Jessica: Welcome Dondra... Celebrity Cruises is nominated for 4 different categories of the MailPound Agents' Choice (MAC) awards. That's fantastic, congratulations!
Dondra: We are honored and thrilled to be nominated by our travel partners. They are so valuable to us and to know they voted for Celebrity makes me very happy as it means we have and will continue to keep a real and mutually beneficial relationship with them. We have never needed each other more and we are genuinely grateful for the support!

Jessica: Let's begin with "Best Large Cruise Ship Fleet" and "Best Mid-Size Cruise Ship Fleet." You were nominated for both of those categories. What do you think appeals most to travelers about your fleet?
Dondra: Celebrity Cruises is known for it's service. From the moment you step onboard the ship, are handed a glass of champagne, and are escorted to your stateroom to the last moment of the cruise, Celebrity Cruises provides a personalized vacation experience to everyone. Our Specialty Restaurants across the fleet offer cuisine that rivals 4 star restaurants on land. Our new ships - leading ladies made sure we had the right touches to meet everyone's needs. Large number of wheelchair access staterooms.

Jessica: "Best Cruise Line for Families" is another category you were nominated for. What on-board programs do you currently offer for families?
Dondra: We offer fabulous supervised kids' programs, each with a staff of energetic and highly educated counselors.

• Five different age groups: ShipMates (ages 3-5), Celebrity Cadets (ages 6-8), Ensigns (ages 9-11) and XClub Teens (ages 12-14 and 15-17), with age-specfic "edutainment" powered by LeapFrog 

• Dedicated "teen hangout" called XClub 

• Dedicated self-contained space for all younger kids called the "Fun Factory" 

• VIP Party Passes available, which include behind-the scenes ship tours, movie screenings, slumber parties, VIP souvenirs and up to 40% off on nighttime baby-sitting. 

• A variety of family-friendly shore excursions in most of our ports of call. 

• Broadway-style productions in the Celebrity Theater, as well as karaoke 

• The Hot Glass Show and Lawn Club activities onboard the Solstice Class ships 
  
  

Jessica: You were also nominated for "Best Supplier Specialist Program," I would love to hear more about Celebrity's Five-Star Academy.
Dondra: Created as a genuine learning tool for agents to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of Celebrity Cruises. After completing this program learners will gain an understanding of the brand history and promise, our quality service, destinations, and award winning fleet. 

Agents who complete Five Star Academy will gain knowledge of Celebrity products and learn information to assist in building their overall cruise business.

Celebrity Five Star Academy was built based on feedback from what agents said they wanted to learn about. The main components include Celebrity's: History, Leadership and the Celebrity guest: how to identify them and how to find the cruise that fits their lifestyle and budget. 

The 2 Star section discusses the fleet in detail - including accommodations, public areas, restaurants and lounges, onboard life, and Celebrity's white glove service. 

The Five Star program also provides descriptions of Celebrity Cruises' destinations and introduces our members to Celebrity's incredible Cruisetours. 

The Five Star section demonstrates how to use the tool available that provide added value to the agent and the consumer. It was created with education and understanding in mind, Celebrity Five Star Academy utilizes multiple learning modalities to enhance the learner's knowledge retention. 

Through visual and audio means, as well as games and quizzes, this learning tool reaches for a higher level of learning. To enrich the learning experience, Five Star participants are invited to monthly webinars that give them the latest updates and the opportunity to chat directly with Celebrity's leadership. 

Completing Five Star Academy offers agents: 

• Celebrity Five Star Agent Status, 

• A space on our Travel Agent Locator, 

• Five Star certificate, 

• Value book, and pin 

• Agency recognition as a Five Star Agency 

• Eligibility for monthly drawings of a free cruise 

• GAP points or a Co-op raffle of one free cruise.
  

Once Five Star Academy is completed, agents are eligible to take other value at Prizes focus on assisting the agent to grow their cruise customer base and their business. 

Five Star Academy was quickly embraced by the travel agent community. Academy has registered over 11,000 agents.

Jessica: I heard the formal naming ceremony of Celebrity Equinox is coming up soon. Can you share a few details with us about your newest ship?
Dondra: Guests sailing on Celebrity Equinox will enjoy a resort-like experience at sea through the brand-defining, industry-first attributes also found on Celebrity Solstice, including the industry’s first Lawn Club, a half-acre country-club atmosphere featuring real, growing grass; 10 dining venues including several created by noted hospitality designer Adam Tihany, and all featuring menus pairing classic and contemporary selections created by noted chef, restaurateur and Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden; AquaClass, the line’s spa-inspired staterooms offering exclusive access to the Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, “Blu”; the industry’s first Hot Glass Show at sea, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; larger, more intuitive staterooms influenced by a panel of five “boomer” women with unique travel and hospitality insights, and widely varied entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals.

Jessica: Do you have any current promotions you would like to share with our travel agents?
Dondra: Our current pricing is the best value it has ever been, offering guests the opportunity to experience our award-winning fleet for as little as $69/day. There are options for 2009 sailings ranging from our 4-night getaway cruises in the Pacific Northwest starting from $299 per person to 14-night itineraries crossing the Panama Canal starting from $949.

We also have very appealing incentives further into the Winter involving free upgrades from oceanview to veranda staterooms on all December and January 7-night Caribbean sailings on Solstice; sailings during February and March feature a $49 upgrade.

Thank you Dondra for sharing such great information with us. I can't wait to see the Celebrity Equinox!

Please feel free to submit comments below. Have an excellent day!