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Carnival Cruise Card Colors Guide (Tiers and Perks EXPLAINED!)

Wondering about the color-coded Sail & Sign cards and perks of the VIFP Club on your Carnival Cruise? From Blue to Diamond, each tier represents a new level of benefits and rewards.

Explore the meaning behind each color, the point ranges, and how to activate your membership to make the most of your vacation.

Table of Contents

Carnival Cruise Card Color Basics

Purpose of the cruise card.

When you embark on a Carnival Cruise, you’ll be given a Sail & Sign card in a specific color. This card serves multiple purposes during your vacation.

Designed with both convenience and recognition in mind, the cruise card acts as your room key, payment method for onboard purchases, and identification for getting on and off the ship.

On top of that, the color of your card indicates your status in Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club.

Understanding Different Colors

As you cruise with Carnival and accumulate vacation days, you’ll advance through their VIFP Club and earn corresponding card colors.

Each color represents a different tier in the program, offering various benefits and perks for your loyalty.

To make sense of these colors, here’s a brief rundown:

Blue : This is the color you’ll receive on your first-ever Carnival cruise. It signifies that you are a cruise rookie and have yet to accumulate any VIFP Points.
Red : Once you have 2-24 VIFP Points under your belt, you’ll be upgraded to the Red tier card. This color reflects your second Carnival cruise and beyond, up until you reach 25 VIFP Points.
Gold : When you earn 25-74 VIFP Points, your Sail & Sign card will turn Gold in color, highlighting your growing Carnival experience and earned recognition.
Platinum : By accumulating 75 or more VIFP Points, you’ll receive a Platinum card, an indication of your significant time spent cruising with Carnival.
Diamond : This is the ultimate achievement for Carnival cruisers. To reach the prestigious Diamond tier, you need to have cruised with Carnival for an impressive amount of time, achieving the required VIFP Points as specified by Carnival’s program.

Keep in mind that every day you spend on a Carnival cruise earns you one VIFP Point, helping you rise through the ranks of the club and earn increasingly exclusive benefits.

As you progress, you’ll reap the rewards of your loyalty, enjoying a variety of perks, such as priority boarding, reserved seating, and even complimentary laundry services.

Card Color Tiers

Blue Tier – First-Time Cruisers

As a first-time Carnival cruiser, you will receive a blue Sail & Sign card, automatically registering you in the VIFP Club program.

However, the Blue tier of the program provides minimal benefits, with only two available: access to exclusive cruise offers for members and receipt of a members-only electronic newsletter.

This card is unique because you only get the blue card once. After your initial cruise, you’ll move up to the next tier – the Red Tier.

Red Tier – Second Cruise and Beyond

After your first cruise, you’ll enter the Red Tier of the VIFP Club program. This tier applies to your second cruise and up to 24 points.

Your Sail & Sign card will change to red, indicating your new status.

The Red tier, on the other hand, offers the same two benefits as the Blue tier, along with an additional one: a free, one-liter bottle of water that will be delivered to your cabin during sailings. However, it’s best not to consume it all at once.

As you continue to sail with Carnival, you’ll accumulate more points and advance through the tiers.

Gold Tier – 25 to 74 Days At Sea

Once you reach 25 points, you’ll enter the Gold Tier and your Sail & Sign card will be in gold color.

This tier covers 25 to 74 points or days at sea with Carnival.

With the Gold tier, you get a complimentary drink that can only be ordered on the final night of a cruise, but this perk is only available for cruises lasting five nights or more.

We believe that Carnival’s decision to limit the free drink to the last night of the cruise is an excessive measure to deter customers from availing it.

Additionally, Gold level members receive a Gold VIFP pin on each sailing.

Platinum Tier – 75 to 199 Days At Sea

Upon reaching 75 points, you’ll move up to the Platinum Tier. Your Sail & Sign card will now be platinum colored, representing 75 to 199 points or days at sea.

This tier provides even more exclusive benefits, making your cruise experience even more enjoyable.

To sum it up, reaching the Platinum level grants you priority status from the moment you step onto the ship until the moment you disembark.

This is a significant advantage. Priority boarding enables you to board the ship faster than other passengers, allowing you to enjoy its amenities for a longer period on your first day.

Moreover, priority access to restaurant reservations ensures that you secure the best table times.

Diamond Tier – 200 Days or More At Sea

Finally, when you’ve spent 200 or more days at sea with Carnival, you’ll reach the highest tier – Diamond.

Your Sail & Sign card will now be diamond colored, and you’ll enjoy the best benefits and privileges available to VIFP Club members.

As a Diamond Tier member, your dedication and loyalty to Carnival are truly rewarded.

You get a complimentary cabin upgrade or the offer of free sailing for third and fourth passengers that come with achieving Diamond status. However, disappointingly this benefit is only available once.

Another noteworthy but one-time-only perk of Diamond status is a free meal for two at a specialty restaurant of your choosing.

Carnival Cruise Card Privileges

Exclusive Offers and Perks

As a member of Carnival’s VIFP Club, you’ll enjoy exclusive offers and perks that enhance your cruising experience.

As you move up through the different card colors, you’ll unlock even more benefits. The higher your tier, the more you’ll gain access to exceptional services and opportunities.

Keep an eye out for members-only promotions and join the VIFP Club today to start enjoying these advantages.

Discounts and Priority Services

Your Sail & Sign card makes your cruise smoother and more convenient. With it, you can enjoy various discounts and priority services on board. Carnival Cruise Line offers different card colors to help identify your level in their VIFP Club.

This means the more you cruise with Carnival, the more benefits you’ll be eligible for. For instance, higher-tiered members receive attractive discounts on spa treatments, internet packages, and shore excursions.

Plus, you’ll love the priority boarding, check-in, and embarkation processes that make your cruise experience even more seamless.

Onboard Benefits and Amenities

In addition to discounts and priority services, your card color signifies the onboard benefits and amenities that come with being a loyal Carnival cruiser.

Starting at the Blue tier, you’ll receive a complimentary welcome drink on your first day aboard.

As you progress to Red level, you’ll get a complimentary one-liter bottle of water in your cabin. The higher your tier gets, the more impressive your perks will become.

Each status level introduces new and exciting benefits to make your Carnival Cruise vacation truly memorable.

Remember to take the time to activate your VIFP Club membership at least eight weeks before your next sailing.

By doing so, you’ll ensure you receive the appropriate card color, reflecting your membership level and unlocking all the fabulous privileges that come with it.

Do I Earn Points For Booked Cruises?

Yes, you do earn points for booked cruises! As a member of Carnival’s VIFP Club, you’ll receive one VIFP Point for every day you’re at sea (aka cruise day).

This means that if you take a seven-night cruise, you’ll earn seven points.

You don’t have to worry about different earning levels for different cabin categories or types of bookings. It’s a simple one-to-one ratio – 1 VIFP Point equals 1 Cruise Day.

However, please note that certain charter sailings and nonrevenue fares may not earn you any points.

As you accumulate points, you’ll advance through the various levels of the VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club:

Blue : Cruise Rookies
Red : 2-24 VIFP Points
Gold : 25-74 VIFP Points
Platinum : 75-199 VIFP Points
Diamond : 200+ VIFP Points

Your VIFP status will advance on your next cruise after reaching the required number of points.

The higher you go, the more benefits you’ll enjoy, such as priority boarding, complimentary laundry service, and more.

How To Find Your Carnival VIFP Number

To find your Carnival VIFP number, head to the Carnival Cruise Line website and log in to your account. You have to use the email address associated with your cruises to ensure you see the correct information.

If you haven’t created an account yet, you’ll need to do so by providing your past booking details and setting up a username and password.

Once you’ve logged in, look for your name in the top right corner and click on it. This will take you to your VIFP profile page, where you can manage your account and cruise information. You’re one step away from finding your VIFP number now.

Here comes the fun part. Click on the “My Cruises” section of your profile. This is where you’ll see a list of your previous and upcoming cruises, as well as any associated points.

Take a moment to review your cruise history and, more importantly, locate your VIFP number. It should be displayed prominently on this page, near your name and current status.

If, for some reason, you’re unable to find your VIFP number on the website, there’s still an option to retrieve it.

You can call Carnival’s customer service and provide your booking history details. They’ll assist you in locating your VIFP number, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of those fantastic benefits.

Remember, your VIFP number is your ticket to unlocking a world of rewards and recognition within the Carnival family.

Do I Get Special Fares For Being A Member?

While there are no specific discounts or reduced fares tied directly to the VIFP Club membership, you can still reap various benefits that can enhance your overall cruise experience based on the club’s different tier levels.

First off, remember that joining the VIFP Club is free and membership never expires. As soon as you join, you start earning points for every Carnival cruise you take.

Over time, these points will help you climb the club’s tiers – starting at Blue, followed by Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels.

Each tier comes with its own set of perks, some of which can indeed help you save money.

For example, after you complete your first sailing, you’ll be able to take advantage of members-only promotions that offer better deals on select cruises.

One way to earn additional rewards and save on your future cruises is by using the Carnival World Mastercard.

This card allows you to earn FunPoints when making purchases. These points can be redeemed for statement credits towards your next cruise or towards any onboard expenses such as shore excursions.

In fact, using the card for a Carnival shore excursion earns you a 10% statement credit, saving you a bit on your travel activities.

While there might not be direct, across-the-board fare discounts for being a member, the rewards, offers, and benefits you can access through the VIFP Club and Carnival World Mastercard will undoubtedly help make your Carnival cruise experience more rewarding and budget-friendly.

What Kind Of Cruise Deals Will I Receive With The VIFP Program?

With the Carnival VIFP Club, you’ll experience a loyalty program that rewards you for your continued vacation adventures.

As you accumulate points, you’ll progress through various status levels, each with their own perks and benefits to enhance your cruising experience.

Upon joining the VIFP Club, you’ll automatically be placed at the Blue level, which kicks in the moment you step on board your first Carnival cruise.

As a Blue member, you’ll have access to member-only fares and promotions, making it easier for you to start planning your next ocean getaway.

Even as a newbie, it’s nice to know that you’re recognized from your very first sailing.

As you continue sailing with Carnival, you’ll earn more VIFP points and progress through the Red (second sailing to 24 points), Gold (25 to 74 points), Platinum (75 to 199 points), and finally, the Diamond level (200 or more points).

The higher your status, the better the vacation deals you’ll receive, such as discounts on future cruises, priority boarding, room upgrades, and more.

Keep in mind that the number of VIFP points you accumulate is determined by the number of days you sail. This means that each day you’re on a Carnival cruise counts toward your point total.

Therefore, longer cruises or frequent shorter getaways will both contribute to your VIFP status and bring you closer to unlocking more amazing deals and perks.

The more you sail, the better the deals get, enabling you to make the most of your time on board and enjoy your cruising experience to the fullest.

And don’t forget that these benefits apply to everyone in your family or party who cruises with Carnival, making it a fantastic way for all to share in the excitement of your well-deserved ocean adventures!

What If I Have A Past Cruise Without Points?

Sometimes, you might have cruised with Carnival before the VIFP Club was introduced or in the early days when the recognition program had not yet started tracking points.

In these cases, you may be wondering if you can still earn points for those past cruises to improve your membership tier and get better perks during your future voyages.

First, let’s clarify the rules about earning points. You earn VIFP Points for all qualifying Carnival cruises from March 9, 1972, onwards. Non-qualifying cruises include charter cruises and non-revenue cruises.

If you’ve found that a past cruise with Carnival is not reflected in your VIFP Club account, don’t worry.

You can still receive points for past cruises by providing proof of your cruise history with Carnival.

To do this, start gathering any documentation you may have from that specific sailing, such as boarding passes, reservation confirmations, or even photographs from the cruise.

If you have sailed with sister cruise lines, such as Princess, your travel agent may have secured past passenger rates that Carnival does not account for since they occurred before 1990.

After collecting the necessary proof, contact Carnival’s customer service team and request to add the missing points to your account.

Be prepared to share your documentation and be patient, as it might take some time for the team to update your account and allocate the appropriate points.

Once your past cruise points have been added to your VIFP Club account, your membership tier may be updated accordingly – Blue for your first sailing, Red for 2-24 points, Gold for 25-74 points, Platinum for 75-199 points, and Diamond for 200 or more points.

With every tier upgrade, you unlock new perks and benefits that will make your future cruise even more enjoyable.

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5 Things to Know About the Carnival World Mastercard

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Carnival Cruise Line has no shortage of impressive destinations — from the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, to locales much farther from home like Europe, Australia, New Zealand and more.

And if you're planning to take to the seas with this cruise line, the $0-annual-fee Carnival World Mastercard can definitely defray some of your costs. Issued by Barclays, it offers modest introductory offers, and Carnival super cruisers in particular may enjoy the card's discounts on shore excursions.

Still, most customers may be better off with a general travel card since the Carnival World Mastercard suffers from some of the same drawbacks that other cruise line credit cards have:

Modest ongoing rewards, which means it'll take you a while to accrue a pile of points on your everyday spending.

Complex redemption tiers, which make it difficult to determine the value of those points .

Here are five things to know about the Carnival World Mastercard.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for cruises

1. Its introductory offers are average

New cardholders will qualify for the following offers:

A small sign-up bonus

As of May 2024, the Carnival World Mastercard offers 25,000 FunPoints after spending $500 within the first 90 days. This is a solid bonus, but there are plenty of other travel credit cards with more lucrative bonuses that can help cover some of your vacation costs.

A lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers

New cardholders get a 0% introductory APR on the first 15 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to the account within 45 days of opening it. (It does charge a balance transfer fee of $ 5 or 5%, whichever is greater.)

While this introductory offer is a good deal for a travel card, if getting out of debt is the goal — other balance transfer credit cards can offer a longer interest-free window. Plus, it's generally not advisable to charge large purchases, like travel, on a balance transfer card if your main objective is to get out of debt.

The Carnival World Mastercard also offers an APR promotion on purchases, but as of April 2023 it was on only "qualifying Carnival cruise booking purchases," and for only six billing cycles. Otherwise, the ongoing APR varies depending on your credit but can range well above 20%.

» MORE: Review of the Princess Cruises credit card

2. ... But ongoing rewards fall short

Beyond the introductory offers, the Carnival World Mastercard offers mediocre rewards. You'll earn:

2 FunPoints for every $1 spent on purchases made with Carnival Cruise Line and other eligible brands under the World’s Leading Cruise Lines umbrella (including AIDA, Costa, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK, Seabourn and Fathom. These brands are accurate as of May 2024.) Terms apply.

1 FunPoint per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Unless you’re frequently setting sail with qualifying cruise lines, it will take you a while to rack up points. Other no-annual-fee travel credit cards earn bonus rewards in everyday spending categories — like dining or groceries — or they may simply offer a high flat rate, like 1.5% back on purchases of any kind.

» MORE: Review of the Holland America Line credit card

3. Point values vary and redemption is needlessly complex

You can redeem FunPoints for statement credits toward a variety of purchases, though you'll potentially get the most value for them when you redeem them as credits to offset eligible Carnival purchases.

But here's the rub: When using your points this way, their value depends on the amount of the purchase. You'll need a minimum of 5,000 points to start, but here's what you can expect them to be worth in a statement credit:

Spend $50 to $1,499.99: Statement credit redemption value of 1%.

Spend $1,500 to $5,000: Statement credit redemption value of 1.5%.

The card's terms note that if you don't have enough points to redeem for the full purchase amount, you'll be able to redeem only in $50 statement credit increments between $50 and $5,000.

Point values also differ for other redemption options:

Spending on other World’s Leading Cruise Lines brands: Statement credit redemption value of 1%.

Spending on merchandise or onboard amenities: Statement credit redemption value will vary. (For these options, the minimum amount of points required to redeem may vary.)

Spending on eligible airline or hotel purchases: Statement credit redemption value of 0.9%.

Spending on gift cards: Statement credit redemption generally has a value of about 0.75%. (For these options, you'll need a minimum of 3,300 points, redeemable for $25.)

A general travel credit — one that's not tied to any specific brand — will be much more straightforward and flexible. One example is the $0 -annual-fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card . It earns 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, and those points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel — but not just with cruise lines. You can redeem them for purchases with airlines, travel agencies, trains, buses, taxis, boat rentals, tourist attractions and exhibits, to name a few.

4. It offers a 10% discount on shore excursions

You can qualify for a 10% discount in the form of a statement credit when you use the card to purchase a Carnival shore excursions package before your cruise.

Shore excursions are activities or tours that you can participate in as you explore a new destination. Taxes and fees are not included in the discount.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best travel credit cards

5. It's relatively fee-friendly

With the Carnival World Mastercard, you don’t have to worry about an annual fee or foreign transaction fees when you make a purchase abroad. (Some cards charge 1% to 3% for each international transaction.)

As a Mastercard, the card is also well equipped for travel abroad, as it will be widely accepted by merchants everywhere.

On a similar note...

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Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

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Carnival VIFP Club: How It Works, Benefits, and More

With millions of passengers sailing the cruise line each year, Carnival’s VIFP Club lists as one of the most popular loyalty programs in the industry. No matter your status, the program offers perks to being a member. And with it being free to join, why wouldn’t you take advantage?

Still, you might have questions regarding the program, how it works, and the benefits for members. Here’s everything to know about the VIFP program.

The basics are simple. For each day you sail, you earn points within the program. Sail more and you’ll earn more points, putting you in a higher status level. From there, each status level comes with more benefits for your cruise.

For more details about the program and answers to common questions, we have you covered below…

In This Article...

What Is the VIFP Club?

The VIFP Club is the loyalty program for Carnival Cruise Line . (VIFP stands for Very Important Fun Person.) As a member of the program, passengers earn points for each day that they cruise with Carnival. The more a person cruises, the more points they earn, which leads to a higher status level in the VIFP Club.

With higher status, a passenger earns perks and rewards, including everything from special fares to freebies on the ship to expedited boarding and much more.

Why Should I Join the VIFP Club?

When it comes to Carnival’s loyalty program, there is really no reason not to join. Membership is completely free and can only benefit you by providing rewards. It’s also simple to sign up. 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.

How Do I Sign Up for the VIFP Club?

You can sign-up to register as a VIFP member on Carnival’s website , whether you’ve taken cruises in the past or never sailed before. It is free to join and takes just seconds to sign up. As well, you can get an account when you book your first cruise. Having trouble signing up? You can also call Carnival at 1-888-227-6482 to register.

How Do I Earn Points?

Earning points is simple. For each night that you cruise, you earn one point. So a seven-night cruise earns you seven points. Take a three-night trip? That’s three points. Over time the points you earn add together to increase your status in the program.

In addition, you may see other opportunities to earn points, possibly without taking a cruise. According to the VIFP Club’s terms and conditions, Carnival may “offer opportunities to earn extra VIFP Points through participation in different promotions, contests or sweepstakes.”

The most common and reliable way to earn by far, however, is to sail on the cruise line.

Do I Earn Points for Booked Cruises?

No, points are earned for sailed nights only. 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.

Do I Earn More Points for Spending More on a Room?

While you might think you’d earn higher status for spending more money on your cruise, that’s not the case. Whether you a sailing in an interior cabin or a top-of-the-line suite, they both earn you one point per day for your VIFP status.

That’s not to say that Carnival couldn’t do something like award double points to suite guests as an incentive to book a higher-grade cabin. For now at least, even if you book the cheapest room on the ship or the best cabin available, you’ll earn points just like everybody else aboard.

Do VIFP Club Points Expire or Does the Status Level Drop?

At least right now, VIFP Club points don’t expire. So if you earn 25 points within the program but then don’t sail for a few years, you’ll still have the same point level and status as before. This is different than loyalty programs like with airlines where the points you earn often “drop off” after a length of time. If you’ve earned Gold status, then you don’t have to worry about being dropped back to Red status just because you don’t sail for a while.

So even if you are only an occasional cruiser or only sail Carnival sometimes, there’s still a reason to be a member and rack up those rewards.

What Status Levels Are There in the Carnival VIFP Club?

Within the club, there are five different status levels for passengers to earn. Each is known by a color, which is shown as the background of your Sail & Sign card. (Around the ship, you might see people showing off their status with their card in a lanyard!)

Blue (First Sailing) : This status is earned on a person’s first cruise. It’s where everyone starts.
Red (Second Sailing-24 Points) : Earned from a second Carnival sailing through 24 points.
Gold (25-74 Points) : Gold membership is awarded to those with 25-74 points in the VIFP Club.
Platinum (75-199 Points) : The second-highest status, Platinum is awarded for 75-199 points.
Diamond (200+ Points) : Have more than 200 nights sailed? That earns Carnival’s highest status of Diamond level.

What Are the VIFP Club Benefits?

As you would expect, different membership levels provide different benefits. The higher your status, the more benefits you earn.

The good news is that no matter your status there are benefits to enjoy. You don’t have to be a Diamond member to get a freebie.

Perks and rewards range from a free bottle of water in your room to priority check-in/boarding, Carnival souvenir gifts, collectible pins, priority debarkation, and priority reservations.

Do I Get Special Fares for Being a Member?

Yes. As a VIFP member, you will often see pricing that is different from the headline prices advertised to the general public.

One thing to watch, however, is that we have personally seen rates actually be higher with the VIFP number entered than when searching without. While we are far from Diamond members, it was strange to see the higher rates. That’s why we would suggest searching with and without the club number entered, just to be sure you’re getting the best rate.

What If I Reach a New Status During a Cruise?

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.

In this case, Carnival grants passengers the higher status at the start of the cruise. 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.

According to Carnival’s website:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Member books a Cruise in which such Member will attain the necessary VIFP Points to reach a new Level during or by the end of such Cruise (a “Crossover Cruise”), CCL may, in its sole discretion, offer such Member the Benefits offered to Members of the higher Level during the Crossover Cruise.”

What If I Have a Past Cruise Without Points?

Typically points are automatically applied to your account within 14 points of the end of the trip. Passengers normally don’t have to do anything.

There might be times where points don’t apply automatically or there might be cruises you took in the past that haven’t been added. In that case, you can login into your Carnival account. From there, click on “My Cruises” and scroll down to “Claim a Past Cruise”. Enter your information about your missing cruise, and it will be reviewed to add the trip to your VIFP profile.

Is Carnival’s VIFP Club Worth Joining?

The VIFP loyalty program doesn’t offer a ton of benefits until reaching Platinum status, which is reached only after 75 nights of sailing. Even so, there are some benefits to joining at lower levels. For instance, even Red status members receive a complimentary bottle of water in the cabin that would otherwise be a charge.

That said, given it’s free to join, there’s no real reason not to sign up. At the very least you can get a few freebies, while passengers that sail Carnival regularly can see some even bigger perks.

So in our opinion, it’s definitely worth joining Carnival’s VIFP Club. We don’t see a downside.

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Carnival’s Faster to the Fun: Are the priority cruise perks worth it?

You don't have to be a loyal cruise guest to enjoy priority perks on Carnival Cruise Line . Even first-time cruisers can achieve VIP status with Carnival's Faster to the Fun.

What is Faster to the Fun? It's a paid add-on to your cruise fare that gives regular passengers an expedited embarkation process and other exclusive perks. The program was paused during the pandemic, but Carnival brought back FTTF in late 2022.

But is it a game-changer or a clever upsell for cruisers?

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

If you're wondering what the benefits are, how much it costs and whether it's worth it, we've put together this guide on everything you need to know about Carnival's Faster to the Fun. We'll also tell you how and when to book the Faster to the Fun package if you decide it's the right option for you.

What is Faster to the Fun on Carnival?

Carnival's Faster to the Fun is a package you can upgrade to on most sailings that gives you access to priority benefits from the moment you check in until you disembark on the last day of your sailing. The idea is to maximize your vacation fun by spending less time waiting.

That means getting on board early (right after VIFP Club loyalty program Diamond and Platinum members and suite guests) to hit the pool deck buffet before the crowds come or grab a spot in an empty hot tub. You can drop your bags off in your room right away because you can get into your cabin immediately, skip the long lines at guest services when you need assistance and more.

Think of it as paying your way into certain VIFP Club Diamond- and Platinum-level benefits that would otherwise typically take at least 10 sailings with Carnival to earn.

What are the benefits of Faster to the Fun?

Seven main perks are included with Carnival's Faster to the Fun program. Here's what you get when you upgrade:

Priority check-in: Head straight to the Priority line to check in when you get to the terminal on embarkation day. This dedicated security and check-in lane is set aside exclusively for Priority guests (that includes Diamond and Platinum loyalty program members and suite guests). Even though you get priority boarding, you should still select an arrival appointment time during online check-in.
Early stateroom access: Once on board, you'll have immediate access to your room so you can drop off your bags. While your shipmates are lugging backpacks and carry-ons around the ship, you'll be exploring the ship, lounging by the pool or eating lunch bag-free.
Express luggage: If you check your luggage with the porters on the pier, your bags will be expedited to your stateroom ahead of other passengers' so you can unpack and settle in sooner.
Priority guest services access: Folks with Faster to the Fun can access a dedicated phone number to and priority line at the guest services desk. If you experience any issues on board, you can have them addressed or get your questions answered more quickly.
Priority dining reservations: You will get priority reservations in the main dining room (your preferred pick of early or late seating) and at specialty restaurants. If you chose the flexible Your Time Dining open-seating option, this benefit won't apply to the main dining room since you don't need to make reservations.
Priority water shuttle boarding: If you're visiting any ports that require tendering , you'll get priority boarding on the water shuttles that take you from the ship to shore and back.
Priority debarkation: You can choose an early or late time to disembark your ship when it returns to its home port.

While many of these Faster to the Fun benefits are similar to the perks given to VIFP Club Diamond and Platinum members, Faster to the Fun doesn't include other VIFP perks such as complimentary laundry service, an invite to the VIFP party on board or access to the Captain's Lounge, which is a dedicated VIP waiting area for Diamond and Platinum members at the port terminal.

Related: Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style

How much is Faster to the Fun on Carnival?

The Faster to the Fun price generally starts at $59.95 per cabin for sailings departing from the U.S., but it varies by factors such as cruise length, your ship and departure port. (The Carnival website currently has an FTTF upgrade for two-day sailings from Brisbane, Australia, listed for as low as $39.95.)

The price of Faster to the Fun is per cabin, so the benefits apply to everyone staying in the room. Since Carnival charges per cabin — no matter how many people you have in one room — families or other groups of four to a cabin will have a lower per-person cost for the program.

The chart below outlines how much Faster to the Fun costs based on cruise duration, but prices are subject to change. Only one person needs to book the upgrade online, which will automatically apply to everyone in the same room.

How do I purchase Faster to the Fun?

Faster to the Fun can only be purchased online at Carnival's website before the cruise. It's considered a package, so you'll find the upgrade option under the In-Room Gifts & Shopping tab, listed as Faster to the Fun. Click on your cruise ship departure port to check prices and availability.

Only one person in the room needs to purchase Faster to the Fun for all of the guests sharing the cabin to receive the benefits.

The package option usually opens for booking six to 18 months before embarkation day. You can call Carnival's Guest Services line to find out when Faster to the Fun sales will open for your sailing.

Faster to the Fun isn't available for cruises in Europe; ships leaving from Honolulu or Norfolk; or any of the Carnival Journeys sailings (a series of special sailings to more off-the-beaten-path destinations).

If you want to upgrade to Faster to the Fun, book as soon as you can because availability is limited. Carnival intentionally controls the number of people who can purchase the Faster to the Fun package because the cruise line wants to make sure everyone eligible for these priority perks — from FTTF guests to Diamond and Platinum members and suite passengers — gets the preferred service levels they're being guaranteed.

Related: Which cruise ship activities should you book ahead of time?

Carnival limits Faster to the Fun capacity based on the number of Diamond and Platinum guests who've booked your cruise because they're eligible for many of the same priority benefits. If you let everyone sailing pay for priority access, it basically cancels itself out.

Faster to the Fun sells out consistently, and it can happen quickly. However, additional spots can open up closer to your sail date. If the program is not showing as available for your sailing, it's worth checking the Carnival website in the months leading up to your cruise, since there isn't a waitlist to be notified automatically if anyone cancels or fewer Diamond and Platinum cruisers book than expected.

Is Faster to the Fun worth it?

Determining whether Faster to the Fun is worth it to you can depend on several factors, such as where you're sailing, the length of the cruise and the size of your travel party. Ultimately, it comes down to what type of traveler you are. Are you the type of person who can't stand waiting in line and wants to save time, or would you rather save some money on your trip?

If you're deciding based on cost, know that the price per person is lower the shorter your cruise is and the more people you have in a cabin. The Faster to the Fun package is cheapest on short two- and three-day sailings , which is when it's most important to maximize your time and get on board early to start enjoying your vacation.

Related: 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea

If you're a family of four going on a short weekend cruise and want to get straight to the fun part of your vacation, the price is less than $15 per person (assuming you're all sharing a cabin). However, Faster to the Fun might make less sense for a larger family staying in multiple rooms since you'll have to pay for each additional stateroom.

You can also think about whether Faster to the Fun is worth it based on how much you'll need its perks. For example, priority check-in, early stateroom access and express luggage delivery are a few of the biggest benefits of Faster to the Fun that let you maximize your vacation time. You don't have to lug your bags to the buffet or pool deck while you wait for your room to be ready or worry about packing a separate carry-on for items like bathing suits that you might need right away before your luggage gets delivered to your room.

But if you choose a later check-in appointment time toward the tail end of embarkation, you can still have a similar experience without Faster to the Fun since check-in lines usually aren't long by that point. Your cabin should be ready, and if you want, you can carry your luggage on board rather than checking it.

Some of the other perks might not even apply during your trip. For example, if you aren't stopping at ports requiring tendering or if you've booked a shore excursion on a tender day, you don't need the priority water shuttle benefit. If you plan to carry your luggage onto the ship, you don't need it expedited to your room.

You don't need dining reservations, priority or otherwise, if you've opted into Your Time open-seating dining and don't plan to splurge on specialty restaurants. And if you have an early flight out on debarkation day, the cruise line will automatically give you an early departure time. That already cancels out four of the seven priority perks.

Here's when Faster to the Fun is definitely not worth it: when you're a Diamond or Platinum member or a suite guest who already gets these same perks. If you're a VIFP Club Red or Gold member, however, FTTF will give you a taste of the upper loyalty tier life with benefits otherwise only available at the Diamond and Platinum level.

Bottom line

The decision ultimately comes down to your travel style. Faster to the Fun is worthwhile if you're willing to pay for convenience, don't have the patience for waiting in lines and love feeling like a VIP. But if you are cruising on a budget, you can find ways to avoid long lines and wait times with some smart planning and flexibility with your timing.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Cruise Advice

Carnival’s VIFP Loyalty Program and Benefits

Orlando Martinez

February 2, 2022

Set sail for serious perks with Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program!

The more you cruise, the more Carnival spoils you get. We’re talking complimentary drinks, free laundry service, priority boarding, guaranteed dining times, and even cabin upgrades.

Read on to learn about the different tiers of Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program and the benefits you get to enjoy with each tier.

How to Sign Up For VIFP

The VIFP Club is a point-based program. There are five levels: Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Your level will increase as you complete more cruises, but first, you must enroll in the program.

Long cruises and spontaneous getaways will get you to the next level quicker than cruising once yearly.

You’ll need a member number to join the VIFP Club. 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.

You can access your account information and profile once you’ve signed up for an account. You can also find out what benefits you’ll get based on how much you’ve cruised.

You’ll immediately start receiving cruise offers from Carnival by email, and you may be eligible for discounts or special offers on your first cruise but can opt out at any time.

How to earn VIFP Loyalty Points

The real benefits kick in once you’ve sailed your first cruise!

You’ll receive one (1) VIFP Club point for each day you cruise. On a three-night cruise to the Bahamas? That’s 3 points. Are you enjoying a 14-night Carnival Journey cruise to Hawaii? You just scored 14 VIFP Club points.

Note: In 2012, Carnival changed its program. It used to be one point per cruise, and 10 cruises would have you at Platinum status.

Sailing on the Carnival Cruise Line is the only way to earn VIFP points.

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. They have their own loyalty programs.

READ MORE: Best Cruise Line Loyalty Programs

VIFP Tiers and Benefits

The VIFP Club has five membership tiers. You’ll move up to a higher tier with more earned points and enjoy more benefits.

Note: Your Sail and Sign Card will reflect the color of your VIFP tier at the start of each cruise.

As you climb the VIFP loyalty program, your privileges and benefits will improve. Priority boarding and disembarkation are only the beginning.

You’ll be able to access VIP lounges, priority terminal access, priority Captain’s Lounge entry, and even free drinks at cocktail receptions and VIP parties.

Blue Level (First Cruise)

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.

Red Level (up to 24 points)

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.

Gold Level (25 to 74 points)

Once you’ve sailed on Carnival for at least 25 days, you’ll receive Carnival Gold status and be eligible for a complimentary appreciation drink on cruises of 5 nights or longer.

You’ll receive a Gold VIFP pin on every cruise in addition to the Red benefits.

Platinum Level (75 to 199 points)

With increased cruise days come increased benefits, and this is where things start getting good.

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.

During the cruise, you’ll get a complimentary beverage at the Seaday Brunch. Do you love to indulge in chocolate while at sea? A complimentary chocolate delight will be delivered to your room on cruises for five nights or longer.

A complimentary Carnival logo gift on every sailing and a collectible pin. Past gifts have been Bluetooth speakers, blankets, headphones, tote bags, and mugs.

You’ll also be provided with a dedicated toll-free number for reservations and access to many services onboard, including priority check-in and boarding, priority spa reservations, a priority line at the guest services desk, priority debarkation, complimentary wash and fold laundry service, and priority tender boarding (water shuttle).

You’ll also get a buy-one-get-one-free tournament entry for blackjack or slots in the casino.

Diamond Level (200+ points)

Carnival rolls out the Diamond carpet for their most loyal passengers (figuratively, of course), with all of the Platinum benefits plus a host of other perks.

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.

Other Diamond tier perks include:

An invitation to a special event hosted by the Captain
A one-time free cabin upgrade
Priority reservations
A one-time complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant of choice
Priority specialty restaurant reservations
Guaranteed seating time of choice in the main dining room
VIFP Club luggage tag set

You can get a detailed look at the VIFP program and unique perks here .

Cruise line loyalty programs are typically about “what’s in it for me?” but Diamond cruisers on Carnival can help others just by cruising.

Carnival VIFP Club Login

You can look up your Carnival VIFP Club number by logging into your account on the Carnival website.

If you don’t know your login information or haven’t sailed on Carnival since the VIFP Club was created in 2012, you can access your account information by clicking here .

Tips to Maximize Your Perks With Carnival

Carnival makes it easy to earn VIFP points, where you get one point for each day sailed. That said, there are ways to accelerate the earning process and earn more perks!

Take Longer Cruises: Booking cruises of 7 nights or longer will quickly boost your point total compared to taking only short weekend getaways.
Book Multiple Cruises Per Year: Cruising at least twice a year rather than just once can make a huge difference over time.
Join the Casino Program: Joining the Players Club casino program allows you to earn casino points. The more points you earn, the more benefits you get.
Check Out Cruise Packages: As a VIFP member, you can unlock big savings and add to your points by opting for trending and limited-time offers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what happens if i reach a new vifp tier in the middle of a cruise.

Guests who change to the next VIFP tier, even if it is the last sailing day, will be entitled to the perks associated with the new tier for the duration of the voyage. That means that if you were to go from Gold to Platinum during your voyage, your card would be Platinum for the entire voyage.

2. What kind of cruise deals will I receive with the VIFP Program?

Past guests will receive some special cruise rates, but those will vary from guest to guest. If you are enrolled in Carnival’s casino program Player’s Club, you should check to ensure there aren’t better deals.

3. Does the cruise fare I pay impact my VIFP points?

Most cruise fares will not impact the sailing days associated with the VIFP levels. The main exception is for those who have won a free cruise or are given a complimentary cruise for some special event/gathering onboard.

4. Is Carnival’s VIFP program worth it?

Yes! From complimentary drinks to priority check-in, boarding, and reservations, Carnival’s VIFP program is definitely worth it. And the best part about it is that it’s free to join, even for first-timer Carnival cruisers!

5. How do I check my Carnival VIFP status?

To check your Carnival VIFP status, simply log into your account, load your VIFP profile by clicking on “Your Name,” and then click on “My Cruises.”

Your current VIFP level will be displayed, in addition to how many points you have and how many you need to get to the next level.

Alternatively, you can check the color of your Sail and Sign Card as the start of each cruise.

Final Thoughts

VIFP member Becky Smith says, “It is certainly nice not to have to pay for the Faster to the Fun program, as it is included as a platinum/diamond member.

And when on a longer voyage, having the complimentary laundry perk is a big help, as it lets you avoid having to spend money on having laundry done or going to the self-serve laundromats on the ships.”

She continued, “As a Diamond guest, sometimes there are “unofficial” perks that go along with it. It might be a special invitation to go up to the bridge [and] several other things that are not publicized. These will vary depending upon the ship and officers on board.”

Are you looking for another cruise line loyalty program? You can find a detailed overview of each cruise line program here .

This article was initially published in October 2020. It was updated and republished in July 2023.

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The Carnival® World Mastercard® is a cobranded travel rewards credit card designed for people who frequently travel with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. It earns two points per dollar spent with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines and one point per dollar on all other purchases. You’ll earn 20,000 bonus points when you make your first purchase or balance transfer . The card charges no annual fee. There is a six billing cycle, 0% introductory APR on eligible booking purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines, and there's a 15 billing cycle, 0% introductory APR for any balance transfers made within 45 days of opening an account. After that, the variable APR is 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness . Benefits include no foreign transaction fees and zero fraud liability.

Rewards: This card earns two points per dollar spent with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: When you make your first purchase or balance transfer , you will earn 20,000 bonus points.

Annual fee: There is a $0 annual fee for the Carnival® World Mastercard®.

Zero percent introductory APR on balance transfers: Balance transfers made within the first 45 days of opening the account will have a 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, the APR for balance transfers is 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness .

No introductory APR for purchases: Although there is a 0% introductory APR for six billing cycles on booking purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines, there is no introductory rate for standard purchases. The variable APR for standard purchases is 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness .

Balance transfer fee: Balance transfers made within the first 45 days of opening the account have a 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles, but a fee is required to make the transfer. After the introductory period, you will be charged $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater .

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Issuer Name Barclays
Credit Needed Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $0
Regular APR 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness
Balance Transfer Fee $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Foreign Transaction Fee 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Carnival® World Mastercard® Benefits

As a cardholder of the Carnival® World Mastercard®, your benefits include:

Free FICO credit score access
No foreign transaction fee
Zero fraud liability protection

Maximizing Rewards

With the Carnival® World Mastercard®, you will earn two points per dollar on purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines and one point per dollar on all other purchases. After you make your first purchase or balance transfer , you will earn 20,000 bonus points.

Comparison to Other Cards

Carnival® World Mastercard® vs. Princess Cruises Rewards Visa® Card

Annual fee: Neither card has an annual fee.

Rewards: The Carnival® World Mastercard® offers two points per dollar on purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines and one point per dollar on all other purchases. Princess Cruises Rewards Visa® Card holders earn two points per dollar on Princess purchases and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: When you make your first purchase or balance transfer with the Carnival® World Mastercard®, you will earn 20,000 bonus points. The Princess Cruises Rewards Visa® Card earns $100 bonus points after you make your first purchase .

Benefits: Both cards offer benefits including no foreign transaction fee, zero fraud liability and free monthly access to your FICO credit score.

Carnival® World Mastercard® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Annual fee: The Carnival® World Mastercard® has a $0 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee.

Rewards: You’ll earn two points per dollar on purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines and one point per dollar on all other purchases with the Carnival® World Mastercard®. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.

Sign-up bonus: After you make your first purchase or balance transfer with the Carnival® World Mastercard®, you will earn 20,000 bonus points. You’ll earn 75,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when you spend after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ .

Benefits: Benefits for cardholders of the Carnival® World Mastercard® include no foreign transaction fees, free FICO credit score access and zero fraud liability. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card holders have benefits including trip cancellation insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance services and purchase protection.

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Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club Loyalty Program

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

Millions of passengers sail with Carnival every year. So, it’s no surprise that Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP loyalty program is one of the most popular in the industry.

Whether it’s your first cruise or 100th voyage, Carnival’s VIFP Club offers perks and benefits to all club members. And it’s free to join .

Joining the VIFP Club means you’re not just a passenger but a Very Important Fun Person . With each cruise, you’ll rack up points, climb the tiers, and unlock exclusive benefits designed to make your sea adventures even more memorable.

Table of Contents

Carnival Cruise Lines VIP Club Loyalty Program

Carnival Luminosa docked in Skagway Alaska with lush temperate rainforest and snow capped mountains in the background

What is the Carnival Cruise Lines VIP Club?

Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club—or Very Important Fun Person Club—is their exclusive loyalty program designed to reward you , for each time you set sail. The loyalty club offers exclusive perks for Carnival passengers , including coveted Diamond level benefits like priority water shuttle boarding and a complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant.

Enrollment is simple and free of charge . You don’t even need to take a cruise to become a blue-tier member.

Once you’re a member, you start accruing points towards moving up in membership tiers—each offering its special blend of perks and privileges. Your tier level shines brightly every time you board, as reflected by the color of your Sail and Sign Card .

Ways to Earn Points

Passengers on the top deck of a carnival cruise ship with the iconic whale tale funnel in the background while docked at Queensway Bay

Carnival makes it simple to earn points. You earn one point every day you cruise on a Carnival cruise ship . It doesn’t matter if it’s a cozy 5-day Caribbean adventure or an epic 7-day Alaskan exploration, each day you’re aboard adds to your point tally.

With VIFP Club, you don’t need to worry about different earning levels, cabin categories, or different types of booking. You simply earn one point for every night you cruise with Carnival.

For example, if you take a four-night cruise, you’ll earn four points. If you sail on a seven-night cruise, that’s seven points.

The more you cruise, the faster you sail through tiers, and the sweeter the spoils.

Unlike some airline rewards programs, VIFP Club points don’t expire . So, if you earn 24 points with the program, you’ll always have those points. Even when you take a few years between cruises, you’ll keep the same points balance and status level.

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.

Note: Some charter sailings and non-revenue fares don’t earn points.

Carnival Cruise Lines VIP Club Tiers and Benefits

Carnival's VIFP program levels and point requirements

There are five different status levels within the club.

Blue : Your first sailing
Red : Your second sailing to 24 points
Gold : 25 to 74 points
Platinum : 75 to 199 points
Diamond : 200 points or more

Your status level depends on the number of points you accumulate. The more points you have, the higher your tier.

Each tier has a color represented as the background of your Sail & Sign card.

Passengers on Carnival Panorama enjoying a day on the lido deck during a sea day with water slides in the background

Carnival is one of the only cruise lines that award passengers with membership status before they take their first cruise. All you have to do is sign up, and you’ll begin receiving perks as a Blue-tier member.

The Blue tier doesn’t have many perks worth getting excited about. But, being a part of the club is a nice feeling.

Unlike other cruise line loyalty programs, Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t provide a free cruise to the highest tier members. It’s a bit disheartening, but the Diamond level perks are still worth the wait.

Blue: First Sailing

Receive members-only offers, promotions, and discounts
Receive member e-letter

Red: 2nd Sailing – 24 Points

Receives all Blue VIFP perks
A complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water

Gold: 25 – 74 Points

Receives all Red VIFP perks
A complimentary appreciation drink on sailings of five nights or longer. Available at any bar after 5 p.m. on the last evening of each cruise.
Gold VIFP pin on every sailing. Redeemable at the ship’s Photo Gallery no later than two days before the end of the cruise.

Platinum: 75 – 199 Points

Priority check-in and boarding
Platinum and Diamond VIFP party on five-night cruises or longer, with complimentary drinks
Complimentary beverage at sea day brunch (on ships where brunch is not available, complimentary beverage at breakfast or lunch in the main dining room)
A “Chocolate Delight” dessert plate on five-night cruises or longer
Unique, collectible pin received on each sailing (Redeemable at the Photo Gallery no later than two days before the end of the cruise)
Priority spa reservations
Priority tender boarding (from ship to shore only)
Buy one get one free entry at a casino tournament (Blackjack or slots only; for passengers 21 years or older)
$5 worth of complimentary arcade credits (guests 18 and under)
Carnival logo gift on every sailing (Redeemable at the Photo Gallery no later than two days before the end of the cruise)
Priority onboard Guest Services phone number
Priority line at the Guest Services desk
Priority debarkation
Priority selection at main dining room seating and specialty restaurant reservations
Complimentary wash-and-fold laundry services (Some restrictions may apply)

Diamond: 200+ Points

Receives all Platinum VIFP perks
Guaranteed seating time requested in the Main Dining Room for dinner only
Priority reservations at specialty restaurants
Unlimited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry services
Invitation from the Captain to a special event on each sailing
One-time free cabin upgrade or free third and fourth passengers sail free
One-time donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, given once upon reaching Diamond level
One-time complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant of choice
Complimentary VIFP Club luggage tag set, given once upon reaching Diamond level
A dedicated toll-free number for sales and services

Carnival’s VIFP Club FAQs

Do vifp club points expire, or does the status level drop.

Unlike some loyalty programs, your VIFP Club Points never expire. So, if you earn 36 points with the program and achieve gold tier status, you’ll still have 36 points when you take your next cruise, even if it’s several years later.

What if I Reach a New Status Level During a Cruise?

If you achieve a higher tier status during a cruise, you will enjoy the benefits of that tier for the whole trip.

For instance, if you start a 7-night cruise with 23 points at Red-level status and earn enough points to reach Gold status by the end of the cruise, you’ll enjoy Gold-level perks for the entire duration. In this scenario, although you board as a Red member, you’re upgraded to Gold status right from the start, allowing you to enjoy Gold privileges a cruise earlier.

Where Can I Find My VIFP Points?

To see the number of VIFP points you currently have on your VIFP profile, simply log into your profile at https://www.carnival.com/BookedGuest .

How Does The One-Time Donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Work?

Each year, Carnival will make a $100 USD donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for every Diamond level member.

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Earn 25,000 FunPoints ®

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Count on earning a FunPoint for every dollar spent on all other purchases. 2

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Redemptions start at 5,000 FunPoints for $50 in onboard credit or an eligible Carnival Cruise Line purchase in the last 180 days. 2

Intro APR on balance transfers

0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 20.24% to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. There is a fee for balance transfers. 1

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Location Select Atlanta Macon Manila Miami Savannah

Work Style Select Hybrid Onsite Remote

Sr. NET Developer

Company overview.

At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to create safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. As a valued member of our team, you'll actively contribute to developing exceptional travel experiences and unforgettable moments, every single day. Your Carnival journey begins here!

Our Culture Essentials

Joining the Carnival team means embracing our six Culture Essentials, which are the cornerstone values shaping our identity, principles, and actions. These beliefs and behaviors not only define who we are but also unite us as a team, guiding us in decision-making, fostering relationships, tackling challenges, and reaching milestones. These culture essentials propel us toward a shared vision of success, ensuring a collective effort in shaping our future.

Respect & Protect
Listen & Learn
Communicate

Responsibilities

Job description.

A Sr. .NET Developer is responsible for translating business requirements into specific systems, applications or process designs for large, complex, and leading-edge web as well as API solutions. The individual is responsible for design, development, deployment, maintenance, and in some cases support of multi-tiered web and client-based applications. The position requires the ability to author clear and concise documentation and possess solid presentation and communication skills. Individual must work effectively in a team-based environment.

Job Functions:

Use best practices and industry standards to design, write, and deploy solid and maintainable application components using C# .NET, HTML, Advanced JavaScript, CSS, internal frameworks and 3rd party tools. A keen eye towards key architecture attributes such as performance and security must be observed in collaboration with technical lead.
Maintain a core understanding of the software development lifecycle and of Quality Assurance techniques using source code control repositories, debugging and testing experience.
Communicate effectively and persuasively with management and peers

Required for all Jobs:

Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with policies and standards.

Qualifications:

Educations: Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field or the equivalent related technical work experience required. Master’s degree preferred.
Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years' experience in coding distributed Internet/eCommerce applications that support high traffic websites and client systems required. 5+ years plus Background working within a standard Waterfall and Agile development methodology and programming of complex database-backed web sites is vital required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

General Programming Knowledge:

• Experience using OOP and Design Patterns

• Experience developing APIs following the SOLID, DRY, and YAGNI principles.

• Strong understanding of TDD.

• Strong experience using SQL.

• Strong understanding of the HTTP protocol.

Experience in development and deployment of RESTful services:

•.NET Framework. • Solid experience with the C# language.

• Experience using the Base Class Library.

• Experience using ADO.NET and Entity Framework.

ASP.NET Framework:

• Exposure to web applications using ASP.NET Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC, and ASP.NET WebAPI.

Web and API Development:

• Excellent understanding of the foundational technologies of the web: HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

• Solid experience taking wireframes and translating them into HTML/CSS.

• Versatile in different Javascript framework/libraries like: React, Angular and jQuery.

• Strong understanding of web and API optimization techniques to reduce page load time.

• Strong experience working with AJAX/JSON.

Significant focus in designing and planning implementing new features and resolution of production issues, maintaining effective communication with technical lead, scrum master immediate team and supervisor.

• Write the programming code, either from scratch or by adapting existing website software to meet business requirements.

• Test the website and APIs and identify any technical problems.

• Be aware of international web standards and protocols.

• Be able to multitask.

• Develop own technical goals and work with supervisor to achieve them.

• Ensure SDM and SCRUM methodologies are followed.

• Promote and provide environment for feedback, team communication and innovation.

• Initiate, manage and ensure completion of special projects.

• Timely escalations of issues and impediments to relevant hierarchy following established guidelines.

Physical Demands : Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

Travel: Less than 25% travel with shore based.

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

The range for this role’s salary $83,182-$125,000. Offers to the selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
401(k) plan that includes a company match
Employee Stock Purchase plan
Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 7 company-wide holidays, plus an additional floating holiday to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.
Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
On-site preschool program, wellness center, and health clinic at our Miami campus

In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.

Carnival Cruise Line is the most popular cruise brand in North America and operates a fleet of ships designed to foster exceptionally safe, fun and memorable vacation experiences at an outstanding value. Our employees have a responsibility to be accountable for all actions. We consider the environment in all aspects of our business and have a responsibility to put safety and sustainability first. We live and share a positive attitude which is based on fostering an environment of inclusion, trust, a willingness to listen, openness and integrity. Doing this helps us to achieve our ultimate goal, which is to include FUN in everything we do! Speaking of fun, we are officially certified as a Great Place to Work aboard our ships as well as in our global corporate headquarters!

Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical orsensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law.

Employee Benefits

Hybrid work environment.

Empowering work-life integration and flexible opportunities for your personal and career success

Wellness Programs

Comprehensive employer wellness programs featuring mental health support and fitness options, including an on-site gym

Cruise Benefits

An array of qualified complimentary and heavily discounted cruise options for the ultimate dream getaway

Parental Programs

Generous parental leave time and adoption assistance programs

Retirement Plan

Secure your future with our exceptional Traditional and Roth 401(k) options complemented by valuable company contributions

Employee Stock Purchase

Invest in tomorrow with the opportunity to purchase Carnival shares at a discounted rate from their fair market value

In addition to the above, we offer PTO and company holidays as well as a variety of medical, dental, and voluntary plans

In our virtual contact center, we're all about unlimited growth opportunities and creating a supportive, inclusive environment. We believe in fostering professional development and providing our team members with the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles. Our community values diversity, ensuring that everyone feels respected and supported in a welcoming atmosphere where personal and professional growth knows no limits. Above all, we're committed to delivering an exceptional guest experience, making customer satisfaction a top priority in everything we do.

Carnival is a great place to learn and grow.

Tyrone Lost Mail Clerk, Chess Master

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Carnival corp stock is down 18% this year. time to buy.

Shares of Carnival Corp (NYSE: CCL) have been in a steady downtrend since December. They're off by about 18% in 2024, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence .

The market appears concerned that the company may not be able to keep up with high expectations. Still, this weakness is at odds with the impressive operating and financial trends the cruise line giant is posting as it finally sails past its pandemic-era disruptions.

With earnings and cash flow expected to climb through the busy summer season, could the stock be a good addition to your portfolio? Here's what you need to know.

Carnival is off to a strong start in 2024

A lot has changed for Carnival in recent years. The company last reported its fiscal first-quarter results in late March, and they were highlighted by several records. Revenue of $5.4 billion increased 23% year-over-year, surpassing the $4.7 billion pre-pandemic peak from Q1 2019.

That momentum was driven by a combination of capacity growth as the cruise line continues to deploy new ships, while also managing to push booking prices significantly higher. Q1 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $871 million was up from $382 million in the prior-year quarter.

By most measures, cruising is now more popular than ever, and Carnival is seeing strong demand across its brand portfolio.

Maybe the most telling metric is the level of customer deposits, which reached $7 billion, up from $5.7 billion in Q1 2023. These are the initial payments made for future cruises, offering a good indication of the company's growth tailwind and earnings effect. Carnival President and CEO Josh Weinstein commented on these themes during the last earnings conference call :

With the vast majority of this year's business now booked, we have even more conviction in delivering record revenues and EBITDA, along with a step change improvement in operating performance lasting well beyond 2024.

The early 2024 trends were good enough for management to hike full-year guidance. Carnival is forecasting an adjusted EBITDA of around $5.63 billion compared to the prior $5.6 billion target.

The company now sees 2024 adjusted earnings per share of approximately $0.98, revised higher from the previous $0.93 estimate offered last December. Notably, 2024 is set to mark Carnival's first year of profitability since fiscal 2019.

What's next for Carnival Corp?

Several catalysts support a positive outlook looking ahead to 2025 and beyond.

Carnival is adding capacity, with three new ships launching this year on top of the 13 deliveries since 2020. This expansion translates into more opportunities to generate revenue and earnings through a variety of onboard products and services. At the same time, the company expects the pace of deliveries to slow with just three or four planned deliveries between 2025 and 2028.

That's important because the reduced investment requirement should allow free cash flow to ramp up and help pay down the company's last reported $28.5 billion in long-term debt. While this level is at least manageable considering the significant level of current underlying cash flow, deleveraging going forward could help support a repricing of the company's equity value higher.

Investors can look forward to the July 2025 opening of Celebration Key, Carnival's private port resort-style destination. The new concept will likely spur excitement toward the brand and propel a new wave of booking demand. The company expects this "game-changing asset" on the island of Grand Bahama to lift margins and passenger yields by keeping guests within the Carnival ecosystem.

Final thoughts

Overall, as long as the global economy remains resilient, Carnival is well-positioned to keep growing.

With the stock trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio under 16 against management's 2024 EPS guidance, I believe there is good value for this industry leader. It hasn't been smooth sailing for Carnival shares in recent years, but investors who believe in the strategy and long-term potential should be willing to stay on course.

Should you invest $1,000 in Carnival Corp. right now?

Before you buy stock in Carnival Corp., consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Carnival Corp. wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $671,728 !*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

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Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival Corp. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

Carnival Corp Stock Is Down 18% This Year. Time to Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool

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Royal Caribbean makes a massive loyalty program change

R oyal Caribbean Group operates three brands and while they share some backend infrastructure, each company operates fairly separately. If you sail on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea ships — the three cruise lines the parent company owns — you may not even know that they are corporate sisters.

There are some telltale signs as all three brands use different versions of the same app. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have also been using similar websites for their casino programs which suggest, but do not explicitly state a connection.

Related: Carnival Cruise and Royal Caribbean make popular smoking changes

And, at least as far as the casinos go, the two brands may share some website and backend technology, but they are not connected. Your casino status on Royal Caribbean is not matched by Celebrity or Silversea and the same is true across all the brands.

Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have had a limited tier-matching program when it comes to their core loyalty programs The Captain's Club and the Crown and Anchor Society respectively. These are the loyalty programs that reward passengers for how many nights they spend on a ship.

How points are earned is different on each of the three lines, but Royal Caribbean has decided to make a major change in how it recognizes loyalty program status across the three lines.

Royal Caribbean now has a full status match

Royal Caribbean Group ( RCL ) will now fully match status across all its brands. That means if you reach a tier on one of the company's cruise lines, you will have the equivalent status on its two sister lines.

Status, it's important to remember, is not the same as benefits. Each cruise line offers different perks at each level, so you will get the benefits offered at that tier by the line you are sailing on, not the line you earned that tier with.

This shared status adds to members’ existing benefits and unlocks new ways to see the world, with more than 50 incredible ships sailing to nearly 1,000 destinations across all seven continents," Royal Caribbean shared in a media release. "Now, loyalty members have another reason to experience all Royal Caribbean Group has to offer, with a product to meet them for each of life’s moments."

It's a big change given that Royal Caribbean's chief rival, Carnival Cruise Line does not have a similar offer across its brands.

Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

"As the first major cruise company to offer loyalty status matching across its core brands, the Royal Caribbean Group Loyalty Status Match program allows members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club, and Silversea’s Venetian Society to enjoy reciprocal tier status no matter which brand they sail with," the company added.

Why loyalty status matters

When you reach higher levels of a cruise line's loyalty program, it unlocks some meaningful benefits. On Royal Caribbean, for example, Diamond members get four free drink vouchers which can be used anywhere on the ship or at the CocoCay private island each day. They also get access to the Crown Lounge which offers a continental breakfast, a dedicated concierge, and early evening snacks.

These are meaningful perks that impact the value of your cruise. Not having the same status if you opt to sail another cruise line (even though the actual benefits offered may be different) might keep someone from trying a new line.

The cruise line explained the new program as follows:

Seamless Status Recognition : Members of Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Venetian Society are now eligible to receive one-for-one status match across all three brands after enrolling in each program.
Onboard Benefits : When sailing on each sister brand, guests can enjoy the onboard benefits offered by each brand for their equivalent tier status.
Effortless Tier Matching : Guests already enrolled in multiple loyalty programs will be automatically matched across brands within 7 days to ensure guests receive their appropriate loyalty status.
Enhanced Travel Experience : Status match enables guests to select from a broader and more diverse range of vacation experiences and destinations.

Even the previous Royal Caribbean and Celebrity program topped out at matching Diamond to Elite. That means that Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members were not matched to Elite Plus and Zenith respectively.

At the highest tiers — Pinnacle, 500 VS Days, and Zenith — the benefits and recognition are significant. This new program will allow those very loyal customers to be treated as top-tier passengers no matter which of the three cruise lines they sail on

Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser

COMMENTS

Carnival World Mastercard
Redemptions start at 5,000 FunPoints for a $50 onboard credit or toward an eligible Carnival Cruise Line purchase in the last 180 days. 2. Terms and Conditions. 1. 2®®. Start earning FunPoints with the Carnival World Mastercard and travel the world. No foreign transaction fees, 0% APR, and no annual fee.
Carnival Cruise Card Colors Guide (Tiers and Perks EXPLAINED!)
This color reflects your second Carnival cruise and beyond, up until you reach 25 VIFP Points. Gold: When you earn 25-74 VIFP Points, your Sail & Sign card will turn Gold in color, highlighting your growing Carnival experience and earned recognition. Platinum: By accumulating 75 or more VIFP Points, you'll receive a Platinum card, an ...
Carnival® World Mastercard®
Eligible for Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage, Baggage Delay Insurance, and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. 3. With the Carnival® World Mastercard®, earn 25,000 FunPoints® after you spend $500 within the first 90 days. That's worth $250 toward your next cruise! Plus, earn 2x points per $1 spent on ...
Carnival World Mastercard review: Full details
Carnival purchases from $1,500 to $5,000 are at a 1.5% value, so you would need 100,000 FunPoints for a $1,500 statement credit. All redemptions for the World's Leading Cruise Lines are at a 1% value, and redemptions start at 10,000 FunPoints. Airline or hotel statement credit redemptions are at a .9% value.
Carnival Cruise Line VIFP Club loyalty program: The complete guide
Blue (your first sailing). Red (second sailing to 24 points). Gold (25 to 74 points). Platinum (75 to 199 points). Diamond (200 or more points). 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.
5 Things to Know About the Carnival World Mastercard
As of May 2024, the Carnival World Mastercard offers 25,000 FunPoints after spending $500 within the first 90 days. This is a solid bonus, but there are plenty of other travel credit cards with ...
Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program
VIFP Level Gold. From 25 to 74 VIFP points. Receives all Red VIFP perks. Complimentary appreciation drink on five-night cruises or longer, available after 5 p.m. on the last evening of each cruise
Carnival VIFP Club: How It Works, Benefits, and More
Blue (First Sailing): This status is earned on a person's first cruise.It's where everyone starts. Red (Second Sailing-24 Points): Earned from a second Carnival sailing through 24 points. Gold (25-74 Points): Gold membership is awarded to those with 25-74 points in the VIFP Club. Platinum (75-199 Points): The second-highest status, Platinum is awarded for 75-199 points.
Carnival's Faster to the Fun: Are the priority cruise perks worth it?
The Faster to the Fun price generally starts at $59.95 per cabin for sailings departing from the U.S., but it varies by factors such as cruise length, your ship and departure port. (The Carnival website currently has an FTTF upgrade for two-day sailings from Brisbane, Australia, listed for as low as $39.95.)
Carnival's VIFP Loyalty Program and Benefits
VIFP Tiers and Benefits. The VIFP Club has five membership tiers. You'll move up to a higher tier with more earned points and enjoy more benefits. Note: Your Sail and Sign Card will reflect the ...
Barclays Carnival World Mastercard Review
The Carnival® World Mastercard® is a cobranded travel rewards credit card designed for people who frequently travel with Carnival Cruise Lines and brands of the World's Leading Cruise Lines ...
Everything You Need to Know About the Carnival VIFP Club
The Carnival VIFP Club is a points-based loyalty program that awards repeat cruisers with more perks the more they sail. 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.
Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP Club Loyalty Program [2024]
Carnival Cruise Lines VIP Club Tiers and Benefits. There are five different status levels within the club. Blue: Your first sailing. Red: Your second sailing to 24 points. Gold : 25 to 74 points. Platinum: 75 to 199 points. Diamond: 200 points or more. Your status level depends on the number of points you accumulate.
Carnival World Mastercard Review
The Carnival® World Mastercard® -- cobranded with Barclays -- may appeal to fans of Carnival Cruise Lines, but for others, it's likely to fall short. Its most attractive feature is an APR of 0% ...
Carnival Cruise VIFP Status loyalty program (2024)
Gold Members have between 25 and 74 points, while Platinum Members have between 75 and 199. The highest level, Diamond, is reserved for those loyal to Carnival who have earned 200 points. This is a pretty low threshold considering that some lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, require 700 points for their highest tier.
The Carnival World Mastercard
With the Carnival® World Mastercard®, earn 25,000 FunPoints® after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 90 days. That's worth $250 toward your next cruise! Plus, earn 2X points per $1 spent on all Carnival purchases.
Carnival Cruise Line Partners for Exclusive Casino Benefits
Starting May 23, 2024, Bally's Rewards members in the Legend, SuperStar, and Star tiers are eligible for special perks on Carnival cruises. Entrance to Bally's (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
What to Expect on a Cruise: Loyalty Programs for Cruisers
A handful of cruise lines offer a simple one-tier loyalty program; cruise with them once and you are entitled to a perk or two -- usually a stateroom gift, a booking discount and/or an invitation ...
Sr. NET Developer at CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Sick Time - All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year. Other Benefits Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
Carnival Corp Stock Is Down 18% This Year. Time to Buy?
Current Price. $15.08. Price as of May 31, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET. This cruise industry giant has plenty of tailwinds to sail higher. Shares of Carnival Corp ( CCL -0.79%) have been in a steady ...
Carnival Cruise Line and Bally's Double Down On Benefits for Casino
Carnival Cruise Line is welcoming more casino players to join the fun on board its fleet of 27 ships by partnering with the Bally's Corporation, one of the world's leading gaming and entertainment companies, to extend cruise benefits to Bally's Rewards guests. In addition to special events, Bally Rewards' Legend, SuperStar and Star tier ...
Carnival Corp Stock Is Down 18% This Year. Time to Buy?
The early 2024 trends were good enough for management to hike full-year guidance. Carnival is forecasting an adjusted EBITDA of around $5.63 billion compared to the prior $5.6 billion target.
Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Players Club Funmatch Program
Invited Member is responsible for all TFPE (which range from $63.14 to $427.64 USD USD for Fun Match Program Deals), as well as any other charges or expenses including, without limitation, excursions, dining, airfare, etc. A non-refundable, non-commissionable deposit of $100 USD per guest is required at time of booking.
Royal Caribbean makes a massive loyalty program change
Why loyalty status matters. When you reach higher levels of a cruise line's loyalty program, it unlocks some meaningful benefits. On Royal Caribbean, for example, Diamond members get four free ...