Carnival and Holland America Line Will Protect Advisor Commission Rates Through 2022

Carnival Cruise Line on Wednesday announced that it would continue to honor the 2019 commission tiers for all of its travel advisor partners through at least 2022.

The move means that advisors who suffered from a loss of bookings in 2020 and 2021 won’t be penalized and will be able to earn at the level through the end of next year. Any bookings made this year and next will be recorded at the same level as bookings made in 2019.

“We truly appreciate the continued partnership and loyalty of our valued travel partners,” Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Global Trade Sales and Marketing Adolfo Perez said.

“By maintaining our current commission tiers, we’re recognizing the important role that travel advisors play in the vacation-selling process while providing peace of mind knowing their efforts through 2022 will be compensated at the rate they have worked so hard to earn.”

As it continues to work its way toward meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements for a healthy return to sailing, Carnival Cruise Line last Friday announced that it would be extending its pause in operations for U.S. departures through at least April and cancelling its Australian operations through May 19.

As part of the announcement, Carnival said that Mardi Gras, its newest ship and one of the most anticipated debuts for the cruise line in recent years, to May 29 (it had been scheduled for late April).

All booked guests and their travel advisors are being notified directly by Carnival with refund and cruise credit options included.

Still, any bookings on Mardi Gras and other Carnival sailings this summer will give advisors commissions at the same level that bookings from 2019 would because of Carnival’s move today. 

Holland America Line
Shortly after Carnival's announcement, Holland America Line announced the same policy for its travel advisor partners. 

“Holland America Line appreciates the support and business efforts of travel advisors during these challenging times,” said Vice President of North America Sales Michelle Sutter.

“We are partners in this journey and must lean into our collective community as we move forward to a return to cruise. Our focus is to do everything we can to support the pursuit of cruise sales and reassure travel advisors that, once we are back in full swing, they will be in a strong position for success.”