When's the last time you saw a fireplace chat on a cruise ship? Never - exactly ! In their "fireside chat" Debbie and Drew, our executive leaders, discussed the pros and cons of this virtual conference as well as highlighting the week's events. In upcoming sessions speakers will provide more information about the future of cruising, and how we, as Travel Advisors, will be key to helping people travel again safely.
We will have to wait to meet in person next year on Celebrity Apex. Perhaps the hardest thing this year has been the inability to be with people and get hugs. Virtual hugs just aren't the same. Missing also is the laughter, the comradery, and the energy from our typical National Conference.
On a positive note, we have 715 agents registered with additional suppliers in attendance bringing the total to 820. That would be about 1500 with guests exceeding our normal attendance.
We were able to meet (virtually) many of the HQ staff that would be working behind the scenes while we were onboard the ship. Suppliers, that might not have been able to travel to the conference, are here with us all week in our sessions, workshops, and office hours opening up the possibility for more interaction between the agent community and our suppliers.
As we emerge from 2020 we'll appreciate those in person meetings more. We will embrace those moments and celebrate them.
There are lots of people to thank in making this Virtual National Conference a reality. There are too many to name here for fear of leaving any of them out. Of course, Andrea and Charity were part of the core team as usual. This will be the "Best Virtual National Conference Ever". (Note: this is our first one, so it has to be the best!)
State of the Industry
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Next up on the agenda were an inside look at the state of the industry from three of the cruise line leaders, Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, and Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
This word cloud provides visual representation of their remarks.
The cruise industry is resilient, everyone has worked together to tackle the problems and to formulate a go forward plan, and they are all optimistic that we will be able to safely resume sailing soon. Health and Safety remain Top Priority.
Together with CLIA and CDC, they have formulated plans that will be adopted across the industry.
There's no competing on safety. CDC only has one plan to review because they've all agreed to adopt the six pillars. (see previous post: Reassuring Safe to Cruise for details of the plans).
Here's a final take-a-way from this morning's sessions.
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