A new UK and Ireland head of sales position has been created by Celebrity Cruises as it expands its sales team to further boost the service and support provided to agents.
Former strategic account manager, Claire Stirrup, has been promoted to head of sales overseeing four strategic account managers and a trade support team of three.
The creation of the new role is designed to drive greater integration between the trade support team and strategic account managers who mainly look after cruise specialist agents.
Nicola McNeish, formerly strategic account manager for Tui, becomes head of national accounts, managing both Tui and Thomas Cook agencies.
McNeish will also oversee three regional account managers who work with high street and consortia agents.
Bhaveeta Taylor, who joined this year as a strategic account manager, will exclusively work with consortia agents and businesses.
Michael English continues in his role as business development manager working with agents based across London and the southeast with a focus on the luxury travel sector.
The line’s sales and trade support team is now 21-people strong, including a team dedicated to luxury agents and affluent consumers in the southeast.
Sales director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell said: “These enhancements and developments come after a top performing year.
“The team has had an incredible 12 months which has most recently seen the launch of our agent loyalty scheme, Celebrity Rewards.
“Now that we’ve had almost a full year with the dedicated Celebrity Cruises team we are honing the roles so that we continue our successes into 2015.”
The changes follow the early release of the line’s 2016/17 sailings and the return of its 123Go! offer following its success in the 2013/14 wave period.
The offer allows passengers to choose from a free classic drinks package worth more than £30 a day, free gratuities or free on-board credit worth $300.
Agents need to make bookings before February 28 for cruises departing before April 2017 to pass on the offers to clients.