RECOGNIZING THE BEST OF THE BEST, ROYAL CARIBBEAN HONORS TRAVEL PARTNERS OF THE YEAR FOR 2016

MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2017 – Royal Caribbean International kicks off the New Year by honoring valued travel agents with its annual Travel Partners of the Year Awards for North America. Commending unwavering loyalty and commitment to the global cruise brand, the esteemed accolades recognized more than 10 top performers. The 2016 lineup includes Vacations To Go, winning the most coveted Chairman’s Award; returning winners Cruise Planners – an American Express Travel Representative – with the President’s Award, its tenth consecutive honor; and Expedia CruiseShipCenters as National Account Partner of the Year – for displaying impressive growth in North America in the last year, after receiving the Canada Partner of the Year title in 2015. 

                  “2016 was a standout year, and that has everything to do with our travel partners and their incredible dedication to planning unforgettable Royal Caribbean adventures for our guests,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales and Trade Support and Service, Royal Caribbean International. “Passion, commitment and innovation are three of our guiding principles, values that travel agents appreciate and embody, making for some of the most meaningful partnerships in our industry. Recognizing these experts, who continue to work with us and go above and beyond to achieve success for their businesses, is an honor every year. Huge congratulations go to our well-deserved returning and first-time Travel Partners of the Year recipients.”

                  Royal Caribbean’s 2016 Travel Partners of the Year winners are as follows:

Chairman's Award for Overall Achievement         Vacations To Go

President's Award for Overall Achievement         Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Representative

National Account Partner of the Year                    Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Home-based Partner of the Year                           Travel Planners International *First-time winner

Online Partner of the Year                                      World Travel Holdings

Consortia Partner of the Year                                 Travel Leaders Network

Corporate Incentive Partner of the Year                 Morris Meetings & Incentives

Marketing Partner of the Year                                  WMPH *First-time winner

Southeast Partner of the Year                                 Palm Coast Travel/SmartCruiser.com *First-time winner

Northeast Partner of the Year                                  Cruise Brothers *First-time winner

Central Partner of the Year                                       Magical Moments Vacations *First-time winner

West Partner of the Year                                           Montrose Travel

Canada Partner of the Year                                       Expedia CruiseShipCenters Montreal *First-time winner

          Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 46-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean, including jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are catered to with the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 14 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

The cruise line sails 25 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

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