Crystal Cruises Adds Trade-Focused Sales Positions
by Dori Saltzman /Crystal Cruises is expanding its trade-focused sales team with the appointment of three industry veterans to key trade sales leadership roles. All three appointees previously worked for Crystal.
Re-joining the cruise line, now part of the A&K Travel Group, is Monique Ross, who will manage relationships with consortia partners and national account headquarter offices as director of strategic & national accounts. She spent six years with the former Crystal Cruises before joining Seabourn.
Paul Girouard re-joins Crystal as regional sales director, east region. He will be responsible for driving sales through travel advisor partners in the Eastern part of the U.S. He previously spent 27 years with the former Crystal Cruises before joining Atlas Ocean Voyages.
Another former Crystal Cruises veteran, Melissa Nightingale returns as regional sales director for the west region. She will be responsible or working with travel advisors in the western half of the U.S., as well as Canada.
“Our goal is to build a sales team made up of trusted professionals who understand Crystal’s brand ethos,” said Crystal Cruises president Jack Anderson. “These initial hires will lead our trade sales efforts in the coming months, as we announce the return to service of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, as well as itineraries for 2023 and 2024.”
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Monique, Paul and Melissa back to the Crystal Cruises brand,” said Brandon Townsley, vice president of sales & trade partnerships for Crystal. “Given their connections and contributions to the brand over the years, their roles and experience, insight and tenured relationships with the travel advisor community will be vital to the company’s success as we begin a new chapter of providing unrivaled six-star luxury experiences at sea.”
Also joining Crystal will be Jeff Herzfeld as director of reservations, sales support & guest relations. He will be responsible for the call center at Crystal Cruises’ headquarters in South Florida, as well as for managing the groups department. He has previously worked at Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises.
In the coming weeks, Crystal Cruises, which just last week joined Cruise Lines International Association, will be launching a campaign to re-engage travel sellers with the brand.
