MEDIA RELEASE

Celestyal Expands North American Trade Team

Creates New Functional Roles to Better Serve Travel Advisor Community

ATHENS, GREECE (January 09, 2024) – Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and beyond, continues to expand its dedicated North American trade team with the addition of four new members, bringing its total team in the region to 11 with additional recruitment currently underway. The cruise line has also restructured the sales and marketing department in North America and created new functional roles and promoted current team members into these roles to better serve its important travel advisor partners. 

The most recent additions to the team in include Elena Rodriquez, Director of Business Development; Scott Moore, Director of Key Accounts and Partnerships; Taylor Hendwood, Business Development Manger, Southeast and Lauren Barreras, Trade Marketing Manager. 

Rodriquez joins Celestyal from Princess Cruises where she served as Director of National Accounts since 2007 and oversaw a portfolio of 45 accounts. As Celestyal’s Director of Business Development, she will be responsible for revenue generation from travel agencies as well as direct management of all aspects of Celestyal Cruises’ business development in North America. She will lead a team of Business Development Managers responsible for generating sales and providing support to travel advisors while collaborating with various teams and departments within Celestyal to create programs which drive sales, provide support, and achieve Celestyal Cruises’ overall commercial objectives.  

Prior to joining Celestyal, Moore was with American Queen Voyages in the role of Director of Host Accounts and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Field Agencies. He also held previous positions with Club Med, The Scenic Group and The Walt Disney Company. As Director of Key Accounts and Partnerships, he will be responsible for overall relationship management and revenue generation from a portfolio of Celestyal’s most engaged and supportive partners. Moore will design and implement successful sales programs, strategies and network/membership penetration initiatives which focus on sales growth. 

Hendwood joins Celestyal from American Queen Voyages where he served as a Regional Account Manager. He also held previous positions with Princess Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and American Express. He will be responsible for revenue generation from travel agency partners and direct management of all aspects of Celestyal’s business development in the southeast region of the U.S. 

“I am extremely excited to welcome Elena, Scott and Taylor to our growing team in the U.S.,” said Townsley. “These three individuals bring a wealth of retail cruise expertise to Celestyal and have long established relationships with travel sellers throughout North America. We look forward to putting their talents to work to better serve our network of travel advisor partners and continue to grow the Celestyal’s brand and business throughout the U.S. and Canada.” 

“I am extremely excited to welcome Elena, Scott and Taylor to our growing team in the U.S.,” said Townsley. “These three individuals bring a wealth of retail cruise expertise to Celestyal and have long established relationships with travel sellers throughout North America. We look forward to putting their talents to work to better serve our network of travel advisor partners and continue to grow the Celestyal’s brand and business throughout the U.S. and Canada.” 

Barreras joins Celestyal with eight years of global trade marketing and sales experience. She most recently was with Oceania Cruises where she managed strategic and national account marketing and supported the launch of Crystal River Cruises. At Celestyal, she will work with the trade to deliver events and raise awareness of Celestyal's brand, products, fleet, destinations, award-winning service and offers. Barreras will report to Anna Gregori, VP Brand, Marketing, Communications and Customer Journey. 

"I am thrilled to secure Lauren as part of my team and the wider Celestyal North American family. She brings drive, experience, and a passion for cruise, that combine into a powerful addition to our growing team. Lauren is looking to make our brand shine with our valued trade partners, and we're looking forward to seeing her energy translate into creating unmissable moments for our agent partners and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the North American market,” said Gregori.  

New Functional Roles and Promotions Announced

Cyndi Berardi, who previously held the position of Trade Sales Support Executive has been promoted to the new role of Manager, Trade Support and Operations, where she will be responsible for providing travel advisors with sales support and problem resolution services in an effort facilitate heightened levels of engagement and revenue generation that aligns with the trade sales department and the company’s goals and objectives. She will lead a team of Trade Sales Support Executives and be tasked with facilitating all aspects of the agency/advisor registration process, nurturing new partnerships, and attending industry events.

Sandra Jakovac, who previously held the position of Trade Sales Support Executive, has been promoted to the new role of Manager, Group Sales and Administration and will support and facilitate the group booking process for travel advisors in North America as well as the Business Development team. Additionally, Jakovac will also play a pivotal role in enhancing Celestyal’s Group Program, the development and design of training materials, and collateral development around the company’s group programs.

Stephanie McDonald, who was formerly Business Development Manager, Canada, has been promoted to the new position of Manager, Partner Training & Development where she will provide on-going Celestyal product and systems training for both Celestyal’s travel advisor partners as well as internal customers including but not limited to the North American Trade Sales Team and contact center employees. She is also responsible for raising brand awareness and knowledge by designing, maintaining, and updating all materials created for the purpose of providing education and familiarization around Celestyal’s products and programs. Additionally, Stephanie will have pivotal role in redesigning Celestyal’s Travel Advisor portal and on-line training platform.

“These new functional positions and promotions are a direct result of our listening carefully to our trade partners and furthering our commitment to the important segment of our business. With a refreshed fleet, new itineraries and programs and an expanded North American team, Celestyal is primed to make waves in this market, and we look forward to what is sure to be an exciting year ahead,” said Townsley.

About Celestyal

Celestyal has fast built an award-winning reputation and recognition as the number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and beyond thanks to its regional expertise and exceptional hospitality. The company operates two vessels, each one intimate enough to provide guests with a genuine and highly personalised experience.

The foundation of the company’s philosophy is built on a unique Greek heritage which combines outstanding hospitality with genuine cultural destination immersion and provides authentic, lifetime experiences both onboard and onshore.