Vacation Planner Jobs for OPT Students
Vacation Planner roles on OPT are most common in hospitality, travel agencies, and corporate travel management. Your OPT work authorization is employer-specific, so each offer requires a company willing to take you on before your OPT end date. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role.
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We're looking for enthusiastic, customer-centric sales professionals to join our upcoming VIRTUAL Personal Vacation Planner (PVP) training class. Only individuals residing in these states will be considered: FL, GA, TX, NC. This position involves selling cruise vacation packages and related products through outbound calls, text messages, emails and social media using Carnival-approved applications. The role requires building rapport with customers to understand their travel needs and generate sales. Responsibilities include managing the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, scheduling follow-up appointments, and converting leads into cruise reservations. The ideal candidate must be customer-oriented with a focus on relationship building to encourage repeat business and referrals. The role demands working independently to meet monthly sales and productivity targets.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Initiating conversations through calls, texts and approved communication channels to drive sales, acting on leads and/or prospects.
- Present cruise products and make travel recommendations.
- Establish and maintain customer relationships by delivering excellent customer service, meeting customer needs and expectations to meet/exceed sales goals.
- Maintain the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and build relationships with new/existing guests to close sales.
- Participate in mandatory trainings and meetings to stay current with knowledge of products to present cruise product features, benefits, and pricing.
- Perform other job-related functions as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Minimum High School Diploma or GED.
- Inside / outside field 1 year sales experience with proven sales success.
- Experience developing new business and new accounts with a customer service background.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Results and goal-oriented sales professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills sufficient to successfully communicate with customers through calls, texts, and other Carnival-approved communication channels.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Superior prospecting, presentation and closing skills.
- Comfortable working in an environment requiring achievement of monthly sales targets and goals.
- Effective time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills.
- Ability to maintain strong working knowledge of cruise products.
- Ability to work independently and manage our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
- Good problem-solving skills.
- Consistent and reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the job.
- Must be fluent in English and be able to read, write and articulate in English.
- For internal interest, one must be in good standing with no verbal, written, or final warning.
OTHER:
- Shifts:
+ The training class runs for four (4) consecutive weeks:
- Monday through Friday 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM (EST).
+ Once you've graduated from the training, your schedule will be:
- Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM (EST), and Fridays 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM (EST).
+ Since this is an incentive-driven position, when business needs dictate, PVPs may be required to work the last Saturday of a month.
- Internal candidates must have at least six (6) months in their current role, cannot be on a verbal, written or final warning in place. All applicants must advise their Coach/Manager of their interest in applying for the role.
- All applicants should fill out the application thoroughly.
- Salary:
+ The starting hourly pay rate for this role is $15/hour for the first 10 pay periods. From the 11th pay period onward, the annual base salary will be $16,500 with continued participation in the sales incentive program. The sales incentive program is tiered and includes a 6-month incentive guarantee. Average annual earning for this role is $65,000 - $70,000 with high performers earning $100,000+.
+ Or your State minimum hourly wage if higher
Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:
- Health Benefits:
+ Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
+ Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
+ Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
- Financial Benefits:
+ 401(k) plan that includes a company match
+ Employee Stock Purchase plan
- Paid Time Off
+ Holidays – All full-time employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
+ Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
+ Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.
- Other Benefits
+ Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
+ Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
ETHICS & COMPLIANCE:
In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.
REMOTE # CCL
About us
At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to consistently deliver safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. As the world’s most popular cruise line, we offer a variety of unique experiences across our fleet, ensuring that every voyage is filled with excitement and discovery. From world-class entertainment and dining to exploring stunning destinations, we create lasting memories for our guests while maintaining a dedication to the places we visit and the lives we touch. Join us and embark on a career that offers not only the chance to grow professionally but also the opportunity to be part of a global community that makes a difference.
Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law.
Job Summary
We're looking for enthusiastic, customer-centric sales professionals to join our upcoming VIRTUAL Personal Vacation Planner (PVP) training class. Only individuals residing in these states will be considered: FL, GA, TX, NC. This position involves selling cruise vacation packages and related products through outbound calls, text messages, emails and social media using Carnival-approved applications. The role requires building rapport with customers to understand their travel needs and generate sales. Responsibilities include managing the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, scheduling follow-up appointments, and converting leads into cruise reservations. The ideal candidate must be customer-oriented with a focus on relationship building to encourage repeat business and referrals. The role demands working independently to meet monthly sales and productivity targets.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Initiating conversations through calls, texts and approved communication channels to drive sales, acting on leads and/or prospects.
- Present cruise products and make travel recommendations.
- Establish and maintain customer relationships by delivering excellent customer service, meeting customer needs and expectations to meet/exceed sales goals.
- Maintain the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and build relationships with new/existing guests to close sales.
- Participate in mandatory trainings and meetings to stay current with knowledge of products to present cruise product features, benefits, and pricing.
- Perform other job-related functions as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Minimum High School Diploma or GED.
- Inside / outside field 1 year sales experience with proven sales success.
- Experience developing new business and new accounts with a customer service background.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Results and goal-oriented sales professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills sufficient to successfully communicate with customers through calls, texts, and other Carnival-approved communication channels.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Superior prospecting, presentation and closing skills.
- Comfortable working in an environment requiring achievement of monthly sales targets and goals.
- Effective time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills.
- Ability to maintain strong working knowledge of cruise products.
- Ability to work independently and manage our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
- Good problem-solving skills.
- Consistent and reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the job.
- Must be fluent in English and be able to read, write and articulate in English.
- For internal interest, one must be in good standing with no verbal, written, or final warning.
OTHER:
- Shifts:
+ The training class runs for four (4) consecutive weeks:
- Monday through Friday 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM (EST).
+ Once you've graduated from the training, your schedule will be:
- Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM (EST), and Fridays 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM (EST).
+ Since this is an incentive-driven position, when business needs dictate, PVPs may be required to work the last Saturday of a month.
- Internal candidates must have at least six (6) months in their current role, cannot be on a verbal, written or final warning in place. All applicants must advise their Coach/Manager of their interest in applying for the role.
- All applicants should fill out the application thoroughly.
- Salary:
+ The starting hourly pay rate for this role is $15/hour for the first 10 pay periods. From the 11th pay period onward, the annual base salary will be $16,500 with continued participation in the sales incentive program. The sales incentive program is tiered and includes a 6-month incentive guarantee. Average annual earning for this role is $65,000 - $70,000 with high performers earning $100,000+.
+ Or your State minimum hourly wage if higher
Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:
- Health Benefits:
+ Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
+ Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
+ Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
- Financial Benefits:
+ 401(k) plan that includes a company match
+ Employee Stock Purchase plan
- Paid Time Off
+ Holidays – All full-time employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
+ Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
+ Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.
- Other Benefits
+ Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
+ Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
ETHICS & COMPLIANCE:
In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.
REMOTE # CCL
About us
At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to consistently deliver safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. As the world’s most popular cruise line, we offer a variety of unique experiences across our fleet, ensuring that every voyage is filled with excitement and discovery. From world-class entertainment and dining to exploring stunning destinations, we create lasting memories for our guests while maintaining a dedication to the places we visit and the lives we touch. Join us and embark on a career that offers not only the chance to grow professionally but also the opportunity to be part of a global community that makes a difference.
Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Vacation Planner
Target hospitality groups with established OPT pipelines
Large hotel chains and travel management companies hire OPT students regularly and have HR teams familiar with the process. Smaller boutique agencies may be willing but lack the internal infrastructure to move quickly on authorization paperwork.
Lead with your tourism or hospitality degree match
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your field of study. Frame your application around how your hospitality, tourism, or business degree prepared you specifically for vacation planning, itinerary design, or client travel management work.
Apply with enough runway before your OPT expires
Hiring timelines in travel and hospitality can stretch four to eight weeks. If your OPT end date is close, employers may hesitate. Start your search at least three months before your authorization expires to give yourself real negotiating room.
Clarify your work authorization upfront, not at offer stage
Mention your OPT status in your cover letter or early in outreach. Hospitality employers unfamiliar with OPT may stall at the offer stage if surprised. Early disclosure filters out poor fits and builds trust with employers who are genuinely open.
Highlight customer-facing and language skills prominently
Vacation Planner roles often serve international clientele. If you speak multiple languages or have experience with cross-cultural communication, emphasize that in your resume. It directly offsets any perceived friction from your OPT work authorization status.
Vacation Planner jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Vacation Planner on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Vacation Planner positions typically qualify for students with degrees in hospitality management, tourism, business, or a related field. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific offer meets the relationship requirement before you accept.
Does a Vacation Planner role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Hospitality and tourism fields are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so Vacation Planner roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Non-STEM OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. Planning ahead for H-1B or another visa pathway before that window closes is essential.
How do I find Vacation Planner employers who are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Browsing Migrate Mate for Vacation Planner roles saves time by surfacing employers already familiar with OPT, rather than applying broadly and discovering the authorization issue late in the process.
Do Vacation Planner employers need to file any paperwork for my OPT?
Less than you might expect. Unlike H-1B, OPT does not require employer sponsorship or USCIS petitions. Your employer needs to report the job in the SEVP portal through your DSO, and you must keep your EAD card current. The process is lighter than most employers assume, which is worth explaining during interviews.
What happens if I cannot find a Vacation Planner job before my OPT expires?
If your OPT expires without an offer, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work but may remain in the U.S. to prepare for departure or a status change. Unauthorized employment during this window is a serious violation. If you are approaching your end date without a role, speak with your DSO immediately about your options.
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