Latest news with #ChristineDuffy
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line unveils new, modernized loyalty program
Although change is rarely easy, it's essential to grow. Many forward-thinking companies recognize this and embrace change, even when changing programs and processes means initially upsetting some of their most loyal customers. Related: Carnival Cruise Line takes on a new passenger problem Carnival Cruise Line is proving that it's an industry leader by evolving its Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, transforming it to a new points-based rewards system intended to better serve its loyal passengers. Although the new loyalty program is already ruffling the feathers of some loyal Carnival cruisers who have reached the highest tiers in the VIFP program, the new Carnival Rewards program promises enhanced benefits and modernized ways of earning status for all cruisers. Rolling out in June 2026, the new Carnival Rewards program will offer passengers personalized perks and new ways to earn rewards and reach higher status levels, through a dual-earning structure using Carnival Rewards points and status qualifying stars. Rather than only earning status based the number of nights sailed, passengers will be able to earn points for their spending - from cruise fare and onboard purchases to everyday spending on a co-branded Carnival Rewards credit card with Barclays. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Brand Ambassador John Heald shared more details on the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program in a video posted on Heald's popular Facebook page on June 18. As he introduced the informative video to his Facebook followers, many of whom have been eager to learn about the loyalty program changes for some time, Heald emphasized a key point that cruisers should keep in mind - the new Carnival Rewards program will not take effect until June 2026. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Transcript: John Heald: Hello everybody, it's John, Brand Ambassador, Carnival Cruise Line, and I'm excited to be here to talk about our enhanced loyalty program. And who better to tell you about it than our fabulous President, Christine Duffy. And here is our conversation. John Heald: So, beyond having a new name, what is the Carnival Rewards program? Christine Duffy: So, when it comes to loyalty, we believe that rewards should be flexible and personalized, and that's exactly what Carnival Rewards will deliver. Our loyal guests are the reason we are the world's most popular cruise line, and their continued loyalty is vital. We need to make sure we provide them with meaningful benefits. Related: Carnival Cruise Line fixes massive passenger pain point Christine Duffy: The cruise industry overall has grown and evolved immensely, and so have we. Rewards programs have evolved as well across the entire travel industry, especially for airlines and hotels, but not really so much for cruise. As an industry leader, just like we brought the first LNG ship to North America, we will be the first to bring a modern rewards program to our Carnival Cruise Line guests. For the first time, guests will be able to build up their Carnival Rewards points, and so it's going to provide great benefits to the millions of Carnival guests. It's your cruise, your rewards, your way. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. John Heald: So, what about status? How do you earn status from the Carnival Rewards Program? Christine Duffy: In tandem with points, guests will earn status qualifying stars to unlock higher status levels. This puts guests in the driver's seat of their status. We all wish we could sail all the time, but the reality is for most people, vacation time is limited, which means obtaining status can be difficult in the current program, which is based only on frequency. This new program will provide more avenues for guests to reach status, as well as the opportunity to earn status more quickly. Related: Carnival cruisers get free drinks with this lesser-known deal John Heald: That's brilliant news, but will guests be able to keep their current status? Christine Duffy: VIFP status will transfer to Carnival Rewards for two years. Now, for our Diamond guests, which is our highest status level, we are going to be extending the complimentary grace period for six years. John Heald: What are we doing to make this easier for our guests to understand and easier to use? Christine Duffy: From today forward, we will be communicating frequently and clearly to make sure the message gets out about how to engage and work with the new Carnival Rewards program focused on you and how we celebrate and acknowledge your loyalty. For instance, we'll be recognizing status in more ways than just benefits, but with meaningful moments that show our appreciation for the special milestones. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. John Heald: And of course, we all know that changes like this are not going to happen overnight, right? Christine Duffy: The new program, while we are announcing it today in June of 2025, does not go into effect until June of 2026, so we have plenty of time for everyone to get acclimated, learn about the program, engage, and in the meantime, as you continue to sail on Carnival throughout the next 12 months, you'll continue to earn towards your status. John Heald: Thank you so much. A special thank you to Christine for taking her time to talk to us about this enhanced rewards program. A massive thank you to the crew and a special thank you to all of you for your loyalty and for your loyalty to come. Thank you so much and keep choosing fun. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Travel Weekly
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Carnival Cruise Line unveils new loyalty program: Carnival Rewards
Carnival Cruise Line will introduce a new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, for which guests compile points based on what they spend on the cruise fare and onboard the ship. The launch date is June 1, 2026. The current program, Very Important Fun Person (VIFP), compiles points based solely on the number of nights that Carnival customers sail. Carnival president Christine Duffy said it was time for a loyalty overhaul. In a message to customers, Duffy said that from 2021 to 2024, the number of Platinum and Diamond guests doubled and tripled, respectively. She also said the average cruise on an Excel-class ship has 1,200 guests who are Platinum or Diamond status, "making it nearly impossible to provide meaningful priority benefits." "When so many guests have elite status, it is much more difficult to make everyone feel special," Duffy said. "These realities will only continue to erode the recognition and rewards of the current VIFP Club program, and we feel that change is necessary in order to better recognize our guests." Carnival said it wanted to wait almost a full year before implementing Carnival Rewards to "provide guests plenty of time to learn about the changes." Earning stars for status In the new program, guests will accumulate Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed on Carnival purchases. Guests earn status-qualifying stars that will determine tier status. The status tiers will be the same -- Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond -- but how guests will earn status will be different. Gold status is 10,000 stars, Platinum is 50,000 and Diamond is 100,000. Guests receive three stars for every $1 spent on Carnival purchases. Guests earn stars when they buy the cruise, shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, onboard merchandise and when they gamble in the casino. Purchases on the Carnival Rewards credit card will enable guests to reach status quicker. A guest's status on June 1, 2026, will be based on status as of May 31, 2026 (for sailings that have returned as of that date). Existing status will be honored for a two-year period (except for Diamond-level guests), unless subsequent activity qualifies the guest for a higher status level. Diamond-level guests will retain their Diamond status for a 6-year period ending May 31, 2032. As long as there is activity within a three-year period, points will not expire. Status will be earned over a two-year period and retained for the following two years. No matter a guest's status, Carnival said it will "incorporate ways to recognize their achievement of various milestones, including the number of cruise days sailed." Guests will continue earning VIFP status as usual until the new program launches. Upon launch of Carnival Rewards, current cardmembers will have the balance of their Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points. Customers can learn more at
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Carnival will overhaul cruise loyalty program: Here's how much you'll earn
Carnival will overhaul cruise loyalty program: Here's how much you'll earn Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Carnival Cruise Line is replacing its VIFP Club loyalty program with Carnival Rewards in June 2026. The new program shifts from a cruise-count based system to one based on spending, awarding "stars" and redeemable points for purchases. Guests will earn stars to achieve status levels (Red, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) and points for onboard amenities and future cruises. Existing VIFP members will transition to comparable levels in the new program, retaining their status for a set period. For loyalty status on Carnival Cruise Line, it'll soon be points that count – not just how many cruises you've been on. Carnival will overhaul its loyalty program next year, measuring status largely based on purchases rather than days sailed – and giving guests new ways to earn and redeem benefits. Carnival Rewards will take the place of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club, which has been in place since 2012. As demand has grown – along with the cruise line's ships and fleet – the company has outgrown the current program, according to Carnival President Christine Duffy. 'We, over time, have so many guests that have earned status with Carnival based on how frequently they cruise,' she told USA TODAY ahead of Wednesday's announcement. 'But as we continue to add ships and add bigger ships and have five more ships that will be coming, we recognize that it's become very challenging to really give so many people the benefits that come with the way the existing program was structured which is pretty much, if you're at this status, this is what you get.' The number of Diamond VIFP members – its highest level – more than tripled between 2021 and 2024. Platinum members, the second-highest, more than doubled. 'I think the new program allows us to evolve to something that gives our guests a lot more flexibility in how they earn rewards that they can use, and also how they continue to earn status,' said Duffy. Here's what travelers should know. When will Carnival Rewards take effect? The new program will launch on June 1, 2026. Guests will be asked to opt in and their VIFP member number – which will be called their Carnival Guest Number – will be transferred. Members of the program will keep their existing loyalty status, with the exception of Blue members whose level will be combined with the program's Red tier. That status will remain valid for six years for Diamond members – through May 31, 2032 – and two years for all other levels. How will the program work? Guests will earn status-qualifying stars by spending money on the following: Their cruise fare Pre-cruise and onboard purchases Gratuities Transfers Carnival Vacation Protection Points earned in the casino will also count towards passengers' star balance. Unlike VIFP status levels, which don't expire, Carnival Rewards status accrued in a two-year period will be good for the following two years (with the exception of the initial six-year guarantee for existing VIFP Diamond members upon the program's launch). Separately, guests will earn Carnival Rewards points in the same ways they earn stars. 'Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers, including onboard activities, spa treatments, specialty dining, and even toward a future cruise,' the cruise line said in a news release. Carnival Mastercard cardholders, who can already earn FunPoints through purchases, will be automatically switched to a Carnival Rewards Mastercard. Their FunPoints will be combined with their Carnival Rewards account, with additional details to come. Duffy said the new program is 'more akin to the kind of loyalty programs that consumers have become quite accustomed to from the hotel industry and from the airline industry. And so we think while it's a first for the cruise industry, that it's something people will understand.' You're probably already enrolled: How cruise loyalty programs make travel easier, cheaper How much will I earn through Carnival Rewards? Guests will get three status-qualifying stars and three Carnival Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases. Members can also get one star and one rewards point for each casino point they have left at the end of their cruise. The four-tier program will include: Red upon sign up: Perks include an e-newsletter and a complimentary bottle of water Gold at 10,000 stars: Perks include Red benefits plus Gold member support and a complimentary drink on cruises 5 days or longer Platinum at 50,000 stars: Perks include most Gold perks plus two complimentary drinks, priority specialty dining reservations, complimentary laundry service, priority embarkation and debarkation and more Diamond at 100,000 stars: Perks include most lower-tier perks along with retail concierge services, invitation to a special event from the captain and more As an example, a guest who sails once per year, takes two shore excursions and orders three drinks per day could earn approximately 5,655 rewards points based on a typical seven-day cruise. The same guest could also earn an estimated 11,310 stars within a two-year period. Travelers can visit Carnival's website to calculate how much they'll earn on their cruise. Duffy noted the cruise line will continue to recognize guest loyalty even beyond the points and stars system, such as when a guest reaches their 25th cruise, for instance. 'So, we want people to know that we continue to very much value our loyal guests.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line to launch new year-round cruise port
Cruise travelers in one region of the U.S. will soon have the opportunity to cruise year-round from one convenient cruise port. Carnival Cruise Line is bringing its cruise operations back to pre-pandemic levels in one port city after running a successful seasonal schedule there for the last few port will join the bigger cruise hubs of New Orleans, Galveston, Texas, and Tampa, Fla. in offering Caribbean getaways from the Gulf Coast all year long beginning in 2027. For many cruisers who live in southern states and prefer to drive to their cruise departure port, the expansion of Carnival's Gulf Coast cruise offerings is exciting will expand its cruise schedule from Mobile, Alabama beginning in spring 2027, bringing back year-round sailings that the cruise line hasn't offered from the port since prior to the pandemic. Carnival Spirit currently sails a seasonal schedule from Mobile that has been very popular with Gulf Coast cruisers. 'This is a testament to our relationship with Carnival and the incredible effort the staff at the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal put in to making sure every passenger that comes through Mobile has an exceptional experience,' the City of Mobile wrote in a Facebook post about the news. In a video posted on Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald's Facebook page, Carnival President Christine Duffy revealed that the cruise line shared the news with Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson on his demand high for Carnival's seasonal cruises from Mobile, Mayor Stimpson and city officials have been eager to expand cruise operations from the port with Carnival, or even bring another cruise line to fill the vacancy during the months when Carnival Spirit wasn't sailing from Mobile. The city recently added a new gangway at the cruise terminal to improve the passenger embarkation experience and has even been exploring plans to increase parking capacity to allow the port to accommodate a second cruise ship. City officials have been in talks with both Norwegian Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea about the possibility of sending a ship to with increasing its sailings from Mobile, Carnival also plans to up its capacity in the mid-Atlantic region by moving a larger Conquest class ship to Baltimore in 2027. Expanding operations in both Mobile and Baltimore demonstrate Carnival's commitment to serving its secondary markets outside of major cruise hubs like Port Canaveral, Florida, Miami and Galveston, Texas. The cruise line is dedicated to remaining an accessible vacation option for 50 percent of the U.S. population that is within a five-hour drive of a Carnival cruise departure port. Carnival also reinforced this commitment by increasing its cruise operations from Norfolk, Va. in February, bumping the port up from seasonal to year-round sailings just like it now plans to do in Mobile. More Carnival cruise news:Although the focus on these smaller markets is welcome news to many loyal Carnival cruisers, many would also like to see the cruise line turn its attention to smaller ships as it plans for the future rather continuing the megaship trend. Along with sharing deployment updates, Carnival just announced new details on its upcoming Excel class megaships and plans for even bigger ships to come. After the cruise line's brand ambassador shared new ship news on his Facebook page, a number of passengers posted pleas for smaller ships. 'John Heald, please note how many of us want smaller ships,' Stephanie Traver Gaida commented. 'Not everyone loves the big ships: too crowded, too noisy, lack of personal service.' (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line makes surprise move with its first mega-ship
Carnival Cruise Line has been offering short cruises of 3, 4, and 5 days for many years. But it is an area of cruising where it has lagged behind a key competitor in recent years. The short cruise strategy has been a cornerstone of Royal Caribbean's plans, and something that, quite frankly, has been a strength of Carnival's main competitor. Royal Caribbean has been offering short cruises on its massive Oasis-class ships for some time, first on Allure of the Seas. It even launched a brand-new ship (Utopia of the Seas) directly into short sailings last year, and is set to start offering 3- and 4-night cruises on its popular Wonder of the Seas in the cruises appeal to people who either can't get away for an entire week or simply don't want to be on a ship for that long. And from the cruise line's perspective, short cruises often command higher fares on a per-night basis, plus they can be a great way to attract new customers to the cruise line. However, in Carnival's case, one common complaint (among some cruisers) has been that the line typically uses its oldest and smallest ships for short cruises. Not only does it not offer short cruises on its flagship Excel-class ships, but it doesn't offer short sailings on the few classes of ships that came before it. Of course, some people enjoy the smaller ships, finding the newer ones a bit overwhelming. But Royal Caribbean has proven that there's clearly a market for short sailings on the biggest and newest ships, and it appears that Carnival has taken a recent media briefing, Carnival made several major announcements, including the name and homeport of its upcoming fourth Excel-class ship. The Carnival Festivale will debut in Spring 2027 and will call Port Canaveral, Florida home. We also now know that the fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, and will debut approximately one year later, although its home port is yet to be revealed. What's particularly significant about this news is that Carnival already has one of its Excel-class ships homeported in Port Canaveral, the first-in-class Mardi Gras. More Carnival cruise news: Mardi Gras will continue to call Port Canaveral home. But once Carnival Festivale is delivered and begins sailing, Mardi Gras will begin offering short cruises. 'With short cruises on Mardi Gras, our guests who may not have the time to take a weeklong vacation can experience all the amazing features of our Excel class," Carnival President Christine Duffy be clear, there are a lot of details yet to be revealed. For starters, we don't have any idea what itineraries Mardi Gras will be sailing once it begins its short cruise schedule. Duffy said that Carnival Festivale's itinerary details will be released this summer, so presumably we'll get a look at Mardi Gras' 2027 schedule as well. Mardi Gras will likely stop at Carnival's new private destination, Celebration Key. That port, a sort of answer to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at Coco Cay, opens in July. Whatever the particulars end up being, this is likely welcome news for cruisers who prefer short sailings but also like to consider the ship as a destination, not just the vessel taking them from port to port. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
