How do you follow up awarding 4,500 free cruises to travel advisors who join ASTA? You offer one to everyone in the room at a travel conference.
At least that's the way they roll at Royal Caribbean International, which turned the Travel Leaders Network EDGE conference into "The Oprah Show" by gifting a free cruise to every one of the 1,000 attendees in the room.
Announcing the award at the general session of the conference in Orlando, Royal Caribbean senior vice president of sales Vicki Freed thanked travel advisors for their support and hard work throughout the pandemic, and said she hopes they take advantage of the opportunity to experience a Royal Caribbean ship -- and to take a much-needed vacation.
Travel Leaders Group president John Lovell said he was "overwhelmed by Royal Caribbean's generosity."
Travel advisor Shaliece Moser of Oh Sheesh Travel said she thanked Freed personally for the free cruise.
"Royal Caribbean has stood behind each travel advisor throughout the entire pandemic," Moser said. "I can’t wait to sail and continue to share with clients that cruising is back along with the safety protocols that go with it."