Carnival Explains Why VIFP Loyalty Program Had to Change

Editorial Summary

Doug Parker reports on several significant updates within the cruise industry, focusing primarily on changes to Carnival's loyalty structure. During a presentation aboard the Carnival Vista, President Christine Duffy and brand ambassador John Heale announced that the current VIFP program will be replaced by Carnival Rewards starting next June. This new system transitions to a spending based model where guests earn points through various purchases. Duffy explained that the company's rapid growth of 65 million guests since 2012 has made the previous lifetime status model unsustainable. The update also clarifies that guests under 18 will not earn rewards due to legal considerations, though they may sail under their parents' status. Additionally, Carnival is introducing mobile coffee ordering via the Carnival Hub app on select ships to reduce lines at the Java Blue Cafe. Users should note that mobile ordering is not included in the Cheers or Drinks on Us beverage packages. Finally, the report covers Royal Caribbean's 292 million dollar acquisition of the future site of Perfect Day Mexico, which is expected to open in 2027. The segment concludes with a summary of recent cruise line stock performance.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.