Why the Carnival Rewards Change Might Be the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to You

By Dr. Dave Siefkes

Let’s be honest—Carnival’s overhaul of their loyalty program has left a lot of loyal cruisers feeling abandoned. The new Carnival Rewards system, which replaces the beloved VIFP program next June, is now based on spending, not cruise nights.

And worse, you now have to re-qualify to keep your status every few years. That doesn’t feel like loyalty… it feels like a breakup. But here’s the good news—this sudden shakeup is actually a golden opportunity for travelers.

It’s now easier than ever to switch cruise lines and come out looking like a VIP. How? One word: status matching.

And two cruise lines are doing it brilliantly:
MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group.

What Is “Status Matching,” and Why Is It a Game Changer?
Status matching allows you to bring your loyalty level from one brand to another, so you can start receiving benefits—like priority boarding, welcome gifts, and discounts—right away without having to “start over” as a newbie. That means if you’ve cruised often with Carnival (or even stayed loyal to a hotel or airline), you could instantly unlock perks on other cruise lines… just by asking.

MSC Cruises:
World-Class and Status-Friendly MSC Voyagers Club offers one of the best and most generous status match programs in the industry. They’ll match your Carnival status—and not just that—MSC will also match your airline, hotel, or even credit card loyalty tiers. Here’s how it works: You fill out a simple online request form Upload proof of your existing status with Carnival or another brand Within a few days, MSC matches you to an equivalent tier in their program.

Why switch to MSC?
European elegance and worldwide itineraries Kids sail free on many voyages Yacht Club (their ship-within-a-ship concept) is a luxury traveler’s dream Onboard credits, spa access, priority boarding, and more… right away.

Royal Caribbean Group:
A Loyalty Family That Actually Shares Royal Caribbean doesn’t just offer incredible ships—they offer cross-brand loyalty benefits within their family:
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Silversea

While they don’t match outside cruise lines (like Carnival), they do offer shared recognition once you’re within the group. So if you start cruising with Royal Caribbean now, your loyalty status can follow you to Celebrity and Silversea.

And here’s a tip: a good travel agent (like the one who sent you this!) knows exactly how to leverage promotions and perks to help you start climbing the Royal ladder fast.

🚫 Carnival Doesn’t Offer This
You’d think Carnival Cruise Line would offer status matches to their sister brands, right? After all, they’re owned by the same parent company, Carnival Corporation. But they don’t.

Not for:
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Cunard Line
Costa Cruises
Seabourn
AIDA Cruises
P&O Cruises.

Even if you’ve sailed 20+ times with Carnival, you’ll start with zero benefits on those other brands. That’s frustrating—and unnecessary.

Why Your Travel Agent Matters More Than Ever.
Now that cruise line loyalty is shifting, a trusted travel agent is your secret weapon.

Here’s why: We know who matches what… and it’s probably going to be changing We do the paperwork for you We’ll find you the best cruise, perks, and value—not just the lowest price We protect your vacation if things go wrong.

This is your moment to upgrade your cruise life. Better perks, smoother sailing, real loyalty rewards… all you have to do is say, “I’m ready to try something new.”

🧭 Final Thought:
You’re Not Starting Over. You’re Starting Better.
If you’re frustrated with Carnival’s new program, you’re not alone. But don’t just stew in disappointment—pivot to a program that treats your loyalty with the respect it deserves.

Let your me guide you to a cruise line that rewards you on Day One. Because the sea is wide… and your loyalty still matters.