3Qs for Cruise Month: Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises
In honor of National Plan a Cruise Month, TMR is interviewing executives from across the travel industry.
Today's interview is with Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales, TSS, UK and APAC supporting Canada and Asia with Celebrity Cruises.
What do you plan to do differently in 2016 than you did in the past?
I plan to travel to interact with our accounts more in 2016. I love being with travel agents and learning how we can work together better!
What do you wish travel agents better understood about working with the cruise lines in general or Celebrity in particular?
I wish they understood that we give them great opportunities to earn money with things like Go BBB and explorations. They need to take advantage of them more.
What advice do you have for agents trying to sell cruises?
You should sell on value, not price. Give customers personal stories on why cruise and why Celebrity. You are the expert! Make them value you the way they value their hairstylist or financial advisor.