Recommend May2017 - 66

Celebrating 50 Years of Helping Travel Agents Sell Travel

Royal Caribbean International
Codd notes that, "With such
amazing and innovative designs, Royal
Caribbean is able to uphold pricing
levels and margins that prosper both
RCI and its travel partners. Customers
are willing to pay a premium price
for a premium experience aboard
these ships."
What's in store for the future? "We
will continue to lead the industry," says
Freed, with the best, most innovative
ships and experiences in the cruise
industry-it's in our DNA. Five years
from now, we will stand out as the best
vacation value in travel, and travel
agents will still be a major contributor
to our bookings and bringing Royal
Caribbean vacations to life."
"Ships, innovation, product, support,
relationships," says Tracey Codd,
co- franchise owner at Expedia
CruiseShipCenters when describing
what draws her clients to choosing
Royal Caribbean International.
Adding that, "Destinations can be
somewhat universal across all cruise
companies. How cruise passengers
arrive at such destinations, and the
experience while on board, is where
Royal Caribbean distinguishes itself
within the industry as a natural leader.
Royal Caribbean has dominated the
cruise market, making their ships the
actual desired 'destination' and the

"Royal Caribbean has always
stayed true to the travel agent
community. We are known for
our unwavering support based
on the understanding of and
appreciation for the value they
bring to our brand. Together,
we have been able to foster an
unbeatable relationship, where
our success and their success go
hand in hand."
- Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President,
Sales, Trade Support and Service,
Royal Caribbean International
66 may 2017

ports of call have become shadowed
by the desire for passengers to immerse
themselves in experiencing the ships
themselves."
Though the cruise line's current
offerings are varied and provide guests
with plenty to enjoy, there's still much
more to come. Vicki Freed, senior v.p.
of sales, trade support and service for
Royal Caribbean International, notes
that, "There are incredible itineraries
on board 24 Royal Caribbean ships that
visit more than 240 destinations around
the world.
"Adding to the adventure, Symphony
of the Seas-what will be the world's
largest cruise ship-is set to make her
first stateside appearance on Nov. 9,
2018 in our new PortMiami cruise
terminal. As the fourth installment
in our groundbreaking Oasis class of
ships, Symphony will strike a chord in
the industry with more enhancements,
reimagined venues and the return of our
popular experiences and innovations:
imaginative and sophisticated
dining, our Bionic Bar manned by
robot bartenders; Broadway-style
entertainment; The Perfect Storm trio
of water slides; our 10-story Ultimate
Abyss slide and more. There's plenty
more where that came from for Royal
Caribbean; everyone will need to stay
tuned!"

The Personal Agent Relationship

"Royal Caribbean International has
always stayed true to the travel agent
community," points out Freed. "We
are known for our unwavering support
based on the understanding of and
appreciation for the value they bring to
our brand. Together, we have been able
to foster an unbeatable relationship,
where our success and their success go
hand in hand."
David Fredericks, senior v.p. of
sales and marketing for Luxury
Cruise Connections, attests to this
relationship, referring to it more like
a family. He says, "I have never seen
a company that supports the trade as
well as Royal Caribbean. It starts at the
top with Richard Fain, Michael Bayley,
and Vicki Freed, all the way down to
the sales management that orchestrates
our sales strategies. The team is
always there when we need them.
Royal Caribbean's team are not just
partners; they are our family that works
relentlessly to create opportunities to
grow our joint business. There is never
a day that goes by that a majority of our
reservations are not Royal's."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Royal Caribbean International
Vicki Freed
E-mail: vickilovestravelagents@rccl.com
Website: loyaltoyoualways.com
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