Carnival Cruise Line is bringing full holiday cheer to Celebration Key this season, marking the first time the cruise line’s exclusive Grand Bahama destination is celebrating the holidays since opening earlier this year.
Holiday Décor Transforms the Island
The island has been transformed into a festive tropical wonderland with holiday installations throughout the property. Paradise Plaza features larger-than-life stacked gift boxes, while Lokono Cove showcases a 20-foot Celebration Key–themed tree.
Santa’s Village at Starfish Lagoon includes an eight-foot sand sculpture tree crafted in tropical style, maintaining the destination’s island aesthetic while embracing holiday traditions.
Family-Friendly Holiday Activities
For families, Santa will be making special appearances for photos throughout the season, and the popular Junkanoo parade has received a holiday costume update to complement the festive atmosphere.
The Christmas experience extends beyond the island itself, guests sailing during the holiday season will find themed activities, seasonal menus, and special entertainment both at Celebration Key and throughout their cruise, blending Carnival’s signature fun atmosphere with traditional holiday elements.
Carnival Cruise Line is giving passengers more time to maximize their loyalty status before transitioning to its new Carnival Rewards program, pushing the launch date from early 2026 to September 1, 2026.
Extra Time to Earn Status
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
The cruise line announced the delay in a letter to VIFP Club members, explaining that all cruise activity through August 31, 2026 will now count toward final VIFP status. This means summer 2026 cruises will help determine starting status in the new program.
“We’ve been listening to your feedback about our upcoming Carnival Rewards program,” wrote Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.
The move likely came from pushback from Carnival guests, many of them saying the new program is ‘a slap in the face.’
Benefits Remain Unchanged
Carnival is keeping the benefits announced when the program was first revealed.
Diamond guests retain lifetime status, while Platinum guests receive a 10,000-star boost every two years to help maintain their tier.
How the Two-Year Cycle Works
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
The new program operates on a calendar-year schedule with two-year status periods. When Carnival Rewards launches on September 1, 2026, passengers’ starting status will match their VIFP status as of August 31, 2026, and will remain valid through December 31, 2028.
This first cycle gives everyone four extra months to earn status. After that, earning periods run January 1 through December 31 every two years.
Stars Determine Status, Points Buy Rewards
The dual-currency system separates status qualification from redemption value. Passengers earn three stars per dollar spent on cruise fare and onboard purchases, with stars resetting every two years to determine tier level.
Points work differently; they’re spent on rewards like drinks, shore excursions, photos, and even cruise fare. Passengers earn 3 points per dollar on Carnival purchases, with 100 points equaling approximately $1 in value depending on demand.
Points never expire as long as passengers earn or redeem at least once every three years.
Credit Card Accelerates Earnings
The new Carnival Rewards Mastercard, launching in September 2026, accelerates both currencies. Cardholders can earn between four stars and six points per dollar on Carnival purchases, plus bonus earnings at grocery stores and restaurants.
Current Fun Points cardholders will see their balances automatically convert to Carnival Rewards Points.
Milestones Transition to Days Sailed
(Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
The current milestone program ends August 31, 2026, with all earned awards remaining valid through August 31, 2030. The new system ties milestones to total days sailed rather than the number of cruises, with special recognition delivered during the cruise where passengers hit each milestone.
Diamond guests under Carnival’s current VIFP loyalty program will receive lifetime status under Carnival Rewards.
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