Speaking to TTG at the official handover of the line’s newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, and the steel cutting for the line’s next ship – Celebrity Xcel – Laura Hodges Bethge said it was "exceptionally important" Celebrity kept iterating on its relationship with the trade.
"[Agents] are ridiculously important to us," said Hodges Bethge. "There has been no change in the way we engage with the trade, need the trade, want the trade, etc.
"I look at our travel agent partners as our value interpreter; there are guests who have never cruised before or are new to our brand – they want a neutral party to tell them what’s best for them.
"It’s exceptionally important we continue to build those relationships [with agents].”
Hodges Bethge said she was proud of how the UK market had cemented its place the line’s second biggest after the US – and stressed she was keen to grow it further.
“We are very committed to the UK market," she continued. "It’s our second-largest, and I would like to continue to grow it. I’d like it to remain our second-biggest market.”
She also confirmed there would be a number of trade events in Southampton next year to mark the arrival of the line’s second Edge-class ship, Celebrity Apex, which replaces Celebrity Silhouette for the summer.
"There will be a number of trade initiatives when Apex comes to Southampton. We will certainly be inviting them [agents] on, doing training, getting them to experience the ship, having lunch, doing tours.”
Celebrity Ascent is the line’s fourth Edge-class ship; it will be christened in Fort Lauderdale in early December, featuring new venues and entertainment options.
The ship has the same blueprint and features as its sisters, with a few tweaks. These include a new-look restaurant, Le Voyage, for celebrity chef Daniel Boulud; a Resort Deck Party with live bands and a DJ set; and three new shows in the main theatre – Awaken, Residency and Bridges.
Celebrity Xcel will be the line’s fifth Edge-class ship and will launch in November 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.
The line has revealed little about it so far, with Hodges Bethge saying: “True to her name, this next ship will ‘Xcel’ beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.”
The ship will spend its time the Caribbean, sailing alternate seven-night itineraries between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St Thomas and St Maarten. These sailings are on sale now.
