Celestyal Cruises Expands North American Biz Development Team

Greece-specialist Celestyal Cruises has appointed a new business development manager for the Northeast U.S. and Canada, and created a new director of national accounts position.

“As travel rebounds, and as Celestyal returns to year-round sailing, we are seeing increased demand for our cruises in the Greek Isles and Eastern Mediterranean,” said Gordon Dirker, vice president of business development, North America, Celestyal Cruises. “With our now expanded business development team in the U.S. and Canada we are even better positioned to meet this growing demand and to assist our travel advisor partners grow their business.”

Stepping into the role of BDM, Northeast USA/Canada, is Bentlie Logan. She will be responsible for developing the company’s distribution in key travel agent, group and tour operator channels, maximizing trade awareness, travel advisor training, development of cooperative marketing plans and representing the company at important industry events in the northeast. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Logan worked as a BDM for Ships Group in Miami. Before that she spend more than five years as a travel advisor in Louisiana and California.

Kelly Predmesky, who has served as BDM, southeastern U.S. since 2018, has been promoted to the new position of director of national accounts. She will continue to serve as BDM for the southeast, while also taking on the task of growing long-lasting, profitable and successful partnerships with travel agencies, consortia, wholesalers and tour operators.

Also working with travel advisors will be Theodora Damaskinou, who was appointed to the position of travel administrator for the shore excursion department. Damaskinou will be responsible for assisting travel advisors and their clients with all matter related to shore excursions, tours, pre- and post-cruise transportation, and accommodations.

Celestyal also added a new group agent, Sofia Baliou, to its groups department. She will focus on servicing the growing group market.

Expanded North American Contact Center
Celestyal also expanded its North American contact center with additional staff and has extended operating hours to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday. The contact center is responsible for serving travel advisors and consumers.