Royal Caribbean International today announced the cruise line’s 2008 Travel Partners of the Year awards. Crucon Cruise Outlet Plus (Moultonborough, NH) was named the cruise line’s top travel partner and will receive the President’s Award in recognition for Overall Outstanding Achievement. Cruise.com (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Cruise Planners (Coral Springs, FL) were awarded the Online Partner of the Year and the Home-based Partner of the Year awards, respectively. Royal Caribbean International’s annual Travel Partners of the Year awards recognize top performing travel agencies in the United States and Canada.
“Congratulations to all the 2008 Partners of the Year,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade and Support Services, Royal Caribbean International. “We are delighted to recognize some of our top travel partners and spotlight their achievements in 2008. Our appreciation extends to all of our valued travel agent partners for helping to make Royal Caribbean International one of the world’s top cruise brands, and we look forward to another mutually successful year in 2009.”
The President’s Award winner, Crucon Cruise Outlet Plus, has consecutively generated significant annual growth by employing innovative marketing strategies to drive bookings among a loyal customer base. The agency was particularly instrumental in promoting the South America and Australia and New Zealand cruises, some of Royal Caribbean’s newest products.
Cruise.com, a Vacation.com affiliated agency, was awarded the Royal Caribbean’s Online Partner of the Year for generating incredible growth in sales and aggressively marketing products which drove bookings via the Internet. The agency’s cruise specialists provide exceptional personal service, which also resulted in a high level of repeat client business.
For a second consecutive year, Cruise Planners, an American Express affiliated franchise network, won Royal Caribbean’s Home-Based Partner of the Year award. The agency has continuously supported the Royal Caribbean International brand and has generated consecutive growth in annual sales, developed and marketed to new clienteles, and innovated its sales strategy to drive business to its franchised network of more than 700 travel professionals.
Other notable travel partners recognized by Royal Caribbean include:
Corporate and Incentives Partner of the Year
Buy the Sea, Plantation, FL
2008 Southeast Regional Partner of the Year
WMPH, Delray Beach, FL
2008 Northeast Regional Partner of the Year
Largay Travel, Waterbury, CT
2008 Mid-Atlantic Regional Partner of the Year
AAA Carolinas, Charlotte, NC
2008 Mid-West Regional Partner of the Year
Gateway Travel, Farmington Hill, MI
2008 West Regional Partner of the Year
Cruise and Travel Masters, Salt Lake City, UT
2008 Canada Regional Partner of the Year
Transat Distribution Canada, Montreal, Canada
