Carnival Cruise Line sets its sights on new Bahamas port of call

Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day At CocoCay top 4 insider travel tips uncovers free things to do, places to go and thrills you can share with friends. Shake off the sand and delve deep into towns like Nassau and Freeport and the remote island of CocoCay. Take a nature walk or a Jeep adventure through the pine forests, or stretch your legs at the Rand Nature Center, which offers bird-watching and installations by local artists.

Carnival Cruise Line sets its sights on new Bahamas port of call

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Festival Place, which sits right on the wharf, has more than 40 local vendors selling artisanal items. Cruise to Nassau and make your way to Bay Street— just a block away— for duty-free luxury goods. This waterfront promenade is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, and the nearby Straw Market is the go-to spot for authentic Bahamian hand-made treasures. Bahamian cuisine showcases local seafood and reflects Spanish, West African, and British influences. Rock lobster and conch are served up in a variety of ways— from hearty chowders and fried fritters to citrus salads. Try the guava duff— a warm, spongy dessert topped with sweet butter rum sauce.

Sailing Map

Traveling with Carnival Cruise Line from Galveston to the Bahamas is not just a journey – it’s a pathway to an array of joyful and serene experiences. Before you board your cruise, take some time to explore the historic beauty and attractions of Galveston Island. The Port of Galveston welcomes you with state-of-the-art facilities and a friendly environment. For the latest information on departures, be sure to check the Galveston Cruise Schedule 2024 and Galveston Cruise Schedule 2025. Embark on this captivating journey and experience the splendor of the Bahamas with Carnival from Galveston.

Things To Do in Nassau

A cruise to the Bahamas is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Soak up island views and aquatic adventures with a cruise to the Bahamas. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. You can visit The Bahamas without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #nassau — you may see them right here.

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U.S. citizens sailing to and from a U.S. city port must provide a state-enhanced driver’s license, a birth certificate or a U.S. passport. A passport is preferred in case of an emergency that requires a flight home. You cannot board an airplane from a foreign country back to the U.S. without one. Save some time at the cruise terminal by checking in online and entering all of your travel documentation ahead of time, but you'll still have to present all documentation upon arrival at the cruise terminal. Discover the Atlantis Resort— an entertainment mecca and home to the largest water park in the Caribbean.

Freeport

To take your vacation experience to an entirely new level, visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, where a perfect day is waiting. Swim in the Bahamas' largest freshwater pool, go down the tallest waterslide in North America, and chill with a book in the only private overwater cabanas in the Bahamas. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.

Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

Other U.S. ports visiting the new site are Galveston, Texas; Baltimore; Norfolk, Virginia; Mobile, Alabama, Charleston, S.C. The space also will be the excursion gateway for visitors to explore Grand Bahama. The 369-acre site less than 20 miles east of Freeport will be the first dedicated to Carnival Cruise Line, although Carnival ships have used sister line destinations Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay for years. Switcha, which many locals consider the official Bahamian drink, blends lemons and limes to concoct a powerful accompaniment to dessert or a refreshing beverage on a hot sunny day.

Princess Cays, The Bahamas

The line announced this year a $100 million plan to expand that with a second dock so that it could handle up to four such ships beginning in 2026. That expansion, which grows the line’s investment to $600 million so far, means it expects nearly 4 million passengers to visit the site annually by 2028, an average of 11,000 visitors every day. For now, it has more than 500 itineraries planned among 18 ships available to book. Explore all the restaurants on the Perfect Day at CocoCay island and discover all the complimentary dining venues that offers loads of food and drink favorites that will fuel you up in between adventures. On a Carnival cruise, every instant is a chance to create joy and lifelong memories.

Dive and drift through warm waters to reach colorful coral reefs in Bimini like Rainbow Reef. See mysterious shipwrecks like Theo's Wreck and Sea Star Wreck in Grand Bahama. And take part in some thrilling wall diving — where you can explore deep reef edges — in New Providence.

These include port calls of up to four destinations, along with a wealth of shore excursions that range from dolphin and stingray encounters to off-road adventures to city tours, and so much more. In fact, a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas offers more than enough choices to plan your dream vacation. A respite for sun and sand seekers, the Bahamas is home to light blue beaches, translucent underwater caves, a rich royal heritage and exclusive private isles. These can all be found throughout a beautifully scattered string of 700 islands (most of which are uninhabited). Cruise to the Bahamas to take a dive and witness a majestic coral garden at Orange Bowl reef, hang out at ultra-luxurious resorts like Atlantis, and shop resort fashion in Paradise Island or Nassau.

Everything You Need to Know About the Carnival VIFP Club

Table Of Content

• Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program
• Learn About Reward Programs
• What happens if I reach a new VIFP tier in the middle of a cruise?
• Blue Tier – First-Time Cruisers
• CardMatch
• How do I earn VIFP points?

Money in your pocket benefits like the unlimited complimentary wash & fold laundry and complimentary specialty dining for Diamond members are especially attractive. Notably missing from the list of benefits is a complimentary internet allowance, a big deal for me and a real weakness in the program. That said, the world’s biggest cruise company has a lot to offer with its famous Fun Ships.

Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program

Here, we’re providing information on everything you need to know about the Carnival VIFP Club including how to become a member, how to earn points, and the Carnival VIFP Club benefits. We also go over some frequently asked questions about the program. The good news is that no matter your status there are benefits to enjoy.

Learn About Reward Programs

It’s also the third timeframe he’s shared for when changes would roll out. Originally, changes were set to roll out in the spring of 2024. In today’s live stream, Heald shared that we would see a new program before the end of the year. With every tier upgrade, you unlock new perks and benefits that will make your future cruise even more enjoyable. You can still receive points for past cruises by providing proof of your cruise history with Carnival.

What happens if I reach a new VIFP tier in the middle of a cruise?

Say you have 20 nights sailed, giving you Red status in the VIFP Club, but you are embarking on a seven-night cruise. At the end of the cruise, you’ll have 27 points, enough to be granted Gold status. Perks and rewards range from a free bottle of water in your room to priority check-in/boarding, Carnival souvenir gifts, collectible pins, priority debarkation, and priority reservations. As you would expect, different membership levels provide different benefits.

Blue Tier – First-Time Cruisers

However, Carnival's terms and conditions state the line, at its discretion, might choose to honor the bump during the sailing on which you receive it. It doesn't hurt to ask at the guest services desk if you have questions. If you join prior to booking your first cruise, you can start enjoying VIFP booking discounts right away. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

(Non-qualifying cruises include charter cruises, non-revenue cruises, etc.)How much does it cost to become a VIFP Club member? There are no fees to join the VIFP Club, and membership never expires.Does each cruiser in a guest’s family/party/stateroom earn points and receive Club benefits? Yes, each member of the VIFP Club earns VIFP Points and will receive the benefits of their VIFP Club level. However, some benefits are age-restricted.Should everyone activate/join (all members of guests family or party)? All guests who have cruised with Carnival will be automatically enrolled. Benefits are meant to recognize individual members and are therefore not transferable to travel companions.Can a guest bring another guest to membership functions on board?

A Global Network for Frequent Travelers.

Keep in mind that every day you spend on a Carnival cruise earns you one VIFP Point, helping you rise through the ranks of the club and earn increasingly exclusive benefits. This means that you don’t need to sail within a certain time frame from your last cruise to keep your points, which is the case with some other lines. Even if your last Carnival cruise was a decade ago, you will still retain your VIFP points. If you haven’t yet taken your first cruise, we recommend joining the VIFP Club ahead of time. To activate your account or join for the first time, go to Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP webpage and click the ‘join’ button.

CardMatch

Additionally, contacting Carnival’s customer service can provide assistance and answer any questions regarding the loyalty program. There’s almost as much speculation about what happens to existing VIFP Club members as there is about changes to the program! When Carnival announced changes to the VIFP Club in 2012, they gave cruisers until the end of 2013 to achieve status within the then current framework. To do this, start gathering any documentation you may have from that specific sailing, such as boarding passes, reservation confirmations, or even photographs from the cruise. The more you sail, the better the deals get, enabling you to make the most of your time on board and enjoy your cruising experience to the fullest.

How do I earn VIFP points?

Join the Carnival VIFP Club before your next Carnival cruise and start your climb up the loyalty program elite status ladder. I activated my account but noticed that all of my cruises were not included. Carnival wants to ensure than all eligible cruises are captured in guests' cruise history. It takes up to three business days after a sailing for the system to update a guest's cruise history. If you notice a discrepancy, log into your personal profile on /VIFP and submit a request form.

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Carnival Platinum benefits include a special event invitation to the Platinum and Diamond VIFP Party on cruises of 5 days or more, offering complimentary drinks and appetizers. You can access your account information and profile once you’ve signed up for an account. You can also find out what benefits you’ll get based on how much you’ve cruised.

Then, once you get to the top tier, there’s not a lot of incentive to keep you coming back. Sure, the free laundry is definitely a nice perk, but take a look at some of the top-tier benefits on the other cruise lines and you’ll begin to see why people are looking for change. Once you set up an account, you’ll automatically begin receiving offers from Carnival via email.

Signing up for a Carnival website account allows you to access the line's full array of planning and booking tools. The highest level, Diamond, is reserved for those loyal to Carnival who have earned 200 points. This is a pretty low threshold considering that some lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, require 700 points for their highest tier. The entry-level tier is Blue, and this is where you'll remain until after you've completed your first Carnival cruise, whether it's 3-nights or 7-nights. Following the Blue level is Red, which is where you'll remain until you accrue 24 points. Gold Members have between 25 and 74 points, while Platinum Members have between 75 and 199.

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Blue (first sailing), Red (second sailing to 24 cruise points), and Gold (25-74 points) passengers have no changes to their benefits, and all other upper tier benefits remain intact. The impacted cruises are all longer Carnival Journeys voyages, which often have such benefits curtailed due to the logistics of having higher-than-typical numbers of high-level loyalty passengers aboard. For those who have reached the Platinum and Diamond levels, the Carnival Cruise Loyalty Program truly shines. These members benefit from exclusive events and parties, allowing them to celebrate their loyalty with fellow cruisers and Carnival staff. The benefits of the program, such as priority check-in and boarding, help to streamline the boarding process, reducing stress and allowing passengers to start enjoying their vacation sooner. All guests who take their first cruise with Carnival Cruise Line are enrolled at the Blue level.

Unlike other cruise line loyalty programs, Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t provide a free cruise to the highest tier members. It’s a bit disheartening, but the Diamond level perks are still worth the wait. Once you’ve sailed on Carnival for at least 25 days, you’ll receive Carnival Gold status and be eligible for a complimentary appreciation drink on cruises of 5 nights or longer. After you’ve sailed on your first Carnival cruise, you’ll be upgraded to Red. In addition to the VIFP Club newsletter and special offers, you’ll receive a complimentary 1-liter bottle of water that you can pick up from any bar on the ship. This could mean the number of nights to reach a specific tier becomes larger, or, it could signal an overhaul of the tier system altogether.

When it comes to Carnival’s loyalty program, there is really no reason not to join. Membership is completely free and can only benefit you by providing rewards. Since you are going to be cruising anyway (which is exactly how you earn points toward higher status), not being a part of the VIFP Club doesn’t make much sense. In short, once you're at the Platinum level, you'll suddenly find yourself bumped to the front of the line from the moment you arrive at a ship until the moment you leave. Priority boarding means that you'll get on board the ship more quickly than other passengers, giving you more time on your first day to enjoy its offerings. Priority access to restaurant reservations means you'll get the best table times.

You’ll be able to access VIP lounges, priority terminal access, priority Captain’s Lounge entry, and even free drinks at cocktail receptions and VIP parties. Before you book your first Carnival cruise, visit the Carnival VIFP Club website and click the ‘Join’ button. Provide your email address and create a password, and you’re in.