TORONTO — Direct Travel is celebrating the 17 top-producing Direct Travel advisors recently named to the Virtuoso Cruise Icons list.

The names of the 17 North American advisors were announced by Stephen Smith, Direct Travel’s SVP, Leisure Strategy & Marketing for Direct Travel.

“To have such a large number of our advisors named to the list is a tribute to their fluency in luxury travel and impressive expertise in providing the high-end traveller with rich experiences,” said Smith.

Celebrating her fifth consecutive year as a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, Sandra Keeso-Hall of Direct Travel’s Georgetown, ON, office is thrilled with the award. “A huge thank you to my incredible clients and valued Virtuoso partners. Here’s to another year of unforgettable luxury travel!” she said.

Direct Travel’s Joelle Goldman noted that only 1% of Virtuoso advisors are named Cruise Icons. A member of Virtuoso’s U.S. Advisory Board, Goldman is VP of Direct Travel’s host services and luxury hotel programs.

“These top sellers also enjoy stellar access to preferred relationships with the cruise lines,” said Goldman.

Toronto-based Direct Travel advisor Gerry Koolhof is celebrating his second consecutive year as a Cruise Icon. Koolhof said he’s humbled to receive the recognition: “I am honoured to be part of our amazing Virtuoso Team, creating lifetime memories for my clients.”

Direct Travel was also recently named Top Cruise Producer at Virtuoso’s U.S. forum. Recently elected to Virtuoso’s Global Member Advisory Board, Smith added: “It’s clear that cruising is enjoying a huge surge of popularity, and we are very proud to deliver the counselling and expertise our clients value.”

Other Canadian Cruise Icons are: Rose Coleman, Erika Gal, Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Shawn Kilner, Grace Markus, Magda Newman, Sue Pechtel, Alan Szeto and Barbara Trotter.