NEW YORK — Virtuoso has identified 185 global top-performing travel advisors as ‘Cruise Icons,’ a distinctive honour for those who generate the top one percent of the network’s cruise sales.
Hailing from 13 countries around the world, including Canada, the number of Virtuoso Cruise Icons in 2025 saw an impressive 27% increase from 2024. Since its creation in 2019, Virtuoso’s Cruise Icon program has seen a 363% increase in advisors honoured with the designation.
The program went global in 2023 and sales have continued to rise across Virtuoso’s various regions each year. From 2023 to 2024, Icons’ preferred supplier cruise production saw an estimated 45% increase, reflecting significant growth in Canada and the U.S.
The Canadian Cruise Icons include the following:
- Rose Coleman, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Georgetown
- Erika Gal, Direct Travel – Ancaster
- Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel Toronto – HQ
- Nimet Jessa, Kerrisdale Cruise & Vacation Travel
- Sandra Keeso-Hall, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Georgetown
- Shawn Kilner, Imagine Cruise & Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria
- Gerry Koolhof, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Toronto Downtown
- Rhonda Leblanc, an affiliate of Trevello Travel Group
- Grace Markus, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Vancouver
- Magda Newman, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Toronto Downtown
- Janice O’Neil, Travel Consultant, an affiliate of YYZ Travel Group
- Sue Pechtel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Government Centre
- Linda Sim, Renshaw Travel
- Samuel Spencer, Ocean & River Cruises
- Alan Szeto, Direct Travel – Vancouver
- Barbara Trotter, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria
“The 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons set an extraordinary standard in their field, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition. The Icons are trailblazers, consistently surpassing benchmarks, creating momentum that strengthens the entire network and inspiring others to follow their lead,” said Virtuoso’s Senior Vice President, Global Member & Partner Sales Cory Hagopian. “This distinction elevates their standing with our partners and reinforces their industry prominence with clients, serving as a badge of honor they can wear with pride.”
As a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, travel advisors are given access to quarterly collaboration sessions designed to foster growth and networking, invaluable insight and best practices within the network’s Cruise Community, and a private dinner during Virtuoso Travel Week.
They also gain access to exclusive travel opportunities such as the inaugural season of PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River. Hosted by Samuel Chamberlain, PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ CEO of Americas, the 2024 Cruise Icons embarked on a journey on the St. Lawrence River from Feb. 22-March 6, 2025, beginning in Old Quebec and ending in Saint Pierre.
Many Virtuoso cruise partners also offer exclusive amenities to Virtuoso travel advisors, enabling affiliated advisors, including Virtuoso Cruise Icons, to provide benefits to their clients that distinguish them from the competition. Through the Virtuoso Voyages program, they can access over 450 select cruises each year across 13 different cruise lines. This program includes a dedicated onboard host and a choice of additional benefits ranging in value from $500 per couple to several thousand dollars, depending on the sailing.
For more information go to www.virtuoso.com.
