At least with the major cruise lines, the loyalty issue has often been treated rather neglectfully until now. There are corresponding programs, but they largely serve only to differentiate status.

Carnival has now perhaps set something in motion with the transition of its Carnival Rewards program into a genuine loyalty program with an accrual currency and rewards, which could benefit many cruise customers in the medium term.

Carnival Rewards is only applicable on Carnival Cruise Line voyages, not on the various other brands of the Carnival Group, such as AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, or P&O Cruises.