Does Princess Cruise Line Add to My Carnival Cruise Points

No, Princess Cruise Line does not add to your Carnival Cruise Line loyalty points. Despite both brands being under the Carnival Corporation umbrella, their loyalty programs—Princess Captain’s Circle and Carnival’s VIFP Club—operate independently, so points do not transfer or combine. Each cruise line tracks and rewards guest activity separately, meaning stays on Princess won’t boost your Carnival point balance.

Key Takeaways

• No direct transfers: Princess Cruise points don’t add to Carnival’s loyalty program.
• Separate programs: Each line maintains its own rewards system—track points independently.
• Elite status: Tier benefits don’t cross over between Carnival and Princess.
• Book smart: Choose one line to maximize loyalty perks on future cruises.
• Check promotions: Occasionally, shared deals may offer indirect point advantages.
• Consolidate spending: Use Carnival’s VIFP Club for Carnival-focused rewards growth.

Understanding Cruise Line Loyalty Programs

If you’re like most cruise lovers, you’ve probably found yourself wondering: “Does Princess Cruise Line add to my Carnival Cruise points?” It’s a fair question, especially when you’re trying to make the most of every voyage. After all, who wouldn’t want to rack up rewards and enjoy perks like free drinks, priority boarding, or even a free cabin upgrade?

Loyalty programs have become a big part of the cruising experience. They’re designed to reward frequent cruisers with benefits that grow over time. But here’s the catch: not all cruise lines play in the same loyalty sandbox. While some brands share points or offer reciprocal benefits, others keep their programs strictly separate. This can be confusing, especially when two big names like Princess and Carnival come into play.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s set the scene. Imagine you’ve just returned from a relaxing 7-day Caribbean cruise on the Princess Regal. You loved the onboard entertainment, the spa, and the way the crew remembered your name. Now, you’re booking your next trip—this time on the Carnival Breeze—and you’re hoping your past Princess cruises will count toward your Carnival rewards. After all, you’ve been loyal to both brands. Shouldn’t that loyalty be recognized?

That’s exactly what we’re here to explore. In this post, we’ll break down the relationship between Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, examine their loyalty programs, and answer the burning question: Do Princess cruises add to your Carnival points? We’ll also offer practical tips to help you maximize your rewards, whether you’re a die-hard Carnival fan, a Princess devotee, or someone who enjoys both.

The Relationship Between Princess and Carnival: Are They Related?

Same Parent Company, Different Brands

Here’s a fun fact: Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are both owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest leisure travel company. That means they’re siblings under the same corporate roof. But—and this is a big but—they operate as completely separate brands with distinct identities, target audiences, and loyalty programs.

Think of it like this: Toyota owns both Lexus and Scion. They’re under the same umbrella, but they’re not the same car. Similarly, Carnival Corporation owns multiple cruise lines, including:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Seabourn
• Cunard
• Costa Cruises
• And several others

Each of these brands has its own personality. Carnival is known for fun, family-friendly, high-energy vacations. Princess leans more toward refined, destination-focused cruising with a touch of elegance. Because they serve different markets, their loyalty programs are also separate.

Why Loyalty Programs Stay Separate

You might think, “If they’re owned by the same company, why can’t they share points?” Great question. The answer lies in branding, customer segmentation, and business strategy.

Carnival Cruise Line wants to reward its own guests for choosing Carnival—not just any brand under the Carnival Corp umbrella. The same goes for Princess. Their loyalty programs are designed to:

• Encourage repeat business within their brand
• Build brand-specific communities
• Offer tailored perks that match their guest experience

For example, a Carnival guest might earn points toward free soda packages or discounted shore excursions on Carnival ships. A Princess guest might earn points toward a free specialty dining experience or a spa credit. These perks are brand-specific, so the points can’t be transferred.

So, while the companies are related, Princess cruise points do not add to your Carnival Cruise points. They’re kept in separate digital vaults—like two different bank accounts for two different lifestyles.

How Carnival’s Loyalty Program Works: The VIFP Club

What Is the VIFP Club?

Carnival’s loyalty program is called the VIFP Club—Very Important Fun Person. It’s free to join, and you start earning points the moment you book your first cruise. The more cruises you take, the higher your tier, and the better your perks.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Blue Tier: 0–19 points (base level, basic perks)

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• Red Tier: 20–74 points (more benefits, like priority check-in)
• Platinum Tier: 75–199 points (free drinks, priority boarding, cabin upgrades)
• President’s Club: 200+ points (VIP treatment, exclusive events, complimentary cruises)

You earn one point per cruise night. So, a 5-night cruise = 5 points. A 14-night cruise = 14 points. It’s simple and straightforward.

Perks That Keep You Coming Back

What makes the VIFP Club attractive? The perks grow with each tier. For example:

• At the Red Tier, you get a free drink package for one cruise every 18 months.
• At Platinum, you get a free soda package on every cruise, priority embarkation, and a chance at a free cabin upgrade.
• At President’s Club, you get a complimentary cruise after every 100 points earned—plus exclusive onboard events and dedicated service.

One traveler, Sarah from Ohio, shared: “I’ve been Platinum for three years. I love the free soda package—it saves me $50 per cruise. And the cabin upgrades? I’ve scored oceanview rooms for the price of an interior.”

The key takeaway? These perks are only earned by sailing with Carnival. Your Princess cruises don’t count toward your VIFP points. Even if you’ve sailed 20 nights on Princess, those nights won’t move you up the VIFP ladder.

Can You Transfer or Combine Points?

Unfortunately, no. Carnival does not allow point transfers from other cruise lines—even sister brands under Carnival Corp. You can’t:

• Combine Princess points with Carnival points
• Transfer points between family members (though some perks are shareable)
• Buy or sell points

There’s no workaround. If you want more VIFP points, you need to sail on Carnival ships.

How Princess Cruises’ Loyalty Program Works: Captain’s Circle

What Is Captain’s Circle?

Princess Cruises’ loyalty program is called Captain’s Circle. Like Carnival’s VIFP Club, it’s free to join and rewards repeat cruisers. But the structure and perks are tailored to Princess’s more upscale, destination-focused experience.

The tiers are:

• Silver Tier: 1–19 cruise points (basic benefits)
• Gold Tier: 20–74 cruise points (priority boarding, free internet minutes)
• Ruby Tier: 75–199 cruise points (free specialty dining, priority disembarkation)
• Platinum Tier: 200+ cruise points (complimentary cruises, VIP events, dedicated concierge)

You earn one point per cruise night, just like Carnival. But the perks are different—and often more luxurious.

Perks That Reflect the Princess Experience

Princess knows its guests value comfort, convenience, and personalized service. That’s why Captain’s Circle perks include:

• Gold Tier: Priority embarkation, 50 free internet minutes per cruise

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• Ruby Tier: One free specialty dining experience (like Sabatini’s or Crown Grill), priority debarkation
• Platinum Tier: Complimentary cruise after every 200 points, access to the Captain’s Circle Lounge, personalized service

One cruiser, Mark from California, said: “I love the free specialty dinner at Ruby. It’s a $100 value, and it feels like a treat. Plus, the lounge is quiet and has great views—perfect for relaxing before dinner.”

These perks are designed to enhance the Princess experience. But again—they only come from sailing on Princess ships.

No Cross-Brand Point Accumulation

Just like with Carnival, Princess does not accept points from other cruise lines. Your Carnival cruises won’t count toward your Captain’s Circle status. Even if you’ve sailed 50 nights on Carnival, you’ll still be a Silver member on Princess until you sail 20 nights with them.

There’s no “grandfathered” status or point transfer option. Each program is its own ecosystem.

Can You Maximize Rewards Across Both Brands?

Strategic Cruising: The Two-Program Approach

Now, here’s where things get interesting. While you can’t combine points, you can strategically use both programs to your advantage. It’s like having two loyalty cards at different grocery stores—you shop where it makes sense for your needs.

For example:

• Take a 7-night Alaska cruise on Princess to enjoy the scenic views, onboard enrichment, and Captain’s Circle perks.
• Then, book a 4-night Bahamas cruise on Carnival for a fun, affordable getaway and earn VIFP points.

Over time, you’ll build status in both programs—just not at the same time. This is ideal for cruisers who enjoy both the relaxed elegance of Princess and the high-energy fun of Carnival.

Tips to Maximize Both Programs

Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of both loyalty programs:

• Set a goal for each brand: Decide which perks matter most. Do you want free drinks (Carnival)? Free specialty dining (Princess)? Focus your cruises accordingly.
• Track your points: Use the Carnival VIFP app and Princess Captain’s Circle dashboard to monitor your progress.
• Book longer cruises: A 14-night cruise earns 14 points in one program. It’s more efficient than two 7-night cruises.
• Look for loyalty promotions: Both brands occasionally offer double points or bonus perks for repeat cruisers. Sign up for emails to stay informed.
• Use onboard perks wisely: At Ruby Tier on Princess, use your free specialty dinner early in the cruise. At Platinum on Carnival, request a cabin upgrade at check-in.

One couple, Lisa and Tom, shared their strategy: “We do one big Princess cruise every year for the destinations. But we also take short Carnival trips with the kids. We’re Platinum on Carnival and Ruby on Princess—and we love having both sets of perks.”

When to Focus on One Brand

Sometimes, it makes more sense to focus on one program. For example:

• If you’re close to Platinum status on Carnival, it might be worth skipping a Princess cruise to earn that free cruise faster.
• If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska trip on Princess, go for it—but don’t expect it to help your Carnival status.

Think of it like saving for two different goals: a dream vacation and a fun weekend getaway. You can work on both—but you’ll reach them at different times.

Data Table: Carnival vs. Princess Loyalty Programs

Feature	Carnival VIFP Club	Princess Captain’s Circle
Parent Company	Carnival Corporation	Carnival Corporation
Program Name	VIFP Club	Captain’s Circle
Points Earned	1 point per cruise night	1 point per cruise night
Tiers	Blue, Red, Platinum, President’s Club	Silver, Gold, Ruby, Platinum
Top Perk	Complimentary cruise (every 100 points at President’s Club)	Complimentary cruise (every 200 points at Platinum)
Free Drinks	Yes (Platinum and above)	No (but specialty dining at Ruby+)
Priority Boarding	Yes (Red and above)	Yes (Gold and above)
Can Points Be Shared?	No	No
Cross-Brand Points?	No	No

Final Thoughts: So, Does Princess Add to Your Carnival Points?

Let’s cut to the chase: No, Princess Cruise Line does not add to your Carnival Cruise points. Despite being under the same corporate umbrella, their loyalty programs are completely separate. Your Princess cruises count only toward Captain’s Circle. Your Carnival cruises count only toward VIFP Club.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. In fact, this separation can work in your favor if you’re strategic. By understanding how each program works, you can:

• Enjoy the best of both worlds—luxury and fun, relaxation and excitement
• Build status in both programs over time
• Take advantage of brand-specific perks that match your travel style

Think of it this way: you’re not losing points—you’re gaining flexibility. You can sail the scenic fjords of Norway on Princess and still enjoy a wild weekend in the Bahamas on Carnival. And with smart planning, you’ll be rewarded at every turn.

So, the next time someone asks, “Does Princess Cruise Line add to my Carnival Cruise points?” you can smile and say: “No—but I get double the rewards, and I love every minute of it.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Princess Cruise Line add to my Carnival Cruise points?

No, Princess Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line operate separate loyalty programs. Points earned on one cruise line do not transfer to the other, as they are not part of the same rewards network.

Can I earn Carnival Cruise points on a Princess cruise?

Unfortunately, you cannot earn Carnival Cruise points while sailing with Princess Cruise Line. Each brand maintains its own loyalty program, and points are only accrued within their respective systems.

Are Princess and Carnival Cruise loyalty programs linked?

Princess and Carnival Cruise Line loyalty programs are not linked. Even though both are under Carnival Corporation, they manage their rewards programs independently, so points cannot be combined or shared.

How do I maximize points when sailing with both Princess and Carnival?

To maximize points, focus on staying loyal to one brand’s program per trip—either Princess’s Captain’s Circle or Carnival’s VIFP Club. Track promotions separately, as offers don’t overlap between the two cruise lines.

Do Carnival Corporation brands share cruise points?

No, Carnival Corporation’s brands, including Princess and Carnival Cruise Line, do not share points across their loyalty programs. Each brand’s rewards system is exclusive to its own sailings and benefits.

Can I transfer points between Princess and Carnival Cruise accounts?

There is no option to transfer points between Princess and Carnival Cruise Line accounts. Both programs are designed to reward repeat customers independently, with no integration for point exchanges.