Meet the Rep: Celebrity Cruises' Amanda Docherty

Describe your typical week
Every week is different, and I love the variety. I start from home on a Monday with trading calls to my accounts, preparing for the week ahead, which ranges from review meetings, training events, store visits, manager meetings, consumer and networking events and – at this time of year – ship visits. I have clocked up more than 12,000 miles in the past three months.

How big is your sales team?
My immediate team is made up of myself and five other regional sales managers, and along with our wider team we span the width and breadth of the UK & Ireland. I work with agents in 10 counties, from Northumberland to Nottinghamshire.

What’s in your car?
I always have a pack of wet wipes – totally multi-functional for life on the road, not to mention being a must- have for a mammy to two young girls.

And what’s on the radio?
Kisstory. I love singing along to old skool and anthems – everything from Salt-N-Pepa to Destiny’s Child – it’s great. Look out for me seat-shuffling to Push It!

What fast-food outlet keeps you going on the road?
Costa. I’m on first-name terms with the girls at the A1 drive-thru when I pop in for my early-morning fix.

What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done as part of a sales visit?
In a rush, leaving home without my purse and only realising as I arrived at the petrol station 150 miles from home.

Who would be your ideal driving companion on a long journey?
I would choose Sarah Millican for the laughs. I recently had the pleasure of Richard from the AA’s company. I spent eight hours with him after a breakdown on the motorway.

What’s your favourite drink?
I love a glass of prosecco. Someone recently told me that a glass has fewer calories than a banana. I’m sold.

What’s the best question a travel agent has ever asked you?
I’m asked all the time how agents can get onboard Celebrity Edge. Watch this space...

What’s the most lost you have ever been?
A couple of memorable occasions that spring to mind include finishing up in Lingfield instead
of Lindfield and spotting Big Ben when I was supposed to be heading to Norwich. These
were both in the pre-satnav days – my sense of direction has improved with age and lots of miles.

Which is your favourite destination that your company sells?
There are so many to choose from, as we feature more than 300 ports of call. One of my favourites would have to be the stunning Greek island of Santorini. The itinerary on my wish list is the Amalfi Coast & Greek Isles cruise onboard Celebrity Edge.

What key messages do you try to convey in an agent visit?
The impressive value that we offer customers with our campaigns. I am passionate about showcasing our fantastic new booking tool Airwaves. Every agent I speak to is impressed and excited when I share the latest Celebrity Edge updates as we get ready to welcome it to the fleet later this year.

What’s your advice for agents who don’t currently sell your product but are keen?

Learn more about our brand with fun and interactive modules on our Cruising for Excellence training platform, cruisingforexcellence.com. Register for an account on Cruising Power (cruisingpower.com) and we can give you access to a whole host of sales and marketing tools to support your sales.

Get in touch: Contact Amanda at amandadocherty@celebritycruises. com; @CelebrityTravelAgents