Carnival Cruise Line Readies ‘Agentpalooza’

“Why not a rock tour where travel agents are the star?” says Adolfo Perez. So in keeping with its “Travel Agents Rock” theme, Carnival Cruise Line is about to kick off a week-long bus tour to celebrate its travel partners in six different southern cities.

The tour, which kicks off May 11, will offer 1,000 travel agents a chance to meet with the Carnival sales team and help celebrate just how important agents are to the cruise line. “Travel agents like to forge a real relationship with the brand and suppliers and this gives us the opportunity to meet with a lot of them in a really fun way,” Perez said. “It’s about celebrating our travel agent partners. We had a great Wave season and this is a way to celebrate our success.”

The bus will stop in six cities: Houston, TX, at Minute Maid Park on May 11; New Orleans, LA, at Mardi Gras World on May 12; Charleston, SC, at Patriot’s Point Park on May 15; Atlanta, GA, at Suntrust Park on May 16; Jacksonville, FL, at Jacksonville Landing on May 17; and Orlando, FL, at Lakefront Park on May 18.

Agents must register on the Carnival agent website as there will be limited availability on each stop.

Perez, vice president of U.S. Field Sales Mike Julius, regional vice presidents from around the country and local business development managers will be on hand at each event. Each location will have a “Carnival Fun Zone,” complete with a live DJ, photo booth, lawn games and a Cherry on Top candy bar. Raffle prizes will include a complimentary eight-day Carnival cruise.

As part of the events, Carnival is asking agents to get involved in some giving back by bringing canned goods to be donated to local food banks or cash donations to the Leukemia & Lymphona Society.

Perez also said agents should watch for more announcements that demonstrate Carnival’s commitment to the trade. “We’re always looking for ways to be the best cruise supplier that travel agents work with. We’re not going to stop with this, we’ll have other stuff as well,” he said.