CHANGES TO CRUISE SHIP LOYALTY PROGRAMS - CONTINUED



For 2026, the major cruise lines are taking distinctly different approaches to their loyalty programs. Royal Caribbean Group is introducing groundbreaking flexibility across its three brands, while Carnival is making both proactive enhancements and operational adjustments to manage its growing elite member base. Here is a summary of the key changes for 2026:🚢 Royal Caribbean Group: Unprecedented Cross-Brand Flexibility

The most significant industry change comes from Royal Caribbean Group, which is launching Points Choice in January 2026 . This new feature is designed to give travelers who sail with multiple brands in the group more control over their loyalty rewards.

  • How Points Choice Works: Members of Royal Caribbean International's Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club, and Silversea's Venetian Society will continue to earn points as usual on their sailings. The key difference is that after a voyage, they will have 14 days to decide which of the three programs receives those points .

  • Guest Control and Strategy: This allows a guest to, for example, take a Celebrity cruise but apply the points to their Royal Caribbean account to maintain or reach a higher status tier. It gives loyal cruisers the power to strategically manage their points where they provide the most personal value .

  • Building on Status Match: Points Choice is an extension of the Status Match program introduced in 2024, which already allows members to enjoy equivalent tier benefits when sailing on any of the three brands. Together, these initiatives create a more integrated loyalty ecosystem .

🛳️ Carnival Cruise Line: Grandfathering Status and Managing Demand

Carnival's 2026 updates are a mix of major long-term enhancements to its new Carnival Rewards program and short-term operational decisions for its current VIFP program.

  • Grandfathering Top-Tier Members: In a proactive move to recognize long-time guests, Carnival has announced that anyone who achieves Diamond status in the current VIFP Club by May 31, 2026, will be granted lifetime Diamond status in the new Carnival Rewards program. Those who achieve Platinum status by that date will have their status extended through May 31, 2028, and receive a recurring boost of stars in the new program .

  • Temporary Perk Adjustments: Separately, due to a high concentration of elite members on certain longer voyages, Carnival has temporarily removed select Platinum-tier benefits—such as priority embarkation and early stateroom access—on a few specific sailings in early 2026. This is framed as an operational necessity to manage logistics and does not apply to Diamond guests on these sailings .

⚓ MSC Cruises: Expanding Benefits Through Strategic Partnerships

MSC Cruises is enhancing its loyalty offering not by changing its own program rules, but by forming a powerful new cross-industry alliance.

  • Exclusive Partnership with Wynn Rewards: MSC Cruises has been named the exclusive cruise benefit partner for the Wynn Rewards program at Wynn Las Vegas. This means members of Wynn Rewards at all levels are now eligible for cruise-related benefits on MSC .

  • What the Partnership Offers: These benefits include preferred fares on MSC voyages, potential complimentary staterooms, and exclusive incentives. For top-tier Wynn members, this includes access to the luxurious, ship-within-a-ship MSC Yacht Club, with its butler service and private facilities .

🔍 How to Navigate the Changes in 2026

With these updates, here are a few things you can do to stay informed:

  • For Royal Caribbean Guests: If you sail with multiple brands in the Royal Caribbean Group, the new Points Choice program offers a great opportunity to consolidate your rewards. Consider your long-term travel goals to decide which loyalty program to focus your points on.

  • For Carnival Cruisers: If you are a current VIFP member, the May 31, 2026, deadline is key to securing extended or lifetime status in the new Carnival Rewards program. For any specific sailing, especially longer itineraries, it's wise to check for any temporary adjustments to elite perks before you depart.

  • General Tip: Always check the official loyalty program website of the cruise line you're sailing with for the most current and detailed information, as policies can vary by sailing date and itinerary.

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