You’ve finally hit Gold with Carnival, and you can’t wait for the perks to roll in. But spoiler alert: it’s more of a “cute nod” than a “pot of treasure at the end of the rainbow.” After four or five Carnival cruises, what you actually get might surprise you. Some are OK wins. But others? Let’s just say that many cruisers were expecting more than a free bottle of water for racking up 25 points.
Carnival Gold is the third tier in the Very Important Fun Person Club (VIFP)—the cruise line’s guest recognition program. You’ll hit Gold status once you reach 25 points—one point for each cruise day, and you’ll need 75 points to reach the next tier—Platinum. Apart from cruise days, Carnival sometimes offers promotions where cruisers can earn extra points.
In this guide, we’re digging into the real haul: six Carnival Gold perks that add a little sparkle to your cruise—and six “gilded” perks that seem like fool’s gold and fail to live up to the shine.
6 Carnival Gold Perks (Spoiler: It’s Not a Long List)
Let’s dig deep into what exactly Carnival VIFP Gold really means and if it’s your golden ticket to a better cruise experience.
Carnival’s “Exclusive Offers” — Great If You Love a Good Promo Email
Who doesn’t love a great offer or a fab discount? Carnival loves to call its “exclusive offers” a perk. Once you “strike” gold, you’ll get a stream of cruise promos in your inbox. But here’s the secret seasoned Carnival cruisers share: the offers seem better value than pre-gold promotions.
What can you expect? From what I’ve read on Reddit and Cruise Critic, we’re talking bonus onboard credit, stronger casino deals, and occasional juicy rates for past guests. The cruise line doesn’t shout it from the top deck, but Gold members quietly notice the upgrades.
Is it life-changing? Most cruisers don’t think so. But it’s nice to get $50 of onboard credit or a discounted balcony rate from time to time. The advice? Pay attention to Carnival’s promo emails because you’ll find some nuggets hidden among the recycled sales. You might just strike gold.
Member E-Newsletters — Because Who Doesn’t Need More Emails?
Gold members get exclusive Carnival newsletters packed with cruise tips, updates, and promotions they swear you’ll “love.” Packed with value? Some of it’s fluff, some of it’s Carnival fun, and hidden among the glossy headlines are little treasures that pop up. They’re there if you dig deep.
Occasionally, you’ll spot early notices of sales, loyalty promotions, or sneak peeks at new ships and itineraries. Most cruisers say it’s worth a quick scroll before hitting delete—you never know when a little treasure will pop up.
But don’t expect anything earth-shattering to land in your inbox. My opinion is that Carnival’s newsletters feel more like a friendly nudge than a golden key to secret deals. Still, if you’re chasing perks, the smarter cruisers keep an eye on them. Because once in a while, there’s a glimmer of something shiny buried in the noise.
A 1.5 Liter Bottle of Water — Don’t Go Drinking It All at Once
Hitting Gold with Carnival doesn’t exactly shower you with riches, but hey, you’ll get a complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water to toast your loyalty. OK, I get it. It’s not exactly jackpot territory, but it’s perfect for hydrating, handy for excursions, or enjoying when you’re parched after that late-night pizza.
Of course, a bottle of bubbly would be a nicer touch, but not even Platinum or Diamond members get a bottle of champagne or Prosecco. Most cruisers smile, snap a photo of their free “gift,” and move on to where the fun starts on Carnival—as soon as you leave your cabin. Think of it as a tiny token, but in the sea of cruise add-ons, a little free hydration is better than nothing.
File it under “small wins” on your quest for the real treasures waiting at Platinum.
Discover the top perks you can get when you reach Platinum status.
A Free Drink on 5+ Night Cruises — Cheers to One on the House
Now we’re talking—a Gold perk that has some value if you’re sailing five days or more. You’ll get your first alcoholic drink, specialty coffee, or soda up to a value of $16 for free. It’s applied to the first onboard transaction, so make sure the first drink is one to remember.
For many cruisers, it’s a small but satisfying way to toast their loyalty without pulling out the wallet. Is it a game-changer? No. But it’s a genuine perk you’ll actually use, unlike a lot of “loyalty rewards” that just collect dust.
You’re not exactly living the suite life yet—but for one round, it’s nice to have Carnival pick up the tab.
Commemorative Gold VIFP Pin — A Tiny Trophy for Your Luggage Tag
Every time you cruise as a Gold member, Carnival gives you a commemorative VIFP pin—usually themed to your ship or itinerary. It’s a fun little keepsake that some cruisers collect like badges of honor, while others toss it in a drawer and forget about it.
To snag your freebie, swing by the Photo Gallery to pick it up no later than two days before the end of the cruise. Is it a massive perk? Not really. But if you love cruise mementos or want a growing collection to show off, it’s a small but meaningful token of your loyalty climb.
Plus, it’s free—no strings, no gimmicks. Just a quick grab-and-go souvenir that reminds you: you’re one step closer to the bigger rewards waiting up the ladder.
Freebies That Feel Better When You Stack Them
Carnival isn’t known for its generous loyalty perks. Bet when you line them up—a complimentary drink, a bottle of water, exclusive offers, and a commemorative pin—they begin to feel a little more rewarding.
Gold isn’t flashy—think of it as a small step on your treasure trail to hitting it big with Platinum or Diamond.
So, enjoy your free cocktail and handy bottle of water—at least it’s something.
Discover the best way to enjoy your cruise by checking out my article: 7 Big Mistakes to Avoid Before Cruising with Carnival.
6 Carnival Gold “Perks” That Didn’t Make the Cut
As the saying goes, “All that glitters isn’t gold.” And Carnival’s mid-tier loyalty status proves it. Hitting Gold is a proud milestone—but many cruisers quickly realize the shine wears off faster than their first sail-away cocktail.
The real kicker? Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC are offering serious rewards at similar loyalty levels—think private departure lounges, early boarding, onboard discounts, and faster climbs to elite status. When you stack that up against Carnival’s Gold tier, the gaps are tough to ignore.
So, where does Carnival’s loyalty promise lose its sparkle? Here’s where Gold starts feeling more like a souvenir pin—and less like a golden ticket.
No Priority Boarding — You’ll Still Be Waiting with Everyone Else
Gold status sounds impressive—until you’re standing in the same endless boarding line as every first-time cruiser. It can feel like a stinger—you rack up 25 points, and you’ve got little to show for it before you board. Here you are, shuffling along with the general crowd. Many joke that the only reward is a tough lesson in patience.
Carnival reserves priority check-in and early boarding for Platinum and Diamond guests. In contrast, Royal Caribbean Platinum and MSC Voyagers Club Gold members enjoy priority boarding perks at similar loyalty levels.
Of course, it’s not a deal breaker for regular Carnival cruisers, but if you’ve got loyalty status with other lines, Carnival’s omission feels like a big letdown.
It’s not all bad with Carnival. Check out my article: 12 Things Carnival Does Best and 7 Disappointing Letdowns.
No Line-Skipping at the Spa, Dining Room, or Guest Services
Forget about VIFP Gold giving you priority in dining, spa, or guest services on board. You have to wait in the same lines as everyone else to make reservations. Despite your Gold pin, there’s no priority access, no early booking privileges, and no special treatment when the line snakes halfway down the promenade.
You’d think that cruising five or more times with Carnival would give you at least a slight edge. So, it stings a little when cruisers realize they’re playing the waiting game. With Carnival, you’ll need to reach Platinum with over 75 points—that’s about 15 cruises—to start skipping lines on board.
Meanwhile, on Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, or MSC, perks like priority reservations and booking kick in much earlier. It’s common to hear cruisers saying that jumping the line on busy sailings feels like a real benefit, and it’s worth putting in the “nautical miles” with a specific cruise line.
Laundry Perks? Not Until You Hit Diamond
Hit Gold with Carnival, and you’ll earn a pin, a drink, and a bottle of water—and still pay the full price to clean your socks. No laundry discounts, no free washes, no magic coupon tucked into your cabin mail. After five or more cruises, a little laundry love would go a long way, but at Gold, you’re stuck paying by the piece like everyone else.
On longer sailings, it’s a real buzzkill—and a reminder that Gold isn’t about every day conveniences yet. You get a sip, a smile, and a bill for every T-shirt you sweat through. Or, to save some cash, you’ll be laundering underwear in the bathroom sink.
Meanwhile, over on Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Princess, mid-tier loyalty members have already started scoring laundry discounts.
If you’ve not made it to Carnival’s Platinum or Diamond yet, check out my helpful article on the best cabin hacks to stay organized on a budget.
Gold Recognition Event — Blink and You Might Miss It
It seems that Carnival Gold doesn’t mean getting special service at onboard loyalty events. Some cruisers report a quick shout-out during a bigger reception. But if you’re not paying attention, you might miss it entirely. No private party just for Gold members, and no exclusive moment to make you feel like a VIP. It’s more of a polite nod than a full-on celebration.
For a milestone that takes multiple cruises to earn, I would have expected a little more sparkle for my loyalty. Instead, it’s often lumped in with a general welcome speech most cruisers would miss. Gold status earns a mention, which is a nice gesture, but nothing to post on social media.
If you’re looking for more, you’ll want to keep climbing the loyalty ladder to have fun at the special event hosted by the Captain. Until then, keep sipping on that free water.
Still Paying Full Price for WiFi, Photos, and Shore Excursions
Hit Gold, and you might expect a few price breaks onboard, like discounted WiFi, but think again. Despite racking up five or six cruises, you’re still expected to pay top dollar for internet connections, cruise photos, and shore excursions. Unfortunately, there is no loyalty, discounts, or credits for being a repeat guest.
Other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Princess already offer loyalty discounts around this level. We’re talking around 15 percent reductions on things like WiFi, spa services, and branded merch. They’ll even throw in a few dollars to spin slots in the casino.
Carnival? They keep the cash register humming until you’ve climbed much higher. Gold is a nice badge—but if you’re hoping for savings that make a dent in your cruise bill, you’re still stuck paying retail like everyone else.
Feels Like Red Status, But with a Water Bottle
You’d think that progressing from Red to Gold would be a serious step up. But honestly? It feels more like Red status with a side of bottled water, which costs just over $5 onboard. Oh, and I forgot about the commemorative pin. And if you’re sailing for fewer than five days, say goodbye to your complimentary cocktail.
There are not many perks or changes in the onboard cruise experience when comparing the two. No priority lines. No special access. No real upgrades to brag about.
Most cruisers see Gold for what it is—a stepping stone, not a destination. Carnival gives you a nod for your loyalty, but nothing about your onboard experience really changes. If you’re dreaming of the freebies, upgrades, and VIP treatment that come with Platinum or Diamond, Gold will feel like a polite wave from across the room.
You’ll need to rack up a ton more cruises—and a lot more patience—before the real perks kick in.
How Does Carnival VIFP Gold Stack Up to Similar Loyalty Programs?
If you think hitting Carnival Gold means fast-track perks, think again. Gold feels more like a “thank you card” than a loyalty game-changer. You’ll get a free drink, a bottle of water, a cute pin—and that’s about it. No VIP lines, no real priority perks, and no juicy discounts.
Regarding loyalty programs among the mainstream cruise lines, Carnival is an awkward cousin no one wants to talk about.
Let’s compare Carnival’s offerings with those of other big players at similar status levels.
Royal’s Crown & Anchor Platinum members are enjoying priority check-in, exclusive discounts, and a departure lounge.
MSC Voyagers Club Gold status brings priority disembarkation, spa treats, and loyalty discounts.
Norwegian Latitudes Gold members are racking up 50 percent laundry discounts, tender priority, spa savings, and discounted shore excursions—and that’s just mid-tier.
Princess Captain’s Circle Platinum guests score early dining reservations, discounted internet, spa discounts, and a VIP boarding lane.
Celebrity’s Captain’s Club Classic tier offers drink package discounts, spa deals, free WiFi minutes, and loyalty event invites.
The bottom line is that Carnival expects you to cruise much more with them before they start dishing out real perks and cruise upgrades.
Is Carnival Gold Status Worth It?
Gold is a fun milestone if you’re already loyal to Carnival, but it’s not a reason to cruise more. Think of it as a shiny badge and a free drink, not a fast pass to special treatment. For real perks, Platinum is the tier to chase.
OK, Gold status isn’t packed with flashy upgrades—but here’s the real win: you’re cruising Carnival, where the biggest reward is the non-stop fun. Between deck parties, comedy shows, and late-night pizza runs, it’s hard not to have a blast. Gold’s a milestone worth celebrating—and the fun only gets better from here.
Gold Status: A Fun Step on a Party Ship
Gold gets you into the Carnival VIFP club with a couple of “meh” perks. But the real Carnival magic is what happens between the perks. You’re cruising smarter, sailing harder, and stacking up memories that no loyalty card can top. Keep having fun—and watch those perks get sweeter with every sailaway toast.
Related articles:
