Carnival Cruise Line has announced it is reducing the number of sailed cabins required for each commission tier, which creates significantly greater earning opportunities for travel agents. The new commission structure, which continues to be based on booked cabins that actually sail, is applicable to new bookings made starting Jan. 1, 2016.
Carnival’s requirements dropped from 50 cabins to 40 to reach 11 percent commission; 100 cabins to 75 for 12 percent commission; 200 cabins to 125 for 13 percent commission; 300 cabins to 175 for 14 percent commission; and 400 cabins to 250 for 15 percent commission.
The company will evaluate agents weekly. If an agent reaches a higher tier anytime during the calendar year, Carnival will automatically change his or her commission to the higher amount. From that point forward, the agent will receive the new commission rate for all new bookings.
Adolfo Perez, recently named vice president of trade sales and marketing for Carnival, has stressed his position as an agent advocate and says this move was at the top of his list of priorities.
“There are a lot of agents who are now very close to higher commission levels,” he said. “Some have already reached the new levels with the change in requirements. This change positions our commission program as one of the most competitive in the industry and is a demonstration of our commitment to travel agents and how much we value their support.”
Perez and the extended Carnival sales team are launching a sales-support blitz that will continue through this year to share the commission program specifics and help position agents to take advantage of the new commission tiers at the start of 2016. Carnival is offering webinars, office visits and updates during the line’s Carnival Conversations events.
Perez is also hosting a new Facebook page for agents in conjunction with “Onboard with You,” a trade support platform, which will house the line’s travel partner initiatives and tools. Agents can engage directly with Perez and the sales team, learn about Carnival initiatives and receive exclusive sales leadership insight. A dedicated section on GoCCL.com outlines the key components of the program, giving agents an ongoing overview of the line’s activities designed to support them, as well as information on new initiatives.
“The sales team and I will answer any questions agents may have, share selling tips and discuss trends,” Perez said.
The Details
Carnival Cruise Linewww.goccl.com
