“I think it’s very special when you’re able to offer people the opportunity to travel to every continent and visit over 200 ports of call and overnight in many of them to experience the destination in a meaningful way,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises’ president
and CEO.
In a sea of cruising options Lutoff-Perlo is confident Celebrity stands out from the rest as “the only brand in the ‘Modern Luxury’ category.”
“Our ‘Modern Luxury’ position is really our key differentiator in the market. Everything we do on our ships is all about our five pillars—design, destination, culinary, accommodations, and service. We spend all of our time thinking how we can do those at the highest level,” she explains.
I believe their niche has been to attract a younger cruise customer to an elevated product and price. Their creative dining options, nightlife experience and inclusiveness make the product attractive to young professional couples and even families. ‘Modern Luxury’ has indeed resonated.
– Alex Sharpe, President/CEO,
Signature Travel Network
All About Cuisine
Celebrity is a “culinary brand” that is highly awarded, she explains. “The culinary experience weaves its way into everything we do. It’s the most important pillar of our brand. We know from research that once guests get on board, that culinary experience becomes very important to them and it’s the primary reason why they would or would not come back.”
In fact, Celebrity guests can take part in unique experiences such as the Chef’s Market Discoveries excursions where they shop for local ingredients and prepare dinner with the onboard chef.
Lutoff-Perlo notes that Celebrity’s head chef has worked in three Michelin-starred restaurants and is constantly evolving the menus. “Many of those will be introduced when we talk about culinary on Edge,” she says. “And many of those experiences will find their way into the rest of the fleet. We are constantly looking at improving, changing, and making our culinary offering very interesting.”
What’s in Store for the Future?
The aforementioned Edge-class will debut in 2018. It’s the cruise line’s first new ship class in 10 years and first new ship in six years. Celebrity Edge will feature expanded staterooms, a ship-climbing Magic Carpet platform and swanky suites designed by globally recognized architects and designers who were tasked with creating an innovative, 2,900-passenger ship that would deliver a new cruise experience.
Celebrity has also put the spotlight on the Galapagos. “We have two new ships [there]—the Xperience and the Xploration. We are very excited about all of the new itineraries and all we are doing in the Galapagos.” The Xploration is a catamaran featuring eight staterooms, each with a window or verandah, while the larger Xperience features 24 staterooms.
Beyond the here and now, Lutoff-Perlo says she sees the brand “growing not only domestically but globally, in terms of where we can take our guest. We see a lot of technology coming into our experience, but our technology is more enabling and intuitive, not intrusive, more frictionless. Guests will spend less time waiting in line to get on or off the ship. We are using the new digital platform for guests on board to engage with each other, build their own schedule for the day from the phone, and control the stateroom from the touch of a button.”
How About the Trade?
“I think one of the things Celebrity is really known for is that our relationship with the trade is really stellar. I am very pro trade and very pro travel agent,” points out Lutoff-Perlo.
Alex Sharpe, president/CEO of Signature Travel Network, agrees that the brand’s relationship with trade is paramount. “From a trade perspective, they are truly leaders in engagement.”
Lutoff-Perlo says that the brand’s commitment to the trade is important. “We make sure we maintain a high relationship where we nurture that.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Celebrity Cruises
Website: CruisingPower.com
