Carnival Improves Drink Offer For Loyal Customers

Last Updated on August 20, 2024

For years, Carnival has run its VIFP CLUB (Very Important Fun Person) for its loyal customers. Guests who kept returning to Carnival were rewarded with things like a free large bottle of water, priority embarkation, and laundry service. While the program itself remains the same, they are changing one of the more popular offerings, a free drink. And in a surprising move, they’re actually improving it.

How Carnival’s Free Drink Used to Work

For Carnival’s VIFP club, guests would receive one point for each night sailed with the cruise line.

Previously, guests who were Gold status, 25 – 74 points, would receive a free drink on sailings of 5 or more nights. Guests could not redeem that drink until after 5 PM on the last night of the cruise. To redeem it, they used to have to present a coupon or, more recently, make sure to tell the bartender to use the free drink.

Guests who were Platinum (75-199 nights) and Diamond (200 points) would receive a free drink at a sea day brunch. For sailings 5 nights or more, they could also attend the VIFP party and receive free cocktails there.

Carnival Now Offers a “Welcome Drink”

In a surprising and welcome move, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald said they were changing the drink to be a lot more accessible. Effective today, Gold members who are sailing on a 5+ day cruise, and any Platinum or Diamond members, can now receive their drink from any bar.  

After some confusion about the initial post, Heald talked with his colleagues and clarified the policies on a July 20th post.

The complimentary drink will now be a “Welcome Aboard / Welcome Home” drink. According to Heald, “if you are Gold, Platinum or Diamond the bartenders and bar waiters will see from your Sail and Sign card (or boarding pass if you haven’t collected it yet from outside your cabin) that you are entitled to your complimentary beverage and so will not charge you anything at all.”

Heald went on to clarify two more important questions.

• Guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages can get a mocktail from any bar or a free specialty coffee or milkshake from Java Blue Cafe.
• The free welcome drink will also apply to sailings from Galveston and New York. In these ports, the CHEERS package is not allowed to be sold on the first day, but guests can still get their free drink on day 1, reducing their alcohol bill on the first day. The drink will be up to $16.00 + 18% gratuity ($24 AUD).

Platinum and Diamond members will still have the VIFP cocktail party for cruises 5 days or more.

Our Take: A Really Impressive Move From Carnival

I’m gold status, and Carnival’s “free” drink after 5 PM always kind of irked me. I’m a marketer, and I know the exact reason behind making a rule like that: to hope no one uses it and saves the company money. The same went for the Platinum and Diamond members, it’d be only used if you go to Sea Day brunch, which I’d say a majority of people do not, and quite a few may not want to have a cocktail at 10 AM.

This change is a pleasant surprise and shows that Carnival is trying to reward its loyal guests. Getting a free “Welcome Drink” is also an excellent idea; it sets the tone for returning cruisers, welcoming them back on board and kicking off the week of fun. Kudos to Carnival for making this change.  

What drink will you start your cruise with?

Carnival has one of the best beverage programs at sea, with a lot of different bars on board, most with different menus. Which drink would you start your cruise with? See Carnival’s current drink menus here.

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