Travel insights from Beth Kitzman, BDM for VAX VacationAccess

Sailing Celebrity!

I have sailed many of the different brands of ocean cruises and have always enjoyed something about each of them. I love cruising so I often find reasons to be grateful for the opportunity to sail even though, for me, it has always been as a conference at sea which means I’m working. There are brands out there that I have dreamt of being able to experience and Celebrity was one of them based on Dondra Ritzenthaler’s presentations and friends shared experiences. I was very excited that this was my next conference at sea.

At check-in I learned that I had been mysteriously upgraded to the Concierge Level. This was exciting because I travel in a circle of travel people that enjoy all sorts of upgrades while I most often don’t get that privilege, so I was filled with gratitude.

The concierge level includes additional amenities that truly made me feel special and attended to. There was an umbrella and binoculars in my room available for my use at any time. I was also able to order from an enhanced room service breakfast menu every morning.

I was invited to an exclusive concierge class lunch the day that I embarked the cruise. It was a lovely experience to sit down, relax and enjoy a delicious served meal after the morning’s activities of boarding.

I received a bottle of sparkling wine to share with some travel advisors that I offered to let come and experience the room. Gleno, my room attendant, offered to get me more bottles multiple times. I really only needed one. Had I not been traveling alone; however, I may have taken him up on the offer for another.

I was also able to request special pillows from the pillow selection menu. I chose the Swedish Isotonic pillow to cool me while I sleep.

I enjoyed daily delectable delights every afternoon between 2p.m. and 4 p.m. They were different every day and some I ate and some I did not depending on how adventurous I was feeling. It was nice to have a few bites of something delicious as I prepared myself for dinner and the evening cocktail events for the conference. 


All in all, the entire cruise was a delightful experience. The entertainment was incredible. The main dining experience was as good as many specialty dining meals that I’ve had in the past. I was invited to join some travel advisor friends for dinner at Eden and that was an exceptional experience. The food was so delicious, and the service was phenomenal. Honestly the service was extraordinary everywhere. You could tell everyone was excited to be sailing and thrilled to be welcoming guests on board again. I would highly recommend Celebrity and would absolutely look forward to cruising with them again.

 

About the Author

Beth Kitzman is the business development manager for Trisept Solutions' Agency Channel for VAX VacationAccess. Beth focuses on nurturing business relationships and finding exciting, unique ways for VAX to support travel agencies. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, beginning with Walt Disney World then working for airlines and now focusing on travel technology, Beth loves using her education degree to find ways to educate and empower travel agents to grow their leisure travel business.

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