbean itineraries explore Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, while eight-day Eastern Caribbean routes visit San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. For guests looking for shorter four-day cruises, Carnival Sunrise offers calls at Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, Celebration Key or Nassau. Additionally, the ship will sail various five- and one six-day itineraries, with select sailings featuring destinations like Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. These new sailings are now open for reservations. Carnival's newest ship from Miami, Carnival Celebration, will offer a variety of seven-day cruises exploring both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with a range of departure dates available through spring 2027. A highlight includes a special 13-day Carnival Journeys sailing from Barcelona to Miami on June 15, 2026, and features visits to Alicante and Malaga, Spain; Gibraltar; as well as a visit to Celebration Key after transiting the Atlantic Ocean. 

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