Podcast appearances and mentions of vicki freed

Trade Secrets is on a holiday break. We're sharing some of our favorite episodes until we return. This week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, and Jamie Margolis, owner of the Dream Vacations franchise Moms at Sea. During the episode, Freed and Margolis talk about the importance of forming — and maintaining — a good agent-supplier relationship, the “unicorn” cabins onboard Royal Caribbean ships that offer more space for less money, the value proposition of cruising and more. Trade Secrets will return with season six in early 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, guest services and TK of Royal Caribbean International, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her cruise line's new private destination, Perfect Day Mexico, set to debut on the coast near Costa Maya in 2027. Freed tells you how you can sell this new dedicated destination. It will feature “chill” and “thrill zones like Perfect Day in Coco Cay in the Bahamas, plus restaurants, bars, pools and beaches, all with a distinctly Mexican flare. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or www.royalcaribbean.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are available on our Youtube channel (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean, iHeartRadio, Google,Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox.

One of the more ambitious plans to come out of cruising's pandemic pause was from Royal Caribbean International: a world cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. It was notable for being an extremely long cruise, at 274 days, and from a contemporary line – a brand not used to the nuances of a lengthy voyage. And not only did Royal Caribbean embark on what it called the Ultimate World Cruise, it took on social media influencers who chronicled the trip on a day-by-day – and even hour by hour – basis. The cruise wrapped this month in Miami, with Royal Caribbean brass joining the Serenade for its last few days down the eastern seaboard. On this episode, host Rebecca Tobin talks with Royal's senior vice president of sales, service and trade marketing Vicki Freed about the endeavor: Why it was conceived, how it blossomed into a nearly yearlong cruise, a big advisor sale and lessons learned for a (possible) future world cruise. Episode sponsor: This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com Related reports: Royal Caribbean International: www.royalcaribbean.com A TikTok sensation, Royal Caribbean's world cruise comes to an end https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Ultimate-World-Cruise-analysis Cruise Insight: A new era of world cruising https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/Holland-America-world-cruise-new-era The Ultimate World Cruise is a social media bonanza https://www.travelweekly.com/Richard-Turen/This-might-be-the-worlds-biggest-cruise-story Michael Bayley talks Icon and the world cruise at CruiseWorld https://www.travelweekly.com/CruiseWorld-Coverage/Bayley-talks-Royal-Caribbean-world-cruise-and-Ikon-of-the-Seas Travel advisor books top suite on Royal's world cruise https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Travel-advisor-books-top-suite-Royal-Caribbean-world-cruise    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Royal's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, which offers shorter three- and four-day voyages. Freed reveals the strategy behind introducing a brand new ship for shorter cruises, and the difference between a vacation and a getaway. She also talks about a new social media tool developed by Royal Caribbean to assist travel advisors. For more information, visit www.LoyalToYouAlways.com and www.CruisingPower.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

If you have any interest in the cruise industry, the chances are you know Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. Freed's career has spanned more than four decades; after spending 29 years at Carnival Cruise Line, she moved over to Royal Caribbean International in 2008. In her 20s, Freed's tenacity and ambition propelled her to early success; she was a senior vice president by the time she was 36, and she was named the first female chairperson of Cruise Lines International Association in 1998. Additionally, her deep relationships within the travel advisor community have earned her industry-wide recognition and have cemented her as one of the most well-known executives in the cruise industry. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Freed opens up about her early career and her unconventional path to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. She also talks about what it was like to work under the leadership of Bob Dickinson, Carnival's former president and CEO, who was a mentor to Freed and an advocate for her throughout her career. Listeners will also hear about Freed's own views on mentorship (she suggests bypassing a single mentor in favor of a “board of directors”); what she loves about working in sales; and why the title on a business card can sometimes get in the way of forming valuable connections. Finally, Freed details why she chose to “jump ship” and leave Carnival for a competing cruise line, and she shares a few highlights from her time at Royal Caribbean. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) Vicki's Coffee Talks Reach Freed via phone: (305) 539-6031 Freed's email: vfreed@rccl.com ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West's podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry's notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the season four finale of Trade Secrets. This week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, and Jamie Margolis, owner of the Dream Vacations franchise Moms at Sea, during the second installment of a two-part series with Freed (listen to part one here).  During the episode, Freed and Margolis talk about the importance of forming — and maintaining — a good agent-supplier relationship, the “unicorn” cabins onboard Royal Caribbean ships that offer more space for less money, the value proposition of cruising and more. In two weeks, Trade Secrets will release a special episode about the making of the podcast. It will return for season five two weeks after that, on April 8. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.  Further resources Contact Vicki Freed by email or her personal cell phone, 305-458-0463 Find Jamie Margolis and Moms at Sea online, on Facebook and on Instagram The last Trade Secrets episode, also featuring Vicki Freed From Travel Weekly, Agent Life: From Facebook group to franchisee: Moms at Sea's fantastic voyage  Mentioned in this episode: The Taylor Swift cruise: From TravelAge West, Who is Marvelous Mouse Travels, and why is it hosting a Taylor Swift-themed cruise?  Sign up for Vicki's Tips online  On Millie Schwartz, from Travel Weekly: At 90, Schwartz still drawn to selling travel  An example of Carnival's Fun Ship cruise commercials from the 1980s Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for a cruise-filled episode of Trade Secrets. This week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, and Nick Weir, senior vice president of entertainment, onto the show. Hop aboard as we dive into everything from the brand-new Icon of the Seas — billed as the largest cruise ship at sea — to what it takes to entertain Royal's millions of cruisers. This is the first of a two-part series featuring Freed; join us next time for a discussion on creating a strong advisor-supplier relationship. This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises.  Further resources Contact Vicki Freed by email or her personal cell phone, 305-458-0463 Follow Nick Weir on X (formerly Twitter) Royal's trade marketing hub (also home to the link to register for Vicki's Coffee Talk) Vicki Freed on Humans of Travel: Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed on breaking into the cruise industry _ and meeting the boss who helped shape her Icon of the Seas coverage Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas takes thrills to the max Royal Caribbean sets a new cruise benchmark with Icon of the Seas Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for an insider's look at cruising with Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed! We discuss her travel must-haves, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the brand's latest innovations. Hear about Royal Caribbean's commitment to the environment and get Vicki's tips for stress-free travel. Plus, we break down the latest airline mileage changes and share hot deals on business-class flights. Don't miss this information-packed episode – your next vacation awaits! NTA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notouristsallowed321/ NTA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notouristsallowed-aninside7994 NTA Podcast Links: https://podfollow.com/no-tourists-allowed-an-insiders-guide-to-travel NTA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-tourists-allowed _  Produced by Podcast Studio X.

This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including updates on the JetBlue-Spirit merger, new details about Universal Orlando's new Epic Universe theme park, and much more.  Later, hear my thoughts on Icon of the Seas as well as details from Royal Caribbean executives Vicki Freed, SVP of Sales, Trade Support for Royal Caribbean. Additionally, hear comments from Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International and Jason Liberty, President and CEO for Royal Caribbean Group during the onboard Q&A with the media.  The discussion around Icon of the Seas begins after the 9-minute mark.  Have any feedback or questions? Want to sponsor the show? Contact us at Podcast@TravelPulse.com and follow us on social media @TravelPulse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, senior vice president-sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand new Icon of the Seas, which was named last week by soccer superstar Lionel in Messi in Miami. Freed details the major features of this extraordinary ship and you can sell them to your clients. The upshot: This is not just the largest ship in the world, but one designed for families with great dining, entertainment and tons of activities for all ages. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or www.royalcaribbean.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

This week is a special episode with Masters in Travel host, Whitney Shindelar, interviewed by Emma Weissman, host of the Humans of Travel podcast and managing editor of TravelAge West magazine. The Humans of Travel podcast features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry's notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. Past guests have included Valerie Wilson, Terry Dale, Shannon Stowell, Korrine Johnson, Vicki Freed and many others including! You can find Humans of Travel wherever you listen to you podcasts. After tuning in to today's episode, be sure to head to your favorite podcast platform to tune into past episodes and to subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes with Emma. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mastersintravel/message

Show Date: 04/12/2023 Hello and welcome to another great episode of KHM Today. We continued our chat about Autism Acceptance Month and touched on pickleball month! Today we have someone who is a pretty big dill. Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service for Royal Caribbean International. We had the pleasure of spending some time with her aboard our Crystal Conference. Hear what is new with Royal Caribbean and about her favorite sport, pickleball.  Another pickleball enthusiast is here, Annette Barnette a KHM Travel Group agent, to talk about her group experience. Learn how you can take an idea, promote it, and make it a successful trip.  Thanks for joining us this week. Tune in again next week. Same time, same channel. Don't forget to like and subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss any of the fun!Become an agent with KHM Travel Group today! Check out our website to learn more: www.KHMTravel.com Have a question for #AskKHMToday? Want to be featured on the show, or have feedback to share? Let us know! www.KHMToday.com

Dondra Ritzenthaler is the senior vice president of sales, trade support and services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises, where she's been for almost 20 years (after spending more than 20 years working for American Airlines). From a young age, Ritzenthaler considered herself a competitive go-getter, whether it was by practicing volleyball serves long after her other teammates left the gym; challenging her siblings to foot races and hair-pulling contests (yes, really); or, later, schooling her office colleagues in fantasy football.  In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ritzenthaler takes listeners through her own personal journey, from her modest upbringing in rural Texas to being named a 2021 Power Woman by Moves Magazine last year. They will also hear about the challenges she's faced, including losing a college scholarship after a sports injury, applying for the same job three times at American Airlines, and uprooting her family and moving them cross-country for a new job. She'll also speak on the importance of women learning to be “brave, not perfect,” and how the lessons she's learned during her 40-plus-year career in business have ultimately shaped her views on team building, social fairness and equality. INSIDE THIS EPISODE 1:00: Meet Dondra Ritzenthaler, the senior vice president of sales, trade support and services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises.2:15: Ritzenthaler recounts a skit she recently did on-stage with Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed at Travel Weekly's CruiseWorld. 5:00: Ritzenthaler shares more about her upbringing in the rural town of Palestine, Texas, where she lived with her parents, her older brother and her younger sister.8:45: How did Ritzenthaler's dynamic with her siblings lead her to develop a competitive nature?10:30: Ritzenthaler recalls a time when volleyball was key to her identity, and how a sports injury led to a lost college scholarship and a re-shaping of her sense of self. 15:40: Ritzenthaler has advice for anyone in business who is looking to build out a productive, efficient team.22:08: Last year, Ritzenthaler was named a 2021 Power Woman by Moves Magazine, and she's got some advice for young women building their careers. 26:45: Ritzenthaler explains why it's important to lead with social fairness and equality in mind.30:15: What was Ritzenthaler's path to Celebrity Cruises? She details a more than 20-year stint at American Airlines.32:00: Ritzenthaler recounts a challenging time when she applied for the same job three times at American Airlines.35:09: Ritzenthaler makes the decision to move her family to Miami for a role with Celebrity Cruises.37:08: Host Emma Weissmann asks Ritzenthaler a round of rapid-fire questions. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Ritzenthaler's FacebookEmail Ritzenthaler: dritzenthaler@celebritycruises.comCelebrity CruisesBrave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani Power Women by Moves Magazine ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West's podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry's notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president-sales, talks with James Shillinglaw at the “reveal” of Icon of the Seas, the cruise line's newest and biggest ship to date. Freed talks about the vessel's eight neighborhoods, including Surfside, located near the stern and designed to appeal to families with young children, and the AquaDome, a combination water theater and pool and lounge complex near the bow.  Freed also details how the ship combines elements of the Oasis Class, Quantum Class and even Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at Coco Cay private island. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com and www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas/site. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

If you have any interest in the cruise industry, the chances are you know Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. Freed's career has spanned more than four decades; after spending 29 years at Carnival Cruise Line, she moved over to Royal Caribbean International in 2008. In her 20s, Freed's tenacity and ambition propelled her to early success; she was a senior vice president by the time she was 36, and she was named the first female chairperson of Cruise Lines International Association in 1998. Additionally, her deep relationships within the travel advisor community have earned her industry-wide recognition and have cemented her as one of the most well-known executives in the cruise industry. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Freed opens up about her early career and her unconventional path to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. She also talks about what it was like to work under the leadership of Bob Dickinson, Carnival's former president and CEO, who was a mentor to Freed and an advocate for her throughout her career. Listeners will also hear about Freed's own views on mentorship (she suggests bypassing a single mentor in favor of a “board of directors”); what she loves about working in sales; and why the title on a business card can sometimes get in the way of forming valuable connections. Finally, Freed details why she chose to “jump ship” and leave Carnival for a competing cruise line, and she shares a few highlights from her time at Royal Caribbean. INSIDE THIS EPISODE 1:00: Meet Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. 2:25: After graduating college, did Freed ever consider a career in travel? 3:00:  Freed talks about one of her first stints in the industry – an internship with Ask Mr. Foster (now Carlson Travel).3:45: Freed reflects on her perception of cruising in her early 20s.6:00: Freed shares what it was like when she first heard Bob Dickinson speak at a Cruise Week event.8:00: Freed discusses her multi-month journey to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. 16:15: Freed discloses her own views on mentorship, and details one particularly successful mentor/mentee relationship she's had. She also gives advice for listeners looking to build up a “board of directors.” 22:50: Freed talks about her promotion and move to Florida, and how she felt when she was asked to take on a larger role at Carnival.26:06: Freed reflects on her decision to leave Carnival Cruise Line and join Royal Caribbean International RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) Vicki's Coffee Talks Reach Freed via phone: (305) 539-6031 Freed's email: vfreed@rccl.com ABOUT YOUR HOST  Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.  ABOUT THE SHOW  TravelAge West's podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry's notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WOW! What an honor that we were able to spend time with a true legend of the travel industry. Listen as Vicki and the TM Podcast team talk about where cruising is now, what it was like during the pandemic, and where it is headed in the future!

Show Date: 4/27/2022 Joins us for a very special episode of KHM Today! First, we have Team Talk and Ask KHM Today with our host Carolyn Orf and Wanda Thomas from our Education Team. Have a question for #AskKHMToday, submit it here: https://khmtravel.com/watch-khm-today/Next up we have Patty Noonan from the Travel Institute sharing everything they have to offer travel agents. Ashley Newton for KHM Travel's Marketing Team talks about Branding, not Bragging: How to Find a Balance. Now for the main event, the KHM Travel Group Event's Team teases our big Crystal Conference and Awards!  Kathy Killen and Galen from Royal Caribbean join to announce that we will be sailing on the Harmony of the Seas for our Crystal Conference. Join KHM Travel Group as an agent to come to this amazing event! Check out this video from Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed: https://youtu.be/7IJyhPdQYNsBecome an agent with KHM Travel Group today! Check out our website to learn more: www.KHMTravel.com  Send your comments/questions/suggestions to education@khmtravel.com

Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how to sell the new biggest ship in the world, which now includes a new suite neighborhood, a new southern cuisine restaurant and brand new entertainment. For information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or www.royalcaribbean.com. 

Show Date 3/9/2022 We are honored to have so many incredible guests on our show this week to celebrate Women's History Month. First, we are joined by Deb Dimit and Tracy Waugh, two of KHM Travel Group's Pinnacle Agents.Next we welcome industry-leading guests Vicki Freed, Sr. Vice President Sales, Trade Support, and Service for Royal Caribbean International; Dondra Ritzenthaler, Sr. Vice President Sales and Trade Support and Service for Celebrity Cruise Line; and Lisa Syme, Vice President Alaska Product Management for Princess Cruise Line. Join these amazing women as they share what it is like to be a successful woman in the travel industry, and their advice for women looking to take their career's to the next level. You cannot get these panels anywhere else! We are humbled and honored that they shared their time and insights with us. Due to technical difficulties, the following were not able to join: Bettina Deynes, Sr. Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Kelly Craighead, President, and CEO of CLIA. We thank you for your commitment to the travel industry.Become an agent with KHM Travel Group today! Check out our website to learn more: www.KHMTravel.com  Send your comments/questions/suggestions to education@khmtravel.com  

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, used her regular Coffee Chat this week to interview Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's new CEO, who just took over from Richard Fain, who remains chairman. Admittedly this is not one of Insider's video interviews, but it's important because it's the first full interview with Liberty since he became CEO. Liberty talks about Royal Caribbean Group's financial performance despite cruise cancellations in the first quarter, what the second quarter looks like and the long-term prospects for cruising, and reconfirmed his support for the travel agency trade. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.  

As the Folo by Travel Weekly podcast goes on a brief break, until Monday, Feb. 14, host Rebecca Tobin and web editor Jerry Limone look back at some of the episodes of 2021 that identified major trends or arcs in travel news:A big year for travel advisors: Anne Scully, Embark Beyond’s partner of agent development, talked in early 2021 about hope for travel and the term “revenge travel.” https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Revenge-travel Which led to the art of the “pivot” for travel advisors planning vacations during ever-changing travel rules: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Europe-travel-art-of-pivot Trip stacking and trip switching: Two advisors explain how they provide backup plans for clients: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Trip-stacking-and-switching Cruising: The Folo kicked off with Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean and Alex Sharpe of Signature talking about cruising when there was no cruising: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Folo-episode-17-year-without-cruising Kate McCue, the captain of the Celebrity Edge, on the emotional first big-ship departure from the U.S.: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Celebrity-captain-Kate-McCue-on-the-cruise-restart We ended the year with three expedition-cruise execs to talk about the demand for new ships in Antarctica, the Galapagos and other far-flung destinations: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Expedition-cruising-experts Other episodes mentioned: Bucket-list trips to southern Africa: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Travel-in-Africa-the-safari-and-more Steve Sear and the outlook from Delta airlines: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Delta-Air-Lines-and-the-view-from-the-skies Corporate travel: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/The-view-from-two-multimillion-dollar-agencies The entire year in the Folo: https://www.travelweekly.com/podcasts/folo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president-sales, trade support and services, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new Odyssey of the Seas, the last of the Quantum ships, which perfects the dining, entertainment and accommodations concepts that marks the class. Freed also provides updates on Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or www.royalcaribbean.com.  If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

In this episode, TravelPulse Executive Editor Eric Bowman opens the show discussing the latest trending topics around the travel industry, including the top winners from the 2021 Travvy Awards and more. Later in the show, Bowman interviews Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service. From a floating cabana at Royal Caribbean's private island Coco Cay, Freed shares updates on the cruise experience and chats about the brand new Odyssey of the Seas.  Have any feedback or questions? Contact us at Podcast@TravelPulse.com  and follow us on social media @TravelPulse.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With almost four decades in the industry, Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed is a cruise industry icon, but getting into the travel industry wasn't always the plan for Royal's senior vice president of sales and trade support and service. In this episode, Vicki talks to TMR's Dan McCarthy about how hearing a conference keynote by Carnival's Bob Dickinson changed the course of her career and changed her aspirations from IBM to CCL.

Earlier this month we recorded an episode about cruising with Royal Caribbean exec Vicki Freed, Gene Sloan of the Points Guy and travel advisor Penny Rushing. Today is part 2, where we talk about the onboard atmosphere and how cruisers, and cruise lines, are adapting to reduced capacity and distancing. We also talked about the on shore experience, specifically about "bubble tours." After listening to that conversation, we wanted more on shore tours, so we asked another expert, Kelly Hubbard of Windstar Cruises, to talk more about the concept. Windstar, a small-ship line that focuses on the destination experience, has modified and created tours to bring in some of the port experiences that passengers like to do solo, like sit at a café, shop or relax on a beach. The episode with Vicki, Penny and Gene was recorded Thursday, Sept. 2, and our conversation with Kelly Hubbard was recorded separately, on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Both were edited for length and clarity. This episode of the Folo is sponsored by Hurtigruten Expeditions. Learn more about its once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos cruises at its website or agent portal. Related reading: Part 1 of our cruise-focused episode with Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean, Penny Rushing of Four Points Travel and Gene Sloan of the Points Guy https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Focus-on-Cruise-The-road-to-restart From last summer: All ashore, on the cruise lines' terms https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/all-ashore-on-cruise-lines-terms Cruise insight: Windstar's approach to 'bubble tours' https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/Windstar-approach-bubble-shore-tours See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we’re talking about the cruise experience. Now with two months’ of sailings under their belts, cruise lines are refining procedures and policies. With vaccine mandates, testing and, sometimes, mask requirements, what is today’s cruise experience really like? To discuss, we’ve invited Vicki Freed, the senior vice president of sales, marketing and trade support and services for Royal Caribbean International; Penny Rushing, the owner of Four Points Travel, an Avoya agency; and Gene Sloan, the cruise editor at The Points Guy. These experts talked with news editor Johanna Jainchill and host Rebecca Tobin about today’s cruising and what cruise lines and travel advisors have learned over the past couple of months. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Sept. 2, and has been edited for length and clarity. Want more on cruise? Stay tuned for the second part of this discussion, where Freed, Rushing and Sloan dive deep into the onboard cruise experience – and what’s in it for solo travelers – and what a “bubble tour” is and why the experience in port is so different in the Covid era. This episode of the Folo is sponsored by Hurtigruten Expeditions. Learn more about its once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos cruises at https://www.Hurtigruten.com or https://www.agentportal.hurtigruten.com. Related links: Travel Weekly's complete cruise coveragea: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel Cruise lines navigate new vaccine mandates: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/NCLHs-win-helped-cruise-lines-navigate-vaccine-mandates?ct=cruise From the Points Guy: "I almost canceled a cruise because of Covid worries. I'm glad I didn't." https://thepointsguy.com/news/covid-cruise-cancel-debate/ Focus on cruise: The road to restart https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Focus-on-Cruise-The-road-to-restart Cruising on the Celebrity Edge in June: On the first big U.S. cruise since 2020, life feels normal https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/First-big-US-cruise-since-2020-Life-on-the-Edge-feels-normal Four Points Travel: https://fourpointstravel.net/ Royal Caribbean International: www.royalcaribbean.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Social Media Day:  Get an overview of social media platforms and how to use them to your benefit as a travel advisor. Royal Caribbean is back in the water.  Vicki Freed talks about getting back to Alaska, Adventure of the Seas, and the first ship to sail from U.S. this coming weekend. KHM agent Susie Flores shares with Vicki and Carolyn all about her time on the first sailing of Adventure of the Seas. Anita Pagliasso shares her vision for the ASTA Board of Directors. Where is the World is Matt?

Today's woman grew up learning how to be independent. She watched her mom struggle to leave a troubled marriage and vowed to herself she would always make her own way. After college she went to work for a travel company and a few months later joined a well-known cruise line. She loved the industry and saw she was really good at sales. As the years flew by, she joined a competitive cruise company where she rose quickly into the ranks of senior management. These days, she continues her path to greatness as a senior VP of Sales, Trade Support and Service of a major cruise line. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Vicki Freed.

Senior VP of Sales with Royal Caribbean Vicki Freed talks about cruising in 2021. Alaska, the Caribbean and more are on deck. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The last time the Folo did a cruise-focused episode, the industry was in a major holding pattern with the CDC, which has, since the pandemic began, banned big-ship cruising in the U.S. In October the agency issued a Conditional Sailing Order that put in place a plethora of requirements to operate, but it never gave cruise lines a green light to comply and move towards a restart, even as vaccines rolled out and hotels, flights and theme parks opened up around the country. In response, frustration from travel advisors, politicians and cruise executives reached fever pitch in the form of protests and lawsuits. But the day before this podcast was recorded, cruise fans got welcome news: The CDC was doing away with requirements for test cruises, as long as 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated, and it committed to a July restart for cruising in the U.S. To talk about how vaccines are fueling the return, the in-the-meantime restart of ship operations abroad and the overall perseverance of those in the business, our acting cruise editor Johanna Jainchill has brought on three powerhouse guests: Michelle Fee of travel agency Cruise Planners, Katina Athanasiou of Norwegian Cruise Line and Mark Conroy of Silversea Cruises. This episode was recorded on Friday, April 30, and has been edited for length and clarity. Related reading: CDC alters rules on test sailings, moving cruise lines closer to restart https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/CDC-relaxes-guidelines-on-test-sailings These are the cruises open to Americans this summer https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-ships-sail-outside-US-list If Europe opens to vaccinated Americans, will cruise ships follow? https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/If-Europe-opens-to-vaccinated-Americans-will-Europe-ships-follow Norwegian's Del Rio: We want an answer from the CDC https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Del-Rio-We-want-an-answer-from-the-CDC Senate bill demands the CDC lift its Conditional Sailing Order by July 4 https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Senate-bill-demands-the-CDC-lift-its-Conditional-Sailing-Order-by-July-4 The Folo podcast: Vicki Freed and Alex Sharpe on the year without cruise -- and what's next https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Folo-episode-17-year-without-cruisingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CDC has changed its guidance on travel for Americans who are fully vaccinated, and more and more people are planning vacations. But they’re not just planning any trip: They’re taking bigger, longer, more expensive trips with upgrades and all the trimmings. Some are calling this “revenge travel.” How are people traveling with a vengeance? In this episode, retail editor Jamie Biesiada and host Rebecca Tobin talk with Anne Scully, a longtime travel advisor who is now a partner of agent development at Embark Beyond. But you’re also hear part of our discussion from our cruise-focused chat with Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean International and Alex Sharpe of Signature Travel Network, and from our ski-resort discussion with Rusty Gregory of Alterra and Natalie Ooi, who runs the ski management program at Colorado State University. We hope you agree with our experts that travel – planning, anyway – is coming back with a vengeance. Related: Fully vaccinated can travel again, says CDC guidance https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/Fully-vaccinated-can-travel-again-says-new-CDC-guidance Industry applauds new CDC guidance for travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/Industry-applauds-latest-CDC-guidelines-for-travel Europe Insight: Travel is coming back with a vengeance https://www.travelweekly.com/Europe-Travel/Insights/Travel-is-coming-back-with-a-vengeance The Folo, episode 21: The ski industry survives and thrives https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/ski-industry-survives-thrives The Folo, episode 17: The year without cruise – and what’s next https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Folo-episode-17-year-without-cruising Reserve that 2022 cruise now: Booking curve is at record length https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Reserve-that-2022-cruise-now-Booking-curve-at-record-lengthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back the all-new Folo by Travel Weekly podcast, where Travel Weekly's reporters and editors dive into the biggest travel story of the week. In this issue, we tackle an unprecedented milestone: an entire year without cruising from the U.S.This episode features the insights of Vicki Freed, the senior vice president of sales and trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International, and Alex Sharpe, the president and CEO of the Signature Travel Network consortium, with hosts Johanna Jainchill, Travel Weekly's news editor and acting cruise editor, and managing editor Rebecca Tobin. Some of the topics we unpack: The shock of the Covid-19-related shutdown in March 2020. The highs and lows of the year. And the light at the end of the tunnel: vaccines, a boom in travel agent business, enthusiasm for trial cruises and "upsizing" upcoming cruise vacations. Related reading: Cruising's lost year https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruisings-lost-year As Covid vaccines roll out, enthusiasm for travel grows: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Sellers-celebrate-the-comeback-of-client-confidence Vaccine push and cruisers with cash give rise to the 'upsizing' trend: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Vaccine-push-and-cruisers-with-cash-give-rise-to-booking-upsizing-trend As consumers return to travel, they turn to advisors for help: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/As-consumers-return-to-travel-they-turn-to-advisors-for-help With Alaska season on the ropes, lines challenged on cabotage law: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/With-Alaska-season-on-the-ropes-lines-challenged-on-cabotage-law Cruise test sailing timeline? CDC's guidance could come 'any day' https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-test-sailings-CDC-guidance-could-come-any-day Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed on connecting with travel advisors: https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Vicki-Freed-Royal-Caribbean-International Commissions lag bookings -- by a lot. Some want to change that. https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Commissions-lag-booking-by-a-lot-Some-agreements-may-change-that See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how company's new loan program countering the COVID-19 crisis for travel agencies selling Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea and Azamara. Freed details the interest-free loan, in which agencies can borrow as much as $250,000 depending on their Royal Caribbean sales, and how they can apply for the program. For more information and to sign up, visit www.cruisingpower.com.  Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube. 

Today's episode features a candid interview with Royal Caribbean's Vicki Freed who happens to be one of the most refreshing voices in the industry. As you will soon realize, Vicki is the "real deal." Among her sage advice was the reminder that all "red" lights eventually turn "green" and that with patience, we will all see daylight at the other end of this dark and long tunnel. Listen to Vicki's take on the industry and you will once again become excited about the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join special guest Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service for an exclusive interview. One of the most important documents that an agent needs is a Credit Card Authorization form. Did you know that myTravelCRM–a tool included with a KHM Travel Group membership–allows you to collect important client information safely and securely? Learn more about this resource, plus, meet our very own Carolyn Sekerak to hear more about KHM Travel Group's in-house Marketing Team. 

As the cruise industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 and it begins to enter the rebuilding and recovery process, Vicki Freed, SVP of Sales and Trade Support & Service at Royal Caribbean joins us to discuss protocols being put in place, how they plan to keep ships clean and monitor health of crew and passengers, and encouraging signs from future bookings being made. To reach out to Vicki directly, send her an email: vickilovestravelagents@rccl.com. Visit TravelPulse for the most recent coronavirus travel coverage. Follow TravelPulse across social media (@TravelPulse) and reach out to the podcast by emailing us at podcast@travelpulse.com.

Our guest today is Vicki Freed, SVP Sales and Trade Support & Service for Royal Caribbean International, an award winning global cruise line with a 49-year legacy of innovation; and introducing industry "firsts" never before seen at sea. Who better to tell us how Royal Caribbean became the game-changer in the travel industry with the "Oasis" Class ships? Vicki Freed a cruise industry leader, will share the present and future trends that are creating memories of lifetime.

Comrade de Blasio mandates paid vacation for New York City businesses. Fat passenger pays up on flight while teens conduct a mountain rescue. This and cruise insider Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean make up this week’s podcast, with a special bit of advice on how to deal with those unsolicited telemarketing calls that are part of our daily lives.

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines award winning Senior Vice President of Sales, gives us the inside scoop on their newest ship.  Symphony of the Seas just started cruising the Caribbeanfrom a brand new terminal in Miami.  Learn about the ship’s on board innovations in activities, entertainment, technology, dining and more.  travelwishlist.com  britolomtours.com

In this episode, we're talking to Vicki Freed, from Royal Caribbean! They've recently allocated a LOT more money and resources to supporting travel agents, so I wanted to talk to her about that to find out why they're doing that, and how agents can make money selling Royal Caribbean. 

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean