Q: What was it that inspired you to join the travel industry?
A: When I was growing up, my dad was in the Navy and we moved around quite a bit.
I was fortunate enough to live in the USA twice and we took family holidays overseas every year, so my passion for travel was born at a very young age and since then I have always wanted to work in the industry.
Q: What is it about the travel industry that you enjoy the most?
A: I can’t think of a better job than working for a cruise line. I still pinch myself that I spend every day talking with people about amazing cruise holidays across some of the most exciting and exotic destinations in the world. It’s a dream.
Q: If you hadn’t gone into travel, what other career path might you have taken?
A: I really enjoy the challenge of growing a business, so I suspect I would have still been in some sales capacity role in another industry.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career in travel now?
A: If you have a passion for travel, you can make a career out of it. Sometimes there are long hours, and some time away from home, but the benefits are very rewarding.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you start a new position?
A: Get on the product. As the saying goes, “the best way to sell a product is to experience it” and I had a fantastic time cruising the Greek Islands with Celestyal during my first week on the job.
It was a great opportunity to experience our premium casual offering with great food and service onboard.
And it’s such an ‘insider’ experience in the islands – we always had priority, longer stays than other cruise ships and the in-depth knowledge of our tour leaders on the shore excursions was second to none, especially at Ephesus in Kusadasi.
Q: How do you think the travel industry is looking at this moment in time?
A: It has never been busier and I think there is still so much opportunity and growth here in Australia especially when it comes to getting Australians on international cruises.
Q: Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane, living or dead?
A: Shane Warne – I loved watching him bowl back in the day. He was a fierce competitor who played with flair and could turn it on as needed to win a game! I’d love to reminisce with him over some golden sporting moments.
Q: What are some of your favourite spots around the world and why?
A: I can’t go past the Greek Islands. There’s a reason they are so popular. They are among the most picturesque places on the planet.
Whenever I visit Santorini (pictured above), I’m in absolute awe and have one of those “I can’t believe I am here” moments.
Q: What is your best travel story?
A: I was lucky enough to experience an Arctic Expedition back in 2019 and we all had to do the polar plunge and I was petrified.
As soon as my head hit the ice-cold water, I got an immediate brain freeze and went into panic mode trying to get out of the water with my arms and legs flapping everywhere.
Trying to walk back to the ship, past the line of people waiting, my friend said I looked like I was in a world of pain and in another world.
I was in complete disarray and shaking uncontrollably, I can only imagine what I looked like, but somehow I managed to get straight into a hot spa on the top deck to defrost myself. And the crazy part – I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about working with Celestyal?
A: I am looking forward to working closely with trade partners to help grow the Celestyal brand here in Australia. It’s a wonderful industry full of standout people and I love being a part of it.
