Carnivals Travel Agent Fam Program

Carnival Cruise Lines is expanding its home based travel agents familiarization program to include more ships and embarkation ports in 2007. The line hopes to surpass last year's record 23,000 travel agents who participated in the fams. The program encompasses ship inspections and luncheons aboard all of Carnival's 21 ships in 18 homeports.

"The ‘Fun Ship' vacation experience has undergone dramatic change in recent years, and our familiarization program has proven to be extremely valuable in providing travel agents with a comprehensive overview of our product," said Vicki Freed, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We've received excellent feedback on this program, which allows agents to see for themselves what ‘Today's Carnival' is all about, all in a very timely and efficient manner."

While most of the fams encompass a full day and include a tour of a ship while in port, many travel agents opt to overnight in a homeport city and visit up to five ships over the course of two or three days. During the fams, travel agents meet with shipboard personnel and visit the ships' public rooms and areas, spa facilities, and children's and teen facilities, including the new Club O2 teen clubs. Additionally, participants enjoy a multi-course luncheon, where they can sample the line's George Blanc Signature Selections menu items created by the world-renowned chef, and tour staterooms that feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system.

Ship tours are typically hosted by Carnival's business development managers, who also conduct sales seminars offering a variety of proven selling and closing techniques. Agents also tour cruise terminal facilities to observe the embarkation process. Visits to area hotels and attractions, which are included in pre- and post-cruise land stays, are also available.

There is also an executive fam program affiliated with Miami- and Fort Lauderdale-based ships that includes a visit to Carnival's Miami headquarters. The program is designed for travel agency owners, managers and experienced cruise sellers who want to strengthen their understanding of the Carnival product and the company's shoreside operations.

Home based travel agents wishing to obtain additional information or participate in Carnival's travel agent familiarization program should call the business development services department at 800-327-7276. For more information on Carnival, visit www.carnival.com or www.bookccl.com