Direct Travel US Advisors Elected to Virtuoso’s 2023 Cruise Icon List

(photo courtesy of Direct Travel)

Six Direct Travel U.S. travel advisors have been elected to Virtuoso’s 2023 "Cruise Icons" list for selling within the top one percent of Virtuoso’s preferred partner cruise portfolio in North America in 2022.

Virtuoso, the global leader in luxury and experiential travel stated that its Cruise Icon program is a testament to the luxury network’s commitment to recognizing exceptional talent, fostering growth, and inspiring continuous success. 

Stephen Smith, senior vice president of Direct Travel’s Leisure Strategy & Marketing, said “We are so proud of these outstanding travel advisors. They are consummate professionals who understand the value of working with our strategic cruise partners while going the extra mile to exceed client expectations.”

These newly elected travel advisors include: 

Shawna Copeland from Hands on Travel, a Direct Travel affiliate in San Jose, California says “Travel is who I am. My passion for travel started when I backpacked throughout Europe after my college graduation. I am well versed in all ocean cruises and river cruises. They both offer something completely unique and different.”

Joe Galli, Valerie Rooney and Nick Moran are with Direct Travel company Camelback Odyssey Travel in Phoenix, Arizona. Joe manages the Luxury Cruise Desk specializing in cruise experiences on luxury yachts and ocean ships, including platinum partner lines Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and others.

Valerie has been a luxury travel advisor for 20 years and creates lasting memories for her clients by offering exclusive amenities, access and experience available through Virtuoso. 

Nick has nourished his lifelong passion for travel and leverages his contacts and industry relationships to ensure his clients receive the absolute best in the way of treatment, preference, and exclusive access.

Nancy Yale at Direct Travel Fairfield opened her own agency 30 years ago when she had three young children and her agency joined Direct Travel in 2019. In addition to her luxury cruise business, she plans exotic trips for photographers, culinary experts and creates honeymoons to Asia, India and New Zealand.

Jesse Taylor runs Taylor Elite Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel and has been selling premium and luxury leisure travel for over a decade. He specializes in river cruises, ocean cruises, expedition cruises, barge cruises, land tours, and building customized trips for single travelers up to larger groups.

The Virtuoso Cruise Icon awards will be presented at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas in August 2023. 

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