Celebrity Cruises Honors Top Travel Agency Partners With Annual Awards

MIAMI, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises has announced its line-up of the best of the best among its travel agent partners for 2010. Agencies receiving top honors have earned the title of Partner of the Year, with one winner per region, one national account of the year, and two overall winners. Travel professionals are a crucial component of Celebrity's business, providing over 90 percent of Celebrity Cruises' bookings.

This year, Celebrity Cruises named both World Travel Holdings and Costco as its Overall Partners of the Year. "Both World Travel Holdings and Costco are incredible partners who take selling our award-winning cruises to travel-savvy clients to the next level," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales, Celebrity Cruises. "These agencies are an integral part of our team, serving as ambassadors of the brand, resulting in extraordinary revenue performance."

A complete list of Celebrity's 2010 honorees includes:

• Celebrity Cruises Partner of the Year: World Travel Holdings
• Celebrity Cruises Partner of the Year: Costco
• National Accounts: American Express
• Northeast Region: Crucon Cruise Outlet
• Southeast Region: Cruise Planners
• Central Region: Vacations to Go
• West Region: ICE
• Canada Region: Carlson Wagonlit Canada
• Inside Sales Region: Weston Travel Service
• Corporate Meetings and Incentives: 3D Destinations

Each winner receives a unique hand-blown glass item created by the glassblowers at the Hot Glass Show presented in collaboration with the Corning Museum of Glass, a certificate of achievement and various marketing materials including customized logos that they can use on their websites and in print advertising.

"In the coming year, we have so many exciting opportunities for all of our travel partners to continue to match their clients with memorable, relaxing, fun, luxurious Celebrity vacations," Ritzenthaler said. "From our return to Australia and New Zealand at the end of 2011 to the introduction of Celebrity Silhouette to the greater New York market next fall, from the 'Solsticizing' of Celebrity Infinity to the fact that all four Solstice Class ships plus the recently 'Solsticized' Celebrity Constellation will be in Europe next year, we know our travel partners will continue to excel and we are thrilled to continue to work together."

Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and award-winning cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity's mega-series of honors include being named the top mega-ship line in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity's fleet currently consists of 10 ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest five-year investment in premium cruising. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises