25 OCT 2018: With the imminent arrival of the Celebrity Edge and a half billion-dollar fleet modernization program at hand, Celebrity Cruises had plenty to crow about as the Canadian team for the cruise line hosted more than 100 travel counsellors at a special training session at the Bayview Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont., on Oct. 23.
The Five Star Academy specialist training event, conducted by staff trainers flown in from the US, led agents through a lively five-course update on the cruise line that offered a wealth of information on developments on Celebrity plans and marketing programs, individual ships and, most importantly, sales tips and selling techniques. The session also helped put the finishing touches on certifications for some agents, while serving as a mandatory certification refresher for others.
Agents were also served breakfast and asked to pose for photos to be included in a “thank you” ad being produced by Celebrity for the trade.
In the evening, close to 200 consumers were also welcomed to the country club for a high-energy night of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, “mingling, socializing and booking cruises.” And, of course, prizes.
High on the Celebrity’s agenda for both trade and consumer guests was an introduction to the cruise line’s next big thing, the Celebrity Edge.
Set to enter service on Dec. 9 with its maiden voyage in the western Caribbean, the first of four Celebrity Edge Class ships (the Apex is due in 2020 with two more unnamed vessels to come in 2020 and ’21) will be the most luxurious and spacious ship in the fleet, according to Celebrity.
Highlights include the innovative Magic Carpet moveable event space (the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level); the nature-based space, Eden; and double the number of suites, including two new suite classes.
One of those, the Edge Villas, combines “indoor and outdoor luxury living,” with direct access to its own exclusive “sanctuary” with pool, sundeck, lounge and bar.
Better still are the new Iconic Suites – perched on the top of the ship above the bridge, offering panoramic views that are “better than what the captain sees,” to which, one of the Celebrity trainers laughed, “Let’s hope not!”
But the point is made – the Iconic Suites are part of Celebrity’s edge and a clear selling feature for at least 100 new certified and re-certified agents in Toronto.