Cruise Line Executives Inspire at Cruise Planners Future-Focused Convention

Cancun, Mexico – October 03, 2021 – After an exciting “Back to the Future” opening session on day one, day two of Cruise Planners’ Convention focused on insights and actions travel advisors should leverage as they continue to rebuild their businesses. 

A fun-filled Cruise Line Executive Panel and Game Show aptly named, “Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads,” hosted by Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder and Theresa Scalzitti, Chief Sales Officer, included top industry sales leaders:

• Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support and Services 
• Adolfo Perez, Carnival Cruise Line, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Trade Marketing
• Mary Jencen, Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, Business Development Manager, National Accounts
• Todd Hamilton, Norwegian Cruise Line, Senior Vice President of Sales 
• Jennifer Suarez, Celebrity Cruises, AVP, National Accounts
• Michelle Sutter, Holland America Line, Vice President of Sales 
• Kris Endreson, MSC Cruises, Vice President, Strategic Sales

“We are so thrilled that the cruise industry’s recovery is already in motion.  Cruise Planners travel advisors will continue to support our cruise line partners and contribute greatly to this recovery,” said Fee. “Our 2022 forecasts show that cruises will be in high demand next year, which is very encouraging for our industry’s future.”

Highlights from the Cruise Line Executive Panel include:

·         New Ship highlights from every cruise line represented on the panel
·         Cruise with Confidence programs & ideas on how to leverage these flexible booking programs to close more sales
·         The ever-changing protocols regarding testing, vaccinations and more
·         Private Islands and New Ports
·         The timing of when each cruise line’s full fleet will be sailing again
·         Advice on what travel advisors should do to help rebuild their business

The panelists also showed their Cruisitude in a fun-filled game called “The CP Match Game” where two Cruise Planners advisors were selected from the audience to play on stage while the rest of the audience was able to play along on their mobile devices.  

River Cruise Dating Game

Staying on the theme of the 80’s and Back to the Future, Cruise Planners’ Scott Koepf, SVP of Strategic Planning, hosted a River Cruise Dating Game panel where he talked with river cruise lines sales executives about what makes each of their lines attractive to potential clients. 

The River Cruise Dating Game Panelists included:

·         Ama Waterways: Kristin Karst – Co-Owner and Executive Vice President
·         Scenic: Richard Hickey – Senior Director of Key Accounts
·         Viking Cruises – Richard Sims - Director of National Accounts
·         American Queen Steamboat Company - Peter Adamowich – Business Development Manager
·         Avalon Waterways: Susan Gaines - Business Development Manager
·         Uniworld – Jennifer Kennedy - Strategic Account Manager

“River Cruising is up 71% for 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels so there is quite a lot of pent-up demand and as more travelers are looking for a small ship experience, we expect to continue to see high demand for this segment of the industry,” said Fee.