Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing an enhanced affinity group program offering attractive new group rates and complimentary amenities for top selling individual fares booked into groups, making it easier for travel agents to highlight the value of affinity group cruises to their clients.

The enhanced program, which is effective for all sailings departing on or after February 1, 2014, is a result of travel agent feedback from recent Carnival Conversations events.

“Building strong affinity group business is one of the most lucrative earning opportunities for travel agents,” said Mike Julius, Carnival’s senior managing director of U.S. trade sales. “We’re excited to make it easier than ever for agents to book this valuable business by introducing very attractive group rates and adding more value through the inclusion of amenities for our top selling fares.”

With the new changes, Fun Select, Early Saver and Past Guest fares may be added to groups with complimentary amenity points. Additional fares such as Super Saver, resident, senior and promotional fares remain eligible to book into groups with the option to buy amenity points at the price of one dollar per point per cruise day; these fares all receive tour conductor credits if booked into a group. As part of this launch, Carnival is offering complimentary amenity points on promotional fares through the end of February 2014.

New group fares begin at $259 for three- to five-day cruises and $459 for voyages of six days or longer.