Recommend May2017 - 50

Celebrating 50 Years of Helping Travel Agents Sell Travel

Celebrity Cruises

"I think it's very special when you're
able to offer people the opportunity to
travel to every continent and visit over
200 ports of call and overnight in many
of them to experience the destination
in a meaningful way," says Lisa LutoffPerlo, Celebrity Cruises' president
and CEO.
In a sea of cruising options LutoffPerlo is confident Celebrity stands out
from the rest as "the only brand in the
'Modern Luxury' category."
"Our 'Modern Luxury' position is
really our key differentiator in the
market. Everything we do on our ships
is all about our five pillars-design,
destination, culinary, accommodations,
and service. We spend all of our time
thinking how we can do those at the
highest level," she explains.

they shop for local ingredients and
prepare dinner with the onboard chef.
Lutoff-Perlo notes that Celebrity's
head chef has worked in three
Michelin-starred restaurants and is
constantly evolving the menus. "Many
of those will be introduced when we
talk about culinary on Edge," she says.
"And many of those experiences will
find their way into the rest of the
fleet. We are constantly looking at
improving, changing, and making our
culinary offering very interesting."

What's in Store for the Future?

The aforementioned Edge-class will
debut in 2018. It's the cruise line's first
new ship class in 10 years and first

"I believe their niche has
been to attract a younger
Celebrity is a "culinary brand" that
cruise customer to an elevated
is highly awarded, she explains. "The
product and price. Their
culinary experience weaves its way
into everything we do. It's the most
creative dining options,
important pillar of our brand. We
nightlife experience and
know from research that once guests
inclusiveness make the
get on board, that culinary experience
product attractive to young
becomes very important to them and
it's the primary reason why they would
professional couples and even
or would not come back."
families. 'Modern Luxury' has
In fact, Celebrity guests can take part
in unique experiences such as the Chef's indeed resonated."
All About Cuisine

Market Discoveries excursions where
50 may 2017

- Alex Sharpe, President/CEO,
Signature Travel Network

new ship in six years. Celebrity Edge
will feature expanded staterooms, a
ship-climbing Magic Carpet platform
and swanky suites designed by globally
recognized architects and designers
who were tasked with creating an
innovative, 2,900-passenger ship that
would deliver a new cruise experience.
Celebrity has also put the spotlight
on the Galapagos. "We have two new
ships [there]-the Xperience and the
Xploration. We are very excited about
all of the new itineraries and all we
are doing in the Galapagos." The
Xploration is a catamaran featuring
eight staterooms, each with a window
or verandah, while the larger Xperience
features 24 staterooms.
Beyond the here and now, LutoffPerlo says she sees the brand "growing
not only domestically but globally, in
terms of where we can take our guest.
We see a lot of technology coming into
our experience, but our technology
is more enabling and intuitive, not
intrusive, more frictionless. Guests will
spend less time waiting in line to get on
or off the ship. We are using the new
digital platform for guests on board to
engage with each other, build their own
schedule for the day from the phone,
and control the stateroom from the
touch of a button."

How About the Trade?

"I think one of the things Celebrity is
really known for is that our relationship
with the trade is really stellar. I am very
pro trade and very pro travel agent,"
points out Lutoff-Perlo.
Alex Sharpe, president/CEO of
Signature Travel Network, agrees that
the brand's relationship with trade is
paramount. "From a trade perspective,
they are truly leaders in engagement."
Lutoff-Perlo says that the brand's
commitment to the trade is important.
"We make sure we maintain a high
relationship where we nurture that."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Celebrity Cruises
Website: CruisingPower.com
recommend.com
http://www.CruisingPower.com http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May2017
