Cruise & Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line Awards Service Dog Top Loyalty Club Status

Image: Sarge, a retired Army service dog, is awarded Diamond status in the Carnival loyalty program. (Photo from Carnival Cruise Line)
Image: Sarge, a retired Army service dog, is awarded Diamond status in the Carnival loyalty program. (Photo from Carnival Cruise Line)
Theresa Norton
by Theresa Norton
Last updated: 3:12 PM ET, Thu February 16, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has a new member in the top ranks of its loyalty club - a retired U.S. Army service dog named Sarge.

Last week aboard Carnival Celebration, Sarge reached Diamond status of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club - though in this case, the "P" could also stand for "pooch." The 14-year-old Belgian Malinois just completed his 55th cruise and was honored for spending more than 200 nights at sea.

"What could be more fun than celebrating a beloved four-legged friend as a Diamond cruiser?" asked Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We're proud to celebrate and support veterans at Carnival, as the cruise line that carries the most service members, and I'm delighted to count Sarge among them."

Sarge spent most of his life serving in the military, and now lives and travels with his owner, Justin Marcum Sr., who also is a Diamond member of Carnival's VIFP Club.

Carnival's VIFP Club offers perks to the line's loyal guests. Members have access to a special web portal for members-only specials, promotions and other offers.

Sarge isn't the first dog to achieve top status in a cruise line loyalty club. In October, Holland America Line awarded a Platinum Medallion to a 10-year-old black Labrador retriever service animal named Joska, who sailed more than 700 days with the line.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More, Your Way: Real-World Avanti Success Stories with Two Top AdvisorsTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Avanti Destinations’ Director of National Accounts, Ken Pringle, and two high-performing travel...
Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More, Your Way: Real-World Avanti Success Stories with Two Top AdvisorsTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Avanti Destinations’ Director of National Accounts, Ken Pringle, and two high-performing travel...