09/15/2026
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� COACH CRUISE LIVE — TONIGHT 7PM CT / 8PM ET �
Can CARNIVAL'S "REWARDS" Program Cripple Them in the Future? AND other CRUISE TALK!
Carnival just pulled the plug on its 14-year-old VIFP loyalty program (ended August 31, 2026) and launched the brand-new Carnival Rewards program on September 1 — and the backlash from loyal cruisers has been LOUD. Status is no longer earned by days sailed; it's earned by SPENDING: 3 stars per $1 of eligible spend, with Platinum requiring 50,000 stars and Diamond 100,000 stars — roughly $33,000 in spend every two years just to keep top-tier status. Lifetime status is gone for most, and old favorites like loyalty parties, welcome treats, and gold pins are gone too.
Carnival president Christine Duffy says "lifetime status is just not feasible" because the program outgrew itself — Platinum guests doubled and Diamond quadrupled in just three years. But cruisers aren't buying it. The uproar forced Carnival to delay the launch three months and grant lifetime Diamond to members who'd already earned it. A CruisePassenger survey of 4,000+ cruisers found 47% would stop cruising Carnival over the changes.
Here's what cruisers are saying online:
� "It took me 12 years to get platinum status... They've now decided that years of loyalty mean nothing. So, goodbye Carnival, and just remember, this breakup is on you." — Reddit cruiser, via CruiseHive
� "It's a big slap in the face." — Lisa Manfredi Mutchler, via Cruise Radio
� "One program rewards LOYALTY, while the other rewards SPENDING... It becomes a 'what have you done for me lately' program." — SeaShark, Cruise Critic
� "Carnival has forgotten who got them through Covid. They should ask Target what happens when you alienate your most loyal customers." — Change.org petition signer, via Travel Weekly AU (1,000+ signatures)
� "Just got platinum after 26 years lol… I am now a FREE AGENT for any other cruise line." — Facebook commenter
� "The loss of perks isn't the big deal; it's the lack of appreciation for the loyal customers [who] helped Carnival grow." — Sherry Williams, on John Heald's page
� "I booked my annual bday cruise for next year with Royal... Had the change not happened, it would have been with Carnival again." — tonit964, Cruise Critic
� "Don't forget that Virgin and MSC will match status... take that loyalty status to those brands." — Indytraveler83, Cruise Critic
So the big question: can Carnival's new "REWARDS" program cripple them in the future? Will loyal cruisers jump ship to Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Princess, or Virgin? Join us LIVE tonight for the debate, your comments, and all the other CRUISE TALK of the week! Drop your thoughts in the chat — we want to hear from YOU!
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