Carnival Cruise Line VIFP Club loyalty program: The complete guide
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Carnival vessels based on the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico mostly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Some East Coast ships also head to Bermuda, New England and Canada. On the West Coast, sailings to Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska are the norm.
Carnival Cruise Line VIFP tiers
Similarly, the cost of your Carnival cruise does not impact the number of points earned. In short, once you're at the Platinum level, you'll suddenly find yourself bumped to the front of the line from the moment you arrive at a ship until the moment you leave. Priority boarding means that you'll get on board the ship more quickly than other passengers, giving you more time on your first day to enjoy its offerings. Priority access to restaurant reservations means you'll get the best table times. One of the nice little surprises of Carnival's loyalty program is that you hit the first tier level, Blue, the moment you walk on board your first cruise with the brand. Unlike many lines, you don't have to complete a cruise to get to the first level.
Program tiers and benefits
The entry-level tier is Blue, and this is where you'll remain until after you've completed your first Carnival cruise, whether it's 3-nights or 7-nights. Following the Blue level is Red, which is where you'll remain until you accrue 24 points. Gold Members have between 25 and 74 points, while Platinum Members have between 75 and 199.
Do I Get Special Fares for Being a Member?
Additionally, some guests who previously received Platinum cards advanced to the VIFP Club's Diamond level. All guests who sailed with Carnival fewer than 10 times were placed in the level that corresponds with their VIFP Points (i.e., cruise days). Guests with fewer than 25 VIFP Points were placed in the new Red level. Those who have earned VIFP Points were placed in the Gold level. The Carnival VIFP Club is a points-based loyalty program that awards repeat cruisers with more perks the more they sail.
Details are provided on invitations for each of the functions.Will guests automatically receive recognition/benefits or must they be requested? Guests may activate their membership at any time, but we do encourage everyone to do it as soon as they can.Do VIFP Club members earn points when cruising with sister lines? Benefits of the VIFP Club are unique to Carnival Cruise Lines cruises. VIFP Points may be earned only when sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines. Cruises taken on Carnival Corporation’s other own cruise lines will not earn VIFP Points and VIFP Club benefits will not be offered.Which Carnival Cruise Line cruises count towards my VIFP Points?
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So while you board with 20 points, you’ll still be given the Gold status at the start of the trip, giving you extra benefits. Say you have 20 nights sailed, giving you Red status in the VIFP Club, but you are embarking on a seven-night cruise. At the end of the cruise, you’ll have 27 points, enough to be granted Gold status. As you would expect, different membership levels provide different benefits. So if you sailed a seven-day cruise last summer and have a five-day cruise booked for next year, then you will only have seven points as a member, not 12.
Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program - Cruise Critic
Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program.
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Everyone who has already sailed with Carnival is automatically enrolled in the VIFP Club, but to view your loyalty status and other information you need to activate your account. When it comes to perks, Carnival's loyalty program isn't as robust as the programs at some rival lines. At its highest tier, it doesn't bring anything close to the free cruise that some other lines offer to top-tier customers, or onboard perks like free drinks daily in a private lounge. It won't get you across-the-board discounts on cruises, shore excursions and beverage packages, as some lines offer higher-tier members. But it does bring some worthwhile perks at higher levels, and it's relatively easy to rise through the tiers of the program.
As is typical with cruise line loyalty programs, lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. After you’ve sailed on your first Carnival cruise, you’ll be upgraded to Red. In addition to the VIFP Club newsletter and special offers, you’ll receive a complimentary 1-liter bottle of water that you can pick up from any bar on the ship. While Carnival Corporation owns and operates other cruise lines, VIFP Club points and benefits are not reciprocal to Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, or any other cruise brand in the portfolio.
Will other Carnival Corporation cruise lines honor my VIFP status if I sail with them?
Unlike the above two perks, you'll get this every time you sail once you reach Diamond level. We definitely appreciate the free cabin upgrade (or third-and-fourth passengers sail free offer) that comes with first reaching Diamond status, although we're disappointed this is a one-time-only benefit. Another good, but one-time-only perk of Diamond status is a complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant of your choice. If you always book seven-night sailings, you'll reach the Gold tier after three cruises. That's right, while the Gold tier requires 25 points, you can reach it after sailing three seven-night cruises. You don't have to worry about different earning levels for different cabin categories or different types of bookings, as is the case with some lines.
A lot of cruisers ask for a level between Platinum and Diamond to help bridge the gap. However, what we’d most like to see is maybe a Double Diamond or Triple Diamond Level to really differentiate, recognize, and reward the most loyal cruisers to the line (free WiFi each sailing perhaps?). John Heald shared today that, “there is no doubt it needs a massive refresh” while speaking about impending changes.
Since you are going to be cruising anyway (which is exactly how you earn points toward higher status), not being a part of the VIFP Club doesn’t make much sense. Carnival Platinum benefits include a special event invitation to the Platinum and Diamond VIFP Party on cruises of 5 days or more, offering complimentary drinks and appetizers. What’s likely not to change, however, is how they measure the program in number of nights. With that said, there is some chatter that Carnival could add cruiser spend into the calculation, in addition to nights. For example, those who book a suite accommodation or spend more on board could get more VIFP points for a given sailing.
With the Carnival VIFP Club, you’ll experience a loyalty program that rewards you for your continued vacation adventures. As a member of Carnival’s VIFP Club, you’ll enjoy exclusive offers and perks that enhance your cruising experience. This tier provides even more exclusive benefits, making your cruise experience even more enjoyable. Your Sail & Sign card will now be platinum colored, representing 75 to 199 points or days at sea.
Regardless, the VIFP program remains a valuable way to enhance your Carnival cruise experience and enjoy exclusive perks and privileges. At the Blue level, you’ll receive an e-newsletter and access to members-only offers. Details of such a change have not yet been released, nor is there any firm date for when changes to the program may take effect. It is possible that Carnival Cruise Line may add new levels with different requirements of points earned, or the benefits available to each level may be adjusted. Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has hinted several times in recent months that a significant overhaul to the loyalty program may be in the works.
The benefits are generous once you reach the Diamond level (200 cruise days or more). One of the most unique perks is a $100 donation made in your name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When you initially sign up for the VIFP Club, you’ll be known as a “Blue Card,” a first-time Carnival cruiser. You’ll receive Carnival’s VIFP Club newsletter at this level and qualify for special cruise offers. Read on to learn about the different tiers of Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program and the benefits you get to enjoy with each tier.
You can get a detailed look at the VIFP program and unique perks here. Before you book your first Carnival cruise, visit the Carnival VIFP Club website and click the ‘Join’ button. Provide your email address and create a password, and you’re in. The Blue tier doesn’t have many perks worth getting excited about. VIFP Club points are exclusive to Carnival Cruise Line and don’t cross over to other brands within the Carnival Corporation family, such as Princess Cruises or Holland America Line. When you log into your Carnival account with your email/username and password, click on your name in the top right corner of the screen on the blue bar next to the ‘logout’ button.
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