Carnival Cruise Lines will change its fare structure effective Dec. 3, adding new fare codes to bring its total to seven. Only a few fare codes will be visible to travel agents at any time since the fares vary based upon how close-in the cruise is booked.

“The new fares and related structure are designed to provide consumers more choices, and therefore provide travel agents an opportunity to qualify their customers and select the fare that is right for each customer, based upon what is most important to them,” Carnival said in an explanation of the changes. “The more comprehensive fares provide travel agents an opportunity to earn even higher commissions by selling up and also allow them to provide enhanced customer service to their clients with additional fare options.”

The changes are detailed on www.GoCCL.com in an area reserved for registered agents. The website also has a webinar that explains the new fare codes.

Until Dec. 3, there are four fare codes—Fun Select, the standard rate; Fun Saver, in which guests select the stateroom category and Carnival picks the exact room; Early Saver, which Carnival says is the lowest rate with price protection; and Past Guest, which gives qualifying guests a two-category stateroom upgrade.

On or after Dec. 3, the existing codes change slightly and there are four new ones. Fun Select Plus offers free best-available upgrades; Fun Select includes free two-category upgrades; Past Guest allows free two-category upgrades to certain passengers who qualify; Early Saver, which offers price protection with a $50 change fee; Easy Saver, which lets guests select their stateroom with a $50 change fee; Super Saver, which are heavily discounted fares with non-refundable deposit and let Carnival select the stateroom location; and Instant Saver, heavily discounted fares with non-refundable cruise fares in which Carnival selects the stateroom location.

Carnival has been making a number of changes lately, including amending its commission structure, a plan that concerned some travel agents who feared it would reduce their commissions. The company also discontinued its future cruise certificate program, which allowed passengers to make a $100 deposit toward a future cruise while onboard and earn a shipboard credit on the next voyage. It also is testing new onboard programs, such as an all-inclusive drinks package, check-in at the Miami airport and “Faster to the Fun,” which includes early embarkation and priority luggage delivery for a $49.95 fee per stateroom.